Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-09-20
ID. Moss, Sec'ry.

THE PALMYRA MURDER.-Statement Of Wise
We noticed by telegraph, short time since, the
murder of Thomas B. Hart, at Palmyra, Mo-, by
John S. Wise, who clerk in the ST. Louis post
office, and who detected correspondence passing be-
tween Hart and his wife by the discovery of letters
in the Office. letter from Palmyra to the St. Louis
Republican gives report of the examination of the
case, which still progressing on the 1lth inst
Wise made statement in which he admits that
struck with the PECULIARLY of letter directed to a
Miss Sopho in the post-offce where he acting as
clerk, he very coolly opened, lis this practice COM
in the St. Louis post-ofce y and found that it
was directed to his wife, and was from Hart. He
next anticipated letters Hart from his wife, taking
the came liberty that he did at ST. Louis 10 break
open letters directed to another person. Having sat-
isfed himself that his jealous suspicious had good
grounds for their indulgence. he next set out in
search of Hart. and his account of the mode of
approaching the man is as follows:
"As crossed the street obiqueIy, saw Hart sitting
in front of Overons Hotel and from the of
the letters and what know of the character of the
for desperation, thought that collision Of per-
sonal nature was ne'itable | could not mistake tn.
nature of his being here. knew his manner of going
armed and knew that he greatly my superior in size
and strength. knew that If approached him on Main
street he could see long before could get up him,
I
which aud. knew inevitable this advantage,
under the circumstances did not feel that justice
honor required to give him. therefore passed along
the back way around Mrs. Burrs and around Oyefons
AS reached the front door of the hotel, Hart
looked full in the face. presented pistol, sprang
upon the pavement and fired upon him. am aware that
a witness has stated that shot while standing upon the
door SILL but in this he is Mistaken distinctly recol-
lect that was the pavement and Hart looking me
full in tho face when fired. believed he was not
hurt and sprang forward and struck him the head
sew the he m OH
still obtain the advantage OF me- and expecting receive
the fire Of his pistol every moment drew my knife, and
in manner OF which have no distinct recollection,
pursued the fight until conceived IL out of his power
harm From the time opened the letters at III
postoffice in this place until the fatal
passed. my mind in the greatest possible excitement
The magnitude of my injury, and the fact that my de-
stroyer Unexpectedly me, ready TO wreak
further vengeance upon myself filled with sentiments
of horror and distress, which have power to de-
scribe. recolect that during the time that INTERVIEWED
after reading the Letters in the post-oce and the
trophe but few things The thought Of my wrongs,
my enemy and the inevitable necessity for the collision
which had to ensue, inflated my mind and drove me fu-
rousy along After the fatal encounter several persons
asked mo why did il answered them well as |
collect in substance, that he had injured than
had injured him still think had rather that he
had slain than treated he did ; did not feel
that could live with safety under his power
witness closes his account OF the bloody affrir by
stating tina! before Hart died, my attention again
called to Wise by his making known those standing
around that he wished TO get at deceased again. Some
remarked that he had already cut him enough-hat
he had already killed him. Prisoner replied in substance,
that he did wish to stab njure him any further,
but merely wished get where he could him draw
his last breath. lie then stepped towards the he
dying, and said in tone OF bitterness, 'Ah damn
you. have got you, have and then remarked that he
had followed him all the way here for tina, purpose
then kicking the feet of the dying man. Il don't know
whether he ht him not) he said, in alterng tone,
now 60 to hell
Wise has been admitted to bail in the sum of ten
II l.
4h inst. Mr. j. Nj. Winner. the POSTMASTER at ST.
Louis, il on Wse's bail-bond.