The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-31

road, which took of to the Left. Shortly after the
bugsy, when i ran up 10 aim with the barrel Of
the cane gun in my hand. The poor man, with
the blood Streaming from his head, and screaming
in tones of the most utter heplessness and despair
would not have done had it been possible to
have taken back the fatal shot. / would have
given wcrlds-aye, freely laid. down my own lie
10 have restored my friend, who now 90 pteousy
strength; but had gone too far to retract-the
horrible deed was done, and irretrieyably ruined.
knew he must die, and the sooner put him out
OF hi misery the better; therefore again struck
him three times on the bead and he yet struggled.
thought ie impossible to kill him with the cane,
SO opened his knife which had previously bor-
rowed, and struck him in the neck, intending to
cut bis throat; but was 30 much excited and dis
tressed, that continued stabbing him four or five
successive times. AS soon az he wasdead attempt
ed TO drag him to the buggy for the purpose of ia
king him 10 the river or farther in the woods, the
better to conceal him. But my nerves were 90 much
shocked at what had done, and was so weak at
what saw, and trembled SO much from excessive
excitement, that could do nothing. then attempt
ed TO pull of his coat for the purpose of getting his
money, but could not, and so proceeded to cut and
tear II of, until got at the belt containing the
money. Alter had procured the money was so
confused that | scarcely knew what had done, or
how to proceed. The horse, after Miller fell out
of the buggy, continued to run until the buggy be-
came tsngled IN grape vine, and the horse being
then got into the buggy and drove down TO the
first branch and washed the blood oil myself and
the buggy the best could; then hid the hat, after
which tried to drag Mr.. Mer's body behind a
log, but feared had already been so long that
some one having heard the gun 60 of, and the
screaming, might come and detect nae; SO I left,
and continued TO pursue my way towards Vincen-
nes- After my arrival speat much precious time
IN celebrating what course to pursue. AT one
time thought of going down the river on a steam
boat, which landed while was at Vincennes, and
at another Of going to Terre Haute, and another
some other place; but my mind was go much dis
tracted | did not know what to do, and finally
took the road leading to Louisville, Ky, which
proved the most unfortunate one | could have
taken.
Joserh r. Miller, up to the time of the awfal
deed, he was my best friend no brother could
have shown TO me, mole kindaess than he did,
especially on the fatal trip from Charleston. He
reposed every confidence in me, and ! now be-
lieve that had requested him to have let me
carry the belt and money, he would have done
So So far as could be seen with mortal eye, we
were bosom friends. In fact, any stranger would
home to a kind father, or aHectionate mother,
after long absence The natural question arising
in the mind of the reader, will be-" Then why
did you kill SO kind friendp' 1t was the demon
averice that prompted me to do ii, Il was for
his money wished to return to Virginia, and
show what had done for myself ia the West
could not bear the thought of returning a beggar
and prodigal TO the house OF nv childhood, which
had left under the displeasure of my father. was
determined 10 show that father that could and
would rise in the world without his assistance.
The time is close at hand, when shall pass
from this world, and trust TO a better one. re-
turn my thanks 10 my cou1sels for the able man.
ner IN which they defended me. | am satisfied
with the jury, aud every one with whom have
had any thing TO do and now bid this bright and
beautiful world an eternal farewell
: The follcxyuu h,, M,itoo Iona,
the prisoner, 10 James M. Miller, (brother of the
deceased) s inserted by the consent of prisoner
SsprsMsER 80, 1850.
Mn. MItLER-Dear Sir:-f cannot leave this
world IN the peace OF mind for which pray, with
out addressing you as one whom have so deeply
injured, TO acquaint you OF the bitter anguish of
soui,the sincere conrition of penitence have felt,
at having been IN mea sure, the cause of the
shocking aiction to which you were sudden
ly called 10 mourn.
can offer no excuse for my wicked and fatal
passion, nor would attempt ia the least, to pali-
ate IL. For Mr.. Joseph II. Miller, had never,
until the eccursed moment Of the misfortune, felt
ANYTHING but gratitude for his kindness and fsiend-
ship. And that should have allowed the feshlgs
excited at the moment Of misfortune, 10 have over
come my better Judgment, and induce me TO COM
peic the destruction Of the life of my unfortunate
fIiend-your brother-I have again, and again
wondered st with inexpressbe anazement
may not receive forgiveness Of you ia this
weTlo, yet cannot but hope and believe that you
Will think OF me With compassion, (yei, know
you would il you cosld hear, and would believe,
the circumstances under. which your brother disd,)
and RENE mber me in your prayers 10 Hun who
will not turn away from the humble and repenant
Had macy lives, with what JOY would Sacrifices
them, could IN the leasf, atone for the injury done
and alleviate the aficton:I have caused. But can
now only pray for forgiveness for myself, and for
every consolation and blessing upon every member
Of the wounded ana distressed family of the uafor-
tunaie deceased.
Ipow humbiy beg yoa to show this miserable
letter to every Hember ef the injured aud dis,re So
ed family, and particularly 10 the deeply grieved
wife of The unfortupGte deceased.
That every consolation and blessing may be
vouchssed 10 yourself and every member of the
wo1nded and distressed family, is the prayerof
MILTON Joags.