Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-07-22
Letter from the Wife of Crlse, the AL
legged Murderer.


legged Murderer.
The Mobile Iribwae. Of the Sd inst. puhlieh-
o. the following letter. and remarks:-"It was
written by the v lie If the criminal Crist, short
" after he was arrested in Ohio, and buught
to this city. II reached him in Jail. 1t 10 .
touching and womanly performance. and Shove
ia every line that constanf faith which, in the
heart OF n true wiEe-like the ivy to the oak
in storm-clings more closely as adversely
falls around its object. Guilty Crist is, there
must be in hi. nature some hidden source Of
gcnlenrss. No perfectly evil thing could
prompt such attachment as this affecting let
ter betrays:
CLEVELAND. April Z, 1852.
MY DEAREST HusBAND.-I have been very
miserable since they took you away. When
you were here. and could have the happiness
of seeing my own darling sometimes. was bet
ter satisfied; but now my heart is almost crush
ed. They have torn you from me so sudden
Iy and unexpectedly. that can hardly realize
my situation. Can i, he possible that We arc
ne, er to meet again upon earth! Oh. my dari.
ingi il has been but two short years since We
stood at the altar. surrounded by our friends.
and we the hnppiest of,he happy; and since
that dearest, We have enjoyed each others SO.
ciety 90 much. And now that this dreadful
sorrow should descend upon our heads to
crush our future hopes--Oh. my God! no won
der cannot realize my miserable situation.--
But must not give away in this matter. |
promised you that would not give up until
they proved you guilty. ! hope they will new
er DO that. cannot believe you would com.
nit so horrible a crime as you arc charged
with One who has always hcen 90 kind TO
his family and friends, and always so tender
hearted. could never raise his hand against his
fellow man. unless in self defence. But tho
one " ho murdered Nyc did not do that; 50 il
cannot be my darling ha band. No. never.
never!
Bu'. dearest, If you did commi, that crime.
beg of YOU, US a husband and father. to tell
ue before you die. so can be better satisfied;
fo'. oh. God knows that If they hang an inno-
cent man. and should be convinced Of the
fact. my reason would depart forever. andthcy
would have the blood oftwo innocent persons
to answer for. But If yon are hung. and con-
fess that you are guilty. then | would be bet.
ter satisfied. because could not blame them
for doing Their duty-ahough shall never
feel any different towards you tnan do at
present: for you have always beon to ME .
kind beloved husband. | cannot feel aught
towards you but love a4ld respect, whether you
live or debut, as | said before. l can't be.
lieve you guilty until they prove you such!
and hope you will convince them Of your in
nocence. so that We may meet again, and con.
,inuc to live happily together in this world
and when We die. that we may be joined to.
gether IN heaven, is the prayer OF your once
happy. but low really afflicted wife.
presume Andrews did not 60 vita you.
but presume he will go down Immediately.
L. H.. tLA
thoroughly investigated. / had no idea that
promised to let father know W henhe was going.
but instead ofdoing as he should have done. he
went off without one article Of clothing for you.
I presume he was afraid they would mob him
for shooting Fuller intended sending your
clothes down that morning; when tho word
came that ,ou were gone. You left word to
send them to Cincinnati. bu, McGbbony said.
he intended stopping at Cincinnati over Sun.
day. so it was no use sending them there.
After Clar,Lce had gone TO sleep last night,
he opened his eyes and called papa, ss though
he had been dreaming ofyou, ltold the dear
little angel that papa wns gone away. He
went 10 sleep again, and presently he opened
his ewes again. and called papa! pspal Itmade
me feel So sorrowful could not sleep. 1t a.
most kills me to think that perhaps we may
never see you again. Dearest. / pray every
night that God would f,rgivc your sins and
reci,e you in heaven. ft is your fate TO die
which also pray that it may not be. hope
tho jaiIor will be kind to you, and let you write
to me often. have not heard one word
from you yet. but presume it is not your
fault know you will write to me If you
can.
We are all well, and hope you are the
same. Mother and Miranda do not believe you
guilty. They send their love to you. Accept
my whole love dearest. | am SO overcome with
sorrow thar l Gun write no more TO day
Good bye. May we meet ssain soon.--God
bless ydu. and keep you safe! From youf
dyarcst, faithful wife. LucRETiA CRIsr.