Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-09-18
COLU NJ B u S.:
wednesday Morning, Sept. 1e, 1852.

The following is the confession of Nathan Crist
as to the murder of Theodore Nye, at the Eutaw
House, in Mobile, on the morning of the 26th of
February, 1859, and for which he suffered the
penalty on Friday last. This confession was made
by Crst, to the Rev. Mr.. Massey, the Clergy
man in attendance, who wrote it down at the die
tation of the prisoner, and read it over to him,
when it was signed by the latter in firm fair
hand;
CONFESSION.
Having no longer any hope OF escaping the just
sentence of the law, and trusting, through Gods
mercy, to secure the salvation of my soul during
the short time l have veto live, hereby make
full confession of my guilt in the awful murder of
Theodore Nye.
The idea of committing the murder first enter
ed my mind on the morning of the day we left
New Orleans for Mobile Nye told me that he
had large sum of money, and was on his way to
California; and this tempted me to commit the
deed Having heard him say that he had some
friends in Mobile, told him that l was coming
here, and if h. would come along would pay
his passage. 1t was then my intention to kill him
on the way here but my heart failed me, and l
abandoned the idea entirely, | then determined to
90 to Montgomery on the same day of our arri-.
boat for my baggage the servant who had charge
of it was away, and | could not get it. When
returned to the hotel that time, the devil again put
it into my head to kill Nye. l went and bought
hammer, resolving to execute my purpose du-
ring the night but my heart failed me-; and in the
morning of the twenty sixth | arose, again deter
mined to give it up altogether. left my room
early, Nye being asleep having been out the night
before Two or three times before breakfast, |
,t... / ~ u m but | coy,gH not do
i | ate breakfast, and went again up to our
rom and told him to 'get up and come and get
his breakfast and left the room. After awhile
started I'D stairs cain, without any idea of MUIR
der, but wien | entered the room, Nye being still
in bed the first object that met my eye the
accurscd hammer which had purchased. In a
n1oment--iu what seems now whlri OF derange-
ment-L seized the hammer and strove to bury it
il his temple He said nothing afterwards, and
made no noise, bat seemed struggling to move
himself | took d towel and tied it tightly about
his throat, and then searched for his money, I'M
der the pillow and in his pockets.
b ing disappointed went down stairs, paid
our bills, and asked for the package Nye had de-
posted Failing to get that, went directly to
the New Orleans boat got my baggage, and went
on board the Lowndes. never was on board the
St. Charles as one of the witnesses on the trial
asserted. Shortly after getting on board of the
Lowndes CURL and Terrell come aboard from the
Oregon | was sitting on the forward part of the
boat CURL came and took his seat near by me,
Anu remarked, eve had pleasant time coming
over" | said every pleasant" He said, ''the
Oregon is a very fine boat" replied, Eyes,
very fne'-and so on, not correcting his impress
sion that had come over with him. On our way
to Montgomery many little incidents were spoken
of by CURL and others, as having occurred on the
Oregon-of all of which, talked as though l was
familiar with them And when these were again
brought to his mind by Gen. Andrews, to whom
related Them they confirmed his impression tha
had come with him from New Orleans | Dc
not doubt that CURL is an honest man, and that h'
fully believed every word he said at my trial
had managed to deceive him.
We remained on board the Lowndes all the day
before she left, except about two hours, during
which as CURL stated, we wandering about TIN
city. On our way back to the boat when we go
in the neighborhood of the Post Office, we parted
-he going to see "the wild horse and to tn
boat. Curl came down just after dinner, ant
the Captain asked him. / think, to go to the pantr
and get something to eat.
When | first went on board the Lowndes,
registered my own name, took state room, an
went to it, shaved off my whiskers and change
my dress. Twas sitting in front of the boat read
ing, when the officers came on board in search I
me, and they passed by me.
We reached Montgomery very early in th
morning. and | went up to the hotel. l have n
recollection of the conversation which the witness
Boiling, testified to as having passed between hir
and myself. Think it did not take place. as b
that time my excitement had worn off, and VIZ
perfectly calm. The report which was current
4 conversation between Sargent and myself. i
generally correct as is also the larger part Of til
testimony given by all the witnesses at my tria
That was seen at the Bank, with carpet bs
I'M nv hand, on the morning Of the murder--th
l took oysters, and was introduced to some one
an oyster house, and that was met by the Gle
of the Eutaw House, returning to the hotel abo
the middle of the night before the murder-a
not correct But, Ihave no doubt that the W
nesses all testified to what they believed. ha
no fault to find with them, and no malice again
them. i shall die, with no feeling OF ill.W
against body in the world. May the Lord be
Others to feel as kindly towards me, as do t
wards them
One dagger, which is still in my bosom, is th
] can make no reparation to the relatives of \
poor unfortunate victim. Oh that could OF
that could hear them say that they forgaye n
All that can do now is to beg their forgiveness
and pray that God may help them to grant 4
dying request
have nothing more to say, but to warn
Others to fly from temptation. The first thong
Of crime, II not resisted may lead to the destTu
ton of body and soul can scarcely realize no
that ever committed any thing So awful as
stain my hands ia my brothers. blood Sat