Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-09-14
HIS CONFESSION.

HIS CONFESSION.
There was no confession on the ScahJid. am
only a brief verbal one the day before his exc
%cullon, made to two or three who visited lin
in prison. lie admitted that he had taken tn,
lsfe OF his mother-in-lsw and her son, TO
which he was condemned. He had married
the daughter, who proved incontinent, but ,
is more than suspected, with his full knowl
edge, II not consent. About a year be fore thi
double murder, he had Knocked bis fsther-in.
law in the head and thrown him into the ca.
nal, where he was found, but the crime was
not traced 10 Dick. 1t was partly in spprehen-
sion that The old won m, who was privy TO the
deed, would blow upon him, and partly be-
cause he had no moral restraint to prevent his
taking life whenever he felt the inclination.
The boy he did not intend 10 kill, but did so
because he ran and gave the alarm. He pur.
sued, overlook and killed him. The only mo-
tive be had for killing the old man was that he
was inStigsted by the old woman, because he
had taken all the money she could raise. and
squandered 1t in drunkenness, 1t was not to
possess himself of any property, as had been
alleged, that he had committed murder. II
was partially believed, that he had poisoned
his otcn brother, who he said was o lazy, tri-
fling fellow, who wouldn't work, and sccor.
dinghy a man, whom he described like himself,
administered dose that did bis business.
DAY BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
The Editor of the Dayton Empire, in com.
pany with James Fl. Baggott, Esq, called upon
The condemned the day before his execution,
and found him calm and composed, and quite
willing to converse as 10 the murder and the
causes that led to them. We avail ourselves
OF the report of Mr.. Fitch:
When we got through with this part of the
conversation concerning his eternal welfsre)
he remained silent and houghtiul for a mo
ment, and then remarked, OF his own accord
and without any Observation-Disclosures, |
am guilty of killing those people; | have told
the priest all about ii, and this much | en-
willing TO tell you, if you are here on F. day
morning you will hear me tell ALL" lie in
sisted that StafGin and the little girl had teSti-
fet falsely on the trial. He said he had never
told the things that Stanin attributed 10 himin
regard to the spade, &C., and that the little
girl had never seen him wash his boots at tho
brook.
He refused 10 tell what instrument he had
used IN killing his victims, and also refused an
answer when asked whether he expected that
James would he along with the old lady in the
on the morning of the murder. He
made the same reply 10 this that he did 10 sew.
eral Other questions that were put 10 him, viz:
'You will hear me tell all on Friday" He
'esned adverse TO giving any details of what
lad transpired said he had confessed TO the
and that was slIthat could intersstus
we remarked to him that the general opin-
on was that he had committed lie murder for
he sake Of getting hold of the old woman's
or a portion Of it. This he denied
ternly and emphatically. He said he was in.
luenced by entirely different motives and he
principally instigated to the act BY a de-.
ire to revenge himself for the wrongs he had
uEeTed from The old woman and his wife. lie
his wife with being the author Of all
mlsioftunes. He said she was unlaithful
o hlm-he had repeated evidences of hel
uilt, and he knew that the old woman not
Iot only encouraged her in her vicious con-
uct, but actually received money asthe price
I her prostitution. This, he said, enraged
i'm, and he resolved 10 have revenge on both.
lar as the mother was concerned. he effect
d his purpose, how terribly the public already
lie declared as a dying man that this
'aS the motive which drove him to the com
lisSion of lhe murder, and that he had no de.
ire 10 possess himself OF the little property
nat belonged to the family.
We have here briefly recited The substance
T the conversation which took place during !
ur interview with Dick. We could not re.
st the conclusion that he meant 10 be hon.
in his statements. Heconyesed freely and
ithout reserve, and all he said about the muir
.r was entirely voluntary.
DESCRIPTION OF DICK.
in person he was, FIVE feet eight or len in-