Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-12-02
A Conversation with DIR. Graham.

The following narration Of IN interview witt
DR.. Graham, in the prison, we take from The
New York Wall Street Journal. The fact:
stated in relation to his prison accommodations
are strictly and literally true. He has beer
subject to rigid prison discipline; no favors
have been shown him, and no discrimination
made between him and those convicted of the
most heinous and unmitigated offenses. The
revelations made by the Doctor Of the aniaus
or mental condition under which the act Of
killing was committed, is deserving of credence,
although not admissible technically, as legal
evidence, yet given under the circumstances,
when not the least hope could be entertained
that the statement would have any effect in
mitigating his sentence or ameliorating his con-
dition, it is certainly entitled to belief Per-
haps the worst enemy DR.. Graham has will
credit his solemn asseveration, that he chad
no malice against Col. Loring, and did not in
tend to kill him.
Many persons suppose that station, wealth,
and friends, have great influence in mitigating
the punishment of criminals, but we have al
ready shown that DR.. Graham, notwithstanding
all these accessories, has been convicted of a
much higher crime than many others tried
about the same time, although he was much
less guilty. and on recently visiting him at the
tombs, We were more fully impressed with the
fact that such is not the case.
We supposed that he might possibly enjoy
larger liberty, and receive many favors denied
to others; but he is confined with the utmost
rigor, and has to endure all the indignities COM
mon to other prisoners
No one is permitted to enter his CELL not eren
his uife;; and visitors are compelled to converse
with him through his grated door.
The Doctor shook US warmly by the hand
saying-s'I am very glad to see you, SIR the
sun shines so beautifully that almost envy you
who have perfect liberty"
We replied Doctor, public opinion is very
much against you. and it is generally thought
that you are suffering the just penalty of your
crime''
81 know it," said he, "but if my wife had
been permitted to testify, and the public knew
all the circumstances of the case they would
think differently. In my heart | feel perfectly
innocent of ever having premeditated my harm
to Col. Loring.''
We admitted that there were many mitigating
circumstances in his case, but did not consider
him justifable in killing Col. Loring We were
open to conviction, however, and should like to
hear o narrative of all the circumstances of the
case.
The Doctor willing, complied, and made the
following statement, which, as near as recolec-
ton will permit, we give in his own words:
Il arrived in New York on the first day of
August, 1854, at the St. Nicholas Hotel. and
Immediately retired to the room assigned me.
and endeavored to get servant by ringing the
bell in my room, but found that it was out of
order. | then went into the hall and rung the
hall bell for a chambermaid when she came
she brought me what ordered. After dressing
for the day went to the Office and tJld one Of
the clerks that my bell did not ring; he told me
he'd me have it attended to immediately; | sup
posed it had been put in order, as | had 20 oc
casion to try it until the next morning; upon
failing to get an answer, as on the morning
previous, asked my wife if the bell had been
fixed; she replied that it had not; was natur-
ally somewhat annoyed, and went into the hall
to ring for chambermaid, when Col. Loring
came to his door, and in an angry and excited
manner said-s'is it you ringing the bell ?" |
sight better go to your room and not disturb me
and my WIFE" He then violently shut his door
and | rang the bell again; upon which Col
Loring came to the door with his clothes on,
Ind fiourishing large stick in his hand, threat
sned to dash my odd brains out :" at the
same time using the most threatening languages
Ind gestures. My wife was in the hall at the
same time, being attracted by his loud and boist-
srous manner; I went Immediately to my room
md dressed myself; in the same time my wife
vent towards him to explain to him (as she
'ays,) the reason why I rang the bell, and at
he same time to pacify him. As my wife came
nto our own room | was just about leaving to
90 to the office, to complain about my bell, and
rider what / wanted. My wife, who saw Col.
loring leave his room, did not tell me he had
lone so, nor did l for one moment doubt but
hat he was in his own room, until met him at
he head of the stairs, coming from the office.
Is soon as he saw me he commenced abusing
ne, and said he would have me turned out of
he house, He said I had disturbed him and
lis wife, and be would cut my id liver out
It the same time putting his hand under his
oat, and denouncing me Cd id loafer, and
etc. told him did not want to
ave any difficulty with him then. He then
alled me scoundrel. I replied "You ie;"
lpon which he struck me severe blow, COM
'letely stunning me- sending me distance of
It least six feet, and depriying me of conscious
less. Col. Loring advanced upon me, and
aised my cane to strike him, when he caught |
old ofjt, and tried to wrest it from me. In
he struggle, he pulled off the scabbard, and
eized me by the threat with one hand, and with |
he other pressed close around me, crushing me
nder him. felt completely overpowered, and
ost all consciousness. The first thing remem-
er was Col Loring crying s'You have stabbed
ae." I then found the sword in my hand, ap- |
arently fast. Col. Loring commenced to fall, |
till having his right hand around my body, so
hat in falling he almost pulled me down with |
i'm. After he had fallen, | found the sword in |
~ right hand, bent in the shape Of crescent. |
ome one present said !" He is killed" I ex-
laimed ssGreat God, hope not; / hope he is
OF much hurt" did not know what to do, |
ut determined to 60 down stairs and tell them
t the Office what had occurred, and ask them |
0 send immediate aid. felt that could do |
othing myself, being completely overwhelmed
nth confusion; and any GOODNESS I may have |
hown at the time was not real, for inwardly |
rayed that he might be saved from DEATH I
o solemnly swear, as if in the presence of my
'reator, that never bore any malice against
ol. Loring. and did not intend to kill him. |
o not know when or how the stab was given,
nd also fully believed that Col Loring intended
. do me grievous bodily harm, and was in
y r