Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-11-28
STARTLING NARRATIVE OF CRIME.


and mysterious murders, attributed to
Mexican banditti. In most cases the VIC
tim was miner, known to have been
working a gold claim, and situated in a
locality where, in case of attack by rob-
bers, he would have little chance of es-
cape, and still less OF assistance from
neighbors. In several instances men
were murdered and their bodies burned
on the spot; and upon making search
for the missing, the only ground for sus-
picion that the party sought for had been
murdered, was in the fact that his tent
or cabin bore traces of havirg been ri
fed, and evident hasty departure of the
occupant. The officers of the law were
unable to gain any trace to the route pur-
sued by the murderers, or their number
and character, although it was univer-
sally believed that they were Mexicans.
Some weeks since, murder was COM
mitted in FL Dorado County, and suspicion
attached to a man named Wilson, and al
though there was nothing of proof suf-
fcient to warrant his arrest, deputy
sheriff of that county resolved to try
what could be done by stratagem, and
accordingly approached Wilson, and
charged him directly with the murder.
Wilson manifested every symptom of
guilt. and Immediately exclaimed. "have
they caught Kelly ?'' The officer said,
eyes, we have got Kelly - when the
other replied, "Then the d-d scoun-
drel has blowed upon me-
Wilson was Immediately taken to the
Coloma jail, when he was induced to be-
come States evidence, with the condi-
ton that he should be liberated upon the
conviction of his partners in crime. He
then commenced long narrative of mur-
ders, to which he had been a witness
and party, and implicated two men nam
ed. Kelly and Mickey Free, with whom,
it appears, he was associated in nearly
every murder that has been committed
in the section of the country specified
during the last year. He related his sto-
ry with such minute detail, apparently
exhibiting such a wonderful power of
memory, that his listeners were almost
induced to the belief that they were be-
ing deceived by the imaginings of mad
man.
Many of the circumstances which he
related, however, were in some measure
known TO the officers, anil careful
mole was taken Of all the descriptions
which he gave relative to the positions
of the bodies Of men that had been mur-
dered by him and his companions, and
buried, as precaution against immedi-
ate investigation OF the murder. In eve
ry instance these descriptions were found
to be wonderfully correct, even in such
details as the tearing of a garment and
stufing the fragment into the mouth of
the victim, 10 prevent his calling for as
sistance. Bodies of murdered men, des-
cribed oy him as having been burned at
distance from any habitation, were
found in the exact position indicated.
The form and color of rcck, tie pecu-
liar inclination of the branches and shrub
berry of a tree in a spot visited by him
but once, and then under circumstances
which gave little time OF opportunity fol
remark, were described with such accu-
racy that the officers had only to refer
to the chart which be had marked out
for their guidance, and they we're sure
of finding the objects which it indicated
Soon after the arrest Of Wilson, a DO.
lice of this city, visited him in his cell
at Coloma Jail, with the view of ascer-
tanning if he was the person of the same
name who is accused of numbering q
man in Montgomery County some years
since. As soon as the officer entered the
cell, he saw that Wilson was not the man
he was looking for, and Immediately turn
ed away, when the jailOr remarked to
the officer; "I'll bet you that Wilson
can describe TO me every article OF your
dress"
The officer remained iii a position
where he could listen Without being seen
by the prisoner, and was startled to hear
a complete description not only of his ap-
parel, but even of peculisities Of his per-
son which he himself had never previ-
ously noticed. 1t is admitted by all that
man of such remarkable talent, cara
bic Of employing il in the manner illus
tra;ed by bis own story of crime, is too
dangerous person t, be allowed his Ii
berty. Mickey Free, one Of the murder
Gus trio, has been arrested, and will un-
doubledly be executed. Kelly had not
been captured at ,he last accounts, but
it is believed he is in the State, and eau
moi finally escape the punishment which
is justly due for the crimes he is said TO
have cOmmI,tet.
! Elan must possess fire in himself ie-
Gor, lie can kin.ile up The electricity thu;