The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-06-21
From the Dayton (Ohio) Journal]
Thrilling Misunderstanding a Hus-
band.
A WIFE'S CONFESSION.

wIFE's CONFESSION.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ragan who stands
charged with the murder of her husband
by the administration of poison, is the
daughter of Martin Cunningham, an old
and esteemed citizen of Coesville, Miam
county. She is apparently about twenty
two years of age, medium height, has blue
eyes and brown hair, and may be pro.
nounced good-looking woman. She is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and was always considered by
those who knew her to be good christian
a kind and affectionate wife, and an ex-
emplary member of society. But in the
face Of all this, she committed one of the
most cold blooded murders ever record
ed in the annals of crime. Her husband
is said to have been an honest, temperate
and industrious mechanic, always provi-
ding well for his family, and never SO hap
py as when administering to the comforts
of her he SO dearly loved, but from whom
lie received the basest ingratitude in re-
! turn.
James D. Mowry, also citizen of Coles
vile, was arrested soon after the commits
mission of the murder, upon the charge
above stated. He is man of property,
has wife and three chilren, and has al
ways borne good name. He is about
thirty-fve years of age, FIVE feet ten inch
es in height, and as ill-favored man as
one would see in days journey. Now
ry has been member of the Methodist
Church, in good standing, for many years.
Monday evening, Mowry seemed in good
spirits, and most of those who heard it
were convinced of bis innocence, and deep
ly sympathized with him. But on Tues
day morning. after hearing the testimony
of Mrs. Ragan, the public mind under
went great change the sympathies of
a great majority were enlisted in behalf of
Mrs. Ragan, and nearly every one seemed
convinced of the guilt of Mowry.
Mrs. Ragan made full confession of
her guilt, the chief cause of which was her
passion for Mowry The latter had, for
long time been importuning her to murder
her husband. Some four months ago she
wrote him the following letter on the SUBJ
ject:
Piqua, Dec. 6, 1854
"Dear Jln1nay.' Once again am seat
ed to write few lines to you. said [
would not any more, but you know can't
refrain from it, as l have been living in
a perfect hell, Cf you will allow the ex-
preston; it is hard one, but neverthe-
less true,) and l have been tormented day
day and night since l came home. He
saw me kiss you, and that was enough
Oh how have had to suffer for it. l
did not think he saw me, but be was watch
ing me. am so nearly beside myself
that | hardly know what I am doing
He says that | shall not 60 home any more,
and be says he will not get me any more
clothes, and that l can't 60 as much as I
have
Now I cant stand this any longer, and
I appeal to you for help. l have thought
of one more plan; [ am going to make
one more proposition to you, and if you
will do it, [ will grant you, the request
you have so long asked of me. as soon as
you will only do what want you. Now,
it is this you make proposition to him
to 90 and look at some new country-to
Oregon, or Wisconsin, or some ether place
and name the period right off, and if
he says be has not the means, you tell him
you will furnish the means if he will 90
for company; then will persuade him to
60, and you can go on horseback, or on
the cars, and you can take your two hor-
ses and 60 the rest of the way-that is
till you get good ways from here, and
you can procure your poison and admin
lister in oysters, and he will never
know the difference; you can give them
at some farm house; they will never know
the difference, and you can pretend to
take it hard to think you have to turn
back.
When you can accomplish what have
told you, you can telegraph to me that he
is dead [ will tell the Templars, and
have them to make up thirty dollars and
send to bear his expenses. If you will come
up as soon as you get this, l will tell you
all about it, and then grant you the re-
quest. come up rlSnt away, can tell
you better Now dear, do come; you
know love you; you are we'll aware of it.
I will write no more till see you. Come
up right away. My ink is pale. Yours,
in life or death.
From yours, or one that loves you"
This plan not being adapted by Now
yy, she administered the poison herself
In the course of her confession, she says:
II procured arsenic at the drug store,
at Tippecanoc on Friday; came home on
Saturday and administered it to my bus
band on Thursday; it was dark told
DIR. Brownwell he took it himself; l re-
pented of the act, and wanted the doctor
to save his life. | have known moth
ing at all since his death, until the day
before Yesterday. l told DR.. Brownwell
not to say anything of it to Ragan; |
gave him only part of what | had he
came home at half past ten in the even
ing sick !; / gave him no more until Mon
day morning, when found him out of
dopoar fhouoht the matter all over