The Nevada journal., 1856-04-25
Confession Of N. D. HarIoB,

Who was hung at Downieville, on the 18th o
April for numbering SMITH at Rabbit Greek
in June last
We are indebted to Fl. r. STILES for the
following confession of Harlow. the murderer
II was born in Kentucky ir 1922, and lived
there until 1885, then moved, with my father
sister aud brother to Ohio. In 1910 moved
to Missouri, in company with father and fam
lily. then went to Mexico with VIM Clark
and man named Boggs. My brother died
on Plum creek, near Fort -. lived in
Mexico in the fall and winter of 184S, and then
returned to Missouri. lived in Missouri one
year and then started fer California arrived
in Hangtown in 1S5l-went to Nevada and
lived two or three months. left Nevada and
went to Middle Fork Of American river, where
| went to mining robbing sluice boxes when.
ever had an opportunity. (The first time /
stole was when l was boy, then stole some
money from my father.) / left the Middle
Fork of the American river and went to the
North Fork of the Middle Fork OF the Ameri-
can river. l then went to Auburn and there
worked one month and half--was drunk once
during the time had fight with pistols and
knives with q man unknown, but nothing
serious occurred.
Alter the above occurrence I went to the
town OF Rough and Ready, where l was en-
gagged in robbing sluces. From Rough and
Ready went to ranch on Bear River, above
Auburn, to zee friend. then went to Hang
town, where "cleaned out" lot of Irishmen.
l then had a difficulty with man about
miaing claim--he drew a pistol on me and
cooked it. drew knife and he run. l then
went to Sacramento. Always travelled alone.
| left Sacramento and went to Marysville,
where l was introduced by q young man to
Mr.. SMITH, the deceased. then went to the
Columbus House, from thence to Saw Mill
on Dry Creek, where worked for few months
then bought half the MILL l hired Smith at
Marysville and he came up to the mill in COM
pany with his wife Immediately after hired
him. l hired them both. staid there three
or four months, after which sold my interest
and cleared out Smith and went up I'd the
American Honse, where gave Smith an in
production to Mr.. Whiting, and Smith rented
the house Of him. then went to Gibsonville.
was there one month, when Smith came up
to said place after me, to settle difficulty that
had occurred between Whiting and himself.
went and settled the difficulty, doing so be-
cause was friend of Mrs. Smith
! then returned to Gibsonyille, and stopped
| L
Nelson and stopped there one month left
Nelson Greek, and went to Rabbit Creek
about the month of june While at Rabbit
Creek l robbed "Chicagos'' sluice boxes. Mr..
Smiths wife then came up with him. Smith
proposed to go in partnership with me, which
at that time refused (; but subsequently, went
into partnership. We went out into the
woods together to cut wood, and while Smith
was standing with his side towards me, struck
him with my axe on the side of the head, and
ne never spoke after the first blow He had,
previous to this, threatened my life several
times as he aras jealous, suppose. We had
no words or quarrel at the time we we're in
the woods. l killed Smith wilfully, maliciously
and corruptly, That night started off, and
slept in the woods. The next night l came
back, and knocked at the door Of Rigbys
house; the woman that came to the door seemed
| tosbe frightened, and l told her if she was
Scared, would not come in. then left, and
was discovered by party of men, and was
shot while running, the ball going through
both thighs. ran down and jumped into
lot OF chapparel nay purSuers came within ten
feet OF me, while lying concealed. did not
recognize any OF their voices if l had recog
nlzed either OF the Testers voice, should have
given myself up. / left there the same night
and took the main road and when on the road
l looked back to the north and saw q light
following me. ! never was superstitions in
my life, but the light kept gradually moving
towards me then saw dog standing beside
me; struck at the dog several times and could
not hit him; then walked on and the light fol-
lowed me for three-quarters of an hour, until
saw teamster's wagon on the road, and
from him stole three pairs of blankets; Islept
in the woods that night. was keeping my
course for Placer county, to place on Bear
river where had been before, at the ranch.
went to the same gentleman and told him that
had got into fight with man and that the
man had shot me, and that had killed the
man. lied to my friend who protected me :;
my FREUD then advised me to give myself up
to the authorities l told him was afraid of
the mob. / staid at Bear river about two
months, until my wounds were healed, and from
thence started south and went to Tuolumne,
between Gold Hill and Columbia, for the pur-
pose of mining. | was told by those working
there that my mind was troubled, and by one
in particular, that was working with, named
David Monroe, who accused me of the same.
At that time 1 went by the name of "Tiford
Monroe" l soon after left Tuolumne county,
with the intention of going home or to Oregon.
l went down and got sdrunk on the boat be-
tween Sacramento and San Francisco. In San
Francisco went twice down the wharf to
drown myself, my heart failed me upon look
ing at the water each time. / was finally re-
cognized and arrested by officer Harford. l
am now in Jail and have been acting the fool;
have got my senses, but have suffered thou.
sand deaths in my conscience. / have once
tried to starve myself in Jail, but could not do
SO when my food was brought me every day.
also at one time tried to choke myself and
could not do 1t. / am thankful to the jailor
for his kindness to me while in jail, and more
especially to Mrs. Ford. wish it to be dis
tinctly understood that the young man who
was accused Of robbing ''Chicago's" sluice-
boxes, when was there, is innocent Il did it
myself M. D. HAELow.
REPUBLICAN CoNvENTIoN-An attempt
will be made to rally a Republican con-