American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-02-19

az" $50 w SlL participation, no know,
ledge on my part as to who murdered
| White, l solemniy declare know moth
ing whatever. Daring my trial many
witnesses were examined. What some
OF those swore to, they are mistaken
about. But | believe they were all
honest except two, perhaps three. One
was sworn then the others; for he not
only makes me admit the murder, but
act like a staggering reckless fool
But forgive them all even him, and
pray Almighty God to forgive them.
Since my confinement in jail, have
always been treated with humanity and
Kindness by Sheriff Patterson, andGod
will reward him for his goodness of
heart, even if it should extend little
humane sympathy to me, so unfortu-
nate rs to become his prisoner. As to
Tailor Phillips, he has always treated
me kindly. In this respect l have
nothing to complain of; but he should
be content to guard the body Of the
prisoners, and not try to get confess
slons out of them to be used against
them on their trial. What Ihave here
said is from sense of duty, and not
out of malice or bad feeling towards
any one. lam not in situation to in
dulge in words of hatred and revenge,
but rather in those of repentance and
sorrow. During my confinement I
have suffered more a thousand times
for the crime l have committed than
the fear of death which is so rapidly
approaching. Here is the fatal rope,
the scaftold and the hand that is to send
my soul into eternity; but l do not
fear; l have made my peace with all
the world, and trust with God. And
now, before these witnesses; and in the
presence of Almighty God, before
whom in moment of time / expect to
appear, and with the last breath that I
am permitted to breathe on earth, with
a full knowledge of my awful situation
and my accountability, l solemnly pro.
test and declare that Monroe Stewart
is entirely innocent of the murder of
George Wilson and his sister. The
deed was planned and perpetrated by
myself and Charlotte Jones, without
another human being to plan aid or as.
sist us. For our crime he has suffer
cd a long Imprisonment, but l pray
God that the last words of q dying
man, with no hope or motive to declare
anything but the truth, while the lust
punishment Of God would be visited
upon falsehood, will be taken and re-
store him to that liberty of which he
has been so long deprived. In what.
ever was honest he was my friend, but
no partner of mine in crime. He has
suffered much for my crime and beg
his forgiveness. Monroe Stewart is
innocent. May God have mercy on
my soul.
HENRY FIFB.
After Fife had concluded his reading
Mr.. Williamson came forward and read
the written statement of Charlotte
Jones
DYING DECLARATION OF CHARLOTTE
! JONES.
| have now but a few moments to
live and | wish to make n statement of
the truth. Since my arrest | have
been represented as person harden
ed and destitute of feeling, and without
penitcnce for the crime in which have
been engaged. Any statements that
l was not sorry are untrue; because |
have suffered continual y since the per.
petratlon of that ofrence-morc than
tongue can tell; and if l had the pow
or to retrace my steps and restore my
uncle and aunt to life there i: nothing
| would not be willing to do to accom-
p!lsh it. The reason why / didthis was
the great love [ had for Henry Fife,
and in order to get money to 90 to
house keeping with him. Ashort time
before this crime was committed, Fife
left me against my earnest wish---giv-
ing me as reason for leaving me, that
he was too poor to support me, and
that he was compelled to leave me, and
60 ard hunt work. He did leave me
and l was under some apprehension
whether he would return. During his
absence l suffered great deal, and I
would have done anything in the world
to be with him. When l next saw him
he was at Columbia Washington coun-
ty, Pa. l was not willing that he
should leave me again, and l went with
him-he going to M'Kcesport, and
to my unclc's. Then when was at
my uncle's house, first formed the i,
dea Of committing the crime, in order
to get the money, so that | could live
with Fife, as | was still afraid he wo'd
leave me again.
| also fully believe that Monroe