The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-27
One OF the Condemned.
STATEMENT OF JAMES SHEPHERD, CoNDEM NED TO 3
RxECUTED FOR ARSON.

u
EXECUTED FOR ARSON.
James Shepherd, the unfortunate man now confined in
the city prison. and sentenced 70 be hung the sth Of
February for setting fire 70 his own dweng in which his
wife burnt TO DEATH sent word TO the HxID Office
that he desired to make statement the public One Of
reporters accordingly despatched and through
the courtesy Of the city prison officials obtained inter-
view with the condemned. Tho reporter informed Shep-
herd that two statements which he had given him ct
previous interview necessarily omitted from our
last article the "Prisoncrs the Tobs of
their beous nature charging, as they did, the crimes Of
conspiracy and perjury upon the principal witnesses for
tho prosecution. Shepherd remarked that he not
sorry that they had not been published, be very
angry when he wrote them, and did cherish such
harsh feelings. He believed that he reconced 10 his
fate and glad they had not been published he had
doubt they would have injured but himself.
Now, he said, ho was prepared 10 give our
reporter a truo statement, and asked If he
had book and pencils TO take II down. The reporter
produced his paper and busy sharpening his pencils
when Shepherd asked for the loan Of the knife ostensby
to pare his nails. The request being declined with an
offer TO ask the permission of Mr. Cunningham the iacr
Shepherd objected and said "Never mind it." He then
gave tho following statement
suKrBxRDs STATEMENT
felt very bad the FIRST Of this affair and much ex.
Il
laid to my charge. felt very bad about being put in
prison for nothing. Bu1 feel that my days are
bered and have prayed TO God TO give such spirit
that could forgive my enemies have prayed TO him
three weeks, and have got nothing against them.
They know what they have done, and God knows they
have confessed they have done wrong 10 hcy have
come here and told There Ia Mr. John Qrinn, who
out Of the second story window in the
Why he not called the tria9 He To the fire
without either boots shocs He had nothing but bis
pantsoons and Shirt and he the tire the rst floor
can bring many other witnesses who know all about tho
irc who were not called There are great many others
who know where the Gre took place.
Al the suggestion Of the reporter Shepherd gave the
following detailed account OF all his kno sedgo OF the FIRE
which he stands convicted of having caused
The first thing knew Of the hre was that my wife woke
UP and said 10 me- my God, Jim, the house fire."
The Ore was advanced that could do nothing al
most and the fire down stairs. slept the second
floor The Orc commenced on the first floor. / ran to
the door Of the passage but could not get down stairs
mean could not get down stairs. We both went
geher then went 10 the front window and opened IL.
The blaze from the place on Are below came out Of the
lower windows up outside and struck my face by which
severely burned; AMI others have how (
burned. then ran 10 the bedroom window in the rear
The window but three feet high and when one sash
up that but eighteen inches high TO get by We
bad such small place 10 set out, and bad time 70
could scarcely do anything did my best 10 bear my wife
until the re overlook us, both her and me, and
had hold Of her at this time, but missed my hold
and went on, In the yard lost my hold you can say
being such small place, and my wife more and
left her nj the window. Sho would have been avcd had
abe jumped out, and tried 70 get out Thon
around by the front of the house, having got
fence and cried out that my wife 10 the fire. and then
got out Of my mind and they put In the station house
was distracted by the lre and the loes OF my wife.
knew my wife was In the FIRE. knew she not out,
because she did not come out along with The next
OF her In the station house, dead, and wishcd
10 God had been there tool bad been we'll satisfied
there Shepherd manifested much emotion They charged
me with murder, and said, 'sNo, no; I did notn did
nothing 10 her contrary TO the laws OF God man. be-
cause could no-she was good woman 10 me. more
emotion and tears never thought OF such thing until
sworn on the trial against me There was never
such thing thought OF by mo in the world
believe that Ere conspiracy OF my
enemies 10 burn both up and get the money
The next morning they looking in the for the
money. know my wife had money, but Il belonged 20
the next morning, before the ERE was out 10 build
house IN the place Of H. Henry Tremor told me that he
thought the re would reach his house before engines
came, the fire burned 80 quickly. The and his wife
the way the fire break out Ia the first floor, and
they swore 10 on the trial II the truth, but the
Jury would not beleve'it.
This statement given by Shepherd in a very disoon
neced manner, and with peculiar spssmodc style OF de-
livery AT the close he again requested the loan OF the
penknife 10 clean bis nails; and when II refused
said, "what do you think I want 10 kill myself No,
ar the man that kills himself be forgiven In the
pare HIS nails he thrust his hands between the bars OF his
cell door and asked that bis nails should be cut which
being done, he expressed his gratitude He very
anxious that the above statement should appear though
in spite Of his ayermen that he had forgiven all his
mics he evnced disposition 10 elaborate his charges OF
was convicted Our reporter found him leaning against
bis cell door, smoking pipe, and left him with his as
surance that he should probably have something 70
communicate within week