True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-02-17

! jury that tried my case; believe they did
their duty conscienliously. During the
eleven or twelve days l was on trial. my
counsel took a great many exceptions to
the opinion Of the court on the admission
of evidence, and when the case was re-
ported from the Supreme Court, i observed
hone of those exceptions had been pre-
sented or argued bat inquired of my
counsel about this, and he told me they
had been lost out of the Clerks Office and
could not be found. There was a large
number of these exceptions. Who car.
ried them off! l will not charge that
Mr.. Horner, the Clerk of the Court. had
anything to do with their being taken
away. / believe he is an honest man.
do not believe the District Attorney had
any knowledge of what became Of these,
and believe that my Counsel has in all
things, acted in good faith towards me.
Let the guilty party, whoever he may be.
however high in power, answer it to his
own conscience and 10 his God. There
will be ajudgment hereafter. not only for
the poor prisoner but for some of those
engaged in judging him. One of the
witnesses at the trial swore to my singing
a certain song in the cell, al the Mayors
office, in which | was made to say that
| killed George Wilson and his sister. 1t
is my duty to myself and the people that
leave behind, to solemnly declare that
| never sung that song. did have a
conversation with Charlotte and Stewart,
and among other things | said TO Stewart
that would do him justice; and with the
last breath that God gives me in this
world, | will redeem my promise to him.
| have been charged with The murder of
White, in connection with others. OF
his murder | am entirely innocent, and
repeat what l stated to Mr. Phillips in
my Confession, that | never saw VIM.
Jones until the nextYday after the murder
of White, and as to any participation or
knowledge on my part as to who murder
ed White, / solemnly declare know
nothing whatever. During my trial many
Witnesses were examined. What some
Of those swore to they were mistaken
about. But believe they were all hon
est except two, perhaps three. One was
sworn, then the others; for he not only
makes me admit the murder, but act ike
a staggering, reckless fool. But for
give them all, even him, and humbly pray
Almighty God to forgive them.
Since my confinement in Jail, have
always been treated with humanity and
kindness by Sheriff Patterson, and God
will reward him Tor his goodness of heart,
even if it should extend a little humane
sympathy to me, SO unfortunate as 10 be-
come his prisoner. As to Jailor Phillips,
he has always treatehme kindly. In this
respect | have nothing to complain of
but be should be content 10 guard the bo.
dy Of the prisoners, and not try to gel
confessions out of them to be used against
them on their trial. What l have here
said is from sense of duty, and not out
of malice or bad feeling towards any one
am in no situation TO indulge in words
o! hatred or revenge, but rather in those
of repentance and sorrow. During my
confinement | have suffered more in mind
thousand times for the crime | have
committed than the fear Of this death
which! is so rapidly approaching. Here
is the fatal rope, the scalfold, and the hand
that is to send my soul into eternity but
l do not fear; 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 | am per.
mi,,ed 10 breathe on earth, with full
knowledge Of my awful situation and my
accountability, | soemnly protest and de-
clare that Monroe Stewart is entirely in.
nocent of the murder of George Wilson
and his sister. The deed was planned
and perpetrated by myself and Charlotte
Jones, without another human being Ia
plan, aid or assist US. For our crime he
has suffered long Imprisonment, but
pray God that the las. words Of dying
man, with no hope or motive to declare
anything but the truth, while the just pun
ishment of God would be visited by false
hooc, will be taken, and restore him to
that liberty Of which he has been so long
deprived. In whatever vas honest he
was my friend, but no partner of mine ir
crime. He has suffered much for my
crime. and | beg his forgiveness. Mon
roe Stewart is innocent. May God have
mercy on my soul. HENRY FIFE.
Dying Declarations Of Charlotte
JoneS.-I now have but few moment:
to live. and wish to make a statement
of the truth. Since my arrest, | have
been represented as person hardened
and destitute Of feeling, and without pen
itence for the crime in which have beer
engaged. Any statements that Twas no
sorry are untrue because ] have suffered
continually since the perpetration Of tina
offence-more than tongue can tell ant
if had the power to retrace my steps
and restore my uncle and aunt to life
there is nothing | would no. be willing tc
do to accomplish it. The reason why
did this, was the great love had for Hen
ry Fife, and in order to get money 10 g
to housekeeping with him. A short iim'
before this crime was committed, Fife lef
me, against my earnest wish-givint
me as reason for leaving me, that hi
was too poor to support me, and that he
was compelled to leave me, and go ant
hunt work. He did leave me, and wa
| under some apprehension whether h
} would return. During his absence, sui
cered great deal, and would have don
| on1Ih;ro - ~ N ,r,orld fo hn with him -.