, 1865-12-22

his checks, that "he did shoot Nelson, be-
tween Gilman and Onarga, on the night Of
the I'd Of November. That he hired the re-
volrcr in Kankakec for that purpose. That
kakce together." ucsaid that "the shot did
not kill Nelson that he had struggle With
him that he choked him, aud that Nelson was
not dead when he left him ; TINT heEot bis own
coat bloody in the fearful encounter, and in
tho bitterness Of Lis soul he said that he
would have Given his own HE if he could
have called Nelson back to life after be had
done the decd"
He confessed nlso that he changed his name
from Harper to johnson, that be did desert
from the army, that be stole horse from Mr.
Wilson, Of Elilrgham, aud sold 1t. mud with a
part Of the money that he got for the horse
he hired tho revolver.
slro to unburdcn hts heart aud confess his
great crime, acknowledge his guilt to his fel-
low men, to his God, and seek that pardon
which God alone can grant.
'Twas not tor gain that he committed the
murder, he said. Tor his victim had but little ;
but hard, feelings toward him, and an IN
happy wretched state Of mind, that drove
him to desperation. He knew, be said, TINT
Nelson had little or no money With him, for
he had borrowed money oi his. Twas not
eontrosIed COZ passions. I fhess aGH dfo9e Elm un On
to commit the fearful act. The feeling that
burned like fire IN Ills bosom, made his own
life burden. -
DENIES PARTICIPATION IN oTurR e1kNss,
When he had confessed all in regard to dc.
seHfng, stealing the horse and numbering
Nelson. I asked him It he knew an7thins
about DeLos Carrier, Who very mysterfouslY
disappeared from Ashkum some timo ago.
He replied that ns God was bis witness he
kneto nothing about him that IL Carrier was
murdered he bad no hn1d In it that Nelson
WAS the only man that be ever murdered.
further asked him If he took my part in
burning a building at Gilman! He replied,
"God knows did not; ! vasnot there When
the building was 6red.h
In these statements the prisoner eyinced
trutlfhlness, candor, simplicity and honesty
that were calculated to carry conviction to
the mind.
feel convinced that he told mo tho truth
In these matters.
In THE CELL AFTER TIE CONFESSION.
In company with Dr. Taylor, I continued
to visit the condemned man In his cell until
he wns removed to the place Of execution.
Every morning at 0 o'clock we met there for
prayer aud Christian counsel. After his con.
fession, Harper seemed to be greatly relieved
In his mind. He told brs. Sherman, the Sher-
ITS wife, TINT be had confessed his crime, and
that he felt great deal better than be had at
any time before. lie spent his time in reading
The Scriptures, religious books, hymns, ,and ID
prayer. He appeared calm md composed and
remarkably resigned to his fate. IIe ate
moderately and slept usunlly very well. Du-
ring osr visits In tho cell, whilo We talked TO
him Of the great love Of Christ, and His viii
Nngness to forgive and receive eYen the chlci
Of Sinners, the penitsntial tears coursed their
way down his cheeks.
And in prayer, In which he Joined, hts bro
ken and contritc supplicatious to God for for
giveucss; llis confession Of his crime to his
God, interrupted only by bis tears; his
prayers for all his enemies, for his jatlor, for
nl1 Ia prison, for bis brothers and sisters, and
Tor his aged parents, were most affecting,
breathing The true spirit of Christian love,
and calculated to touch md elect the coldest
heart.
1t is true that "thc Lord secth not is man
sceth, for man lookcth On the outward ap-
penrlnce, but the Lord lookctl on the hearth
We may be deceived In his case, but there
were hopeful Indications manifested during
the last fen days OF Ills life which lend Ms to
hope that God, for Christ's sake, did pardon
his sins, and write his name In the *' Lambs
book Of Lie"
We hope t1lat has been done for him, which
WAS done for the dying thief on the cross.
II. Il. TUAyRR