New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-13
WirZ's Last Letter to His
Family.
Why lie Would Not Commit Suicide.
THE POISONING STORY
STRONG DENIAL BY COUNSEL SCHADE,
Special Dispatch 70 The n, Y. Tribune.

Special Dispatch 10 The n. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON. Nov. ~, 1866.
All the heritage left by Wirz consisted of four
books Bible. Testament an A Kempis and
Tsohokes Mcditstions on Life. In the well.worn
Bible formerly in use in some hospital he wrote just
before going to execution:
My DEAR WIFE: This Bible send to YOU You see
the marks whore left of reading. God bless you.
Keep this Bible 10 remember me. IL. WlRZ
Nor. TO- 1865
The Testament bears the inscription, ITO Cora from
her father. II. Wirz. Cora bis only daughter
The inscription in the Tschoke is. =" To my dear chill.
dren, Susan and Cornolia-" These his stepchi
dren.
All his letters left in charge of his counsel Mr.
Schare, with Inscription that he Ito make use of
these papers as You see proper" Whatever We may
think of Wirz himself there can be no doubt OF the
innocence Of his wife and children, left utterly
destitute. II any persons dosire contribute any
thing for the family IL can be- sert to Louis Schade.
esq. Washington. who will carefully forward it and
return the receipt of the family As evidence of
the affection and education of Wrz append his las,
letter written just on the eve Of execution:
ON CAPITOL PRISON,
WASHINGTON, ID C.. Nov. 10 lso3.
NJ DEAREsr WIFE AND CHILDREN: Wien these
lines reach you the hand who wrote them viii be stib
.
Oh, Il could express myself ms wish, II could tell
you whs. I have suffered when l thought about you
10 live the miseres q coid cruel world. lise, do
not Er,eye, do lot despair; we VIII meet sgain IN
better void Console y0nrsef think az dO-ihet l
die innocent Who knows better than yon that all these
tales OF cIue,tic. and murders infamous lies. and
why should | not say II \ grpa, many DO call me
hard hearted because tell them that am not guilty,
that have nothing to confess On thinS ior mo-
mcnt how the thought tba. must snher and die inno
cent must sustain IN the last terrible hour that
when shall stand before nv Maker can say, Lord.
of these things you know 1 not guilty. l have
sinned often and rebellod against Thee. Oh let my
uaaeTited death be an atonement Iise, die recon
ciled I lie, as / hope as n Christian. This is III,
boy will that should die. and therefore let us saJ win
|Cfrist, Thy Will. q Lord, be done
] hardly know what TO say. Oh, LET me beg YOU 90
ret give away To despair, Think That am gone I, ny
E-lleg .nr ,@,hor, 10 the father OF all and tnlt
m 10 tFe God esrs Of cora ss Ter fer t Ki
Susan and Cornc.ll and tell them 70 live so that We
may meet again IN tie heaven above the skies tel
tiem that ny last thoughts my last prayer, sh"l be
You a. + me about Coras schooling. Ny dear wife
Won must 90 now yOr tink best In regard 10 your
going 10 Europe would advise yOu TO wai' until YOU
hear from them. have written 20 my ietheri II he
should be dcGd, M brother hope u s alive. send
yor lis address Yoa had better get certificate Of our
mhrhdee; also Of Cora's brih, ana have ~ approved
before magistrate. II yon should go 10 Europe you
would need It, shall hand this letter to Mr. Schade;
who wii send IL to yOr with some other papers ana
books; this II oil leave yOni but 10, can leave
YOU something more. something better; my blessing
God bless 'ol oil and protect YOU. God give You what
you stand need Of and giant that you OIL 90 live that
when you die Won can say Lord ttOu calcsf nc here
" am md now farewell, wife. children. al viii and
mus, close; farewell farewell God be with u.s.
Your unfortunate husband and father. ii. WIhZ
Tie body Of WIz was deposited in IFS final
resting place in the yard Of the Old Arsenal On Saur
day morning at o'clock. Tie burial was, Of course,
private one 10 spectators being present. His body
was fugy inferred beside that Of his confederate IN
crime and rebellion, Payne the conspirator despite
the efforts Of Father Boyle, his spiritual adviser who
made every excrton 90 obtain It from the War Depart
maat.