The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-11-16
The Late Cant. WirzI

a letter from Washington states that Can't
Wirz, in his incompleted diary, under date of
October 1st says that man was at that time
placed in his cell to prevent any attempt he
might make to take his own life, but the man
fell asleep. He writes that the reason why he did
not putan end to his existence was because what
he suffered was the will of God and, in the
second place, he owed it to himself, his family,
his relatives and to the world at large, to prove
his innocence.
All the heritage left by Wirz consisted of
four books-a Bible Testament, an AKem-
pts, and Tschokes Meditation on Life. In the
wellworn Bible, formerly in use in some hos
pital, he wrote just before going to execution
my Dear WYe:-This Bible I send to
you. You see the marks where | left off read
ing. God bless you. Keep this Bible to re-
member me.
al. W1Rz."
The Testament bears the inscription "To
Cora, from her father, H. Wirz." Cora was
his only daughter The inscription in the
Tsehoke is: To my dear children, Susan and
Cornelia." These were his step-children.
All his letters were left in charge of his
counsel, Mr.. Schade, with an inscription that
he was ''to 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, now left utterly des-
titute. If any persons desire to contribute
anything for the family it can be sent to Louis
Schade Esq, Washington, who will carefully
forward it and return the receipt of the family
AS an evidence Of the affection and education
of Wirz, we append his last letter written Just
on the eve of execution:
GOLD CAPITAL PRISON,
"WAsH1NGToN, D. c., Nov. 10, 1866.
my Dearest Wife and Chizd,'en-When
these lines reach you the hand which wrote
them will be stiff and cold. In few hours
from now shall be dead Oh, if | could ex-
press myself as 1 wish, if could tell you
what have suffered when l thought about
you and the childrenl l must leave you,
without the means to live, to the miseries of a
cold, cruel world. Lise, do not grieve, do not
despair; we will meet again in better world.
Console yourself think as | do-that I die in
nocent Who knows better than you that all
these tales of cruelties and murders are infa-
nous lies, and why should I not say it? A
great many do call me hard hearted because /
tell them that l am not guilty, that | have
nothing to confess Oh, think for moment
how the thought that l must suffer and die
innocent must sustain me in the last terrible
hour; that when | shall stand before my
Maker can say, Lord, of these things you
know am not guilty | have sinned often
and rebeled against Thee Oh, let my I'M
merited death be an atonement.' Lise I die
reconciled. die, as I hope, as Christian
| This is His holy will that | should die, iand
| therefore let us say with Christ, THY will, c
Lord, be done 'a.-ia o...'a'
"I hardly know what to say Oh let m.
beg you, do not give way to despair Thinl
that / am gone to my Father, to your Father
| to the Father of all, and that there [ hope tc
meet you. Live for the dear children. Oh
| do take good care of Cora Kiss her for me
Kiss Susan and Cornela, and tell them Il
| live SO that we may meet again in the HEAVIER
above the skies; tell them that my las
thoughts, my last prayer, shall be for them
''You ask me about Cora's schooling. M,
dear wife, you must do now as you think best
In regard to your going to Europe, l woult
advise you to wait until you hear from them
I have written to my father; if he should b.
dead, my brother, hope is still alive. sene
you his address You had better get Ger
tifcate of our marriage; also of Coras birth
and have it approved before magistrate. l
you should go to Europe you would need It
/ shall hand this letter to Mr.. Schade, VIII
will send it to you with some other paper
and books this is all I can leave you: but nc
can leave you something more, somethin
better; my blessings. God bless you all an
protect you God give you what you stan
in need of, and grant that you all SO live tina
when you die, you can say, Lord Thou GALES
me, here I am. And now, farewell wife, chill
dren, all, will and must close; farewell; fare
well, God be with us.
I "Your unfortunate husband and father,
4H WIRz