Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-01
THE TREASURY BUILDING TRAGEDY
Statement Of the Prisoner


The feeling in the community in regard to
the terrible tragedy at the Treasury Depart.
ment building seemed to suffer no diminution
yesterday and the pros and cons as to the
proyocation for the deed we've discussed with
much feryor
On arriving at the JAIL Miss Harris was con.
quoted 10 one OF the rooms on the second floor,
where she Is to be held at present. This room
was lifted up as comfortable as possible by the
Jailor, for her. She now appears to realize her
situation more than ever, and last night she
spent most of the time in walking the floor, at
times almost frantic. She now expresses her
sorrow for having revenged herself In so sum-
mary manner.
She denies that Burroughs ever seduced her,
and asserts that she is q vIrtuous woman She
says, however, that it was not Burroughs ault
that che was not sed uced, and charges that he
attempted to get her to meet him at houses of
assighaton in Chicago, but luckily, through
friends, she was each time informed of the
character of such houses as he named before
going to them.
She also denies that she ever heard of his
marriage until she saw IT published in the
papers, and states that when she recalled all
his protestations OF love and avowal OF in
tended marriage to her, with his attempt to
disgrace her by causing her to enter disre-
spectacle house for the purpose of casting her
off and recalling his marriage, she was driven
almost TO distraction, and then she determined
TO be avenged.
The accused is but 10 years of age She
eyinces much intelligence, and no little natural
refinement OF manner. She is extremely at
tractive in personal appearance, having fair
skin, with very dark brown hair, which hangs
in ringlets over her shoulders and Jet black
eyes, which are ROW, however, somewhat
sunken and bloodshot. She is rather below
the medium height eff graceful figure, and is
neatly attired. Her general appearance is
such that none can see her without sympathiz-
ing with her.
1t Is probable that as she acknowledged the
deed, the magistrate will fully commit her for
court without going into further examination.
The following is the statement in substance
made by the prisoner:
ia
of William Harris, of Burlington, Iowa; my
parents are Irish, and are quite poor; am.uine-
teen years old; about seven years ago / first
became acquainted wit Mr.. Burroughs
was then in a store in Burlington DIR. b. re.
sided there; he came frequently to see me at
my fathers house, from an early period in our
Acquaintance until he left Burlington was
very fond of him, and for long time freq uent-
ly sat in his lap in the presence of my PARENTS
he always manifested great interest in me; as
grew older, and his attentions became more of
the character of sutton, my parents opposed
them, and continually told me that his family
was too high for me: that he would never
marry me, and that should not keep company
with him. 1 dIsregarded them, persisted in
seeing him, and became more and more attached
TO him. When he left Burlington did rot ask
him TO write to me, but he had not been long
gone when / received letter from him, which
tinued, which was sometimes interrupted by
my refraining to write to him. But he would
persevere in renewing it, until would be per-
suaded to write to him. Before leaving Bur-
hngton he asked me to marry him; / refused,
because felt that was too young to disobey
my parents in such a matter. He al ways pro-
tested his ardent affection, and his determine
ton to make me his wife.
About two years ago he wrote me that he was
raising men for the war, and expected TO get
mission, and then he was determined to
marry me. Not long after, l received letter
from Miss Devlin, who keeps store on Clark
street, Chicago, requesting me to come there,
saying that she was a friend Of Mr.. Burroughs
and L could see him there. About twenty
months ago went to that city. Meantime Mr..
troops, injured his ankle, could not go to the
field, and resigned hrs commission. saw him
frequently, and received notes from him regu-
iarly until within week OF his marriage.
In August or September, year ago, re-
ceiyed an an onymous note asking me to meet
the wri er at a house which ascertained was
one OF sthe most notorious in Chicago" Miss
Devlin said she believed the note was from
Burroughs, and determined II possible to as
certain the truth. Miss Devlin endeavored to
ascertain who put the note in the post Office. /
answered it, at her suggestion, promising to
meet the writer al the place appointed. Afrien
Of Miss Deviin in the post office watched for
scription confirmed Miss Devlin's supposition,
and inclined one to the belief that Mr.. Bur-
ropghs was the person. then determined to
go to the house appointed, and Miss Devlin
went with me. We told her of the appointment,
and that my friends would not let me see him
elsewhere. The person in charge Of the house
stated that the gentleman was not there at the
time, but that he had waited there before, aad
had instructed her not to answer the door-bell,
but to permit him to do so, saying that unless
the party he wished to see saw him, she would
not come in, and we did not remain Her de-
scription further confirmed me in the belief
that Mr.. Burroughs was the person who made
the appointment. Another note was received,
stating that the writer had unavoidably been
absent from the city, and making another ap-
pointment 1 resolved to go again meantime
taking measures to have the house watched.
The person whom / believe to have been Mr..
Burroughs) did not go TO the house, and when
we went there again it was closed, and we
could not obtain admittance.
For some time before this had not seen MIR.
Burroughs. The writer Of the anonymous
letter SAID ne had seen me often, was much
pIepessessed in my favor, and wanted to be
friend to me. Mr. Burroughs was q man OF
such marked appearance as not 10 be easily
mistaken for another. / still felt most intense
anxiety to be further satisfied, if possible,
whether he whom had SO loved and who had
protested his love for me, could be guilty of
such baseness. / then also determined TO pros
ecute him for breach OF promise. went to see
his brother, Prof. Burroughs, inquired Of him
whether Jackson was ia the city He walked
the floor, asked me If I was from Iowa, and
upon my replying in the affirmative, said that
his brother was not then there, but had been,
and had gone to Washington. Shortly after
learned that he had been married by his brother,
the Professor, / think the day after 1 was
there. then determined to come to Washing
ton and prosecute HIM, but continually de-
ferred II until last August, when, Miss Deylin
having repeatedly ad vised me to do so, and Of
fered me all the AID in her power, came here,
only to learn that he had gone TO Chicago with
his wife. i Immediately returned, and on
reaching Chicago employed a lawyer and a
detective. i soon ascertained that he had again
gone to Washington. but that his wife was be-
heved TO be in Chicago, and supposed that he
would return for her. So waited u long time
with this expectation, but 1 subsequently
learned that he had been there and gone with
oat my knowledge. That rene wed my resolve
10 come on mere and secure redress, If possible,
BY prosecution, and at all hazards to see him.
had been disowned by my parents. could
not return to them; and in Burlington as well
as in Chicago, 1 had been reported to have had
improper relations with him This was never
so. And was bent on vindicating my char
acter. II the stories against nae had been true
i could never have had the heart to come here
to seek redress or vindicate my repute. l be-
lIeved that should wipe out the stain on my
name by the prosecution or in some other way,
i hardly knew how.
Afew days before starting from Chicago 1.-TWO
weeks ago. / was walkiDgsalong the street
and saw some pistols in q shop window. Hav-
ing learned that many Of the ladies Of Chic ago