The New York herald., 1865-02-20
The Triple Murder i'm Michigan.
CONFESSION OF THE NURDERER-HI
APPEARANCE ETC. NN


From the Adrian tAlich.) watchtower, Feb 81
Thursday evening the gratifying intelligence was re-
the arrival Of the evening train from Toledo he
was brought to this city and lodged in our Jail.
he arrested at Grafton, Ohio, by Depatp Sheriff
COZ. The officers obtained clue TO his whereabouts
the fact that he known TO have made Grafton
his residence for time past and that when at home
he had received letters from there On arriving At Graf
depot the ocers discovered Bvins standing the
he .hoot Mr. wilcox sf sad 70 him. Do
yon know that your fathers house was burned down
Tuesday night and that your father mother and wife
themY This before any intimaion had been given
that there were suspicious Of foul play Officer johnson
During tie ride from Grafton 10 this city Bivns was
Hc related several times in the OF the journey
Substantially the following, which he scarcely ever
acquainted With young lady at Grafton Ohio and had
agreed to marry her. but his wife Of course In
superabe obstacle 70 the scheme and he determined to
kill her Healso appears to have always In his horrible
plan included the murder Of his father and mother Two
three times had he gone home revolving in his mind
plan for the commission Of the horrible decd, but
each time his heart had failed him. He stated that
Monday night he stad at home, and before retiring to
rest had asked his wife 70 unite with him in prayer TO
od which she did he stating that he had made up his
mind 10 lead . different life He states that prayer
was repeated in tho morning, he uniting with
He AYERS that while at homo this visit he con
cuded 10 give up his murderous plans and
y,
would again join the army rather than allow himself to
be again tempted But before he reached Hudson his
good resolutions had vanished, and his monomaniaor
II could be called by no other name-came upon him In
full force and he determined to return and do the deed
that night In pursuance Of this intention he engaged
horse at Hudson, at different stable from which he
hired the one with which he Just rcturncd and stated
that he would return the plug train In the evening
This he did, driving the vicinity Of the house.
unhitched the horse from tho bsggy and turned the bug
Ky around, taking OF one Of the wheels. This was In
order 70 convey the impression in case any one should
pass that the buggy had broken down. He then mount
cd the horse, and riding him the house. htchcd him
under shed and went 70 the door He found his mother
and wife In conversation and his father abs mt He
tered nosclessly startling the ladies somewhat, and
his mother inquired In some surprise why he
had sS soon On. 70 hm wnn nc resd M TIN ssa
and informed that he sitting up with his hc old
gentemans) brothernlaw, who lived about one fourth
ing wish 70 his father his mother volunteered 70
fetch him. which she did He states that his father
monrated with him the unsteadness of his habits,
and the amount Of money be spent in travelling nuch
but answered evasively. He then states that he
paced the room his father and mother sitting near the
stove and his wife who enccnf and who expected
to be confined In about week, laying on lounge.
While walking uneasiy about the he drew his re-
he snapped it, but il missed re Tho old gentleman had
not noticed the movement and with some trivial remark
pso snaypeS me But tSe rusn was no. to be
banked, and cooking the pistol again he placed
the muzzl as he AYERS, within foot Of tho old gentle
mans head and pulling the trigger shot him through the
where he does know but states with the utmost sang
fod that he heard 'thc blood gurgle" His wife thcn
sprans from the lounge and exclaimed "Oh don't shoot
Frankln and seized his arm He then pulled her 20
him. aud embraced her and then pushed her from him,
shooting her. he thinks twice He then laid his revolver
down the bureau blew out the CANDLE and opening
the stove took e e BE- in hts hands and carrying
and buggy returned to Hudson and took the train for
Grafton He evidently supposed, though this seems I'm
that he would not be suspected of the crime,
and that u would BE- supposed that the whole tragic oc
currence was accidental
BY the pelteness Of the oicers permitted 70
pay visit 70 the prisoner at the Jail this morning We
found him appearing self possessed and apparently calm
though by no means communicating as he had been TO
the oncers previously. He acknowledged the crime,
however, fully, stating that ne 70 be pitied
than blamed and deprecating anger a his horrible
crimes He asserts that he was unconscious from tho
time he left Toledo I'LL time after his arrival at
Hudson; but this does nos agree win some ssassmcn's
He stated 10 us that one reason why he objected 70
going fully the details that hc Intended 70 write
book he had very interesting life 70 chronicle ana
se Of his hio work s' This struck Us Sscdsdy cool for
man in his situaton; but ne appeared 70 have,
- he stated, complete control Of his nerves"
Ne Gays he feel: deeply At NOR: sr deeply &c z. Than
mit,ed and grief at the Of his parents and wife, who
he asssrts be loved dearly His parens he says had
always been kind 70 him, and on being interogaed q
70 why he killed them, he said he WAS unable 70 tell
explain IL His reason for killing his wifo, he avows TO
be- that she stood In the way Of his union with the young
lady al Grafton 10 whom he seems 70 have transferred
his anections entirely He states that this young lady
was .pure and goodn and that he LEFT her Her per-
sonal appearance, however, he states not equal TO
his wife's, TO whom notwithstanding the facts In the
case he says h1 dcvotedy attached The murdered
lady was daughter Of Mr. Thomas Brownel who IL
well known 20 many Of our citizens
viz 4 Ho "A ha has