, 1865-04-28
Confession of the Delany Murderers


The Oregon Statesman has the following
in regard to the confession of the Delany
murderers
"The murderers first thought of and
agreed upon the robbery of Delany at Beale's
saloon in Salem, about week before the
murder. At that time it was not intended
to kill Delaney, but to rob him of only a
portion of his money. The plan was to call
him out, tie him, and then go into the house
and take as much money as they wanted.
They, Beale and Baker, BACKED their fa-
ces from the burnt bark of a fir tree. Ba-
ker got over into the yard behind the apple
house and set his gun, doube-barreled
shotgun, against the fence on the inside
Beale stood on the outside of the fence by
the gate, which was but ten or twelve
feet from where Baker was The plan was
this: Beale was to call Dolany out and Ba-
ker was to catch him when Beale was to as
sist in the tying. Baker had been drinking;
had been drinking on his way up, and
had drank at leaving the house; he was
therefore considerably under the influence
of liquor. Beale called Delaney out in ac-
cOrdance with the plan AS Delaney came
came out near the corner of the house, Ba-
ker started towards him. As he neared him
he discovered that Delaney had knife in
his hand. At this Baker retreated, picking
up his gun as he ran. Beale, thinking Ba-
ker was going to shoot, cried out "Don't t
shoot, dom shoot, don't shoot" Delany,
who in the meantime had turned towards the
house upon hearing Beale say "don't shoot, y
turned back facing them. Just as Beale
said don't shoot" the last time, Baker fred
one barrel of his gun. Delaney fell upon
his hands. Baker Immediately fred sec
ond shot right over the fallen man at the
dog. This second shot was what must have
caused the wound in the back of the head
and arm. Beale ran Immediately to the dy-
ing man and grasping him in his arms asked
him if he wanted water. He made no re-
ply but expired Immediately. Beale then
laid him on his back, Strengthened the body
and crossed the arms over the breast then
getting up he drew his pistol and told Ba-
ker his time had come Baker asked what
for 2 Beale replied, : For shooting the old
man. Baker said, You told me to shoot
Beale replied, 1 told you not to shoot
Raker snAin6 his mistake, got down upon
his knees and begged and cried like a child.
Both then went into the house in about the
manner testified to in the trial Beale broke
open a trunk and closet, and found in DIFF
ferent places 81, 900 in $40 pices; also. one
old Mexican dollar, battered on the edges !;
also, one old, slick-worn half.dollar piece
Baker went up stairs and found no money.
Beale did not go up stairs There was no
more money than this found. They did
not try to find any more, although they be-
ieved they could have done so. The acci-
dental killing of the old man confused them.
so that they did not have the heart to make
diligent search. The disposition of the
money will be made public hereafter. There
were no other persons than Beale and Baker
connected with the murder Both the gull
ty persons wished to make a confession and
throw themselves upon the mercy of the
Court ever since the preliminary examina-
tlon, but certain obstacles were put in the
way. They bear no malice against any one.
The testimony of the witnesses for the pros
ecution, with one or two exceptions, was
true; and the testimony of the witnesses
for the defense was true throughout. The
apparent discrepancies between the state
ments Of different witnesses will be fully ex-
planned in the confession, now in course of
preparation. The prisoners accept the just
ness of their punishment and are ready and
willing to meet it. They have no personal
preference between dying upon the gallows
and being imprisoned for life, except such
as are caused by the pleadings of their
wives and children"