The weekly union record., 1866-01-06
Boswell's Statement.

AAoaoS DvS why OAfSy; SoAfASSe"
Of murder in the second degree at the
late term of the District Court, at Red
Bluff, has committed to writing the
following statement of facts, which, be
SAYS, actuated him to the commission
of the crime of killing his wife: He
starts out by saying that he makes this
statement to let the people know that
he is not guilty of cold biooded murder.
He landed in San Francisco on the 18th
Of July, 1864, and took room at the
Clinton Hotel, and on the same day
went to hire a house for his family.
When he returned to the hotel, he was
told that his wife had gone cut with the
children, but, as she did not return at
the proper time, he thought she had
missed her way, and he accordingly
acquainted the police, expecting that
they would learn something of her.
Next morning, when he got up, he
noticed his trunks had been opened, and
everything he had of value was gone.
He then went to the Manhattan House,
and told his brother-in-law, who asked
him if he had seen Dick, the sailor. He
thought this strange, ,and he Immediately
went and Informed the landlady of the
Clinton Hotel, who then stated that the
sailor had been. there the day before,
talking to his wife. The sailor and his
wife left for Sacramento, on the 10th of
July, and he followed them and ac-
quainted the police of Sacramento, but
that did him no good. They went to
Marysville to get out of Boswell's way,
and were concealed for twelve weeks by
some colored people, during which time
she gave birth to child, making his
family four, one of whom died on board
of the ship, on their way to San Fran
cisco. She purchased team, and ran
away from the sailor, Holmes. Holmes,
in despair, enlisted in the army. She
became sorry for him, and went and
swore that he was the father of her
children, and got him off. In the
meantime, Boswell had gone to Bannock,
and on his return to California, he met
his wife in large store in Yreka. She
appeared to be very much frightened,
and showed him the youngest child, that
it was boy. He says the reader can
judge of his feelings better than he can
tell them-he was proud of his child
and kissed him afectionately. When
he was leaving the store, she followed
him out and acknowledged that she had
treated him very badly. He told her
all he wanted was the children and the
money she had robbed him of, to take
them home, and she then could have all
the husbands she wanted, as he would
rather see them dead than brought up in
the life she was pursuing. She said she
would not part with them, and went off
and told Holmes all that had passed,
and thought it best to get quick back to
San Francisco. When Boswell found
out they were going below, he did not
trouble about his children, as it was
better to have them taken down there,
convenient to the steamers starting.
Boswell left Yreka on the 1st of June,
at half-past one o'clock, on the back
road, called at a tavern about eight
miles from Yreka, ate supper, and trav-
eled all night. Very early in the morn
ing, he heard the sound of wagon
coming, and got out of the road until it
passed. They had not passed him more
than ten minutes, when the Sheriff and
a negro overhauled them. Rather than
be taken back to Yreka and be exposed,
she handed over 81, ,410 and $50 costs,
and was allowed to proceed on her way.
Holmes and her had some words. and
she told him to 90 about his business,
that he was of no use to her. Boswell
returned to Yreka, Holmes accompanied
him. Holmes denied having threatened
Boswell's life, but the woman made him
&C and buy knife, but she said it was
not long enough, and went and got one
from a negro and gave to him. Holmes
also SAYS she made him drive all night,
with loaded gun on his knee, and that
he was to shoot at the first shadow he
should see, as she was sure it would be
Boswell. As an inducement to Holmes
to shoot, she told him Boswell had $4,000
in his pocket, but Holmes was not on the
ishoot-he knew more ahont viii iskv than