Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-11-13

q
HER FORMER IIFE.
Mrs Lena Miller was las she told us)
about 40 years old. She was born In Hano
yer, Germany. Her maiden name was Lena
Fadden. Her parents both died when she
was very young-having no recollection OF
either of them. She wasraised by her half
brother, who, when she was nine yearssold,
put her out to the service of strangers, who
treated her badly <compelling her to work
hard, and giving her no education or reii-
gious instruction. When about fifteen years
Old, she sailed for America. Herreason for
this, *. she states, was on account OF. her
desire to marry hian who. came over with
her, by the name OF George Barrett-she
being under 5he marriageable age, and not
possessing the REQUESTS amount of property
which the law in that country requires.
They landed in New York and went imme-
diately to williamsburg, in the vicinity of
New York, where they lived together as man
and wife, though without being really mar
ried, for about year. When sober, Barrett
was quiet, orderly sand goo4- hearted. but he
drank excessively, and as both worked out,
he would draw both her wages and his own,
and spend their money for intoxicating
liquors and when drunk, he was very noisy
and abusive. She often threatened to leave
him unless he behaved himself, and as he
did not mind her, she did leave him one
evening IN the house drunk, +" and has never
ha1rdsof lam since. She then went to Potts
vile, Penn a. and worked two months
thence to SellGsgroye, where she remained
three months; and then to Schweinforis-
town, where she lived one year. From the
latter place She went 10 EeWistown, where
she was taken sick with Typhoid fever, and
stayed at the hotel of Mr.. Meyer four months;
thence to Potter's Bank, in Centre county,
where she lived with Henry Fero, three
years; and thence to Bellefonte, where she
worked one year with Mr. Ben Bennett
Here she met Xavier Miller, who was also
working for Mr.. Bennett They were mar
ried IN Bellefonte and went Immediately to
Snow Shoe, and after one year moved 20
Frenchyllle, in the neighborhood of which
place they lived until the time Of the MUIR
der--about fifteen years The only incident
worthy of note, during the time they lived
there, until the murder, was the burning of
their "Shanty,' with all its contents, which
she herself set fire TO-
Her general appearance was that of large,
strong, well-developed woman Her face
was rather masculine, her mouth expressive
of determination, with dark skin, high cheek
bones, deep-sunken eyes, of brown color,
and hair OF grayish tinge. Her mind was
a remarkably good one for her advantages.
She spoke both German and English, al
though she could read but little and that
only ia the German, yet, during her impris-
onment, her improvement IN reading was
marked and rapid. She could converse well,
and comprehend easily and clearly the in
structl0ns given her; especially the great
truths of the plan Of Redemption. As to
her disposition, she was sulen and revenge
| fulunder provocation, cunning and deceitful
IL her purposes, stolid and Indifferent IN
almost every phase of her circumstances, until
the last few days previous To her execution.
Her habits OF life were the fitting prepara-
tive for her nonstrous crime She was ad-
dicted to falsehood, vulgarity, and profane
| swearing, and possessed a savish appetite for
strong drink. Nevertheless, she professcd
a sincere repentance for her wicked deed, as
d great sin against God and man; and we
| commend her to the mighty grace which
was able to save peniteEt thief and to that
blood which cleanses from all sin.
With these remarks, we give her confes
sion substantially as she related it to us:
HER CONFESSION.
/ / first thought o. numbering my husband
, in the summer of 1866. | tried first TO poi
son him with tea made of Laurel leaves and
the filings of a5brass buckle. Then with
| the Quicksilver off the back OF a looking
glass Then gave Vim, in TWO doses, a
| bottle OF Laudanum, which got from DR..
! Potter for the cramp. Then some indigo.
Then, cue day, going after the cows killed
d suall, green, grass snake, which boiled
! and gave to him In coffee All these things
we're given either in tea or coffee, according
as one or the other 'gaS used ut meals. None
| of them had the least eiIec; upon ilini-did
| not even make him sick. The time occu-
| pied in giving them all was about four weeks
/ | then gave it up, because did not know
| Of anything which would kill hin. But
/ thought of it every day, and coaid rot get
/ it out Of my mind, trying to think of some
thing to poison aim with. At last Iremem-
| bered that some of the neighbors had got
something at the store to poison rats with.
/ The next time | went to Mr. Cranston 5
store, which was II the latter part of June:
/ tl366), 1 asked tor rat poison. The first
| he gave Inc, upon my asking him, he said
would not kill man but would make him
! very sick. | then asked him for something
| stronger and he gave me the Arsenic and
! told me how to use it. Miller never told me
TO get any rae poison, and my little girl
swore to that because [ told her to do so I
! took i home, but, In day or two, Miller
went to the Horse Shoe, and was gone until
Saturday, and had no opportunity TO give
| II TO him. He came home on Saturday, at
| noon, June 30th), and at supper put tea
spoonful ia some rice and set it at his plate
He took two or three knife fuls, and then
got up from the table and went out on the
porch, where he commenced to vomit. The
vomiting continued more or less frequently
until bed time, when he told me he felt bet
ter. The next morning, | gave him what
you could hold on the point of pen knife,
in his coffee. This made him sick again.
Then gave it TO him again at night and
so on, in about the same quantity, two or
three times a day-the number of times de