The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-21

ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE EVENING TELEGRAPH
WmKEsBARRE, Pa. March 21.-About 10
o'clock last evening, your correspondent, i'll
company with a friend, paid visit to the cell
of the condemned man, having obtained from
Sheriff Van Leer special permission to do so.
When we arrived at the Jail the prisoner was
seated near the door of his cell, quietly
smoking cigar and looking out through the
diminutive window cut through the door.
We inquired if he would admit any visitors
to see him, to which he replied that it
depended entirely upon what was wanted.
We then remarked that we simply de-
sired to have a short interview with
him, and to procure any statement that he
might desire to make public. To this the
prisoner replied-"Oh, then, come iu.' The
Tailor was at hand, and at once opened the
door of the cell, when we entered. After the
customary salutations, the prisoner threw
himself upon his bed ON the floor, and after
a short rambling conversation, commenced
the following confessiOn:-
The Murderer's Confession.
am twenty-siX years Old and was born in
Plymouth, in this county; followed the canal
business until the beginning of the war; had no
opportunity to get a school education; had no
religious instruction; enlisted in the army, and
deserted eight times; was senten ced to be shot
at Petersburg, and deserted again; then came
home, and robbed Robert AbDotts, who resides
on the Plains, of seven hundred dollars; and
then robbed q shoe store in Blindtown. After
continued to state:-On the 18th of April
last went, with TWO others, to the house of
Mr.. HungerfoTd, and opened the door by n
eclet latch: walked 10 the bed, but had no
pistol; told the old man wanted his money; l
demanded the key to his trunk; the Others with
me, in the meantime, built fire and cooked
We only made four hundred and fifty dollars
on that operation. prisoner here laughed.l
After that we went to Wyoming county and
entered the house, Henry Ellsworth opened the
door and went in and only got two dollars Oh
L managed and
another house, with pistol. There were three
man and his wife there; told them to keep
quiet; we only got a watch and chain there.
prisoner again laughed0 Then went to the
house of Abraham Ryman, his daughter was in
bed; we searched the bureau,b but found nothing,
and left.
the murder, saying about this affair - This
girl five or six years ago, worked in a machine
shop; went into the army, and when re-
turned l found her destitute, and / paid heI
board and Kept her at place called Blind
until six or eight months ago; she was in the
habit of seeing other men; l was not sparkling
her did not care much for her.
On the morning of the shooting went there
before daylight, opened the door and went tC
sleep, and slept there until Miller got up, when
again here" then got up and went into Mil
Iers bed; at O'Clock Mary Tracey came int
knife in NV hand, which | was playing with;
stuck che knife in the table. and then put it il
my pocket; i tore my coat doing so.
Mrs. Miller offered to mend my coat; in doint
so She found my revolver; told her TO let
alone; did not want TO injure this woman
McElwee; my revolver had only three loads IN
Ipointed it at Miss Tracey IN fun; dld Tn
same to Mrs. McElwee thought the pistol wa
only half-cocked; 1 did not intend TO murde
her, thinking that the barrel OF the pistol
snapped was empty. This is about all knoN
of the affair.
The Prisoners DemeHnOr This Morning
The day opened dismally. A driving snoN
set in and lasted all the morning. AS earl
as eight o'clock the streets began to show sign
of something unusual. Members of the wye
ming Valley Zouaves, under the command &
Captain Ellis, were seen going hither an
thfther and about o'clock an entire compan
of about hundred men, with a brass bant
assembled on the Town Square, in front Of TN
Court House. ready TO act as guards to the jai
BY 10 o'clock hundreds of persons had assen
bled around the jail, very primitive structur
near the Court House, clamoring for az
mission. We were admitted TO the pr
soner's quarters about hsli5 past ,lo o'clock.
in merry mood. He was dressed q, with grei
taioons, white shirt, with large blue turn-ov'
collar, and white stars on the corner ne