The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-12-16
rxEcur1oN OF SIMEON WALTERS.


teen months ago. we visited the county jail on lhurs
aa evening for the purpose of having an interview
with the condemned man. Having sent word by
Judge Vance, to the prisoner. who was cohhheu ~
his cell of our desire, he promptly responded that
he would be pleased to see u.s. we entered tue cen
when he met US at the door and invited US 10 DC
seated at the same time seating himself on his PED.
After q few commonplace remarks, we informed MN
of the object of visit, which was to receive nom
him. should he desire or be willing to make one any
statement in regard to the affair which had brought
him to the position In which found him, that we
might give the public the benefit OF his version Oh
the transaction. He at first appeared somewhat reu'
cent and said that he had no statement to make tur
Their than what he had already said he cohVefseo
calmly and coolly Of his approaching end anu VEN
of religion run through his whole conversation III
speaking of his family, he produced letter "ich nc
had received from his sister on the evening oeiofe'
and in talking of her, and Of her kind ana slstery
svmnathy for him. as evidenced by the tone ana
language of her letters he could restrain himself no
1onoer Int burst into tears. He lost that wonderful
self.control which he had exhibited ever since his
arrest and trial. and his strong frame tremoled ana
shook with the agony which he endured; but i'll u
few minutes he smothered his feelings, and while
protesting his innocence Of the crime OF which he
stood convicted stated that he had though. great
deal over the matter since his conviction. and while
he had his suspicious as to who was the guilty party!
there was no clue nor anything tangible by when he
could prove the correctness OF his suspicious ana
therefore he would not state what they We're, as he
might thereby involve another person in the same
trouble who probably might be as innocent ~ him
SELF He offered statement explanatory Of Lis
conduct or actions either before, az the time or sub
sequent to the murder. and although We taxed our
ingenuity in framing our questions and conversation
we could extract nothing satisfactory from him de
appeared to believe that he had made his peace win
God, and consequently was indifferent as To the
opinion or Judgment OF the public He spoke feel
ingly of his family, of the stigma that would attach
to his name and the disgrace that would fall upon his
kindred whose fair fame and honor had never to his
knowledge, been furnished. In response to some
questions OF TO his former ltc he stated that
he knew reports had been circulated dcrogatory 10
his character while he lived in Montana, but that
they were false and that man had ever left that
Territory with q clearer character than he. After
remaining with him about an hour and half. We
were about taking leave with the assurance from
him that If he felt like it, he would reduce his state
ment to writing and give it to in the morning and
ut that moment the Catholic Priest. Father Mespe.
came in having Just returned from Boise City where
he had been on mission to the Governor endeayor
ing to procure a Communication Of the prisoners sen
tence from the death penalty 10 Imprisonment for
life Father Mesplie stated he had no hope that *
ecutive clemency would be extended except that a
he n. nod
execution two weeks and after seeing the prisoner
he shortly afterwards dispatched special messenger
Mr.. T. NJ Britten. to Boise City for the purpose OF
submitting some other papers to his Exccllency IN
support Of the application for q reprievc.
The next morning being the day set for the e1ecu
tion Friday, December TO- 1862 We again visited tho
prisoner in his cell, and after introducing FRIEND
who called with US, Walters immediately thrust his
hand into the breast pocket of his coat and drew out
and handed to us the following statement which h
had written during the night and which We publish
entire just received from him:
TERRITORIAL Prison. Dec. 9. 1869.
EDITOR IDAHO WoRLD-Dedr Sir: 1t is perhaps un
necessary reiterate what have said repeatedly
in the past-and have never had a sentiment bu
what have expressed-but If you desire you ma.
publish this letter The kind disposition the officers
and people of this county have shown towards me IL
the last few days has awoke within me new feeling
have been of opinion that they were all my enemies
but all with whom l have spoken express sympathy
for me, and desire to render Inc any assistance II
their power. When the will is right, even If the oh
ect cannot be accomplished the act Is just as merito
rious to the Searcher of all hearts, aud whatever il
pleasing TO Him Is pleasing 10 all who love and seei
10 obey His divine will.
As far my Ia concerned, there are these fol
whom 1 cannot palliate, but censure none and for
give all. When think of my injured family. fol
whose happiness would resign all my earthly pos
sessions, my heart would almost break from its moor
ings; but avoid all recurrence to them that can
and look 10 my crucifed Savior, whose image Ia al
ways before me, and yield to his decree-iike the
hunted stag 30 closely pursued by the dogs surren
ders TO the huntsman with tears In his All hal
been done for me that can be towards getting O com
mutation, and the consciousness Of having done al
in my power to encourage 1t occasions no reproof
my feelings. AZ did not commit the crime anC
thus bring disgrace upon my family. have
morse OF feeling, and knowing that those who have
TO suffer in this world from the injustice Of ner
merit the glory Of having suffered from the justice
God, have nothing TO fear. / am innocent Of tn,
crime-have ne knowledge of who the perpetrato
is, any further than a simple opinion, based upoi
circumstances too uncertain to say that know it,
and Is Gods own mystery 1t Is better to leave
with Him to unfold II could give any clue b,
which thought the matter could be ferreted out
without endangering the happiness of another family
and the life Of another man, who may be as nnocen
as myself, would do so; or, If was guilty, hav
no inducement TO conceal 1t now. do not make thi
statement from q wish TO change single opinion
would be absurd to think 30, because the opinion
the world cannot add 70 or take from my soul on
iota. merely do 1t TO let the people know my dyin
sentiments. II no one has done wrong all will b
well in time.
Truth, when crushed to earth will rise again;
The eternal years Of God are hers;
But error wounded, wrthes In PAIN,
And dies amid her followers.
NO