The New York herald., 1869-04-12
THE TWITCHELL CASE.
A Full Story Of Mrs. Twitchell and Her Ante
cedents-Thc Confession Of Her Husband-
Her Declarations Of Innocence.

Full Story Of Mrs. TwitcheIl and Her Ante
cedents-The Confession Of Her Husband
Her Declarations Of Innocence.
PHILADELPHIA, April II, 1869.
The Twitchell case stl excites considerable inter-
est here. The Sunday Transcript publishes an inter-
esting and authentic history of the family not here
tofore made public Mrs Twitchell, the TranscrtT 4
says, was born In washington, her mother bel ng
then known as Mrs. werutz Her father was the Rev.
Oliver Spencer Methodist clergyman OF some repu-
tation. In 1874 the mother and daughter loved TO
Cincinnati ana remained there four yea rs during
which time Camilla was known as Miss sawyer her
mother havinga married sister by thai. name. This
is probably the origin OF the story that Mrs. Twtch
ell was the inegitimate daughter OF member OF
Congress.
From Ohio, in 1s4s, Mrs. yferutz and daughter
came to Philadelphia, and the former married
Mr. Hill. Shortly afterwards Camilla married
Richard Martin, clerk, In dry goods store.
After living together five years Martin left
his wife, alleging acts Of impropriety on
her part but she took the initiative in proceedings
for q divorce, which resulted In legal separation in
1853 Camilla then resumed the name of Sawyer,
returned to her mothers house and lived there with
her and Mr.. Hill. She there became acquainted
with Twitchell, ST., then widOwer, with several
children. beside George s. Twtchel, an illegitmate
son, who had been born IN Brooklyn, his mother
dying shortly after his birth, Camilla was engaged
as housekeeper, and removed with Twitchell, Sr.,
to New Jersey. II 10 denied most positively By all
parties that there improper conduct between
Mr.. Twitcheil and his housekeeper. On the con-
trary, Camllla's conduct s reported to have been
bameless She was member Of DR.. Lords church,
in Broad street. near Chestnut, and in her character
as housekeeper was paid regular wages, and for
ayfr Tnav WhanC
Twitchell, Jr. reached manhood he was accepted as
the suitor OF his fathers housekeeper, and IN 1854,
was married.
yet ready 10 give to the public formal statement,
but while In prison awaiting trial, in conversation
with the prison officials she made partial eXpla-
nation which has never been published. When in
formed OF her husbands conviction and the proba-
bllities of her own tate. she remarked
81 know nothing OF this murder. That afternoon
George and were out riding, and when we got
back to the house mother was getting tea, as Sarah
George was very much depressed in .spir-
Its. He never was very much of
scarcely spoke at all at the table, and after supper
sald to mother there Is something the matter with
clear away the things Mother Went up stairs and
did clear away the things ana when got through
went to my room. George was then IN the sitting
r00m reading paper and smoking a cigar; went
TO bed, and don't know how long was asleep when
was aroused by the cry Of Sarah Campbelln the
Kitchen"
This the only statement she has ever made outside
OF whatever she may have communicated to her
sci. The Transcript continues as follows:-At the |
outset 1t may be well to remind our readers that on
the day OF the inquest she appealed to her husband
TO tell what he knew OF the murder; and that If he
was guilty to act like man and relieve her. This
he refused to do. After her acqutta she did call at
the prison. but instead OF the greeting on her part
being warm and aIfectionate 1t was cOld might |
be expected from one who looked upon her husband
as the murderer Of her mother. Immediately after
her acquittal Twitchel and his friends commenced
paving the way for a statement from Mr. Twitcnell
Whlch would lake from him the charge and fasten 1t
upon tne " WE % SO serewd were the parties engaged
ascertain from him whether person once acquitted
of cl charge OF murder could be tried second |
Response being there could not be a second trial,
efforts were renewed with redoubled vlgor until Mrs
absent herself from the prison. She always denied |
any completely in the murder, and Ger fears |
the fact that she knew that he did not |
believe in the Immortality OF the soul and |
only Merely to retan Ps Rs serTce
in the game for lie he was playing Others besides |
herself had every reason to feel assured that he
Is every reason TO believe that 10 at least one
human beng Seorge = Twltcnel, Jr confessed
In the tragedy. Throughout this effort to induce his
wife to take upon herself the unjust accusation In
conversations with his friends who anxious as they
were to assist him. could not overlook the damaging
inherent impossibilities OF his confession and thew
were anxious to have some part OF it explained. |
A uily OF TWO DeIOre MS death his strong love OF |
life LED him again to refer to H. and he remarked to
his aunt, Mrs. Moore "It is nard that have to die
for this thing" Mrs. Moore then inquired, "aow
can you account for the blood found upon your
sh1rtf" Twitchelr related TO her the circumstances OF
the murder In keeping with his sO-called confession.
he told her how he was aroused by his wife calling
him; how he went down to the dining room and was
there told by her that she had quarelled with her
mother and killed her. "My first impression was TO
alarm the neighbors, but my second impulse was to
save my wife. Twitchell then stated to Mrs. Moore |
circumstances attending the throwing of the body |
from the window. He asserted that he grasped the |
body OF the murdered woman by the head and |
while his wife took hold OF her feet |
They bore the body 10 the window and rested
Il the sill, IN which position it was |
held by him (Twtchell while his wife |
ran down the stairs and out into the |
Yard Immediately under the window. When she |
reached this position Twitche quietly lowered the |
body into the arms Of his wife, by whom 1t was laid
1t length upon the pavement In this way he ac- |
COUNTED Tor the circumstance that the body, when |
ound, was not thrown together, as it might have
)een II hurled violently from the window but laid
,ut in Strengthened condition. Twitchell con-
concluded by saying that he supposed the blood |
'ame upon his clothes by his having hold
II the murdered woman in the manner described. |
irS. Moore inquired. ''What became OF Camilla's |
lothingY how did 1t happen that it was not as
,Oody as your ownr To this he responded that
Her clothing was carried oirn In the face of all
hese confessions Mrs. Twitchel has remained uuIet
he has realized that II she denied the story While
er husband was alive she would be accused OF |
N attempt TO Insure MS death. Sne was willing
ot to tel what she knew II that would be OF any
ervce to him, and she was also willing to assist
i'm to the extent OF her means; but when he wished
er to go step further and assert herself guilty OF
crime she did not commit she left him. 1t Is an- |
cipated that within q few days Mrs. Twitchell will
lake full statement IN her own behalf.