The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-16
How sho was to mako them and
what she was to do.
Intellectual Struggles against Aw.
full Doom.


record and has excited profound in.
terest throughout the country. We
have traced it down to the suicide OF the
wretched murderer on the morning ap-
pointed for his execution; but the
strangest part OF this shocking story Is
told In the following statement by the
murderer's wife, and letters written to
her by him while in prison, which we
take from Wednesdays Philadelphia
Press and Ledger:
Yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Twitchell
consented to an interview with two
representatives of the press, and to
them expressed her willingness to fur.
nish statement of her knowledge OF
the transaction for which she and her
husband were tried. Mrs. Twitchell(
who appeared composed, although
somewhat depressed, readily answered
all questions ppt to her, and presented
the subjoined statement, which was al
ready written, all of 1t, except the con-
Guiding paragraph of an appeal to the
public, being In her own handwriting.
The letters which are referred to in
the statement, and which are appended,
were shown to us. They are written
in lead pencil, on small pieces of paper,
and so close were the lines that it was
difficult to decipher the words. The
largest piece of paper was about the size
of a sheet OF note paper, but the major
ity were not more than two and three
inches square, and all completely filled
with writing. The letters were without
punctuation, and in some parts were
therefore obscure as to the meaning.
According to Mrs. Twitchell, these let
tiers were folded into as small a COM
pass as possible and slipped into her
hand as she would be leaving the cell.
The letters themselves bear evidence of
having been thus folded, and that they
are in the hand writing of Mr.. Twitch-
ell is apparent by comparison between
these and admitted letters written to
his father and Rev. Mr.. Bringhurst.
There were two letters, under date of
March and March S, addressed to Mrs.
Twitchell, and containing religious ex-
hortations. These two were written
upon note paper, and were handed pub
licly to Mr.. Bringhurst to be forwarded
to Mrs. Twitchell.
MRS. TwIToHELL's STATEMENT.
On Sunday afternoon, about half past
one, George and L went out to take IL
ride, leaving at home mother ana the
girl. We went to the Abbey. OBJ
served that George appeared low-spirit-
ed, and In no way disposed to enter
into conversation. inquired if he WAS
sick, and was told he was NOT. We
returned about four o'clock. found
my mother pleasant and agreeab le.-
George came in shortly afterwards and
remained in the sdining- room until
called to tea, reading n paper. lie was
very thoughtful during the afternoon
and evening: We took tea together
After tea he left the table and went to
the dining In few moments L
was with him, leaving my mother in
the kitchen. In a few moments my
mother came in the dining room.-
Mother and 1 cOnversed together,
Mother said to me, az had better go to
bed; she did not wish me to wait up;
she would read the paper and walt for
the girl herself" went to my room,
saying, Mt the same time, George, l
am going to bed," to which he replied,
Very WELL" My mother arose and
went with me to my room, remaining
and conversing pleasantly with me I'M
Ill went to bed, when she passed out
OF the room, and In short time chow
the room, undressed, and came to bed.
| was soon asleep, and knew nothing
more until awakened by the girl ring
ing the door-bell. / cannot say il
George was asleep. but 1 think he was
not.
said "George, that must be the girl. "
He replied he supposed 1t was. He
made no attempt at that time to got up
and let the girl in. I came out of my
room into the entry and called my
reply. l returned to my room with the
intention OF finding something to throw
over my shoulders, when George got
up and said to me in an abrupt manner,
"You come to bed and will go down
and let the girl in" remained at my
room door waiting for George to come
up, thinking my mother was down
stairs. 1 heard Sarah call him, heard
what he said when he went into the
yard. I flew down stairs and saw my
mother lying on the settee in the kitch-
en-a dead woman. This is all know
about the murder. knew nothing
about my husbands business be-
Iieved 1t to be in flourishing condition,
being told by him only a few days be.
fore the murder that he was doing we'll,
making money, and out of debt. was
kept in perfect Ignorance, not only con-
corning his business affairs, but many
other acts OF his private life. deny
that ever deserted my husband, but,
on the contrary, repeatedly offered to
give every dollar possessed to save his
life if possible. Alter my acquittal
treated him kindly, visited him three
times every week, never, IN any way,
referred by look or word to the murder,
never spoke an unklnd word TO hlnl,
and never once said to him, "Mother J
On Wednesday morning, March 20,
during my conversation with him, he
conveyed to me a written confession,
which he wished me to study we'll and
commit to memory. and come to prison
prepared upon Monday morning
From reading this saw that it was
arranged Tor me TO go there and be-
come u party to the falsehood. 1t was
arranged that Mr.. Perkins and the
Rev. Mr.. Brlnghurst were to receive
me, and 1 was to play part in order
to deceive them and the world. was
to accuse myself OF having taken my
mothers life, and commit perjury by
swearing to such a statement. Muct
az desired to aid my husband, cou!t
not do this thing: and finding coulC
not trust myself safely, and fearing
from the arrangements made nigh
be entrapped, i went no more to thl
prison. Finding did not come on thu
Monday as he desired, he sent me, OF
Wednesday morning, March 81 TIVE
other confessions, from which 1 was Il
make a choice. On Thursday morning
April 1, 1 received the fourth and las
one. Since that fatal hour that bad'
nv mother good night have been sur
prised and stunned TO find that mother
murdered in her own house; 1 hnvt
been Imprisoned many sad days ant
gloomy nights, charged with the crime
Of having murdered my own mother
My husband has been convicted of tina
crime; my home has been utterly de
stroyed; I myself have been put OF
trial for my life; my husband has com
mitted suicide; have been judged no
only by the tribunals of the country
but fearfully judged by those who hav
been warned by the Master to ':judR
mott" have been accused by my hus
band, who did it in a desperate effort t
bIo IiRa of KILLING n