The Portland daily press., 1869-03-15
The no.s...ron af ONION marri..

The Confession OF CIsfson nafrAss
Rev. Mr.. Mason received the dying confess
sion of Harris which is in these words:
l. Clifton Harris, was born at Fortress Mon
roe 10 1s4S as / have always been told and have
reason TO believe. My parents were free:
have never been slave. NY mother was a
Christian woman and taught me to say nv
prayers and to do and say what Was right and
true when child. These instructio. s did
not heed as grew up, but INDUCED in various
wrong ways, though was guilty of no great
crime during my early life. s9assEess .xt.s
After the commencement of the war. To
avoio being pressed into the rebel service with
several other bows, / fed from Virginia and
found myselfin Georgia where Joined Ten
nessee regiment (Union) and went in the ca
pacity OF servant to wait on Soldiers
Messes," from Missionary Ridge to Atlanta
with Gen. Sherman's army. At Atlanta en-
listed as soldier in Kilpatrick's Cavalry,
Company 7, LIST Battalion, with which re-
NAMED until reaching Goldsborough, where
with others l received my discharge In 1865.
then went to Al xandra, then 10 Boston,
then to Portland, where met Mr.. Morse Of
Minot with whom hired, and accompanied
him home. I stopped with Morse from July
til after Thanksgiving, think some time in
| December.
I afterwards worked for a Mr.. Larkins, a
| brother-in-law of Luther j. Verrill, cutting
cord wood.
Went from there to Mr.. Keith's in Auburn
where was at the time of the murder, Of
which am convicted. Previously to going
to Larkin's had attended Sabbath school
some and religious meetings, and had been
| taught to read some. After I went there ]
neglected these and begun "going down" until
am here.
The circumstances of the murder were
| these; had been to Lewiston and was return.
Verrill, who proposed that we go and rob the
house where Mrs Kingsley lived, as we had
| reason to believe that there was money there
Nothing was intimated about injuring the
| women. did not even think of murder, but
supposed we could rob the house and get away
| without any trouble. I consented to go with
| him at some time after midnight. think we
were to meet near the house at about o'clock
| After leaving him went home. On nv way
| drank freely of liquor had with me, with 9
| Mr.. Curtis. put up my horse, then went to
my room and lay down and remained until
the clock struck IL and soon after Igot up and
started out.
I met Verrill near the house we were to rot
and had little talk. / went to the privy
took off my boots, and think my coat, got il
at the window Of the privy: went through the
woodhouse and opened the door at which
Verrill entered. I then got my boots and Goa
and we then proceeded to our object. Wen
| into Mrs. Kiugsley's room. She making some
stir, was struck by Verrill with chair. Soor
| after, she making movement as though tt
set up, and calling for Polly, seized the chail
Presently seeing the other woman passing
from her room Verrill seized the chair and
smote her down.
took lamp from Mrs. Kingsley's room an6
burst into the cook room for some match 8
knocked over what supposed to be the mattel
box, but was agitated and found no matches
Saw "Aunt Polly" 81 ting up, seized the chat
and felled her. do not know that she moved
afterwards. Mrs. Kingsley did, and verril
| took the Ratchet he bad brought with him anl
went into her room, and finished her, as sup
posed.
we came cut of the house and parted.
| went down to Mr.. Keiths. He went anothe
| way, do not know where. went to ny
room as fast as could run, I lay down thor
oughly alarmed, as had nearly got over tn,
effect of the liquor. Rose early, built fires anl
/ went about my usual chores.
When first arrested denied any knowledge
| of the deed and was released. When agar
arrested plead guilty. Made confession; ties
tified in court to the facts substantially as
| have now given them. g5
After the trial when in Jail I was influenced
by the opportunities of a certain woman there
| and the Representations of individuals that
would gain friends and make my own condi
ton easier and more hopeful at Thomaston i
I would "Clear Verrill" to change nv story ane
declare that was alone guilty and Verrill was
innocent. A great deal tcds said to me-
! changed again, when came to reflect, and
told the iormer story sohich Is true. This I say
asa dying man. I have no motive for false
hood now. I can see and feel that should
add to nay guilt before God and man. be-
lieve God has forgiven me, and that though
great sinner against Him and against my tel
low beings, / am accepted of Him who is ablt
toIsave the chief Of sinners. could have n,
such hope, or confidence were l to die with q
falsehooda on my tongue. can now tell tn
| truth whatever I have said and done before.
do. II il that u am a murderer and sufftr Inst
ly the penalty of death Luther j. Verrill II
| also a murderer with me, as a participstor il
| the same crime. hear him no malice, / only
| say the truth as man, at point and with 9
| hope making it impossible for him to tell any
| thing but the truth.