Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-07-22
CONFESSION OF IN. Van GoRDER
OHIO STATE PRISON,
CoIuMBCs, June 5, 1870.

brother George ". and c1uspn William p. Van
Gorder, in this prison, charged with tie crime
OF arson.
Neither Court nor community are in possession
Of correct understanding Of the case; for the
facts, until now, have been successfully con-
c'alcd within my own breast, an haze. until
this late hour, thought would rather suffer tor
turc than betray my secrets. iu' the veil which
has so long disguised my crime ani its cause
has at length been rents my sinews Of iron have
become like those Of n child aud nothing less
than what have suffered would have s'ftened
so hard II heart as mine. and n0t even that, un-
less accompanied by firm resolution to aban-
don my sinful course.
Having desire to correct any misapprcheu-
sion my friends NAV have cOncerning my pro-
ceedings and situation It will be necessary to
go back to the time imprudently exchanged
well cultivated and productive farm, with my
brOther-in-law, J. II. Dewitt, for . stock OF
goods, and trace their history down to the time
stained my character and conscience with
crime.
In the absence Of experience, | thought
Large sock would be more apt to lead to sue
cess, purchased largly on credit during the
high prices. The decline in the markets and
dullness Of the times left INV goods unsOld,
while my creditors were threatening 10 close my
sore The.fear Of being forced to large sacrifice,
led me To get the store insured at the office Of
Colonel Shannon, of Perrysburg but fnr some
their policy, and was compelled TO abandon my
scheme until a more favorable opportunity.
then borrowed Of my brother George, thirty
five hundred dollars, belonging TO bis WIFE Civ
ing him as security, a partnership interest.
With this aid, / was relieved for a time and
purchased an additional stock, having paid of
my old clames and contracted new ones. But
a few months passed before was again embar-
rassed, and in an evil hour resolved to use nv
brother George as the instrument by which
might carry out the sheme which had contem-
plated and abandoned so shortly befme. To do
this successfully, proposed sale # coAven-
ience under pretense that if could prevent my
creditors from distressing me for a few months
longer, could pay of all my liabilities. then
urged George to become the Ostensible owner,
aud to hold the goods in trust. giving me privi-
lege to continue business under his name. Az
ter proper exchange Of papers, ] made a pro-
position to J. II. Dewitt to furnish means and
reference, and go East and purchase to the
amount Of FIVE thousand dollars, which he ex-
cepted and went to Sandusky City to sec a Mr..
Barner, who had done a large business IN New
York; but for some reason Dewitt failed IN Sc
curing his reference. ! then made proposition
to George, that would give him two hundred
dollars, if he would furnish indorsers that
would enable me to make purchase Of four or
five thousand dollars in his name, and it was for
the payment Of this bonus that sent him those
goods by express TO Warren. Having selected
the Ids at A. Z. Andrews, Warren, Ohio,
then made an arrangement to receive fictitious
receipts'of Eds .rd Andrews, to show to my
neighbor merchants that | had m Sde pui chase
of nearly nine thousand dollars: and left
fifty dollars with George to give him as Hbonus.
My next step was TO get an INSURANCE. on
building and contents. l made application at
the Office Of Col. Shannon, of Perrysburg taking
George with me tD sign the necessary papers. he
depending on nv representations, and little
knowing their contents or design.
Having succeeded IN obtaining the policy Of
insurance, | Immediately collected John IIald-
crmaD, by letter, to assist in removing some of
the finest goods, under pretence that had made
application in bankruptcy. lie came at once,
and, with his usual dissipated habits, conducted
himself so indiscreetly teven while he was in
geninusly disguised with false wbiskers and
goggles, and acting in the capacity of stock
buyerl, as tO lead 10 the suspicion that his busi
ness was not legitimate.
Not wishing to endanger the property Of my
neIghbors, selected a cold, still and bright
moonlight night, in January, and with my ot7u
hands placed lighted candle near a quantity
of cotton batting, as in my iudgemst would re-
quire about two hours to take fire, and left the
store FOR the last time.
The report that j. II. Dewitt set It ON FIRE is
as unjust as il is untrue; and cousin William Is
innocent of this crime, not living soul but my
self having anv knowledge that the stors would
AS soon as possible after the fire, | sent
George word that the store was burned, and for
him to come and make the stat! ments as tO the
loss. He came, but said he know nothing about
the value or amounts, and could say nothing.
told him would instruct him what to tell the
agent Mr Hosmer, and dictated answers to the
questions and inquiries, which were reduced 10
writing and testified to by George,as ~ the best
of his knowledge. An thus was hs led into
this difficulty unwittingly, aud left master dupe
and victim, and censured by a large circle of
friends as being the instigator nf crime of
which he had no knowledge, and is in every
way innocent. However much the circumstan.
ces Of ownership and exravagant purchase of
Andrews Son may seam to point to his com
plieity. | will do him the justic to scknOwle dge
my guilt, and let the blame rest in its proper
place.
1t is worthy Of remark here, that George has
always cuI ,ivated retcence and a prOpriety
Of feeling, and experienced brotherly attach
ment for my society, and would endure with
concealed suffering any injustice or punishment
rather than murmur or complain of the action Oi
his friends and that you may know what I'M
tiriHg effTts. made IN prevent lnm knowledge
of my guilt, on the day previous to coming q
this prison, | wrote letter, and requested
George to copy and address to you. intimatne
that two ofthe prosecuting witnesses were impli
Gated still striving, after pleading guilty and
causing my brother tn do the same, % turn
portion Of the crime in another direction. Sucf
has been my influence and control over my
brother, and until this late hour have failed Il
acknowledge my error.
have not enjoyed day Of peace since tht
pSrpetration of this crime, and my heart sinks
within me, when think Of the weary days anC
months | allowed myi brother and cousin b
spend in Jail, while was constantly urging hin
(my brOtber) not to accept of the terms OF tria
which you had provided, until he became dis
oad aud IA hal 10.
him. and being denied trial by the State
| through the advice of one Of his counsel, h,
chose to plead guilty rather than remain in iai
! ill the next term, subject 10 the results of 81
long continued change from active to sedentary
! habits.
Had possessed moral courage to have con,
| tessed my guilt and saved those who are limo
cent from such anxiety and suffering. But
| have been constantly striving IN conceal thu
| workings Of guilty conscience, which has 81
long untitled me for labor nr rest, and sigh fOl
that peace which alone sweetens toll and makes
| life cease tO be a burden.
As this was my first step from a lifeof integrity
! and uprightness TO that of disgrace and crime
let Inc hope you can discover circumstance
| that are exteDuating, aud not consider me los
| TO the influences Of hGme and friends, but that
you will exercise your pardOning influence il
my behalf and restore me IN my afflicted and
suffering family "a wife aud five small cli,drel
! who are in pressing need Ot dsSistaHce ant
ioanting for the neeessdries Of life.
trust you will feel yourself at liberty 20 usI
I this contesslun as best meets your judgement
but earnestly desire that through the columns
Of the Warren Chropiele. you will place il b.fore
the public that the Influence and censure Of mi
wicked course brought upon both my brothe
| aud cousin. so far as lies ia my power, may b,
couuteracted, and that the community may sc,
| that have moral courage t0 acknowledge m,
crime and its cause, and have taken firm anC
decisive step toward reform.
| p. S.-Although asking a favor, let me in
dulge 10 the hope that you will not pass this b,
without attention Through a multitude Of bust
ness), but will please make the best use OF i TO
the injured parties AS the opportunities her
| for writing ars somewhat limited j and desir
Il placed before the public at Warren, especially