Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-26
I, MRS. LAURA FAIR. :
An interview With the AssHssin Or
A. y. oCrittenden : She wants 10

An Interview With the Assnssin OF
b A. P- -oCrittenden = She wants 20
From the San Francisco Chronicle, 1lth.I Y
Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, o
Chronicle reporter visited the cell of
Mrs. Laura Fair the assassin of A, p.
Crittenden, and requested an interview
with her. He was-met at the threshold
by the attentive and polite nurse, and,
on inquiring into Mrs. Fairs condition,
was informed that she had passed the
might in sleep, and awoke muchrefreshed
and in better health than at any time
since her incarceration, but about noon
she was visited by her mother. who came
to consult with her on the course TO be
taken for-her defense, and to- make ar
rangements. .as to the disposition Of her
property, of which she tthe mother) had
taken charge. This visit necessarily
brought Mrs, Fair face to face with the
contemplation Of the terrible reality of
the tragedy which resulted in the death
of Crittenden, and the offended majesty
of the law that requires her to appear
before jury of her peers and answer
the charge Of willful murder laid at her
door. After her mother left, the
nurse found her in state OF great
mental excitement produced by the re-
alization of the terrible position which
she finds herself placed. The reporter
requested the nurse to communicate his
desire for a persopal interview, and the
nurse soon returned with the request tol
walk in, but not to excite her unneces-
sarily. as IL would retard her recovery
from. the indisposition under which she
still labors On entering the cell, Mrs.
Fair was found lying in bed, wearing an
embroidered crimson sacque over her
night dress. Thereporter seated himself
on the bed that forms the nurses couch
of repose, and the interview was as
follows:
Reporter-Mrs. Fair, we have called
upon you to see ifyou have any desire-
Mrs. Fair (sobbing)--l only wish to
say to you thatI wish to be let aloney |
do not wish to see any one, unless il be
lawyer, to make my will, and the doctor
will not let lawyer come to see me.
Reporter--Perhaps at some other time
when you are more calm, you would be
disposed to make statement
Mrs. Fair (interrupting, hysterically
excited)-Nol i have nothing to say
desire to say nothing. They have, said
so many things about me already ssnd
now not even single lawyer will do
anything for me All Ifwant to do is to
arrange my money affairs to secure my
little girl, and then | want the doctor to
give me drugs till die.
Reporter-Y must not get so much
excited, Mrs Fair. There is every dis
position to set you right. if you desire to
say anything concerning what has been
said in relation to this matter.
Mrs. Fair-I do not know what they
have said. | am here alone, aud have
not heard anything. (Pleadingly.) Have
some pity, some charity, please. of. M
The Nurse--Shei has not read any of
the papers, and does not know what has
been published.
Mrs. Fair-My poor child is my only
care. After having settled my affairs j
want to die. No one knows-butI can't
say anything Even the lawyers refuse
to do anything for me. viii no one.
have merey2
Here Mrs Fair broke into hysterical
1T of weeping that prevented further
|-eommunication. Throughout the brief
interview she was continually throwing
her arms wildly about, and covering her
face with handkerchief Her voice was
repeatedly broken by sobs, and betokened
a nervous organization wrought up to a
pitch of unnatural excitement The in
telligence brought to her by her mother,
that no leading lawyer would undertake
her defense, contributed in great meas
ure to her excitement She fully real
ICES her position, and the question of her
sanity cannot be doubted. She is sane
in mind, and when few days more shall
elapse there is no doubt she will be sufi-
ciently calm to meet the charge which
has been preferred against her Mrs.
Fair is apparently about thirty-seven
years Of age, though her pale, haggard
and careworn countenance, indicating
great mental suffering, would make her,
appear much older She will be unable
to give the matter of her trial any con
sideration for several days to come, and
in the meantime her physician, DIR.
Lyford, who has attended her for fifteen
months and knows her condition, forbids
her holding any conversation with any
one. Her mother yesterday broached
the subject of her trial, because she is
obliged to return to San Jose to-day, and
desired to have matters arranged previ-
ous o-her departure. Mrs, Fair smother
is IN state Of great nervous excitement
as well as her daughter, and when they
meet the scene is one painful in the ex-
treme. iT- 9" 72HI 20 -.'- h'' -'- pei