davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
THE CASE OF FOSTER.
Mrs Putnam Refuses to Say that She Received
$4,000 to Write Governor Dix Asking
for Communication Of Fosters Sentence

PROVIDENCE, March II, 1878.
Mrs. Putnam, the widow OF Fosters unfortunate
victim, is very shy and reticent concerning the
rumors that she received $4,000 for writing
letter to Governor DIX asking for Communication
OF the death sentence OF the condemned murderer.
Her retcence, in fact, amounts almost to an ad-
mission that she was well paid for the use OF her
name to save the murderer from the scaffod.
Since she has been here in Providence with her
father, Mr.. Scott Smith, she has kept herself aloof
from all society, except her most intimate reia-
tives and friends.
A HERALD representative has made repeated al
tempts to gain an audience, but she has persist
emily refused to see him. Subsequently commu-
nication was sent to her. stating in Drief the re-
mors In New York that large sum OF money was
paid her for beseeching Governor Dix to prevent
Fosters execution, and asking her how far these
rumors were true. This she considered whole
day, finally declining to make any reply whatever.
1t is but reasonable to suppose, from this con-
duct that the stories Of her having been paid well
for writing the Governor Dix letter are essentially
correct II they were false it Is probable that she
would hasten to deny them.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
Shall We Protect Ourselves!
NEW YORK. March 10. 1871


To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
As your journal appears to reflect truthfully the
public sentiment and Is fearless, outspoken and
unoought, feel constrained to thank you for the
noble stand you have taken regarding the Eos
ter" case. AS journalist you to stand alone,
but SIR think you can rest assured that healthy
puslic sentiment is in sympathy with your course.
That the adherence and condemnation so lately
expressed by some journalists against murders of
the "Foster'' stamp have 30 suddenly subsidized and
that these same journalists have SO suddenly
turned their attention to the defects In the laws
relating 10 murders and now urging
changes which they say are necessary, TO the end
LDat TIE punishment oil murders may be more sure,
while 1T the same time they are lending their in
nuence to defeat the execution of the law IL now
stands, IL certainly strange coincidence to saw
the least OF It, Can 1t be. Mr.. Editor that the
OF $200.000 which 1t Is currently reported that
certain wealthy druggist would spend TO get
"Foster" clear, has been enough to go around tins
'rnQ' OF usually high-priced defenders Can
you not, Mr.. Editor, with the Information you
must have on all subjects, give US the details OF
passed through certain bank but two days be-
fore Mrs. Putnam signed the petition to Governor
Dix AFFORD basis for a calculation
You need not figure the cost OF the clerical appeal
in behalf Of 'members of our Church, y Tor none
would believe that the reverend murder hackers
would accept even guarantees OF heavier coniribn-
ton boxes In the future. Neither Mr.. Editor,
will IL be necessary Tor an instant to imagine any
price for our esteemed Governor. We all know
that our beloved Governor has accepted some very
9jgh prices for comparatively small services, but
ne yer for IA dishonest purpose. The fact that ne
bas rendered high services 10 his country ana ~
nov receiving but the small pay OF the Governor
ship. am CONFIDENT would not for an instant, IN
duce apy OF us TO believe that money could in-
nuence Kim In case like Fosters.
But, Mr. Editor, Notwithstanding the love
and respect we bear our Governor, with the late
strange Developments in high Official quarters, and
the wrecks Of regulations living all around We. are
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
ssOnly n Wfrc.o

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
You are already nearly overwhelmed with CON-
municatons relative to the car-hook murder; but
desire say one word in reference to the instru.
ment with which Foster slew Putnam. Some people
In speaking OF the weapon used denominated 1t o
wire only. and maintained that it was not such
terrible thing the public had been taught to be-
lieve, &c. Now, there was, few years SINCE, con-
vlcted and sentenced to be hanged in Philadelphia,
for the murder Of his mothernaw, one George w.
Twitchel, who cheated the gallOws by swallowing
q dose OF prussic acid the morning before his exc
cuton was to have taken place.
This murder was deliberately planned by the man,
who did his work effectually by breaking the
womans head with a rod or iron, which was OF
less weight and size than any car-hook which re-
member ever to have seen. What might seem not
little strange Is that the murderer should have Sc
lected an instrument, with which he despatched
his victim on the spot, that was less formidable
than the one Foster used to kill Putnam, which is
said by some to be only trl1ing affair, and not q
murderOuS weapon. G.. B..
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
NEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY r. SHEET

we not warranted In Withholding implicit faith In
And now, in CONCLUSION, wish to ask What shaii
We do next provided this matter reaches the con-
clusion now aimed ~ by certain clerical legal and
historical lghtsY Doyou suppose that half-drunken
rufians, confident in the power OF wealthy and
influential hackers to save their necks, will be per-
without protest, or must we JOIN together
for self-protection By what right do
these sappers and miners Of the foundations OF law
and Justice assume to step in and demand that this
rufilan shall be again let loose upon us-a burden
on society," constant menace, an announcement
to every other murder0us villain The facts are
these As citizens OF civilized community we
delegate our right to self-protection to omcers
becomes settled TACT that these officials fail to
protect us we have an inherent right to protect
ourselves, even to the extent OF destroying not
only the murderers OF innocent victims, but their
aiders, abettors and protectors.
/ feel deeply in this matter, doubling whether
can NOPE o OF
A New Remedy for "the Laws Delay"
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
read your able article on the Foster case, ana
wish you Godspeed in your attempt to suppress
crime. have also perused all the communications
from correspondents, and, while approve of nearly
all OF them would like to state point which none
OF them have yet touched. Pass law land at
that every sSa IN whn or
days; stop this browbeating o. lawyers for in many
cases they are as dangerous to society as the cri-
If the counsel cannot be ready let the Court appoint
one The only way to stop crime is speedy and
sure punishment; then take the pardoning power
from the Governor; with the Court OF Appeals we
can dispense with the Governors services in that
branch. Do this, and murder will cease to be an
everyday occurrence. X. I. +.
Words from Scripture on the Case OF the
Christian Foster.
A letter to Governor Dix from One who is in
fnltely Mercifu infinitely Just and infinitely
Wise:-
III he smite him with an instrument Of iron, so
that he die, he is a murderer. The murderer shall
surely be put to DEATH"
fine thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by lay
ing in wait, that he die, or in enmity smiJe him
with hand that he die, he that smote him shall
surely be put to DEATH"
III he thrust him suddenly without enmity, see
ing him not Tor accidentally and was not his
enemy, neither sought his harm, then he shall go
free."
Moreover, We shall take no satisfaction for the
life OF murderer which Is guilty OF death; out ne
shall surely be put to death. SO We shall not pol
lutte the land wherein We ares for blood 1t defleth
the land and the land cannot be cleansed OF the
blood that is shed therein but by the blood of him
that shed it,"
Numbers, chap. xxxv ALPHOMEGA.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
A Case In Point.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Perceiving that you demand justice in Its most
rigid form, allow me to contribute my experience
with o woudbe assassin OF the Foster stamp. One
evening of last month had occasion to get into q
Broadway car with very estimable lady friend of
mine when, owing to the inclemency OF the
weather, and more by accident than design, the
lady lifted her garments q little higher than Is
deemed proper when the accident ELECTED a most
Insulting remark from ruiilan on the back plat
requested, in an Imperative tone Of language TO
''shut my jaw" or my nose would be "spread all
over my face.n
To be BRIEF sheud Foster be committed and
should the above incident occur again, feel justi-
fed in sending bullet crashing through the skull
of the next loaier who interieres with me.
AL JAS WATSON.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
An Open Letter to Governor Dix.

Nm Open LetttT 10 VUVcrMOF DIX
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
1t is conceded that at Trial Terms, Special Terms,
General Terms and High'Cour Of Appeals the law
has done with the case Of William Foster all that It
can do, and that it now comes before Your Excel
lency upon questions of ana morality alone.
have no wish to take issue with the learned and
honorable gentlemen who have SO lately addressed
YOU simply ask to remind you that SdtuS popuH
est stprenaa LeI. Remember the city OF New York,
for which 30 much is done to beautify and adorn
and SO little to protect 1t matters very little to
the member OF our privileged CLASP whether 1t
be a jury, q Judge or an Executive that interferes
In his behalf so that the aphorism OF his co,yere
played OUT. The last jury disagreed last night. If
the law cannot protect US, what can protect us9
NEW YORK. March 9, 1873. Z.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
Mercy for the Innocent Rather than the
Guilty.
pErKSKIJJ March IN 1879

PEEKSkILI, Marcn 10, 1873.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
II Governor Dix interferes In the Foster case
every dangerous and bad character in New York
city, the eyes Of every patron and inmate of dcns
OF infamy and prostitution will glisten with Joy
and his or her throat split in cheering Tor
Governor Dix. But II he refuses to interfere
the sorrow and chagrin OF this class
will be most complete. Now, II the utmost
upon our new Governor tails to move him from his
declared position of stern justice to murderers,
then that Is just the Governor the people want.
Then hope remains for those who would lay at
his feet prayers and tears contrived, manufac-
tured and paid for to suit the ease and wishes OF
murderers. My prayer Is, have mercy the
many innocent rather than on the one guilty
q a
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
A Petition Against Executive Interior
ence I'm the Foster Case.
NEW YORK. March H. 1874

NEW YORK. March ii, 1873.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In response to inquiry OF &C. L. s., Washington
square," in to-day's HERALD, I hand you below a
copy Of petition forwarded by mail this day. and
accompanied by the business cards OF the signers.
Let every man who desires to have justice done
to murderers, whether rich or poor, cut out the
petition below, copy 1t, or write something, only
let IL be done at once-sign his name to It and
mail IL. Ten thousand such letters could he nre-
clpitated upon the Governor in day. II the
business men would only take two three min.
,utes from their cares and let every one remember
that he is not asking Tor vengeance, but for law
and icr protection against crime and criminal
sentiment and perhaps against what is much more
dangerous--the power OF riches to buy up all OBJ
staces Above all things let no person who may
read this forget that II Foster had been poor
man an outraged law would have ere this exc
,cuted its justice upon him; whereas, as 1t is, minis
ters OF the gospel plead for hn because he belongs
TO "our mother church," and for his respecta-
bility-heaven save the mark Lawyers mot cheap
lawyers either but the highest In the land, under
take to advise the Governor that the Judgment OF
the Courts is an error and the air IL nlled with
rumorg OF dsgracefu barfers and sales that should
tempt justice to transfer her scales to Mammon
and leave us all 10 the mercy OF the rich and edu-
Gated murderer
70 His Ex,elency JOIN A. DIX Governor of the State Of
Sew T TS1 albany n Y;n ., ,,,. .
E families Al having the uncertanty aud the value oie
every degree and condition, respectfully beg Of Your
That you WIN not interfere in any case now pending
a N w hat af s
OuRhly settled by process of law a thai of oster
the Car Hook Mnrderer.n ~ - 1890 $500
Trusting that YOU will remember thar aItbougb S,dia.
nnnon aganst eto1e may be very deep il seldom
go ~ se penl9s as this, for the simple
the efficacy OF the law and net believe maj n will be
deliberately set aside by their rulers Iopinp also fhst
you VIII decide that te law shall be upheld Ia ali of ils
terrible majesty, " " " "
We are very truly and respectfully yours
Let those who love law now show that the
people are jealous OF their rights and OF their
isaefy, ana ACT al once. T..
A Forcible Protest Against the Letter
Writers.
NEW YORK, March 10, 1879
To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
wish TO utter one protest against the savagery
of the letters which are being published demand.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
A Cheap Juryman Gives a snarl.

a
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In the case of Foster 1t is my opinion that all
these letter writer's are making great fools Of
themselves. They evidently want fame at crimi-
nails expense should like to put them all In
row and show them up. III guarantee $40 would
change the opinion Of every one Of them, myself
included. JURYMAN.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
The Brother OF the Murdered Man Asks
for Justice.

The Brother Of the Murdered Man Asks
for Justice.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The nearest relatives OF thelate Mr.. Putnam, Of
the same blood that once animated his now moul-
dering remains, have to the present time shrunk
from expressing through the press any opinions or
feelings of theirs and have been reserved In their
private conversation IN relation to his murder by
william Foster. But, now that only few days
remain before the Governor renders his decision in
the case, we wish to address few lines to the
public. Ia it not strange that prominent clergy
men, whose legitimate duty is to dispense the
Word OF God, which contains the Ten Command
should descend from their sacred desks, and day
after day, week after week and month after month,
y the 1ne sss ana by rant tS
punishment demanded by law We do not think
1t strange that men who make law their prsfes-
BlOn-their businessman be influenced by certain
considerations to bubble and indulge IN chicanery
of all kinds in order to earn 80 many dollars
IS we are all aware, occurs every day.
We can raise no objection whatever
by Fosters friends to shield him from Punishment.
Lawyers may be paid large fees, judges may be
approached" and even the widow Of the muir
aered man may receive all that is offered her for
letter OF coincidence with the family OF the MUIR
derer and asking of the Governor q Communication
Foster was "quiet, orderly, good boy" But why
was he for years discarded by his own fatherY We
have authenticated reports OF this MODEL son,
touching his i-treatment of his own family. 1t
has also been rumored during the past three years
that this same ''good, quiet boy' was very prom
inent actor in an ARRAY in a Mercer street stable
which resulted in the death OF one of the parties
Verify, the unbounded charity OF SEINE individuals
like DR.. Tying incites them to make special selec-
ton from our English vocabulary OF such words as
ENERGY, PARDON" &C., while they regard the
words aJustice" and fright" as terms which be-
came obsolete at the time when it was first an
nounced that changing is played out" But, after
all this, we still have faith in our Governor, who
has always, as yet, proved himself 1rm In the per-
tOrmance OF his duty.
In behalf Of the only blood relatives OF the de.
eeased, A. G. PUTNAM,
61 West Thirty third street. New York.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
Ing reater,s lte. neither Know nor care Tor Eos.

ing rester's life. NEITHER know nor care for Fos
ter nor any one belonging to him, but it goes
against every manly instinct while poor
creature is struggling in lawful way for his
lie ana while soser comrt w to INVESTIGATE wf a
his case and see justice done, to hear this
hyena Cry for blood If Foster meant to Kill Put
nam let him die but don't let us disgrace humanity
by this bounding a man In the newspapers, and
this threatening Of the Governor, should he disa-
human lie by the overpowerng force OF law is a
solemn thing, and 1t would 6e becoming IN az men
SO to treat it. THEODORE F. WOOD
killing Men.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
When we call to mind all the circumstances at
tending the killing Of Mr.. Putnam by Foster we
must admit that the crime Is as atrocious as any
in our annals. With the bloody facts before us, 1t
is decidedly shocking to sense Of truthlulness
to be told by such q man as James Parton, in so
many words, that Foster did not murder Mr.. Put
nam. Mr.. Parten assumes there was no intent to
kill. When an old patron OF Sunday schools nom
orable and quiet citzen-as Mr.. Foster is now dis
covered to be-so far forgets himself as to become
intoxicated, as to insult lady In public convey
ance whom he has never met before, and then
threatens to give the man "hell'' who protects
them he goes back upon his established record
ana quiet character to such an extent as to render
nugatOry all that may be SAID in his favor. But
or Mrs. to aye the
stalking up behind him, lays his head open
with q car-hook, he commits murder in the
first degree as atrocious as any in our annals. To
deny this Is to deny that Professor Webster, OF
Boston, murdered DR.. Parkman. 1t Is to deny that
Mr.. Rogers Of this city, murdered by the pass
ing highway robbers that the man or men who
robbed Mr.. Nathan murdered him. We have no
better evidence that those men premeditated the
killing than we have that Foster intended to Kill
Putnam. Yet who shall say that Professor Webster
was unjustly hung because, IN fit OF passion, he
struck DR.. Parkman q fatal blown And who would
advocate the escape from the halter OF the muir
derers Of Rogers and Nathan II they could be
foundY Mr.. Parton Is far at sea when he makes
such bold statement. and he offers an uncaled
for insult to the medical profession when he I'M
plies that, with proper treatment Mr.. Putnam
might have lived: That line OF defence has been
used sufficiently in the case of Fisk, properly sup
posed to have been murdered by Mr.. Stokes.
A Jury should do its duty at all times, regardless
OF what follows; but we submit there Is little need
Of having any kind OF jury stays OF proceedings
are to be granted, II combinations OF sentence
are to be INDUCED in. With Fosters fate unde
cided, with a stay OF proceedings for Stokes and a
disagreement for Scannell hanging Is fast playing
out IN New York. Men who commit crimes should
be punished as the law directs, no matter who the
criminal may be. II Foster did not murder Put
man, then there Is no such thing as murder.
FULLER WALKER.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-12
q Protest Against Executive Clcmency
for Foster.

70 Governor JOHN A. DIX
Asafew sympathizers IN crime in this are engaged
In trying to induce Your Lxceency to go back on
-FOUR declarations In you inaugural message and
your letter to the Sheriff of Buffalo, and stay the
execution Of the law in the case of that cold
blooded murderer Foster will you allow protest
TO such asked-for clenency In behalf of the great
mass Of the law.abding citizens OF this cItyp I
need not recall the facts IN the case, they are
familiar to all. He has had all the advantages of
law and Justice. and even mercy In his counsel's
abOred efforts TO stave OFF his execution for two
and Security Of our citizens, for had he been exc.
Cuted eighteen months ago no observing
man could believe that our City Prison
eight murderers. No., sir, prompt and GER
tain execution OF this .'carhook murderer"
would nave saved us from this lamentable and dis.
graceful condition OF things In our city. Our laws
should be executed or abrogated. There is no
safety for our Citizens either male or female while
daily homicides are committed with impunity.
Why should this maudln sympathy exist for this
ruffian, who was so carefully and religousy edu-
Gated" as Dr. Tying says in his letter. Had he been
poor, ignorant loaer not knowing how to read
or write, coming from the snms Of the city, there
not so in Fosters case His education and religious
training constitute an element in his crime. Is
there no sympathy or consideration for the victims
and their iamllles OF these murderelsS Have they
no rights that assassins ''are bound to respectY,
II poll OF the votes OF the awablding citizens of
the city could be obtained doubt not that forty:
nine 1ftieths would insist that the law should be
carried out to the letter, and on vote OF all the
citizens there would be an overwhelming
majority in favor OF justice in his case
Wise and observant men have said "that no coun-
try makes better laws than we do and no country
executes their laws so badlyn Now, Governor
for the sake OF this community, for your own sake
and Tor that OF future victims III this notorious and
other murderers escape their just deserts) do not
beg OF you, intervene the Executive power or the
State to nuliiy the decisions of highest Courts
and thereby expose the lives and safety of unoend
Ing citizens to the knife, the bullet and the bars Of
these lawless, maraudng scoundrels who infest
our city and think 1t pastime to take the LIE Of
innocent men and women, thinking, II not saying,
TO to themselves, changing is played out.u
JUSTICE AND MERCY FOR THE INNOCENT,
NOT FOR THE CIrIITY