, 1873-10-19
Tho Dcnfsin Trngcdy-.An Indinnu
White Woman Loves a Negro, and
Consents 10 the Murder OF IlGr Hus.

Consents TO tho Murder OF 1aer Mus-
band.
From tae 2errs Hants fI..d} Ezpst.., Oct Is.
a1o Henry Linaiey, James Roper. Dave Roper,
al colored. and Elliott Hawkins, John Tollnan,
and Mrs. Deal1in.
reporter Of tho Express went to tho atatton-
aaS ass ngS IL s@ Ths sosn % bu and n 9Is sssIs
good-l0oklng. She has the face Of simple
minded person, easily 1n1uenoed with little
foEco Of character. Her face IL somewhat een-
aual. She aeomed to feel not the slightest un-
She answered question: Without reserve, Iesl.ais
ing often, but apparently from imperfect momo-
ry. This ie hor story from hor own lipa:
nes Dosn {'Arf S ~ss boyn b maiden nssr
In Clay County. My parents died when WAS
young, and was raised by the brother Of the
man that afterwarda married. Three years
ago oaes ,ns nesG the 9n ho was
Jealous Of James Roper, a colored man who often
came to our house. Roper had great influence
over me. think that be gave me loge-powdo1s
In peaches; H. ,, sad 90 e opoe: Roper used to
he (Roper) and I could 60 OF aud live together. I
told my husband once that Roper had said that ho
would kill him. That made Deakin mad, and
he would not lot Roper como about tho houao for
| aome tilne. But aftorWard they mado ii up, and
Roper came back. went to Woodvil1o Illinois,
on the 10th day Of August; Deakin sold the
furniture; wo lived near Fountain Station, on
| tho d St. L. nailroad. Ho sold the furniture
parted. Roper told mo that he would k.l Deahin
If would go AWAY, and that lo would join mo.
and we would 70 to Cannda to live. I went to
Woodville, Illinois, to Doakfn'a brother. got
band WIS working II Jones' mill, and that he
bad had no chance to kill him yct-that ho
Roper) was coming out in three weeks. and
thai, he hoped. to got away with my hua.
band boforS that time. burned tho letter. I
Lents show was in Terre Haute. [Doakin was
| murdered the night of the show-Keportor.l
| went to . cousins OF my husbands in Lost
Creek. didn't know that nay husband bad
been, because heard that Roper went to the
show with him, and that Doakin had not been
soon since. nevor knew positively that my
husband was killed until to-day. have not seen
Roper since left home IN August. Roper had
him now. I don't see what was the cause Of the
power over INC unless 1t was loyo-powders.
hare no chlldren. 1 had ono aud 1t died.
:. from ths 4errs Haute (Itdl Erpress, Oct. 1s.
Yeeterday afternoon an .Express reporter in-
tervleWed James Roper IN the atatlon-house.
He il very slightly built, with face that does
eyea may be called bsd: He is dirk malatto,
aud There ia nothing interesting or remarkable
~ his appearance. One would never suspect
MN OF pelnE murderer, 1hefo ID no evidence
Of aly remarkable will powcr or magnetism
about him.
He answered promptly Ill questions put to
him. This is summing up Of what he said
IT am "a years old. can read q little, but
cannot write. I did not write the lottor to
| Dohkiu's vito at .Woodyille. David Roper and
my sistor wrote it for me. have known the
woman (Mrs. Deakln) for two yesra. ] am not
In the habit Of drinking much. drank good
deal the day Lent's show WAS In Terre Hautc,
whom Deakln was killed. ] don't know what
lovilment got into mo that day. never thought
Of killing Dealin before that day. ! knew no
reason why I wanted to kill him, but that
ths Tne eoys and
that waa the 1easou they we're willing to holp IL
the murder. I know Of no other reason why
they desired to kill him: It ia now the rise o1
six months since ! hrst had an understanding
house. and sometimes at my SISTERS house.
board with my sister. Our house WAS only 80t
yards from Deakin'e, with corn-feld between
There was criminal intimacy batwoon us. The
but never saw any Indication that he wab
never gave tho woman any loVe-powdors
/ don't know anything about loye-powders
only these (oxtendiug his lipn); We'll, on tht
David Hopper. and James Doaisln (the murdered
mani In Terre Hauto. Az said before, w
drank good deal It was mado up., betwee1
the boys mud myself tint wo should Kill Doakin
| Lindlay lrnt suggested 1t. don't EnoW vii,
Lindley wanted to kill him. think that menttcn
cd It to David. lie didn't nay right OF Hhoths
he would help. or not, but, after Will
came to The conclusion that he would. Il wa
Ill made up before wo wont to the aho"
We started homo, walking on tho track 0
tho railroad, about suudown. It was under
stoou between the boys aud myeolf that "
should kill him when 1t got to DO dark. We wer
sll drinking. was to a6oot him with my pistol
which hal lad mouth We talked frlendl
lIko W no moved on' We argued aome' Ds.kli