The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-02-25
The cOnv1ers starement-Is He not Ia-
nOeena9
AUsrrv JAN. February %. 1875.

AUSTIN JAN, February 20, 1875.
To the People Of Texas:
In bidding farewell to friends and eoun-
trynIen, desire to present through the col
umns of the STATEsNAN few facts. have
been found guilty of high crime by jury
Of my fellow-citizens upon the evidence
presented to them. do not desire for a
moment to question the motives of that
jury. This is a question between them and
Almighty God. But to the point. The
Un.led States Attorney presented question
burning my trial that, as yet, is unan-
swered. 1 refer to the lock question. 1t
seems to be shrouded in mystery. Why
Because there were but two persons present
that could unragel the mystery, viz, Mr..
John F. Lipphard and myself. Ny lips were
sealed by the law, and it did not suit his
purposes to do so. / can now speak. Mr..
Shugard's evidence was, that bought a
similar lCck from him with two keys. He
spoke the truth; l honor him for 1t; and
candidly believe that the lock present on
trial was the one purchased by me from
Mr.. Shugard. But IT WAS NOT the
lock let Lipphard have. l purchased
that lock for the purpose of using it jointly
with another man oil a stable, and it was
upon the mantel in my room for two weeks
or more, during my absence in Madison
county. On Tuesday night, prior to the
mail robbery, | moved my furniture from
Mr.. Robinson's to Mr.. Smitley's. Ny wife
put this lock in basket, or in my saddle
bags, she does not remember which. Mr..
Lipphard moved nearly all my things on
that occasion. am satisfied he stole that
lock on that occasion. The only difference
between the locks was this: mine was
brass mounted, with two keys, while the
one l let him have was nickel mounted
around the keyhole, with only one key.
MANY other circumstances in his manner to
me, that at the time escaped my notice, now
occur to me and lead me to believe that
from the first he was plotting my ruin. l
believe lie had one or more accomplices.
now ask, is there not some good detective
that will take hold of this matter, and as
the stolen property has not all been
recovered, some clue to the real per-
petrators of this crime may be POUNDS
If found, l ask that some steps be
taken to relieve me from my un-
fortunate condition. Another matter
desire to mention that has as yet never been
presented in court, and that is in reference
to draft disposed of, and is the fouIda-
ton of another charge that would have
been brought against me had been &C
Quilted upon the first. hold the receipt
of w. w. Collins, a salesman from Calves
ton, for the money paid him for the draft.
The fact of his coming direct from Clifford
office when cashed the draft, together
with Clifford's manner in connection with
my arrest and conviction, his ready manner
of obtaining evidence against me-he being
the first one to whisper the suspicion that
had committed the robbery within a half
hour from the time of its being known
led me to believe that he knows more of
the robbery than has as yet been revealed.
At any rate, he could arrive at very rapid
conclusions, for an affidavit was made and
warrant issued for nay arrest before the
robbery had been committed three hours,
and before these suspicious tracks had been
found. think the remark of two gentle
men in the court room, during my trial,
we'll put when they said he seemed to try
harder not to convict himself than to con-
vict me. But enough of this.
am now consigned to felon's cell, but
feel that the God l have tried to serve for
the past six years will still be with me in
this my great trial, and will minister to me
as we'll in felon's cell as in His sanctuary,
and sooner or later my innocence will be
fully established. God alone knows the
agony l have endured in the separation
from my loving companion and darling
child, but the God of Heaven has promised
to care for the widow and orphan and
commit them to His kind care and keeping.
To the many friends who have extended
to myself and family tokens of their kind.
ness during my stay in Austin, desire tC
return my humble thanks, among whom
are Major w. n. Walton, Deputy Sheriffs
Stokes and Pendley, and Messrs. Barron,
White, Peck, Maddox and Henry Stokes
also Mr. Bridges and lady, with others
This remembrance of their kindness vii
cheer me in my confinement. To his honor
Judge Duval, 1 return thanks for courte
sizes shown me during my trial, and feel as
sured he has acted throughout from a firm
conviction of duty. Mythanks are also due
the editor of theAustin STATESMAN for the
manner in which he published the facts il
connection with my case. If we had more
such heightened gentlemen conducting the
press of our country, mems characters
would not so often be wrongfully assailed
Leaving myself now in the hands of my Divine
Maker, and again proclaiming my innocenct
of this charge against me, l now bid yoT
all farewell, and God grant that the tim,
may soon come when truth shall be estab
lished, when the innocent shall be restored
and the guilty be punished; but if not il
this world, in the world to which we art
all fastening all will be we'll. Adieu, ioJet
ones; adieu, friends; may God protect III
all and pardon our transgressions, as WI
forgive those who trespass against Us, i
my prayer. w. j. RAINEs.
Hearne EateTprise please copy.
.rrt :
IT is asserted as fact that every can
vasser who has turned his attention to the
lfntro1rr4for of the New Fap,ilv cevvins