Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-06-16
do it for him. Under this letter Wilson
wrote to Mr.. Wolfe
FULL CONFESSION

40 AOAAOWOs
REV, J. w. WoLF--Dear Sri hest.
tate, as well may I, at the unpleasant task
l have to perform. have tried to have a
private talk with Miss Fannie before max
ing this statement but have always failed.
Your conjecture is but too true in regard
to her condition, and after leav-
to be candid and state the facts but you
started too soon and my messenger failed
to overtake you. Now sir as to the result !!
what is to be done? l am not trying to
conceal / ameready to stand my part OF
the blame, come as it may. l have, done
wong, but not with cool deliberation or
contin ued repetition. One fatal act-com-
mitted under the excitement of passion,
aroused by too great imprudence on her
part, has brought upon US ali an atfllctlon
grievOus to bear. l have sympathiZed
deeply with her in her mental and physi-
Cal sufferin and respected her too much
to allow myself to be carried out of bounds
in any way second time, feeling sensbly
the greatness of the wrong. l had hoped
nothing else would follow-a lesson learned
to protect me in the future; but alas! vain
hope. saw but too soon that to cover one
miSStep must commit dreadful crime,
and delay from time to time but made me
more powerless to do so and gradually con-
WINGED me that what was ALREADY done
would not Justify the commission of so
great crime as murder, for have always
considered voluntary production of abor-
ton murder SO you see l could do moth
ing but wait for the bitter end; and she was
not able to be removed, consequently could
do nothing but try to recruit her and keeN
her health up, which her. voluntary con
fnement made so much harder the task. /
offered to take her to city until we'll, or
to care for her here within my own reach
and care, at my expense or anything
that [ could do in reason.
Now l ask what do you propose: if it is
hard on you il is worse on me. Our Family
affection will be equal, the future of her and
myself each dark; but all can be relieved
OF much Of the sorrow and pain by a few
of us bearing it all. OF course it alldepends
upon your decision. But pray you spare if
possible our Parents and Friends from pub
lie reproach, am no libertine. [ was led
astray once, but whatever may be the re-
suit 1t aciU make me true hereafter. My
intentions are good and 1 ask you in the
name OF all peace let us make some COM
promise hard, painful and humiliating as
1T would be, would rather confess it all to
my wife, whom love dearly and whose ex-
pressions of trust bring so much inward re-
morse. Yes! l say confess it to her and 1
know she would sacrifice her own feelings
enough to help me take care of her here I'M
til well-or if you choose to care for her I
will do all in my power professionally and
otherwise to aid you, and your pecuniary
loss thereby shall be restored. you need not
fear to trust me now; the lesson has been
but too dearly bought and one of the sad
dest | shall ever have. [ could not come
to tell you but should you now, after
knowing the worst wish to ask anything
more will meet you. am aware flor [
have counted the cost in every form and
am ready for the worst,) that by writing
to you give evidence against myself, and
place myself SO far in your power i; but l
trust you as Il man to he trusted, altho' [
deserve it so little, and believe you will com
ply with my request to return this letter OF
destroy it at Once-aS it is only a way of
communicating to you that which should
[ attempt otherwise might be a failure
Will you be so kind as to give me some re-
ply. | will wait awhile-haYe several pa
tients to see to-day.
This letter had no signature but Wilson
afterwards acknowledged that it was his.
and the other facts in it, and was expelled
from the membership of the Methodist
church, y church trial at Churchville.
When Mr.. Wolfe showed DR.. McChesney
the confession he also informed him that
he had previously showed it to Miss Man
uel. She had been astonished at it's con-
tents, said she knew she was en- her dying
bed and that a falsehood would not serve
her, and that she was willing to swear be-
fore him or any one that she knew nothing
of the occurrence and that it could not
have taken place. She asked what Dr..
McChesney thought, and if he thought she
was about to become a mother--that she
could not believe it. Mr. Wolfe said none
of the family knew of but one opportunity
in all his visits that Wilson could have
had, and that was when Mrs. Wolfe left
him alone one day in May for about 20
minu1 es and ON returning to the room rec
objected that he looked confused excited
and fatigued. Mr.. Wolfe was much excl
ted and Wept like child. He said speak
ing of Wilson that "That man ought to
de- Dr. McChesney said to him that
most men would take Wilson life under
the circumstances, but he ought to remem-
Der that he was minister of tho gospel and
not do anything that would make him I'M
happy for life. He thanked DIR. McChes-
ney for the honorable part he had taken in
the matter of bringing the crime to light.
A short time afterwards DIR. Wilson
came to see DR.. McChesney, telling him
he had intended to come before, but the
H. had CO
heart failed him, and he could not meet
him. DR.. McC. told him that Miss Manuel
had read his confession, and could not
believe what had passed, and added, "You
must have .chloroformed her, she says she
knew nothing of it, and is willing to swear
to it, Wilson replied, ''She won It swear
to that! She couldn't swear to that, u
and then made remark not fit to be
printed. that impressed DR.. McChesney
with the belief that he was debating in his
own mind how far the victim had
been insensible at the time of her
ruin. Dr. McChesney said, "Did you
never talk to her on the subject of her
condition afterwards" Wilson replied.
II COlQ ner once ClttI Woulu WIlIe w iler
a secret, but she replied positively re-
fusing to receive any letter from married
man, that she could not show her sister
and Mr.. Wolf"
THE FLIGHT AND RETURN,
After this Wilson disappeared, and it
was said had gone to Canada, but after
some months he returned to Chu" ch vile,
ard resumed the practice of his profession.
DYING STATEMENT OF THE YOUNG LADY
Miss Manuel was taken home to her
fathers house at NeWtown, in Frederick,
January, about a month after which she
die of consumption. Two OF three days
hafora her death Rev Mr. Wolfe who was