The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-11-12
A TERRIBLE TALE.
WARD CONFEsSEs
To the Attempt to AssassInate Thomas
Devereaux.


sination occurred at the corner Of Erato and Ba.
rome streets that has been chronicled here for
many years. Ex-Detective Thos. Dsvereaux,
returning home, was fred upon whilst opening
the door of his dwelling by man hidden in d
wood yard opposite, narrowly escaping death.
On searching the yard the fragments of gun
were found, and clots OF blood and fragments OF
flesh bespattered the fence. On closer inspec-
ton double barreled gun, one barrel OF which
had exploded, and human thumb we're brought
to light. The same night q man, who afterwards
turned out to be J. W. Ward, went to the Charity
Hospital for surgical aid, with his hand lacer-
ated, thumb blown off and his face burned with
powder.
Ward was tried for the attempt at assassination,
convicted and sentenced to the PeniteDtiary. He
has been in tho Parish Prison since his sentence,
and, notwithstanding his usual loquacity, has re-
mained silent as to the crime for which he was
convicted. Lately, however, he has manifested
CHANGE OF FEELING,
and few days ago requested Capt. O. Gain, who
Is In charge Of the prison. the favor of some
writing paper, and further that he be locked up
10 cell to himself. This was readily granted.
He did not complete the work he had to do the
first day and was locked up in bis separate cell u
second day, add on yesterday morning sent to
MIR. Thor. Deveraux, through Capt. Gain, the
following terrible story OF his guilt:
WARDS CONFESSION.
PARISH Prison, Nov. 10, 1877.
Thos. Devereaux, Esq:
Dear Sir-For some time have been serious
ly meditating making q statement to you, and
through you to the public, of the reasons by
which I was controe cd at the time attempted
to take your life.
I have hesitated 80 long because was loath to
cast odium upon the dead, but we have duties tc
the living that are as sacred as any We owe to
khS,aa uubr haxy l., Z A. "a
of this terrible load, this secret consciousness OF
guilt which, like the rabbit concealed by the
Spartan boy, seems to be tearing away my vi.
tails. The Spartan boy concealed his agony-I
lay mine bare to the world. Perhaps mental
suffering is less endurable than physical, and it
may be that /, q man, have not the same strength
as had that little boy Of Sparta.
Some time early in the year 1875 l came to
New Orleans. Having known Mr.. Harris for
number OF years, and hearing that he was q
prominent detective, sought and eas iy found
him. One evening at his house, in conversation
with him, he informed me that one A. F. Wild,
United States detective. was in New Orleans from
Washington City, and was very seriously inter-
fering with his (HsrrisD business, and suggest
o. that | should give Wild a good whipping,
which for certain considera ions, agreed to DO,
and did.
In your statement published in the New Or
leans DEMOCRAT, Sunday, Nov. 4, you allege that I
stabbed Wild and then threw him into the riv r.
me by nature, one Of which / lost in
isis. Np'A ''N' ''''' ''''' ''' u"'' N''
For my assault upon Wild was arrested and
held to bail. Bail was furnished. It was then,
II mistake not, that the real cause OF trouble
commenced between yourself, Harris and me. /
was informed that you were earnestly at work
trying to get the grand jury of st. Bernard par
sh to indlct me. You succeeded. 1 was indicted,
with Harris as an accessory, and 10! what had
been case OF simple assault had, by your skill
Ful manipulations and your untiring detective
zeal, grown into the fearful proportions OF cap
tal crime. to wit: laying in wait, etc. was re-
arrested, thrown into q dismal cell, where Law
many weary day and hour, hoping and plan
ming revenge.
Finally I was free again. OF course went to
see Harris, who used every indncement and ey-
cry appeal to my passions to create within me
1esre to sake your life.
The soil was partially prepared by your un.
interference in my affairs. You, |
who were an entire stranger to me-you, to |
whom had never said an unkind word nor to-
ward whom had ever had an unkind thought
1ad schemed. planned and plotted, through the !
n ignominy upon the scaffold, and thus |
you attempted to use my life as stepping stone
% reach your enemy Harris. You prepared the |
'oll, Harris planted the seed and matured the |
! tragedy.
Could I succeed in taking your life was
promised the protection of the then 'sall power
ul whisky ring" whom, Harris represented to
ne, were anxious to put a quietus on your tire
ess energy, and to crush out of existence your
letective skill. I WAS promised five hundred
loilars ($500) in money and all Of my expens es
Incurred in the undertaking, lawyers to defend
ne, witnesses to swear for me and juries organ.
2 d to acquit me should l unfortunately be
rrested, and many other things equally desira-
lie. With my passions infiamed to the utmost
gainst you by my long imprisonment, which
'as artfully led to believe was caused entirely by
ou, and with my fears designedly intensified by
iarris that in some way you would contrive to
)rce me into trial upon the Wild case, and that
~ life would be in danger should you succeed,
dded to the liberal promises of money and sure
rejection made me, consented to do the deed
My first attempt failed from dampness Of the
aps on the gun. My second attempt failed
hich caused the gun to explode in my hand,
caring Off my thumb and lsrcerating my hand
} fearfully that amputation became necessary.
can only add in conclusion that since my i'm
risonment l have had ample time to deliberate
pom the enormity of the crime attempted and
learn to thank our ever merciful Father that I
lied, and though l am MANNED for life by the
ss OF hand and wrist, and have been sentenced
} two years imprisonment, l do not think my
1nlshment has been excessive. Oh, could I
0llterate by any act OF niue the insane attempt
pom your life, 1 would not grudge to give my
arm and two years additional imprls-
nment.
Do not, Mr.. Devereaux, suppose write you !
i1s because desire or expect fauor at your
ands. l neither deserve nor hops for any,
rite this statement simply because this damna-
9 secret which seems to be crushing out my {
Try existence aoM out, and that you who are {
ave and gallant gentleman. deserve to know
10 truth from me who 30 basely and cruelty at
mpted to rob you Of your life. i
In conclusion, l hope you will live long, happy
I'd prosperous life. and that you will try and
ink less harshy of me as pace my weary cell.
blink OF me as one who, though he did you a
ievous wrong, yet made you all the reparation
his power. Respectfully,
J. ". WARD.