The New York herald., 1878-03-24

A MAN WHO HELPED TO MURDER RAE DECLARES
HESTER INNocFNr-A STRANGE STATEMENT
by WAY OF CHICAGO.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
CHICAGO, March 20. 1878.
special from Peoria, ILL.,, says last Saturday
night coal miner in this city, whose name sup.
pressed at his own request lest he should he annoyed
by parties Interested In this matter returning TO
his homo was shown by his wife 4 copy OF tho Illus
traed Police News OF tho date OF February 2s,
1873. The sheet contained . portrait OF
Hcstcr, Rae and Kelly and Hssters tavern
at Locust Gap Junction, Pa. The miner I'M
medlateiy recognized the pictures Of Hester and
Kelly and tho cut OF the tavern. Himself and wie
formerly resided In tnat vicinity. He knew the par
ties, and on Monday morning last he 70 the law
Office OF Mr.. L. Harman ana made the following state
ment under oath.
A STRANGE AFFIDAVIT
am thirtv-two years of age and now reside In
Peoria have been coal miner for dfteea years
ln 1871 was working in Pennsyvania as q miner In
Couners' colliery, adjacent the town Of Gorardve
Schuyiki county. In 1870 married 10 my wife,
who was formerly resident OF Locust Gap, Pu. One
August, 1871, returned home anu went across the
street 10 WASH myself IN little shed taat was used
as 4 wash house. While was busy no door opened
anu In came Dan Kelly. Before went over my WHO
and "a neighborIng woman told inc "Dan" had been
inqurng Tor mo that afternoon that ho was danger
Gus man, and that hc had sworn by his God II was
not right kind Of a "fardown" Ao (Keiiy) would
kill put head on me.
DANGEROUS VISITOR
When Kelly camc INTO The shed l was little
startled, remembering what the women had said
''Hailoo, old fellow, how do you dos'
SAID, "Good evening, SIR"
Then he asked me Il l had been IN Locust Gap
lately. aHr
said was.
Kelly then asked mo what I thought OF him.
SAID thought he was perfect gentleman. Then
Kelly SAID, Tne poor old man he Is accused Of good
deai OF tnngs that he is not guilty OF. Hc got
into heap OF trouble about tho kng Of thai man
Rae but he hwo notning TO do with II ~ all. asked
him help do that job, and Aesteg's reply that
he wanted that thing s.opped tnat Rao had boon his
friend Kcly then said told HIM TO ''svc mo your
revolver aud we viii Try TO get along with
out you," but tho olo man wouldn't even
gWo me that, but said he wanted that tnlng
stopped right lncrc and he wouldn't have anything
to do with that Rae had helped 10 hua HIM
lIiestcr, up, and no wouldn't have auy person harm
MIN. Then Hester said, Lelsail take drink aud
more about II. That man Rae Is my friend"
"wE DID 1T ALL THE SAME"
Kelly paused y moment aud then added, "Wc did
1t all the samc," but avowcd that Hester was ihno-
cent that tho plot was carried and executed with
nlicd me with horror | took Kelly across The
street aud treated him twice 10 get rid OF him. Kelly
at a loss to know why he connded this to me; but
soon as returned homo in the evening my wic told
that she had known Kelly before sue was married.
while she lived in Locust Gap that no was dcsper
ate and bad character QUO day she saw nm rob
coul m,nc In broad daylight; that he had
been guilty OF attacking Other people, and
that his real namo was McEanus Ku
ana that in Consequence OF these crimes ho had
away aud changed his name. aud that tho reason Ae
called on me that my wife would tell
HIM, and tnat If she did no would gather some
scoundrcls like himself and beat me 10 death. did
not know at the time that Hester had been accused
OF this crime, that such man as Rae had been
murdered and ouy learned II aitcrward my wife.
never spoke to Hester, nor am In any way inter
ested in him, nor am Molly Mcguire knew
nothing Of these subsequent events until my vile
IN with That copy OF tho Illustrated Netos
only do this now 10 save man whom believe to be
innocent.
Az soon Mr. Harman heard this statement he
took tho 9iner's afhduv and sent despatch 10 Mrs
Hester and to the Secretary OF the State OF Pennsy.
vania. An answer was roceivcd At oncc and the af.
davIt ordered TO be forwarded The hanging will
likely be delayed since the affidavit will get there
until Monday. Ii the MINORS statement Is true Hes
ter's lite will be saved.