New-York tribune., 1878-10-24
THE BATH MURDER MYSTERY.
REVELATIONS Made BY LETTERS.


sERTs HER INNOCENCE OF ALL CRIME.
The letter written by William b. Cooper, of
Bath L. t. before his suicide gained new interest yes
terday by the disclosure Of the names OF the women
whom It accuses Of completely in murder. gentle
man who had read the hed out the blanks In IT,
as published with the they stand in the orgi-
nal The letter is therefore follows:
To trhOm II fndy concern:
Itis impossible TO live any longer for life is
only "a burden to me. My name Is W. b. Cooper was
rOped into a criminal nfatuatOn for a woman, and my
wife being taken sick assert that she was poisoned by
Catharne Johnson and also charge her sister, Mrs Mary
L. Smith, OF No. 1872 JOhusOn-st, Brooklyn, having
hand as accessory TO the murder. hope that they
will he arrested suspicion, also Mrs. Sarah Howl
land, their mother. God forgive my past sins. IL
was these women who esiranged me from true anu
loving wife and mother
God, o God my heart is bursting with grief and re-
morse at the loss Of wife who in an unguarded hour
forgot Tor another aud that is Mary l.. Smlth.
Mrs Catharne Johnson, who is thus alleged to be the
principal in the crime lived with her mother, Mrs Havi-
land directly opposite Mr. COopers residence. She left
her home Tuesday afternoon and took train on the
Brooklyn, BATH aud COney Island Railroad for Brooklyn
Since then Justice CrOpsey and several detectives have
been in search OF her. up to late hour last night
she had not been found The Justice also anxious
TO find Mrs Smith, who left her home at No. 102 John
sOnst Brooklyn on Tuesday and has not yet returned
The love letters found in MI COOper's room after his
death were gwen for publication yesterday. These
letters written by Mrs Smith, and show deep af
fection for Mr. Cooper. Most OF them written
short time before the death OF his wife; written
on July 49, the day Mrs. Cooper died, and the
last mailed October g. They sent either
TO the address "New-York Post ONCE" TO "Per No.
H. North River N Y" They abound in repeated protes-
tatons OF love and of anxiety for Mr. CoOpers health
at times when he did not reply promptly Extracts
from the interesting Of these letters given:
HOME, July 6, 1873.
MY DEAR WILL: Since last night have been very
unhappy indeed. Can see YOU tomorrow after
nOOul II so can be with YOU until half-past In the
evening Meet the corner OF Third ycanG Twenty
think you must have been angry with me last night
and was nervous all night; dld not care whether
lived died for believe truly thine far
truthiulness and honor, love and respect goes And
when battle with your love ana passion know , Of
meet with one love from my heart-for have one
left Sometimes / think I shall 20 crazy. Thcn
such time / Will he free. Hoping the pain you
had last night be- erscudng plenty OF love and well
wishes TO you, remain LOVING friend to you until
death parts both Please dear VIII, let me see you
tomorrow, # possible, ald never VIII AK an unjust
favor OF you again. NAME u 3
My OWN LOVING FRIEND: You have disappointed me
I'm such degree tnat am almOs, wild do not know
what to make of unless You are SICK IL not write me
line by tomorrow eve, sure or Will be one OF the
most miserable creatures hat ever lived NAME
HOME. July 9, 1873.
seem more dear 10 me every day. Thought ]
could never love yOu any more but every hour seem
TO think more OF YOU and the time seems So long to wait
for YOU But Will meet yOu on Thursday evening sure
will pane another place. viii 60 up to inc PARK, PARK,
about o'clock at the same entrance as you dd the
lei these letters lqy where anyone will them.
Think had better destroy them after reading them
to you in reality when meet again remain
ever your loving aud constant irIend-lOYng none,
thinking of none but you. NAME.
kiss for you If you can find It,
My LOVING SINCERE LOVE: Some day think YOU and
viii nave the pleasure Of being with each other ways
That last kiss Will never wear of my lips, IT was 80
FRIDAY morning two men were speaking about Kit
SO common for and / wish to Heaven she wasn't my
sister. Ever your loving and constant friend ~
DARLING WILL: just received receive, {SPF letter letter.
row %%' evening. On how l wish it was To-
night You are my own sweet boy Yours without an
unhanpy tloght, only Of love toward you, Good bye
u0"i "' ny '''' HOME, Brooklyn, July 49, 1875
MY DARLING BOY: have the most passionate and
true love for you that ! ever experienced in
at your side, | could be at your feet aud
dle Now ! am patiently walt waiting 5 Tor sunday,
again. under both circumstances we heve both
got to make the best of it, haven't we. dar-
Rngi We both have faith in each Others love-
and should never tire waiting, for when once happy
we viii make up for lost and wasted time. il makes me
very happy build castles in the air If they do fall
down. Your eyer-Oylng little girI' MARY
Ny DEAR WILL: Are you out of town. are YOU SICK,
have you forgotten the one you have promised TO
cherish and 5rofsc me heaysnS E@S %Sn %Snt
matter have received no letter since Friday
to saw that am forgotten. Then will know never TO
lisp the word love again but bury 1t deep praying for
death to come Truly thine, NAME
BROOKLYN, July "a, 1873
FREED AND DARLING Iwsnt with gnt heart to
one My God you ask ne to forget you.
No, never forget the one love: love, But ] for,
mne is IN two. Pardon and forgive me for think
ing much Of yon When your little Hattie stood IN
front Of me that evening, at mothers my heart
went out to her. ] l9yod eyed her then hen as II she
had n PeeI @ r @ 70 pc ng me % am forgiven then
shall be satisfied to give Won up. You viii still spare u
little place nyour heart for me- Good bye forever
July 20. 1873
MY DEAR BROKRSHEARTED WILL, LOVE: You did
not ask me 10 answer your letter, pardon for
truding. = on. dear ard loving VIII, how can you
in your wounded heart tell the one being that she must
''iS'' '0D BRooKLYS, oct. s, 1875
DEAR SIR: Your conduct toward me last evening was
cold and heartess 10 think that should be blamed
OF misery; TO say that led yG yoG9 to neglect neglect
WIFE NcyeI YGgIe vd RSFsS'G SS ot N 20 naySS Sr
honorable purpose You nave often 20 t9d me you IN,
when YOU asked me to 20 with you forever.
Please destroy this aud 1t VIII wind up our friendship
forever as remain BROKES-HEARTED BEING.
MRS SMITHS STATEMENT.
TRIBUNE reporter traced Mrs. Smith yesterday to
the house Of Mrs. Emmons, at Bridge Station, COney
Island 1t said that she had been unable 20 sleep
or partake OF food since the publication OF
Mr. Cooper's letter, and that she bad wept
almost necessarily She appeared much worn
by mental suffering. and her face very pale. Ms.
Smith a slender consumpuve woman Of thirty, with
shy reserved manner and delicate features which have
an expression OF weakness She declared that
she was innocent Of any act which confcted
with her duty as wife OF her letters 10 Mr. Cooper
she refused speak At length she expressed willing
ness 10 make "a written statement, and gave the follow
ing which she had already prepared:
CONEY ISLAND. Oct %.
Inotced the account Of the startling accusation OF
the poisoning Mrs Cooper of the town OF EewUrecht
In which figured one on the principal actors.
The accusation Is false from beginning 10 end In tine
first place. the days OF her sickness and DEATH was
IN my house in JOhDson-Et., Brooklyn, and knew
nothing OF the aar until II reported 10 me several