The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-21

NnrcSsQ told me snnt sue expected 70 nAvS sfo"
before long. shc seemed very much EXERCISED about Il
and asked me If would stand up 10 her. or stick 10
her. in case she WAS pushed II told her that would,
ut which she seemed very much relieved" This wit
moss does not swear that Honoy said Miss Fowler
mentioned Mrs. Southern as the person with whom
she about TO have row, but the evidence all
shows that this must have been the case 10 support
OF this testimony, and corroboratvo OF IT, is the sworn
statement OF reliable witness concerning the en-
counter itself This witness swears that Kate Southern
land the evidence agrees perfectly with kate's own
statement sent you few days ago), was sitting
on the couch by tho side OF her husband,
talking TO him In low tone. Suddenly
Narcissa Fowler walked In front OF them,
ana planting herself deAantly before Mrs. southern
aid:--sNow, Kate Southern, I'm ready for you"
Upon hearing this challenge Mrs. Southern looked up
quickly said, "Al right" and arose Bciore she had
fairly quilted hor scat swore the witnoss Narc'ssa
seized firmly the hair and dragged her forward
on the floor As did SO she struck her heavily ovor
the back OF her head "Then saysthe witness. .Kasc
who was under Narcssas hand and receiving her blows
caught hold OF Narcssa's tail and commenced 10
drag herself up l never Kate strike . single
blow whe she was down or before that She was en-.
gagged trying phil herself up SO that she could have
chance In the meantime Amorc (Kate's sister) had
attacked Narcssa from behind. As soon as Kate had
Strengthened herself she began to strike Norcssa and
aid all tho striking after that" Itappears from this
statement that Kate had the kno in her hand I'M
known 10 Nnrcissa when the latter issued her chal
lenee; that through the aid of Amorel she was en-.
aoed TO get into position it and that
sho struck the first blow the knife Narcissa
either disabled or ranic stricken and offered M
further resistance. The encounter was over 81
quickly that ono had chance TO Interfere These
arc the direct points of the tragedy given by thu
newly secured afldavts.
PLEA THE CONDEMNED WOMAN.
AHidavits arc offered incidental points as fol-
Observation-Disclosures character for chastity. modesiy,
good nature religious profession and practice fully
established by aflcavits from the bost ladies' OF tho
county from her minister Second-Her nervous
and unbalanced condition at the time Of tho killing
is so fully set forth as show that she was almost
wholly Irresponsible One affidavit shows that sho
had three successive epeeptic fits on the Mon.
day before tho killing, aud was in con.
slant fear OF new attack. Third-It Is
that at lenst two of the Jurymen who found
her guilty had expressed themselves IN favor OF hav-
ing her hung before they wont on the jury and that
two Others would havo consented TO give yer.
OF guilty ii they been led to believe that
the Recommendation to mercy would have saved her
life. II is said that several Of tho jurymcn wore anx-
ious to sign similar statement, but could be gwen
opportunity OF doing 80 in the short time allowed
for The preparation OF the case.
This is about tho that Is now before tho Gov.
crnor. The friends and relatives OF tho deceasod
woman have taken pains to either amend or con-
test tho points raised in tho now testimony. They
say that thcy have nothing further 10 offer. To re-
view, tnen, tho Is absolutely established by
the faco Of these afdavts it is this:A girl OF mod
est, chaste character, lovos and marrics a She
discovers THAI no has before marriage contracted
IN Illicit intimacy with handsome, fast
and reckless woman Of the county Sho
1nds that through certain threats OF exposure her
husband Is under tho influence OF this woman, who
succeeds in carrying him to her bed three days before
the marriage and seduccs him away from bono tho
fourth night after tho marriage. She learns from all
sides that this swears that she and hor hus-
shall have peace satisfaction as long she
ves that she Is circulating reports that blacken her
hc young wife's character aud is carrying those
ports her husband aud his relatives Alter being
driven OUT of the neighborhood by this persecution
shs returns for o visit, sick, pregnant nervous and
by epilepsy. Tho first night OF her return
she Is onirontcd by her rival and enemy, who tries
to take charge Of her husband, pulls her conadaps
from her lap and, ing her into antc-room, fills
tho Of this riond with tho vest abuse and threats
her character This friend returns and tells her
what has said, and In q fow moments whilo sbc
smarng under this scandalous attack ana fearful
OF the future, this to her, In the pros
herself in front OF her saying, SNOW, Kate South.
ern, am ready ioe you'll"
This is tho story OF tho provocation, according TO
those afldavts. II 10 not one whit overdrawn, aud
until the afdavts invaidatcd II Will stand tho
true story. There Is nothing in the testimony to
contradict the essential points OF these aidavits.
They introduce matter altogether, and navc not
been controvertcd The counsel OF Mrs Southern
declare that they be successfully opposed and
confident that no attempt will BIO made to impoach
them. The Governor will doubtless satisfy himself
fully OF their truth before he acts upon them II
may be said the general opinion OF the country
people them to tho extent Of saying that Kate
Soulhern's provocaton was moro than enough TO
justify hor crime.
APPLYING FULL PARDON
The leading friends Of Mrs Southern, who have
been very much the dark to the real facts tho
case, arc much encouraged at the completeness
OF tho defence made by these afldavits that they
are changing tho petitions from Communication to
pardon. The Governor will, therefore, BIO pressed
for full unconditional pardon. l do not boevo
that hc will go this far. His extreme reluctance 10
interfering with the Judiciary will withhold him from
going any further than is absolutely necessary
tue woman's life. II he commutes tho sentence to
Imprisonment for lie the friends OF Mrs Southern
will so before the Legislature with application for full
pardon. Tho pressure the Governor Increases
daily. petition from ladies Of New York city haF
been received. Tho ladies and the olsrgymen 70
BIO especially active, but all classes included in thy
Hood OF daily letters that Is poured upon tho Gov
He is stili uncommunicative to his deter
m'nation, although he 10 quite ready and even
anxious to talk on tho general subject Of tho
tragedy. lie seems to be DESTROYS OF obtaining all
tho Information possible bearing upon the case and
OF having the discussed all its bearings Aside
from the desire he save this human life, IL
he can do and at the time serve the ends OF
justice the matter has such importance that
It's treatment has political bearing l am stli nrm
In my belief That no Will commute tho sentence. II
is said that Bob Southern will DO IN tho city dag
two aud with the ia,ner Of his vito viii 60 person.
| ally before the Governor and ask for her Ito A num-
Der Of delegations will wait On him In her interest,"