The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-30
MRS. SMITH SPEAKS.
Declaring her Innocence In JAN - An Appeal
to the People for Ala.

Ever since their conviction Mrs. Jennie II.
Smith and Covert d. Bennett have positively re-
fused to 500 reporters until yesterday. Then
Mrs. Smith consented to talk with n reporter.
She spoke with wonderful self possession. smil-
ing. and oven laughing occasionally. She
showed no emotion in either language or man
ner. She said she had been so overcome by tho
verdict. which was n complete surprise to her,
that sho was confined to her bed until ycster-
day. She yet feels extremely weak and dobil-
tated. and says she believes that her mind and
memory are irreparably impaired. Her COM
posture in tho court room she attributed to des-
perato effort OF her will. The proceedings in
court confused her. and she has no Intelligent
recollection OF what was said and done. She de-
clared that she had tho utmost confidence that
she would be acquitted II she told the truth. and
she asserted in tho most positive terms that or
testimony was true in every particular. Again
and again she reiterated her entire innocence.
i. Why could not look Mr. Fleming in tho
face after, he, has been SO kind ~ he has
guilty. own II for the sake OF my mother in-aw,
who has been always good to me. Why. could
never have gone through that awful trial and
faced II all II I was guilty. would have broken
down when on the stand. | could not always
understand what the pqrport of Ihe Question
to whirl with the excitement Of my surround
ings always meant To- give correct answers.
TO tho eight-pnge letter. | had never seen II
after | received 1t ard throw II away. forgot
court When I said dinnt know the meaning
Of certain passages in tho letter meant that
although | probably knew To- what they alluded
gotten. When Mr. Bennett said TINT II | WINS
convicted he would come forward and exonerate
tell lilo to servo me. and that he loved me
enough to dc it. 1 do not know whether am
mnsy that SSsed Between Mr BENNETT and
me was never suspected 10y my husband. and
he and Bennett ,wero always on the best OF
me with MIR. Bennett in preference to amy one
else. None OF the letters that passed between
Bennett and Inc contained anything 81 n dam
aging nature, except the eighi-uage letter II
Is rcmarkablc that the only dangerous letter
should have been preserved. but II seems that
fate il against me-. Fate has been against me
The blank in the eight page letter referred
TO the letter on the shelf Of the cellar ceiling.
and not 10 any chloroform bottle. do not un-
dertake TO explain the contralie tions in the tcs-
against either. Mrs. Phillips or Johnny Allen
Tor what they have done To inlurc mo and
correspondence in the Jail and | ought To- he
punished for my foolishncss. cannot recol-
leet what said on the morning Of the murder,
Ny senses We're stunned with horror and
didn't think at all. | did not uncover my hus-
bands body. or look AZ II. or touch 1t niter tho
first discovery. cant tell how | knew he was
dead and murdered. but did know II. | know
that something WIS wrong. The murderer
must nave hated mo as well as my husband TO
DO what he did. and don't know why he didn't
Kill mo also.
Tho most painful thing that have to en-
dure here Is the ringing ~ the Court House
bell; When II sounds. It sends a tremor through
my body and makes me cry. for IL reminds me
Of the scenes at my trial"
Mr.. Smith spoke very gratefully " her coun-
sci and Of Jailcr Allen. She says she lives in
tho hope Of n new trial.
The Rev Spencer VI. Rice the pastor Of Grace
Church. cx-Mayor Charles Siedler. eN-Con-
gressman \. \. Hardcnburgh. Postmaster II. \.
Greene. ex-Corporation Attorney William p.
Douglass. and q. W. Clcrihcw. ESQ, published
n card In Jersey City yesterday. addressed to
the people Of Jersey CITY. and requesting that
subscriptions Doe sent 10 Dr. Rice TO rnisc a fund
to pny for getting n new trial. About $500 is
wanted TO get tho case in shape.