The New York herald., 1879-03-02
MRS. AIExANDER's STATEMENT.

The following paper written by Mrs. Alexan-
der the chief witness against Frank Bassett on his
trial for the murder of Weinbecker, in which
crime she was associate and for which she is
under sentence of Imprisonment for life. 1t was
composed during her attendance at the trial and de-
ivered to her late counsel soon after the jury found
Bassett guilty of murder in the second degree:-
Every period of life h its privileges. All ' omen
that pass thirty years OF age not dsreputable
creatures AZ some people picture. have had To sit
and hear myself abused most shamcfully, lied about
aud dare not defend my self. This law business the
past have experienced is so unjust, so cruel
and unreeling As to misconstrue every act
at IN all hs things IA" aoas sSas T.nk s.ssat T. be
and his family TO rob me my house of all
my earthly goods things doubly endeared to me tor
the sake of the givers tnat dead. l worked
hard to keep them together Tor twenty years. The
law ignores my heartache at the loss OF what hold
dear next to liberty. Is there law for housed eak
ing and robbery Ain to be punished for what my
inermost feeling abhoreg have done more good for
suffering humanity in generous unpretendlns way
in my lite than u venture to say any woman
OF my age in the state OF Connecticut. Why am
singled out Tor such hear,less persecutiony |
never was guilty OF any OF those awful. disgrsceful
acts that was brought against me. Who
before God that | am guiltys Not one. wish TO
state TO the public that have been pictured such
monster that my heart sinks 10 almost hopclesness.
/ do not deserve all this disgrace hcapcd upon
me without mercy The worst most sin
ful thing that done in my life
to live with that heartless. ungratcful Frank
Dassett. As God is my witness was innocent.
was talking not looking at him. as I remcni-
ber was only saying. mo. no; it's lie" did
not know was moving my head at the time. aud II
is no wonder. for the past nvc months have passed
through degrauations, sickness and every thing but
DEATH and the next act will be deaf. Il reform
is not made. wish to- defend myself. In this my
/ only way s through the puolic press. (Al papers
please copy for tnc sake OF dong justice to down
troadcn prosecuted, defenceess wOnian.D
Frsf-l never said one word to Frank about my
son-n-aw, Tom Baker, or William Ciague never
thought procuring bodies; never Intended TO vii.
bltx Iuay
up all idea of selling myself aud thought more
about 1t.
Secoat--As for Frank ever being under nv control.
it is false He was always heaslstrong and would do
as he had mind to or break my furniture. Ny hav-
ing Frank arrested for assault and destroying my
goods Is proof of what say.
raitrt--l never kept whskey in my house, for
never drink myself. could not have kept II IL
had wanted TO. for could not keep even camphor,
he always urank 1t mp. Hc drank my medicine
buffers away from me before knew At.
a GENERAL DENIAL AND PROTEST.
fourth-lt is tedious To- go over everything sngly.
SO will ask the public respectfully why partly
believed when have told the truth from the COM
mencenent up to now ~ all that heard repeat it
can and have testified that | told and the
same story Now, when have proved that truth
all the way through why am not believed on all
we'll part say my word is entitled
to respect more than frank Bassctt | have honor.
am a generous good princped, too much abused
woman. All that Kept me living with him SO long
my gratitude. l didn't forget his kindness to
ever speak about lcaying Frank he would twit me
OF ingrattude. and that is not in my composition.
wonanI why do You not stand up for your own
sexr Why allow me 90 be so merciessly abusedp
Have humane duties, humane rights, human
brotherhood all died out of bridgeport?
| Have your hearts all turned to stone |?
L truthtully repeat now all that Bassett
and his family swore TO against me is lie wilfui
Of the deepest dye. They have object in view for
baclening my character lut II the truth is told
about me l have nothing to- fear from the public
sentiment Way am l thus ruthlcssly misrepre-
/ sented TO the publcg never have been guilty of a
misdcmcanor. Ii Il is such unpar,lonable sin for
me TO live with Frank iassett unmarried because
| l am under an obligstion to him for nursing me