Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-25
The Hirtll NUrderers.

LETTER FROM BROWN INDIGNANTLY REpE11IsG
THE REPORTS WHICH CONNECT HIS NAME WITH
TEE CRIME.
In reply to the insnuatlons made by the
counsel for Bedford and Others convicted and
sentenced to be hanged on September 10th, for
the murder OF George Philip Hirth, that Rich
ara L. Brown was one Of the guilty parties With
Ben johnson, Brown wrote the following letter
to Col. Corkhtll, the District Attorney. this
morning: "
WAsHINGToN, D. c., June 25. 1sso-Dear S,r.
was porn in Washington city, on the corner
OF Market Space and X street southeast. on the
W wa cay 9 }dr s 14 have always
to lead an honest lie. [ never Nae'1 haya
had criminal charge of any character against
me, and never was arrested In my life except
once When boy about 16 years old with a
crowd OF other boys on 18th street served In
me U. >. army, and received three honorable
oiscnarges. have been given services of spe.
cal trust by my commanding officers, and any
records OF the 18th U. S. infantry-for over five
years OF my life which l served In the arOor.
W., My is 1t because happened on the night o,
Queenan and Pinn together at the corner or
llth and y streets, and heard them make certain
remarks, Should be publicly abused ana &C
Gased OF murder N the papers. During the trial
Lawyer COyle went al over the Navy Yard 10
Try and get evidence against my character. and
cculd only md one man, although had been
here all hay life, and he one who had spite
criminal case. They then tried to get my step
father drunk during the trial, by going into a
room adjoining nay house and sending out for
him and sending for beer They stoned my
every day with abuse. think have suffered
enough for telling the truth about
This murder They now say ! wrote Johnson
the real murderers. do think You onght to
protect me. l told nothing in my testimony
Dut tne GODS truth | never wrote Johnson
Letter In ID my fe nor had any communication
notorious burglar, Bud Warner, personally at
all. never sent johnson any word. / never
sent anybody to see him. / have not
s seen OF tsa aear f,.i word from Johnsoa
to give my testimony on the trial and swear to
what knew and saw, and voluntarily told
the police what had done and where was on
Johnson recognized me in the hall of the court
house, where the grand jury was in session as
the man he had seen talking TO them the night
OF the murder before had testified. and before
had passed man in the hall that he had met
that night, and then the jury sent for ME to
cu,,.:, before them In his presence, and he said
was the man. All ton wa. rho rho truth aud
don't think l should &c abusei for 1t, tot Ii
m poor and humble In life my character is as
dear to me and my parents as the lawyers who
are making these lying charges against me for
nothing. Very respectfully,
RICHARD I. BROWN.
THE COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANTS
appear to be confident that Brown did write
the letter alluded to, and further, that the
murder was committed by Johnson, Brown.
Roxey Ross and perhaps another party, and
they claim to have affidavits OF respectable
citizens as to Johnsons admission that, with
other proof they expect to have, will establish
the innocence of their clients. 1t is not unlikely
that they will ask the present grand jury to ex-
anime this evidence.
THE OTHER SIDE.
1t is claimed. on the other hand, that all the
information they have is easily traceable to
Buud Warner, the burglar who being In the
same wing OF the jail building with the prison
and directly beneath that OF Queenan-has had
ample opportunities to learn their theories, and
that he put up the job Of sending the letter in
the name OF Brown to Johnson, and getting the
woman call On him.