Connecticut western news., 1881-06-29
THE LATE VIM. MORGAN.
What Thurlow Weed Has to Say
 About Him.

Referring to the report of the finding of the remains of Wm. Morgan at Ba- tavia, N. Y., the veteran Thurlow Weed, who was mixed up in the Morgan busi- ness, says the remains cannot be that of Morgan. MT. Weed spoke of libel suit brought against him by General Gould, about six years after the disap- pearance of Morgan, for having stated that Gould furnished money for the es- cape of the men accused of having caused the death of Morgan. Among the four men thus assisted to escape was John Whitney, and he, with two of his com panions, had been secured as witnesses for the defence, but on techn1cality of law were not permitted to testify. The jury, although finding a verdict against MT. Weed, made the damages very light, and thus the case ended. On the even- ing of the day, however, Whitney with his companions partook of an oyster supper at MT. Weeds house, and, at the suggestion of those who were with him, confidentially told MT. Weed the story of Morgan's disappearance; how he (Whitney) with three others had taken Morgan from Fort Niagara in a boat, tied rope around Morgan's body, at tached heavy sinkers thereto, and threw the man into the river. He had assisted at this work as conscientious duty, but for six years had had no mental peace, no matter wherever he went, and was glad he had unburdened his mind.
 Mir. Weed then said he lost sight of Whitney until the year 1860, when he was accosted by him in Chicago during the Convention which nominated Lin- coin for President Whitney reminded MT. Weed of the Convention in 1882, and requested that the story should be taken down in writing for publication after death. MT. Weed was very busy at the Convention, but promised to take it down before leaving Chicago. The result of the Convention being the nom- nation of Lincoln, when he Mir. Weed) was in favor of Seward, caused him to hurry away, and. when about to leave, Whitney came to him and begged that his statement or confession should be taken down in writing. MT. Weed told him that as the train was about to start, it could not then be done, but arrange ments should be made to accomplish his desire.
 Shortly after the troubles preceding the war arose, and he, MT. Weed, had his mind fully occupied and his time taken up, finally resulting in his going to Europe. While abroad he thought of the promise made to Whitney, and wrote letter, in which was recom- mendation to mutual friend, who should take down the statement for MT. Weed, so as to have it preserved. In course of time this letter was returned from Chicago through the Dead Letter Office, Whitney having died two weeks before the communication reached that city. These circumstances combined to cause the written story not to be se- cured.
 MT. Weed said he looked on Whitney as an honest man, but an enthusiast, and his connection with the matter was somewhat the same as a sheriff when taking part in the hanging of murder CT. He believed Whitney told the truth when describing the manner in which Morgan met his death, but there had been so many stories circulated as to his being since seen alive that he could only look upon the whole affair as one of the mysteries which will never be satis- factorily elucidated. The Batavia story, therefore, only made another complica- tion in the affair.