The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-07-21
He Charges James Mcmillan, His
Own Father,
And Fan KILN With the Commission
of the Awful Crime,
For Which He To-Day Suffers the Death
Penalty.
AIlusIOns to Two Other Murders. Most
Foul, Hitherto Unknown and
Unsuspeoted.

The following statements did much to
secure McMillan's respite. 1t was gran
ted by the Governor in order to inVesti-
gate the case, and see whether OF not
the circumstances would warrant him
In committing the death sentence.
THE FIRST CONFESSION.
The first confession was made We'd
nesday, June 18th. 1t is startling story,
In which three murders, two of them
hitherto unknown, are involved. His
story of his wife's murder was to the eff
feet that Fan KILN, a dissOlute woman
who made his home her rendezvous, en-
tered his bedroom, and after shooting
his wife, had fired revolver at him and
fled. The woman KILN disappeared
Immediately after the murder, and has
not since been heard of.
Ever since the murder 1t has been
known Mcmillan had story TO tell, and
he frequently evinced desire to make
clean breast of 1t. He was deferred
from doing this by the advice of friends.
AS his time on earth became less and
less no finally concluded to tell all he
knew.
Mcmillan was a coal miner, and in
January, 1882, was working in OberIin's
coal bank six miles north of Canton. Ii
only come here Saturday evenings to
spend Sunday with his family. His stO-
ry Is that he arrived home one Saturday
evening In January and found his wife
strangely affected. He questioned her
as TO the cause Of her agitation. Press
Ing the point she finally said: 81 have
something to tell you, but will you prom
ise not to tellp" He agreed, and at her
request crossed his breast, and she then
related horrible crime that was com
mitted In their house on the Friday
night previous. She said Fan KILN
came TO their house that night accom-
panied by man, and asked to remain
over night, for which she was to be paid.
She consented, and Fan told her the
mans name was Murphy, and that he
was detective from Cleveland. During
the evening Murphy wanted something
10 drink, and went to the nearest saloon
and bought bottle of liquor. While he
was absent Fan told her Murphy had
money, and that she was going to drug
him and get 1t. The wife objected, but
was told, Don't fear; he dare not have
us arrested; his hide is worth $1OG."
=, About three o'clock that night the man
died, and Mrs. Mcmillan helped Fan to
carry him into the stable, where they
laid him upon a pile of straw. Mcmillan
then accompanied his wife to the stable
and saw the man lying there, his neck
partly eaten by rats. Fan thought Nc
MILAN would arrive home by SATURDAY.
night and bury the body. Ali the money
secured on Murphy's person was SO and
a silver watch. The affair troubled Mrs.
Mcmillan to such an extent that she
sent word to Sis Murphy, a daughter
OF MIR. Amos Murphy, to come and see if
his wife were in the stable Miss Murphy
came, and shortly after Fan KILN came
into the stable and became greatly ex-
cited because Mrs. Mcmillan had told of
the affair. Mcmillan says he was greatly
shocked, and refused to have ANYTHING
TO do with the putting away of the body.
de Is not positive who took IL away, but
that on his return from the coal bank a
week later his wife told him it had been
hauled away and buried Sunday night.
His wife often told him that she was
afraid something would happen them
because the affair had been given away.
Mcmillan says Miss Murphy was mar
rted shortly after, and but a month
elapsed until she was taken sick and
died. He believes her death was caused
by foul means, and is of the opinion that
II her remains were uneRrthed evidences
OF poisoning might be found. Mcmillan
is confident that because of his wife's
and his knowledge of the murder of
Murphy she met her death and he re-
eeiYed bullet in his breast at the hand
OF Fan KILN, that their tongues might
be silenced forever. His reason for not
giving his Information before Is that he
loved his wife and desired to conceal her
share In the crime. Since his DAYS on
earth were numbered, he desired to meet
his God with clear conscience, and he
had the consolation of knowing that he
would die an innocent man.
THE SECOND CONFESSION.
On Tuesday, June IS, Mcmillan sent
word to DEMOCRAT reporter that he had
a supplementary statement to make.
The latter visited him that afternoon in
his cell and had conversation of about
an hours duration with him. He (McMiI-
LAM said he had withheld one fact con-
neeted with the murder, but did so from
a feeling of parental love. On the night
of the murder Mcmillan stated he was
awakened by noise, and upon partly
arising from bed, discovered woman
in front of him, and a man standing
about six feet from her, Just north of
the chimney which passes through the
middle Of the room. As he ATTEMPTED
to spring from the bed the woman shot
him. He says the man then said to the
woman, What made you shoot GeOrgeP"
he Immediately recognized the voice as
that of his father. The woman respOn-
ded, 81 had to do It," Both of them then
hastily ran down stairs. He followed
and shouted for help. His father an
swered him from down stairs, and met
him at the door between the two rooms
on the first floor. His father inquired
what was the matter, he responding,
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