The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1883-03-13
DUKES THE INFAMOUS.
A Letter for Which He Should Have
Keen Shot Down Like u DOg.

N. L. Dukes is on trial at Unlontowp, Pa, for
the murder of Captain Mutt, whose daughter
he had seduced. In the trial yesterday L. @.
Breckenridge testified that when Mutt was
shot by Dukes he was standing with his right
arm resting on the mantel and his left hang
ing by his side. He was exhausted and
breathing heavily from the struggle with
Dukes, which was just over; and was making
no movement of any kind. Other witnesses
testified to the effect that the murder was
most outrageous. The following letter written
by Dukes TO Mr.. Mutt, demonstrates the abso
lutte infamy of the murderer;
DEAR SIR: 1t is inexpressibly painful to me
TO write you upon the subject which now
have in hand, but consider 1t duty both to
myself and to you. About four years ago
met your daughter Lizzie at festival In the
Methodist church. was struck by her beauty
and charmed with her innocence and SIM
plIcity. sought and obtained an Introduction.
Probably year ago / visited her, In the com.
pany of q mutual friend, and spent very
pleasant evening. Subsequently called up
on her alone. She showed me a burn upon her
wrist. took her hand IN mine to look at 1t,
and when done 1 was surprised that she
mine. This nattered my vanity. When was
about to depart attempted to kiss her, and to
my still further surprise, instead or repulsing
me, she advanced her face 10 mine. called
again, and as tho front door OF your new house
was not then completed, / started to go
around and enter by tho back way. Passing
the library window / looked In, and was
shocked and grieved to see Lizzie sitting In
AlonZo Hagan's lap. left without entering.
On my next visit made certain propositions
to your daughter. She melted like wax In my
arms and yielded to my entreaties. was but
human. You would have done the same.
1t was not long until heard rumors
of a general laxity OF morals on the part
of Lizzie, and that others, as well as !, had
enjoyed her favors. hoard that Nat Fry had
said, in Refs store, that this was the case.
Determined TO test for myself the truth Of
this, followed Lizzie and Fry homo from
dancing school one evening, and conceallng
myself near the house whore could sec and
rnf mot lNa \ xun tpl1 cd nj ha IN
door. Fry kissed and fondled her, and
generally took liberties to which a modest
girl would not have submitted; When
not having confined her favors
TO me. She confessed, and said that she had
been led off several years ago by Jesse BogGr.
dus, 10 whom she had been introduced by a
Miss Donaldson. All that have written is
merely preliminary TO the point OF this letter.
Your daughter, have reason comprehend, Is
alone are in q position 10 take such means as
Will save her and your family from shame and
disgrace, and implore you to act promptly.
Respectfully,
Although this letter was written on Decem.
Der 4, 1t was not mailed to Captain Mutt until
December IL. on the evening OF December z
| Dukes visited Miss Mutt for the last time. He
| had given her gold ring-a betrothal ring, II
| Is ciaimed-and ON that evening he got the
| ring back from her by pretending that he did
| not consider It good enough and desired to get
her n better one. At the same time he learned
tnat captain Mutt Woulu Do nome from hdt-
| risburg on December A. The letter was
| posted on the 1lth and received by Captain
Mutt on the 18Th. He did not reply, as no
intended 10 be homo two days later aud OK
pected TO see Dukes personally. But Dukes
| had no intention OF seeing Captain Mutt then,
| as he left Uniontown on the 18th and re-
| manned away until the 10th. Captain Mutt
arrived home on the 14th aud returned to
| to Harrisburg on the 10Th. On The lIth he
| replied TO Dukes letter. After expressing his
| grief and horror over its terrible contents and
| the awful shock TO him, he affirmed his belief
| that II his daughter had been ruined Dukes
| was responsible, and then said, in substance
''You say would have done as you did. You
| are 49, liar. If had invaded the sanctity of
| a home as you have confessed TO doing, !
| would hold myself NJ only TO be shot. When
| come the guest of his family, or any member
| of II, his wife and daughters are as sacred to
| me socially as my own. The suggestion that
| l should resort TO the hellish acts OF the abor
Zionist could only have emanated from a crea
| turo like you. No. l have the moral
courage to face the community In
which live, and If disgrace should
come have no fear, but under the circum
stances the sympathy and support of the com
| munity viii be mine. have also the physical
| courage to seek you out and give You the
| alternative OF repairing the ruin which you
have wrought or suffering death. 1t remains
| with you 10 say whether there shall be legal
| farce or a tragedy. You cannot skulk from
| me nor evade me, Leaving UniontOwn when ]
60 there VIII not avail you VIII be home
To this letter Dukes replied on the l91h'
saying;
ain the light of your letter would be iusti-
NED In shooting you on siSat AS rSr S eaf
| than be mated TO a 'wanton.' However,
| think q meeting between us would result In
| an amicable understanding, and therefore
the 23d, or In my room at o'clock sunday
' morning."