The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-18

| \ Card
!, Bertha Nickel, named by birth Bertha
! WON, herewith | Will make 4 statement In
| regard 10 The criminal oilense, in which
Wlllam Nleke! was charged TO have com
mitted rape ON my person. Heresith |
WI State that this was not true, aud ii was
! only influenced through Mrs Slaughter.
where boarded, and Mrs. Ruede, both Ger.
mans. | came 10 this town in tue latter
part Of March, lSS2, and shortly afterwards
got acquainted with Mr.. Nickel. called
on MIN with my own will frequently, and
he was the only person | considered To DO
my lover and friend in this city.
In regard 20 the crying in his
room was my own fault, as he did not hurt
my feelings at all. only cried for things
that had passed before arriving in this city.
| tie tried TO quiet me, and promised 10 sup.
/ port rae, which he did in three months
later. / quit work, and he told me TO
| choose any hotel 10 live in and he would
settle my accounts, which he did and il
things were satisfactory that no would
marry me at the end of nine months after
my arrival in this city, and am perfectly
satisfied that he would Keep his word
/ II those both mentioned women had not in.
tertered with IL and told me that Nickel
had several wives aud children, and that
TWO already had him accused OF the same
/ IN the court. On the 18th Of pecemh her
/ Nickel returned IRON the east, where
he had been two months. At his
arrival, | called at his office and told
him what heard about him, but he smiled
aud mentioned that this was not true.
Now, | did not know who 20 believe,
though he promised to marry me IN course
OF ten days, rs he had particular affairs TO
hnlsh at once. | was satisfied with this
statement and returned home. Upon my
arrival Mrs, Ruede called me foolish cir,
and insisted upon me going with Mrs.
slaughter to the secret court, and 10 my
establishment told me that she had already
been there aud had arranged every thing
to my benefit, MS it only would require my
presence, and insisted upon my going I'M
Imediately, as Nickel would never find ii out,
IT being secret court. told her would
never think of swearing against Nickel.
Having waited eight months, and now |
can wait ten days longer. Ii you have been
before the secret court and sworn against
my Nickel, you have the responsibility to
refer 10 this. | will not 10 with YOU. |
! am ~ years of age, and have never been
before q court. Now YOU want me 10 swear
against my best friend. But Mr. Slaughter
said you must 40 with me. want to helm
you and you will not accept Make M
your mind, the court will be IN session ut .
but possess his money and will adopt you
rs child and daughter, Then accom-.
panied her 10 the court. did not know
what was going on, as | am not capable oi
the English language, She told me how to
express myself in order to gain
the change. | did SO she told M
, TO do, but did not know the result
till the second day German gentleman
told me that Nickel was under arrest
through me. Then | tainted, and when
conscious, intended 10 go and see him i'm.
mediately, but Mrs Slaughter forced me
in her room and locked the door on me. and
had boarder named Mrs. Miller to guard
me, Then she went down town and upon
returning, notified me that o girl irou
sherman, Texas, had arrested him. who be
} had to marry or 20 10 thu penilepiisry, but
his money you shall have. Shortly after q
lawyer appeared, by the name of Strange
and asked me if | would marry Mr.. Nickel
said yes, sir; but Mrs. Slaughter sale
no, sir; he shall rot in the dungeons. II
would not have been with Mrs. Slaughter
and Rede ] would have had q home anC
would not to be ashamed OF myself As
now see that the honor OF Mr. Nickel i,
affected aud robbed through us. therefore
certify TO make free confession to the pub
Tic to undertake the utmost of my ability
: to restore his rights. Herewith freewill
insly make this confession and leave thu
y country for my native home. With IN,
greatest wish request the HERALD TO pup
fish this matter. Respectfully,
BERTHA NICKEL.
+ Translated from the original copy b,
. Theo. Bogell
Sworn to and subscribed before me, thi
I the 18Th day OF March. a. u. 1883.
. ~-r-~) T. j, A. Brown,
Seal Notary Public,
l--,-) Dallas Count