Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-11
That Sounds as Though II Comes
From the Grave.
MI. DUKES, TIE NOTORIOUS VILLAIN
Gasss a Statement Before His Death That
Has lust Been Revealed to the
World With His Character
stic HeartIessness.
He TSIEs TO TURN A GREAT TRAGEDY
Into Commonplace Farce, AssaiIs Judge
Jere S, Black, and Makes a Con-
temptible Attack on the
Ministry.

UNIoNrowN, August lO.-N. L. Dukes
whose yillainy is known the world over
shortly after mis- unjust acquittal by the
twelve numbskulls who have blackeneG
their characters forever, made a statement
that up to this time has been Kept fr0m
the world. Fearing death, he placed it in
he hands Cf Asbury Struble, his step
father, and not until now has il been made
public. II is given for what il is worth,
(which is very little bat it will only tend
TO renew interest and unite public SYM
patty in favor Of James Mutt who, it will
be remembered, so honorably protected
his home snd mis- sisters honor The ap-
pended statement is given Just as Dukes
wrote il:
Dukes Statement.
T, Jh Frist'S u Faycite Comfy G96 E'Ss.
1sSrrs:
Ny mouth having been closed by the
law during my trial, feel that l owe to
the many friends throughout the county of
Fayette and elseShere, who have refused
10 believe the vile calumnies that have
been heaPed upon me, some explanation of
the diIe calamity that has overtaken me.
therefore, submit for consideration brief
account Of the tragedy, and otter a few
comments upon the trial and its concOmi-
al +:
On the morning Of the oath OF December,
I,>2, was sitting beside my desk in my
room .a he Jennings Hotel rejecting upon
my troubles. Tie porter raped at my
door ms rap IS very familiar 10 me, because
he carries my coal; l said Come" The
door swung open, the cOlOred porter step.
ped back srd Mr.. Breckenridge stood in
the tcor. rose as / was utteriug these
wOTus end stepped within about six feet
OF q cOOr and was going to shake hands
will him aUG offer him y chair. He said:
Capt. Nutt Wants 10 See You"
he no time to reply when the Captain
push Ell into view, passed Ar. Breckenridge
and into the room and slammed the door
shut without turning. He did not lift his
eyes to mine, but hissed through his teeth:
Il wsnt 70 see you, and rushed upon me
Instantly with his cane upraiSed. | in
stinCttye,y threw down my head, and
threw up MY arm, and the blow fell severe
ly dsgonsl'y aCrOss the arm. / at once
SralP.ed with him, and caught the cane.
We struggled a few moments about the
foot of the btd, and | wrested the cane
from him, and attempted to strike him
down with IT, lie then threw himself I'D
against ne, and the blow hal no effect.
We are struggling once more, and had
Scui''ed over into the corner, back of the
led near the window. | knew that / was
t5S,a hIs SqBSF;EaTT nsSE drawn mmyT6eb, Sd5fN& and
in tie stru-..'e the pistol being Selt-acCng,
but | d;d not want 10 kill him. conclud-
I'd, as I was
PhysicaIIy His superior,
IN do rothirg but keep him from hurting
. a.I | cred Murder murder. MUIR
der" with the full force OF my lungs IN
order 20 bring some one TO the rescue. As
soon as this alarm was gwen lapt. Nut1
called .C.arh clark, CLARK. IN much
lower tone Of Voice tAan that employed Oy
This call for his nephew, who had accom-
ranied him there. coupled with the threat
in his letter Of an ayenger, TILED me Win
terror and desperation.
instantly threw myself upon the cane
with al my power and 1t was mine. lie
sprsug away from me to avoid another
stroke from the cane BACK toSaIu tIe Ia, Sand
'el. ard rs 5e went he thrust ms right manu-
into his overCOat pocket, and attempted 70
T-sv- lts ..;-tol. Ii seemed to be entangleu
shall never forget the murderouS look IN
his eyes.
Tlsaviu' moment had come. 1t w's he
orI. In The lwiukling of an eye my pl'toi
was fi VT from my hip pocket my rS1I
foot "a arru advanced. the trigger pressed
ts.A suc Cspt. Mutt sank down along me
ward-,he Ny position threw my oAcN 70
wsI,. tie door.
SsCrpt. Mutt sank Down,
beart a confusion behind me. turned
my t..... p SAW Mr.. BrsCSiuridge aoOut
he e...-.,t he bed, fastening forward to
warf ~ Mutt. Mr.. Feather, bare head
"a. Va .-t behind him, his face, as white
- Ifr,.u crane upon the bed. turned
,uw -, at Just in the door was ths o!acH
Isce - e. "a hiie eyes Of the negro.
Tie whole picture is indelibly impressed
upor ny mild, can never forget It.
Ere,N,rrtG = went and stopped over Capt.
Nutr Feather came around the bed TO me
and took hold Of the pistol, which was now
down 81 NY side. l said, BE careful, 1t
will 10 Of and let 20. There was no
struggle between him and me. The state
-nent that Mr. BreCkinridge, or any one
else srrsrated us. is positively incorrect. l
did 70; know Of the presence Oi any per
son in that room other than Capt. Matt
and myself when the shot was fired. The
shot vas tired almost Instantly alter he
sprsyg Iva \ from me. Capt. Mutt was pos
tivrly not leaning upon the mantel when
he wss slot His arm was akImoo, his mana
CIutebisg His Pistol.
Ila t:l no, throw his hands up over his
hrsl sri fall He sank down without a
single motion. inst as thousands OF peo-
pie have seen objects in animal life SaE
whtn shot
Isttprel over by the lounge and handed
to Mr. Jennings Mr.. Nuu's cane, which
still held in my hand, and told him to keep
il carefully. Il vas a very heavy cane.
stood few moments IN the corner by my
GeSA tuUh50UIGei Captain Mutt was
carried :ut tha bed. Dr. Ewing came in.
put On ny Oyt-Coat and hat and walked
down stars. through the sitting room
Through the office, and passed out a. the
alley door. ] stepped INST moment on the
step 10 consider what 10 do Ny mind
was IN 4 wh.rlWlnd Of confusion, but felt
tha, hSd o'en driven to the desperate act
Tor sell irsNeTyat!un, and ! would submit
myself 60 the law.
] Immediately proceeded 20 the county
jan ard delivered myself into the custo IL
of the Sheriff The explanation Of toe
course CT The ball, after il struck CSptair
Mutt IS found IN this fact. Just as the
trigger OF my pistol wsS pressed he threw
his hesd 10 cne side, snd slightly sSerteC
his isCy.
To E'eape the shot
But the Ng' was evidently somewhat ds
tieCtsd ID lt 90. the course testified 10 b,
Or. Ewing.
EU'. taking ne evidence a1tuca6 upo,
The ula'. no man With shadow Of fur
ness can resist the conclusion that Capt
Mutt Ssme 10 my room on the morning q
the a Il ol LEcember 70 take my life, AM
That he Would have done 50 had not N,
CeXterlty prevented such result. Tbi
conclusion established, then nv legal dc
tense Is PERFECT, and the attack upop m
jury Is unjust and malicious. Toe othp
matters drsscsd into the trial are sxtrar
eous, END !ngsed IN for the purpose Of j
NeItng the attention Of the iurv from ~
point at Issue. / was upon rial for m
felcieous killing Of Capt Mutt ana no, fr
YniiDg ,Gra-iR, letters
was ltgslly guiltle>s Of taking ca,
Nuts life. snd well ! kpeN it. aud n
Jury very properly 50 found. The mate
which led t0 The hostile encounter are a.
lToWr, spH need not he referred to eyer
1rclotnisl When | wrote the first le,t'
I" Capt Mutt committed a