Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-24
the WRONG MAN.
A story Told Under Oath BY an
Ohio County Citizen
Which May Save an Innocent Man, in Gus
tOdy Thousand Miles Away,
From the GaIlows.

sops, called at certain church on the
South Side and confded to reverend geo.
tlemsn there found, the somewhat startling
information that he had been the eye-Wit-
ne IS 10 a deliberate murder, about two years
ago, that an innocent man was in custody,
charged with the crime, that he feared be
would be upjustly punished, and said he de-
sired 10 place the authorities IN possession
OF the pane Of the real murderer, that jas
,ice might prevail in the case The young
man said he had kept the secret for two
years, IN obedience to
soLENN OATH
he had been forced to take by two compsu-
ions of the murderer that he would never
reveal the identity of the real criminal, but
he had learned that the life of an innocent
man was in danger, and he had determined
70 reveal what he knew in the hope OF bring
ing the real murderer to justice.
The clergyman listened to this recital,
and when the Young man had concluded
ne begged that his name might be kept
.ecret for fear that bodily injury might be
done him BY friends of the murderer. This
reouest the clergyman granted. and the
Dung man returned to his temporary
home in the country back of this city, it,
however, being agreed that the clergyman
should communicate with the Chief OF
Police and arrange for meeting at which
an affidavit could be made, setting forth
The FACTS IN THE CASE.
On Friday these details reached the ears
Of REGISTER reporter, and he made call
first upon Captain Smith and then upon
the clergyman who had heard the recital OF
The spectator of this tragedy in real life.
The clergyman declined to name the To-
cality in which the young man could be
found, alleging that if he did so and state
ment of the case appeared in the papers be-
fore an affidavit could be made, the man
might take the alarm and disappear, trace
OF him would be lost, and in the meantime
the innocent prisoner might possibly suffer
death. He said, however, that the man
worked on q farm, and that he would be in
town the following day Saturday to mar
ket.
Saturday morning the man came to this
city in company with his employer, and
had conversation with the Chief and the
clergyman, and as result Of this the fol-
towing affidavit was drawn up and signed:
THE STORY.
al, --, testify TO the following
facts, and confirm the same by oath:
81 the year 1888, in the month of June
or July, net knowing the day of the week, |
crossed from St. Louis to East St. Louis on
d, tury boat. l stopped in a frame house,
,ytsrently new, the lower story OF which
"a, used IS restaurant and the upper story
AZ T. l. : er beer saloon. | took some drinks
II d something 10 eat This was between
ii and II o'clock p. m. There l saw four
G,u playing cards. One answered to the
nsme Of C Kirchgessner, one to the name
OF Edward Kramer, and the other two were
unknown to ME. During the play they
talked rather freely, and the consequence
vas that they got quarreling with one
another, and from words they went to
blows. Whilst fighting with each other l
saw the man answering to the name of
Kircbgessner draw knife or dagger and
stab the murdered man in the abdomen.
This have seen with my own eyes. The
wounded man vas taken out to place I'M
known to me. do not know where they
took him. Kircbgessner Immediately dis
appeared to parts unknown. Two OF the
men seized me, --, one having,
10 a secluded spot and made me swear not
to reveal anything whatever concerning the
murder.
Il then left them. l swear that Kirch'
gessner stabbed the man unknown to me,
aid not the said Edward Kramer, who, as l
have learned, is detained in prison.
Signed - -.
state Of West TTrginiG, Ohio County, IS:
Personally appeared before me, the under.
signed Notary Public in for the county and
state aforesaid, -, who being by
me first duly sworn, says on his solemn
oath that the allegations contained In the
foregoing are true.
Given under my hand and notsrial seal
this 22d day of August, A. D., 1885.
E. w. DUNNAwAY,
Notary Public.
Chief of Police Smith at once notified
the Mayor Of East St. Louis Of these facts,
and the original of the above affidavit will
De forwarded to the sheriff of St. Clair couu'
ty, Illinois, in which East St. Louis is stu.
sted.