Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-23
THE WRONG MAN.
A Story Told Under Oath by an
Ohio County Citizen
Which May Save an Innocent Man, in Gus
tody a Thousand Miles Away,
From the GalIows.

On Wednesday last young German,
whose name is withheld for the best Of rea-
sons, called at certain church on the
South Side and con6ded to g reverend gen.
tlemsn there found, the somewhat startling
information that he had been the eye-Wit-
ness to deliberate murder, abouttwo 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 to place the authorities 10 possession
OF the name Of the real murderer, that JUS
tice might prevail in the case. The young
man ssid he had kept the secret for two
years, IN obedienceto
SOLEMN OATH
he had been forced to take by two eompan-
ions of the murderer that be would never
reveal the identity of the real criminal, but
be had learned that the life Of an innocent
man was in dagger, and he had determined
to reveal what be 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
he begged that his name might be kept
secret for fear that bodily injury might be
done him by friends OF the murderer. This
request the clergyman granted. and the
Young 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 REGIsI ER reporter, end ne 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 10
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 farm, and that he would be IN
town the following day Saturday. to mar
ket.
Yesterday morning the man came to this
city in company with his employer, and
had conversation with the Chief and the
clergyman, and as a result of this the fol
tow rg affidavit was drawn up and signed
THE STORY.
Il, --, testify to the following
acts and confirm the same by oath:
"Tn tie year 1888, in the month of June
i July, net knowing the day of the week,
ossed from St. Louis to East ST. Louis Oh
. terry boat. | stopped in a frame house
Jparently new, the lower story Of which
sas used rs restaurant and the upper story
,sa lsger beer saloon. l took some drinks
It'd something TO eat. This was between
II and II o'clock p m. There saw four
uen playing cards. One answered to the
name of c. Kircbgessner, one to the Fame
Of Edward Kramer, and the other two we're
unknown to me. During the play they
talked rather freely, and the consequence
Sas that they got quarreling with one
another and from words they went to
olows. Whilst fighting with each other
saw the man answering to the name oil
Huebgessner draw knife or dagger and
SAD Inc m QEQST6Q n6u III tue dUuOl0u
This have seen with my own eyes, The
sounded man vas taken out to place I'm.
known to me. l do not know where they
ook him Kircbgessner Immediately dis
appeared to parts unknown. Two of the
len seized me, - -, one having
as far as | recollect, moustsche, took me
70 secluded spot, and made me swear not
20 reveal anything whatever concerning the
murder.
IL then left them. | swear that Kirch
gessner stabbed the man unknown to me
sLd not the said Edward Kramer, who, as ]
have learned, is detained in prison.
Signed - -.
State Of Bsst Jfrgmid Ohio County, IS:
Personally appeared before me, the under
,igred Notary Public in for the county suo
late aforesaid, - -, who being BY
me first duly sworn, says on his solemn
oath that the allegations contained in the
oregoing ore true.
Given under my hand and notarial seal
Ibis 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
oe forwarded to the sheriff of St. Clair couu.
y, Illinois, in which East st. Louis is stu.
ated