Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-15
CONFESSION OF A MURDERER.
The Perpetrator OF Terrible Crime
Brought to Justice...Jnter-
esting ''Miner'' Specials.
A MURDERER'S CONFESSION.
The Killing Of Man for 02, 5OO-A Guilt
Conscience Prompts Confession.

The Killing of Man for 12, 5OO-A Guilty
| Conscience Prompts Confession.
ST. LOUIS, September 14.-Arthur Arth.
buthurst, alias A. L. Pittman, alias
Charles Walker, alias Parsons, recently
| arrested at Covington, Tennessee, has con-
fessed to the Sheriff OF that county OF hav-
ing murdered the late Mayor Bowman, OF
East St. Louis, on the twenty-fifth day OF
last November. The Sheriff has sent his
confession to the East st. Louis authori.
ties. The following is his confession:
!; During the early part ofNovember, 1885,
| was visiting in East St. Louis, and while
Walking in the outskirts of town about
disk. I was approached by q well dressed
man OF pleasing manners, who stopped
ysa.i con nverscd with me. After awhile he
,,sss-ked M, if wanted to make some money.
i .aid yes, 1 was hard up; 50 was ready
to do anything. He said there was man
IN East Louis whom he wanted
PUT OUT OF The WAY.
told him was his man and could make
arrangements to kidnap his victim. He
said he didn't want him kidnapped but
put out of the way. l said 1 would MUIR
der man for So, 900. If was going to be
hanged at all l wanted to sell myself for a
decent amount. / didn't intend to commit
murder, however. l meant to kidnap the
man and keep him in an asylum. By these
means l could extort money from my cap
tive and my principal at the same time.
made an appointment to meet him again
and at the second interview l learned my
employer was a vice-president OF railroad
company and resided in St. Louis. Final
arrangements were then made, and l then
agreed to do
THE JOB FOR $4,000.
started Immediately for New York, and
while there made arrangements with
to assist me. On the nineteenth OF Novem-
ber l went back to East st. Louis, and
there completed the details OF my scheme.
I bought q bull dog revolver, five
shooter Of 44.calibre, and two long hunt
ing knives. did not Intend, want it un-
derstood, to murder Bowman, but only
bought the weapons to defend myself ii he
should resist my attempt to kidnap him.
That evening met the railroad vice presi-
dent by appointment and while we were
talking together Mr.. Bowman passed by.
THERE IS THE MAN.
said my companion that want you to
put out OF the way" He gave me his
photo SO l could make no mistake. On
the next night my plans we're complete,
except that my accomplices had not
arrived. l stationed hack near Bow
mans house. in which it was my intention
to drive him to an asylum where had |
made arrangements for his confinement. |
l then concealed myself near lumber pile |
in front OF Mr.. Bowmans house and |
waited. / soon perceived the gentleman |
walking in my direction, and when he came |
opposite me sprang out in front OF him |
and presented my pistol before his face !
and commanded him to halt. He seizsd |
my hand and | told him to let CO. that | |
was not going to kill nor take his money.
He dropped my hand and stepped away a
foot or two and called ''police.' In order |
to quiet him
RAISED MY REVOLVER AND FIRED.
He fell face downward and l then knew l |
had hurt him worse than l had intended. |
| did not even then comprehend tfrat had I
killed him. only intended to disable him,
place him in q carriage end take him to the |
asylym. [ walked up to his body and
found that he was dead. then started to
escape and had gone but IL short distance !
when met my employer. He then
PAID ME Ny MONEY
and we went to his house in St. Louis and
spent the remainder OF the night. Early in
the afternoon, disguised as a woman, l
took the first train for Springfield, Illinois,
The confession then details his travels
through the South and his final arrival at
Covington, Tennessee, and his subsequent
arrest. He states he makes the confession
voluntarily, simply because OF a guilty con-
science. He knows his employers name,
his place OF residence and could easily
identity him if he should ever see him. He
refuses to declare the vice presidents name
but promises to do 50 when the proper
time shall arrive.