The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-19
CLUvERIUs WILL CONFESS.

Iue Wbplo NouufAJ y bhu tbPONiehJ
the State OF Virginia, has manifested q
deep interest in the case Of young
Cluvsrius, condemned to be hsnged
for the murder OF his cousin, Fanny
Lillian Mad con. The murder was one
OF great atrocity. After betraying the
young lady under the promise Of mar.
risge, Oluverius decoyed her to Rich
mond, with the view of Kidding him
self Of an impending scandal which
would prevent his marriage TO another
young lady to whom he was engaged.
The corpse of the deluded and be-
trayed girl was found in the city reser-
voir, and all the circumsa nces pointed
to Cluverius 40 the murderer. Many
believed that the circumstantisl proof
was not strong enough to convict the
accused, and his protestations OF inno-
cence, accompanied by meek, lamb
like purity, created q sympathy for
him which induced strong APP
peal 10 Gov. Lee for pardon. Strange
to say that the Investigations Of Gov.
Lee euppled this missing link ia the
chain Of evidences wanting to convict
Ciuverius beyond the possibility Of
doubt On the trial, Joel, jeweler,
swore that he mended koy for Gu
verius while at Centerville. He said
that TO the best Of his nowlsdge the
key there produced was the key left
eat his store; bat he could not be posi-
tive unless permitted TO open the key,
the only way he Cou'd recognize his
work. The defense objected 10 open
ing the key, and the prose cution did
not insist. The key WAS carefully pre-
served, and on deciding on the appli-
cation for pardon, Gov Lee regarded
the key as a pivotal point on which his
action wopld turn, and he sent for Joe,
and before ordering the key opened,
Joel was asked by Gov. Lee, in the
presence Of two witnesses what he ex-
pscted 10 fud Joel said II II was the
key into which no had put a new
barrel for Cluverius two or three file
marks would be found on the upper
end Of the barrel, and about it small
quantity OF white solder. The
Key was opened in the presence
OF the Governor, and he found
the exact marks and the
white solder mentioned by Joel.
The guilt Of the young brute was
t'ro established beyond the possibili-
q u. doubt. But many are still de-
Oeived by Cluveiius's protestations Of
innocence. He talks and looks the
saint. Butt is not always or often pos
sible 70 detect liar by the expression
OF his face while he lies or 10 accused.
In desperate emergencies the MUIR
derer commands the facial muscles,
which enables him to wear bland
and innocent look. A man who hsH
dramatic ability can put on a face that
would deceive the very elect. The
bigger the lie, the more guiltless he
appears; the more horrible the accu-
sAtion, the greater his surprise that he
should be even suspected. When
DR.. Webster stood up in the Bns'
ton courtroom nearly forty
years ago to receive sentence Of bang
ing for the murder OF Parkman, he
raised his hand and solemnly and be-
fore God protested his innocence oil
the crime. Then stopping and eagerly
looking through the courtroom, he
elevated his voice, and, with the elo-
quence Of apparent truth, besoughi
the real murderer, II he were present,
TO confess the crime and save an limo.
cent man from the glllovs. So drs'
mstic did he do this, 30 impressive war
his manuer, and 80 awful his anxiety,
that his words stopped the heart-beatI
of many Of his hearers. They
did not stop the tongue Of the
Judge, however, who proceeded to
impose on him the punishment
affixed by law, which WIS that he
should be hanged as a murderer. DR.
Webster wss taken back 10 jail, anC
though long eloquently and impress
sively protss.iDg his innocence, al
last when pa'don was refused, con
iessed his crime. Even the most hard
ensd criminals find relief Ia confess
ing their crime when all hope has van
.iehed, ard before the fourteenth day
Of Jsnuary, the time fixed for the exc
cution Of Oluverius, he will make q
clean brta OF one of the most heart
less and atrocious murders that ever
stained the annals OF crime. Indeed
the dispa ches from Richmond al
nonnCe that Cluverius has alreadJ
made full confession.