The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-04
MRS. MOLLOY AND GRAHAM.
The Defense the Lady Made Before the
Charge of Murder Was Presented.
She Did Not Connive at Bigamy, aud was
Badly Deceived by Graham's Protestations
"A Pathetic Letter from Cora Lee.

Inc morning Herald puDilSHeS Ietter Wriseon
by Mrs Molloy from South Bend. to Howell, her
present attorney, dated Feb. 10, three days be-
fore the body of Sarah Graham was found. In
substance she says that she entered into the
work of prison reform eleven years ago, and dio
so with no thought of self, but with one insplra-
tion-to save perishing souls. Replying to her
pastors statement that almost all Springfield
believes her bad woman, she says; ut seems
strange that any should think that il I wanted
to descend to anything low and vile would
need to bring into my home those who were help
less TO take care of themselve and spend my en-
tire time in constant drudgery to support them.
You can readily see that am not so devoid Of
any personal attraction that if | wanted to live
criminal life, I could not find some one to sup
port me, instead Of having some one to support
first met Graham while he was an inmate of
the Northern Indiana prison, and took an
interest in him to reform him. When pardoned
place on newspaper. His conduct for
a long time was above reproach. He
enlisted my sympathy by talking of his wife
to reuuite the family. The paper was removed
to Elgin, ILL.,, and secured Graham place in
the publishing house. / went to Fort Wayne and
persuaded his wife to rejoin him with her child.
knew it was doubtful experiment. She was
not the one to strengthen and control one of
Georges weak moral nature. For time, all
went we'll. but old troubles began, and they lived
unhappily. The more wretched he became the
closer he chung to me, his only friend and foster
mother. Finally, with more heart than judg-
ment. l bought the paper and made George bus
mess manager, moved the paper to Washington,
Kan. where George and family including Cora,
myself and family lived in one house. The pa
per failed, and George sent his family back to
Indiana, finally following. While associated in
the Office George and Cora became fond of each
other. 1t seemed as il she had but one thought,
night or day, and that was for George, but her
love was as pure as an angels. If had been Of
more calculating nature, would have per-
haps been worldly enough to cast him adrift and
forbid Cora seeing him, but she was not child
She knew his past history; she loved him in
spite of it, George wrote from Fort Wayne that
he was divorced from Sarah while in prison. and
never remarked her; that while at my house
living together. in Kansas, they were not mar
ried. He wanted to marry Cora. She was blind
to his faults. l reluctantly consented. No one
suggested George deceiving about the second
marriage with Sarah. or thought of examining
the Allen county records. / would have staked
my life that after his bitter experience in the
prison in past years he would never do anything
to make himself liable to be- sent there again.
Judge Baker bought the farm to give the young
people chance TO earn living for themselves,
and offered to give me a chance TO pay for it in
installments. They were to take care of the
younger children, and was to make my home
with them when l could be at home believed,
now the problem of Georges life would be
solved. Cora set herself at work to make him
as happy as possible and to bring out, under
the kindest influence the best part of his nat
ure."
The above statement Mrs. Mo,loy gives as solid
facts known to herself, and, as will be seen, 1t
exonerates her from conniving at bgamy. About
the murder she claims to know nothing: says
George pinned for his children, and wrote to his
Fort Wayne wife asking for them He told Mrs.
Molloy he had the consent of Sarah to bring them
out. She furnished money for him to 90 on
He claimed, when he got back, that he met his
first wife in St Louis and got the children. The
about their mother bringing them to St Louis,
and coming away with their father. The forgery
developed ITSELF the bigamy case came up. and
she knew George had again fallen The letteris
very long and consists of little else than what is
given above and eloquent effort at self laudation
that is almost sickening in its plainly marked at
tempt to constitute the writer a victim of Llis,
placed philanthropy and confidence. One para
graph reads.
IF it should transpire that all my friends
should fall away. and I should become for the
works sake an object of suspicion. and my life
work torn from me by those who will not do
this work themselves, can only say, Thy will
be done. God must have some place in the
world for me, and He will show me what He
wants of me. am waiting his directions
The letter was written before the body was
found when the charge of bigamy only was
pending against Graham, and ends as follows. II
inclose you small fee. wish you to consider
yourself retained if need counsel in the coming
trial.