Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-02
TALK WITH LEC0NEY.
The Acq uitted Man Will Not Leave
the Old Farm.
BE EXPECTS TO BE INDICATED,
And Still Hopes to Secure the Arrest Of
AnnieS Murderer.
OLD FRIENDS STILL STICK TO HIM


of the horrible murder of Annie Leconey
his niece. His face was bronzed as when HI
was arrested for the brutal murder. Th
sleeves Of his shirt were rolled up and tn
arms of a woolen undershirt were open t
view. He wore a pair of dark brown
breeches similar to those that were produced
in the great Camden Court House trial whef
Chalkley's life hung on mere thread. The
dark trousers were those which his counsel
cunteaded he wore on the fatal morning in.
stead of the white blood-stained trousers
that the State had brought as evidence
against the ma1. A large broad-brimmed
straw hat covered his head and completed
his outfit
Although the great murder trial was
brought to a close nearly two months ago
with the acquittal of Chalkley, the echoes
of the event are still with his neighbors,
who fought hard on the witness stand to Sc
cure his liberty. Most of his friends still
hold the most implicit faith In his inno-
cence, and the old weather beaten mill bv
the farm house again is the rendezvous
where jokes are cracked and the latest
news told. As to the tragedy itself, it is a
mystery.
NONE KNOW THE MURDERER
The $500 reward which Chalkley offered
to any person giving information that may
lead to the detection of the person or persons
who murdered his niece has so far failed to
solve the mystery of the tragedy, and there
is a general impression that the truth will
never be known. While this is true, Court
Clerk Edward Burroughs, who worked so
indetatigably for ChalkleY's exculpation, is
busily engaged in an endeavor to discover
the real murderer, and Sheriff Baird, OF
Camden county. is rendering him whatever
assistance is needed.
Clerk Burroughs said Yesterday in tone
of confidence that the time is not far distant
when Chalklev will be vindicated in the
eyes of the world. and that the guilty person
will be brought before the bar of justice to
suffer the penalty for his atrocious crime
The way in which Chalkley Leconey spoke
yesterday showed to all appearances that he
is heartily anxious that the tragedy be
thoroughly Investigated, and that he is
ready to take an active part in sitting the
mystery.
CHALKLEY HARD AT WORK.
As reporter entered the potato patch in
which the farmer was plowing the liberated
man left his team ard approached. Near
Chalkley was his aged brother James, and
the two seemed to be in not a very pleasant
frame of mind. They did not wish to hold
an interview with any newspaper man. At
first Chalkley was extremely indignant and
cried out:
'Con ound it, will these newspaper re-
porters ever cease coming here 1 have no
tine to talk. Newspapers have helped to
ruin me-"
After a few moments Chalkley's wrath
subsidized, and he very agreeably entered into
a short conversation.
II have nothing agin the newspapers.
continued ChalkIey, "for know that they
want to print whatever news is going on,
But they have hit me pretty hard
Yes, but they are willing to vindicate |
you IN any proper way, and the public |
would like TO know whether you have been |
able to get any information as to who killed |
Annie"
''Well, you can just saw that we are
huntin' this matter up, and that shall not |
give 1t up until the last horn blows. Peo- |
pie who say / don't want 10 investigate |
this thing don't tell the truth. 1 always |
tried to discover the murderer There are |
people claiming to have been friends of |
mine who testified that refused to assist in |
terreting out the matter They are no |
friends of mine. They needn't come around |
and tell me pretty things now. Thank |
God, about all OF my neighbors stuck by |
Have you succeeded in obtaining any
further light into the tragedy?'
That's something that can't talk about
lust now. Just wait little while
TRYING TO EARN HIS BREAD,
How has your health been since the
.rial?' viz
Il am now feeling pretty well" answered
The liberated man, as he looked toward his
'raglc home, land am irving to earn enough
% get my bread and butter The State has
-uined me, and maybe I'il never get on NV
eet again. 1 didn't begin to do anv work
Until about three weeks ago, because the
PRISON left me very weak. was fat and had
10 strength whatever. l suppose weighed
bout 10 pounds at the time of the trial.
oW you see am thinner-reckon about 20
'ounds less. For the first three weeks after
he trial remained about the house, afraid
I catching my death of cold if went ont
work. After that 1 began to do some
hing about the mill and just lately L started
work hard. have plowed two potato
elds, and 1 want to see if can't paw some
my debts of. Being put in Jail made me
ite In my farm work, but has especially
|
used to do all my grinding. So the mill is
ow not so we'll stocked as it was. 1 have
lost a few of nv old Gus
'mers, but my neighbors have all come
ack, and are buying good deal of grain.
es, my arrest will always be a stain on
y life. 1 don't think / will ever regain
Il the good will that 1 once held. Annie {
as a good girl, and loved her. 1 don't
M .e how people could imagine that 1 could
Ill her. 1 shall stick to this old farm.
I'd here's where 1 want to be when 1 die.''
is there anything in particular that YOU
ant to tell the public 90
"Only that / am working hard TO get !
lough to eat and to regain what 1 have
,en robbed Of"
A COMMENTED HOUSEHOLD.
Chslkley then returned to his plow and
ntlnued his work. Since the trial the 4
econey farm has been lively place. and d
e Liberated man has plenty of compauy. t
lslkley's brother james and his wife are a
III there, besides his sister. Mrs. Joseph :
ance, and her husband. James is a very
ierly man and is not very strong. He
sists Chalkley considerably about the
il, however, and the two are almost in
parable. The terrible ordeal througb
itch his brother had to pass has had the
ect of making James contented and happy
len he is with Chalkley.
1t is not likely that he will return to his
me at Waverly, o., to live, although it
5 been arranged that he and his wife will N
" remain until the year is out. Mrs. III
coney, the mother of the murdered girl, m
ends TO most of the household duties. ne
e feeds the chickens, and saws that this 81
her happiest duty 10 perform, because u
ME loved the chickens. The "half- IN IN