Los Angeles herald., 1890-03-25
THE LETTERS.
Mrs. McConkey's Love for Gresham was
the Cause.

MIS-. McConkcy'S Love for Gresham was
the Cause.
The following letters found in
Gresham.s pocket, although without
date or signature, give a clue TO the
circumstances leading to McConkey's
crime:
Letter Number One.
1T is with cheeks of flame and great
load upon my heart that l begin this
letter. l scarcely know how to COM
mence, but know that it must be done.
Oh, Mr.. Greshaml the knowledge has
come to me that you are not moral, and
the blow nearly kills me. You, whom |
thought SO pure, SO truly noble! 1t
seems as if could not stand it. 1t is
dreadful to have ones idol shattered
without a moments warning. Is it pos
sible that there is no such thing as a
virtuous man? begin to think so. My
| face burns with shame and indignation
when think of you being in the society
Of those wretched beings who call them
selves women, then come to me with
fond smiles for kisses that you
know come from a pure and low
ing heart. Whatever your past
has been does not matter to
me, and it was not considered; but it
does seem that you ought to have had
enough respect for me (while meeting
me as you did) to have kept you from
these evils How could you? / can't
understand. Perhaps | look upon these
| things differently from great many,
but [ feel that it would be no worse for
Inc to seek the society of one of these
Inl dnI 4bar 4 l.
men who help to make them so. For
give me if speak plainly, but it seems
necessary to do SO under the circum-
stances. / could not tell you these
things face to face my womanly feelings
would not permit it. 1t seems different
to tell you on paper. Oh, it does seem
to me that if men could realize how
much suffering they cause innocent
women, they would certainly do differ
ent. The world is too one-sided. Men
expect the love of pure women, and
yet pollute themselves to the greatest
depths OF evil. sincerely
hope and pray that what l have heard
is not true. Tell me that it isnot. Yet the
information comes direct from yourself.
Being married woman, necessarily
hear more than l care to. | cannot
write any more-my heart is SO full.
Put yourself in my place. Suppose |
was the guilty one, what would you
think? Forgive me if this be untrue
and l have given you boundless pain,
and believe mel shall always be your
true friend No.
The Second Letter.
"HoTEL WINDSOR, REDLANDs, 1S-.
"MY DARLING-Forgive me, forgive
me, for the sake of the old love. feel
that you almost hate me, and it is more
than | can endure. / would have given
worlds last night to have recalled that
letter. l did not realize its awfulness
until afterit had LETT my possession. lean
never forget how you looked last night
as you stood in the door, and l wanted
to go to you SO much. | prayed all
night for forgiveness for that cruel letter,
and now / cannot hope for it until you
. have forgiven me. Yesterday, as soon
as heard what l told you in the letter,
l rushed upstairs impulsively, wrote
without stopping to think, and now it
seems as ii l should go mad if you did
not tell me am forgiven. will never,
never pain you again in that way, no
matter what hear, or what you do.
cannot live without you, love. | cannot
endure the thought OF your disliking me.
Please come to me. | must see you. /
thought l heard you leave the house
this morning at O'Clock, and wanted