Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-18
Miss Fackler's Story of the
Occurrence.
How the Injured Husband
Found His Wife.
An Interesting Affidavit Sworn to
Before Notary Public.
Keartrending Tale of Woman's
Perfdy and of Mans Sorrow
and Revenge.

heuldlluS Is ITeSll III uIle 1llllluS VI Icstu-
ers of the HERALD. The killing of
Gresham and the suicide of McConkey
made a terrible impression on the minds
of all readers. Miss Fackler, the school
teacher, has made sworn statement of
all she knows, which puts at rest forever
all doubt as to Mrs. McConkey's guilt.
The story is a sad recital of woman's
weakness and mans sorrow for wife
he chad thought divine" A brother of
the dead husband writes as follows as
be sends Miss Packers letter to the
Courier at San Bernardino:
EDITOR CoURIER-The following depo-
sition is made public, not in malice or
with intent to injure, but simply to
state the facts of the case, and let the
world pronounce its own verdict. 1t is
due those not intimately acquainted
with Miss Fackler to state that the mys-
terry that hung over the horror would
have been lifted long ago, had she not
been, ever since that fatal night, in
such state of nervous prostration that
she was physically incapable of doing so.
l feel that it is my duty, and that loyalty
to my brothers memory demands, that
my efforts, feeble though they be, should
correct as far as possible the false con-
struction that has been placed upon her
silence. the more gladly do this, as it
was her ministering hand and womanly
sympathy that sought, on that long,
bitter night of agony, his last on earth,
to soothe a heart so sore and stricken
that l, his brother, would not, could
have so chosen, bid him live. He knew
the purity of her soul, and in his last
written thoughts was a prayer in which
she was not forgotten.
The most pitiable feature of the sad
affair, and the apparent discrepancy be-
tween facts and appearances that is
difficult to reconcile, may be found in the
testimony given at the Coroner's inquest
by Miss Clara McConkey, which was to
the effect that she believed her brother
killed Gresham accidentally, while
Gresham was trying to wrest the gun
from her brother, who, in "a fit of de-
spondency, sought to end his own life.
In the procession that followed her
brothers remains to the grave she sat in
the same carriage with Mrs. P. G. Nc
Conkey, and out of the depths of her
own great grief sought, with caresses and
words OF cOnsOlement, to alleviate the
own. She had no one to lean on; no
one to prevent this wrong to her, and in
the innocence of ignorance was permit
ted 20 play part, in which the hideous
incongruity of such a spectacle could
scarce be equaled by the widest flight
of fiction.
The third night after the shooting |
was met by this sister at a lonely way
side station, who told me the same story
she had told the Coroner's jury. had
read the papers, and knew she was in
ignorance of the facts, but dared not tell
her in her then Frustrated condition.
She learned the truth near week later,
and Immediately left the roof whose
shelter now was infamy.
1t has been learned that Mr.. Gresham
was made aware early on Monday morn
ing, some hours previous to the shoot
ing, that my brother knew the worst,
and he (Mr. Gresham) could have
avoided a meeting had he chosen.
GEORGE w. MCCoNKEy.
Miss FacIx1er's Statement.
On Sunday, March %, 1890, while at
dinner, Mrs. P. C. McConkey came to
the table occupied by Miss Clara Nc
Conkey, myself and others, and asked if
we girls would go out riding with Mr..
Doyle. We consented, went and re-
turned about 5 p. m. OF said day, and |
then went to my room on third floor of
hotel. About 5 80 was called to parlor,
on second floor, to receive callers. On
my way down Mrs. McConkey opened
the door of room 20 and said she wanted
to see me. In about half an hour went
to room 30 and found Mrs. McConkey
ali Oh
tressed. l asked, "What is the mat
ter?" and attempted to put my arms
around her. She said, "Don't touch
me, Mary, until l tell you" Then said:
II have been meeting Mr.. Gresham;
was in his room this afternoon; Fred
(meaning her husband) knows it and
believes the worst" adding, "Mary, you
believe me innocent of sin ?" l said to
her: "You have done a great wrong,
but | can't believe that you have
sinned." She said, 80, go and tell
Fred So" 1t seemed dreadful task,
yet, for the sake of their home, went
l down stairs. He was in the Office pacing
Cup and down, and much agitated. l
asked him to 60 into the studio (Which
twas known as Mr., McConkey's studio);
and told him to sit down, that | wanted
to talk with him, and told him that
Mrs. McC. had just told me of the after
noon's occurrences. said, "Your wife
has greatly wronged you, Mr.. McC., but
cannot believe that she has sinned,
and can't you forgive her?" At this the
agony he underwent shook his frame
violently. After a few moments he
said: Mary, this afternoon l put
large orange in my pocket for Mrs. McC.
and went up stairs to find her; looked
in every room but could not find her,
then went down stairs. Soon some one
called for Mr.. Gresham and l went
up to his room and knocked.
He did not answer at once.
(My impression now is that Mr. Nc
Conkey said he knocked a second time
at Mr.. Gresham's door before receiving
an answer.) Mr.. Gresham asked what
was wanted. replied: You are wanted
down stairs l then went into the parlor
(almost opposite Mr.. Gresham's room)
Mr.. Gresham unlocked his door and
started down stairs, stopping at parlor
door and asking if his horse was ready,
and then went on, calling back while on
the stairs for me to come down and get
him cigar. / went down, Mr.. Gres-
hams door Cor door No. 81 being
then closed. After giving him the cigar,
l came back to parlor and noticed the