The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-03-14

MINNESOTA MAN UNDER AN Err
RoNEoUs SENTENCE OF DEATH.

- 1WbSNEG0O1A MAN ONkJEn AN EN-
R0NE0Us SENTENCE OF DEATH.
his Brother In Possession Of Important
Evidencs.-.wM Il Accomplish Its Pur-
pose?---Other News of Good and nj.
Shall on innocent man die an Infamous
aud frightful death on the scaffold for a
crime he never committed? This is the
question that presses with terrible weight
upon w. +. Holden, . photographer Of
Lu~erne, MIMI, and q brother Of Clifton
Holden, who IL sentenced to die for the
murder Of Frank Dodge at Redwood Falls
in the fall Of 1888.
Mr.. Holden, who isa highly respected
business man, has spent every dollar he
has in the world and has involved himself
heavily in debt to save his brother, whom
he believes to be innocent. So far his eff
forts have proven fruitless. But now a
new clew has shown itself and q faint
light 10 seen ahead. 1t may be a way out
of the labyrinth. He had almost given up
in despair, and 40 a last resort, assisted by
prominent people of the section, q power
full appeal was to be made upon Gov. Mer-
Ram to commute the sentence, when W.
F. Holden received the following letter by
mail. 1t is given verbatim ct literatim:
OLIVIA, MIMI, lssl-Mrs. Widow Dodge,
Fairfsx-Dear Madam: IA the supreme court
has passed the death sentence upon your
nephew, I feel 1t my duty to pom you the truth.
1flope your nephew will be released at once
from behind the doors OF injustice, as he knows
no more Of the crime they have convicted him
OF than a now born babe. I will now pen you
all. and tho cause his death as 1t is. Your son,
Frank Dodge. seduced my sister and ruined her
for life. saw Frank and asked him to do his
duty by my sister, whom lie had ruined, but he
would not give me any answer until the night
of the republican rally at Redwood Falls, when
I asked him again aud he told me he was en-
gagged to be married to Csppie Dodge, which 1
have found out TO be true since his death. 1
told him IL made no difference to me; that he
would be compelled to do his duty under the
circumstances He flew mad, drew IL razor
from his pocket, and cut my clothes off from
mo and two or three gashes In my brenst, und
narrowly escaped with my life. In q few days
1 went to Morton to see him again and he told
me not to have him arrested; that lie would do
what was right, and I gave him until the 9th
day OF November. 1883. to do his duty by my
sister. He said he would come to Redwood Falls
the evening Of the 23d or the morning Of the
Gath. He came the 23d with your nephew. He
saw me on the street and halloed at me. turned
his team around In the street and told mis-
cousin Holden to go and put the tenn in tho
Exchange hotel barn, which ho did. The next
time I saw Holden was on the corner by the
NfttvoSut haul II,
and said to Frank, come on, let's go to bed. As
We were talking privately Frank told Holden to
go on down and go to he'd. he was having a pri-
vate conversation with mo. and that ho tIrank)
would come after a while. This was the last
timo Holden saw Frank, as We stated soon
Afterwards for North Redwood Falls. where me.
my brother. / thon asked Frank Dodge what
no Intended to do. marry my sister or diea AT
that Frank drew q revolver from his pocket to
shoot US both. We knocked the revolver out of
his hand; he made a dive for his revolver when
I shot him dead. Then 1 and my brother
loaded him in our wagon ind took him to whore
he was found, by the old crcnmery on Bridge SC.
On our way we took S75 from Franks person.
for the benefit of our sister; but my sister
ts dead and l will enclose the S75 and
send 1t to you as it will do mo no good. Would
willingly give myself. up for tho benefit OF the
poor man who has suffered ono year and n huff
for b he knows no more of than the angels
above. II it was not for my brother who was
will me, would have given myself up long ago.
As this il as far us ! dare go at present, will
close. hoping that you will do your duty aud
not take revenge on your nephew, who is limo.
cent. Will sign my name. ATLAS COOK.
Upon the receipt of this letter, friends of
a. G---sf- s-.---
ton and raised o fund for w. +. Holden to
investigate the matter. Mr.. Holden left
for Redwood Falls aud other points in TINT
section, aud will leave no stone unturned
to clear his brother Of the dark cloud which
hangs over him.
The parents of the Ho!dens live at Lu-
verne and are awaiting with terrible anx.
iety for the result Of their sons investiga-
lions.