Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-30

Frank E. Hill, the handsome young
drug clerk who figured in that sensa-
tional deferred wedding case at San
Bernardino, with charges of bigamy
floating in the air as side issue, is
back in San Bernardino. He has been
back there for the past week, having
arrived secretly. Hill has been con-
faed to bed ever since his arrival, and
is quite sick and respondent.
A HERALD reporter visited San Ber-
nardino yesterday, and visited the
Wozencraft house. Saw Miss Mary
Wozencraft, the young lady to whom
Hill was about to be married, when the
exposure was made that he had another
wife. Miss Wozencraft is tall, stately
looking brunette, with large laughing
black eyes, and hair that rivals the
ravens wing.
'.sMiss Wozencraft," said the reporter,
II understand Frank Hill, your affianced
husband, is here in San Bernardino.
Do you know where he is 2"
"Yes, sir" responded Miss Wozen-
craft, ''Mr. Hill is now in San Besnar-
dino. He came here four days ago, and
is now stopping with friend. He is
sick in bed, and wrote me long letter
making full confession of his wrong
doings to me and 1 have forgiven him
as Christian should. While he has
done wrong in deceiving me, I think he
is truly repentant, and think also that
If he would tell his side of the story it
would be apparent that he has also been
greatly wronged. But you had better
see him yourself, and let him tell his
story"
So, accordingly, the reporter received
directions where to find Hill, and upon
reaching the house, was ushered into
darkened room, where Hill was lying in
bed, his face worn and haggard and
overcast with look of hopeless misery.
81 want to make full confession Of
my misdeeds," said he brokenly, "and
! have written out a statement which
you can use."
[The statement submitted by Hill is
annexed.l
HIS CONFESSION.
s'In Justice to Miss Mary Louise
Wozencraft, her relatives and friends,
also my relatives, friends and myself, l
feel in duty bound to make an honest
confession of nay life and give an explana-
ton of my mysterious conduct toward
Miss Wozencraft. When my side of the
story has been heard you will find am
neither "criminal," "embezzler' or
s'bigamist." Miss Wozencraft is the
only one whom / have wronged, and it
is solely on her account / make this con-
fession. The circumstances con-
nected with my meeting, marriage, etc.,
with Ada Wilson are of such nature:
Previous to our marriage she was en-
ployed in restaurant and laundry !;
came to me with pitiful tale; took
compassion on her, paid her board and
lodging at two different places; finally
was entrapped into a marriage. My
life with her was anything but happy
one. Not even the slightest respect ex-
listed between US. Went to San
Diego; remained there about ten days.
/ accepted position as druggist with
DIR. Bedford in San Bernardino, repre-
senting myself as single man. i.
Ada secured employment as cham
bermaid in National City, and is
working in that capacity at
the present time. Shortly after nv
arrival in San Bernardino / met my fate,
my ideal, Miss Mary Louise Wozencraft,
young lady possessed of great personal
attractions, noble, honorable and refined
"a true lady in every sense of the word.
My first impressions were of the pro-
foundest respect and esteem. Friend
ship ripened into love, and till my dying
day will honor and respect her above
all women. / would willingly give my
life in atonement for the wrong | have
committed. | can offer no excuse for
my mad conduct. knew all the while
that / was committing an objectionable
sin, yet could not resist, but rushed
headlong, regardless of consequences.
Not till the eve OF our wedding day did
| fully realize what was doing. I be-
came wild with remorse and excitement.
MY one thought was to go to Ada, ar
range matters satisfactorily with her.
return to Miss Wozencraft and confess
all. explained everything, showed her
the marriage announcement and we'd
ding card. She agreed to secure a
divorce for $3.50, money to be paid as
soon as divorce was granted.
While en- route for San Bernardino |
became weary and thinking she night
change her mind and come TO san Ber-
nardino, wrote her letter to the effect
that would not marry Miss Wozencraft,
etc., etc.; that would return to her,
etc., etc. To keep her from following
me and creating sensation was my OBJ
lect in writing her such letter. 1, at
the same time, telegraphed Miss Wozen-
craft to have everything in readiness,
that would be there at O'Clock p. m.
l knew that could not marry her. /
knew, also, that without such mes
sage it would be unsafe to return. /
returned to San Bernardino with the in
tention Of telling her everything and
placing myself at her mercy. II / had
been allowed private interview would
have explained my actions, but her
brother and uncles were present; was
not tallowed to see her alone, and to
make my confession in their presence
would have been sure death would
have been cremated on the spot, and
would have deserved it. Therefore,
was obliged to lie; my life in San Ber-
nardino was continual round Of lies.
Icommenced with q lie, and in conee-