The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-30
CoNFEssEs IN CHURCH.
A Negro Tells the Story or Murder
Done In Paris.
From the Chicaoo Trfbuns.

a Negro Tells the Story or Murder
Done In Paris.
From the CHICAGO Tribune.
With tears streaming from his eyes James
Williams negro confessed in the colored
Methodist Mission chapel at No. sos West
Lake street last night that he was a
murderer. The congregation was Mortified.
Williams In frenzy of excitement was
about TO relate the details OF his crime when
q tap on the shoulder caused him to cease
speaking, Behind him stood the pastor of
the church, the Rev. D. NJ. Allen Of Mel
rose. ..-.
Come this way, "said the preacher.
Williams followed to rear room of the
church, and ives led finally TO the West
Lake street police station, where he Is now
confined until his sanity can be passed upon
by physician, or until the confession Of
remarkable crime. can be inquired into by
the police.
williams is q oolorsd man Is years old.
For the last six weeks he has bsen living in
this city. About four weeks ago he went
to the mission on West Lake street and
at the altar confessed that he had. bsen
touched by the spirit and desired to live a
holy life." He was kindly received by the
pastor and encouraged in his good inten-
lions. Edwin Buck (colored) occupied
TOOLuB WIN MS 16IullY III Jig ES6t OF Un6
mission chapel. Mr.. Buck took sn interest
in the convert and offered him the freedom
OF his house. Williams was intelligent and
became general favorite among all the
members OF the congregation.
Lately, however the preacher SAYS some
thing has appeared wrong with him, and
he endesvorsd to ascertain what the cause
was.
WILLIAMS ASKED TO CONFESS.
when the pastor says: Zone of the mem
count OF Williams All the congregation
was notified, and Williams was brought into
the midst at 80 O'Clock last night. He was
asked to pray. His prayer did not seem
fervent. He was then told that something
was on his mind which he had failed to
confess publicly, and he could not be saved
unless he made q complete confession"
Williams finally said he was guilty OF
horrible crime and would TESS.
The Rev. Allen was frightened. While
Williams was weeping In corner prepara-
tory to making E'clean breast of it," the
Rev. Allen slipped out of rear door and
ran to the West Lake street station Just
across the way. There be found Lieut..
John Hartnett and Sergt. Conroy. He ex-
planned his fears and was accompanied back
TO the mission by the officers. They went
in by rear door.
Williams on Bonded knees, facing the
audience. the tears streaming from his eyes,
was pouring out his confession while the
listeners sat with wide open eyes terrified
by the recital. Lieut. Hartnett waited
until Williams said II am guilty of muir
der" then told Allen to stop him and bring
him into an inner room. While the Rev.
j. j. Schuyler continued the services WILL
Jams told his story to Lieut.. Hsrtnett,
Sergt. Conroy, and the Rev. Mr.. Allen.
TELLS OF a MURDER IN PARIS,
81 was born in Paris twenty-five years
ago, he said. "As the ege of II was sent
as a servant to man named Charles La
Vaurne, who with his wife lived in an
elegant house on one of the boulsvards. /
lived with him continually until four years
ego. When one morning be was found dead
on the doorstep with his throat cut. La
Vaurns had been muir dered. The Paris
police were unable to dis cover the murderer.
Some time after the Or operty was sold by
the widow and she lsfu France. did not
kill the man, but it was through me that it
was done and am the real murderer while
an innocent man is now con fined in prison.
''Whils / was in the employ of La
Vsurne, a man named John La Fayette fell
in love with La Vaurns's wife and she re-
ciprocated. The two desired to marry, but
the husband stood in the way. ! formed
plan to rid them OF him. Re vas detained
from home until late one night. A hired
assassin met him on his doorstep and drew
knife across his throat, causing instant
death. Even the wife was ignorant as to
who did the deed. left Paris and went to
Louisiana. Some time afterward La Fayette
followed me, accompanied by the woman.
then committed another crime and pat the
suspicion on La Fayette. He was tried and
is now imprisoned in the penitentiary at
East Baton Rouge.
az have got religion now. want to get
to the golden gate, and want TO sec La
Feyette fresd."
Williams, when asked to tell what crime
he had committed. refused TO say any more.
The Rev. Allen considered him a dangerous
man, and at his request Lieut.. Hartnett
locked Williams up The police will com
municste with the Louisiana authorities,
and find whether or not Williams story is
Urue