New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-05
COMMENTS IN THIS CITY.
MR.. HOWE WILL SEE TIE GOVERNOR TO-DAY
SKETCH OF THE CRIME.

MR.. HOWE WILL SEE TIE GOVERNOR TO-DAY
SKETCH OF THE CRIME
strict-Attorney Nlcoll would merely say zone
cannot contemplate the death OF man IKE lairiS
without horror vet feel that the Governors action
WIS inst Recorder Smyh would say nothing.
William +. Howe received q telegram from Albany
announcing the decision. lie said he would 60 I"
Albany to-day TO ask Governor Flower TO grant
Harris q reprcve OF month. Mr.. Howe had u
dim idea that the United States Courts cohld h'er
fere in u capital II new evidence was dscoVerel
and the defendant had not testified In his own behan
Assistant District-Attorncy Wclman said: Il am
reluctant TO give my sentiments for certainly ! do
not wish to be considered such person rs would
feel triumphant over the result. II means death
TO a yonng man. and am not so heartlcss ns to
be exultant over II. ! feel that ! performed a
serious duty working for IarTis's conviction ann
have never doubted his guilt. II is no triumph or
victory as look at 1t. but the natural result oil
lawful and deliberate proceedings. During the trial
I frequently stopped and mcditatcd a long time
over alleged causes Of reasonable doubt. but always
came 10 the same concuson-that the facts and law
made Harris guilty. Even now i have not tn"
slightest idea OF his innocence. sincerely hope That
he will make confession before he dies lie
should realize that he undergo the death penalty
and with his end staring him In the face trust
the condemned man will tit TO confess. H9
might thus set all possible doubts at rest forever
Not another move can be made in his behalf Death
is inevitable for Harris now
Harris was born in Glens Falls In September. 1862
His grandfather was DR.. Benjamin W. McCready
His father lives in Syracuse. After being an actor
In the paul Kauvar" company for time. he began
course in the College OF Physicians and surgeons
The summer OF 1859 he spent at ocean Grove. ami
1t was at a ball In the Coleman House. at Asbury
Park, that he met Mary Helen Nelson Potts. She
was only eighteen years old, pretty and accomplished
Harris paid constant attentions 10 her. and finally
wanted TO marry her. on February IL, leoo they
were secretly married In the City Hall here by Alder
man Rinckhof. giving assumed names. Later the
Young woman made Harris tell friend Of hers,
Miss May scholefeld. Of the marriage. and later
Mrs. Potts Informed OF 1t. She insisted On .
religious ceremony and Harris agreed that they should
be remarked.
On January 60. 1901. the young wife complained
to her husband OF having headaches. SHE was then
a pupil at the Comstock School In West Fortie'h'st
Harris had six pills made for her, each containing
oncsixth Of IL grain of morphine and four grains Of
qunine lie gave her only four Of them. and then
sailed for Old Point Comfort She took three but
they made her H. and sh" did not take the fourth
effect Of the pills and he advised her take the
last one She did 80 on the night OF January 81
Chemical analysis showed that there was morphine
but no quinine In her stomach. II was certain,
therefore that the p was S OF pure mGrp ax1 oms
found to contain onc-siXth oi grain Of morphine
and four grains Of aunnc. The druggist had made
mistake
I'm Inc rial the prosecution contendcd that Harris
had substituted morphine for the contents OF Of
lhc pills II happened that the gil took the other
three pills first and sun had the fatal one when he
returned from Old Point Comfort. lie urged her TO
take his lust one. knowing That it must be the
| containing morphine alone.
II came out after while that Harris was the
girls husband ard suspicion directed toward
| him. He was arrested and tried before Recorder
smyth I'll. jury returned verdict Of guilty IN all
| honr and twenty minutes. IN The Court Of Appeals
| tho conviction was unanimously affirmed