The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-18

hE LA w r. n looh IHE fAthEE
'Well, | suppose you are right from
gour point of view" said Mr.. Fogey, as
he slit the envelope methodically along
the top edge and opened the package.
1t contained foolscap paper wrapped
around ten United States notes, each for
81, 000 He counted the notes, and lay
ing them down, opened the paper and
read without comment, while Mr..
Lacey listened in silent attention.
Ii WASHINGTON AVENUE. April 26 IS.
DEAR FoGEY; ! must begin by apollo
giving for committing the letter to La
cey's charge rather than to yours, as
might have seemed more natural, but
| have thought that as lawyer you
might feel it your duty to make its con
tents known before the appointed time.
At all events, you would have found
yourself in trying and difficult posi-
ton. by obeying me you would posi-
bly,, as a lawyer, incur cenSpre; by
opening the letter before the time you
would defeat all my plans and hopes.
so | shall hand this to Lacey in trust
for you and beg you to forgive me
am confident when you read this I
shall have been dead six months, muir
dered-for so the law has dou btless de
cided-by old James, my butler, with
skewer. part of the silver committed to
his charge.
There will not have been wanting
abundant evidence legally conclusive
against my murderer or even motive for
his deed: | may therefore suppose that
by the time you read this he has been
condemned and sentenced, but not exc
cuted, since the law requires an inter
val between sentence and execution
The legacy left him in my will, be-
sides supplying possible motive for his
crime and enhancing its Nervousness,
has proba bly, furnished him means for
proper defense on his trial Yet, in
spite of this he has been convicted and
sentenced Is it not so?
And now to explain everything, to
make the dark clear and the crooked
straight
On the 9th of November last com
mitted suicide, having previously ar
ranged that everything should point
clearly to the guilt of James. my
butler ] secreted the skewer
sharpened it with a file and placed the
file in Thompson's room | stained his
coverlet with blood, my blood, for 10
came from cut on my finger. | hid
my purse in his chimney. and finally.
on the night of November the 10Th I
committed suicide by stabbing myself
to the heart.
And now for my reasons
In taking nv own life ] have doubt
less committed a crime against the laws
of God and the State, but believe that
the life of one man is of little value
when weighed against even d possible
good to the community. II my death
fulfLls the object have in view then
my life has been well sacrificed: and
even if it fails, the intention will alb
solve it
Next have inflicted great anguish
OF mind on an innocent and yirtuous
old man; but here again the agony,
even II it run to marty Of one.
must be weighed against this benefit of
the many. For James Thompson him
self have endesyored 70 supply conso-
lation, IL not com pensation. in my leg
acv of $40 900 and the supplem entary
sum of $40 600 which ! inclosc here
with May he understand and forgive
Perhaps even now Won scarcely under
stand what | hope to have accomplished
By my death, but | will endeavor 70 ex-
plain. You have heard RE speak you
have perhaps read M written words on /.
the use Of circumstantial evidence. J
am convinced that 50 long as mcn are /
Done TO death on indirect evidence 30 I
long must the constant possibility OF 1
judicial murder lie heavy on the CON 4
science of the nation. By nv death and /.
Thompson conviction hope 10 &
awaken the public conscience toa sense ,
OF it, shameful burden. II ] am sue 4
cessfui- then ali has been well done.
Here is an innocent old man sentenced 1
- death on circuustantial evidence OF 4
the clearest descri Dtion, and but Tor ;
this letter his sentence would event
usllF be executed
al that have done 20 az ray death !
upon Thompson might have been done
by third party had / Deeu really az
sassiuaied
Ia conclusion I beg that copy Q! this
letter oe sent 20 each of she 10 - gaI1eTa
and that the inclossr- u HANDED 20
James Thomp sou with the assurance
d nv affection and thanks FOR hss ser
Tlcss voluntary and o1herA
Fer myself I fee that = this case
eads - rewssion Of the law touching
ne infection # the dsath penalty
1eItaer sny life nor Thompson peace
u mind vii have t-sen vasniy sacrificed
olSr affect or.z-e friend.
GEORGE WEATHrEcEAvr
TIE two men "a: si}snt for a inmate
= haze the LAWYER folded up the paper
nd lad !; on tse lis;~e pile q notes
Then Ar. Lacey spo@e.
Il alzaye tAosEnt poor wes,herc-s =
as ~. Of Grams On clrSarz2sts la
,Fs9cnee bet he nagsf haze teen stalk
tarInz mad wonasT = lzst cd james
vlil ;Aink Of j. svoalda ksvs gOae
Aroagh i Tor Hslsoa
i aouss Z old 5sDe> ~voasa = -
al l~-gss given eholes. rep.s ~ fhe
aan ~ lax; Hot has uhas So go i
'c>.i rosr-d sssszg For fas osst e. or toeaFa
q s5x aaoaths. tao9ga as saszst Bare
REFERRED earning = 10 s<Eae ozhsf szF
DO so- s..-nz Z ...1.4 I. l>ss -.