The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-27

1 nm confident wnen you read this shall
have been dead six months, murdercd-for 60
the law has doubtless declded-by old James,
my butler, with q skewer, part Of the silver
committed TO lis charge.
There will not have been wanting abundant
evidence legally conclusive against my mur-
derer or even motive for his deed. may there
fore suppose that by the time you rsnd this he
has been condemned and senlsnced. but not
executed since the law requires an interval be-
tween sentence and execution.
The legacy left him in my Will, besides sup
plying possible motive for his crime and en-
BANGING Its heinousuess. has probably fur
nished him means for proper defense on his
trial. Yet in spite Of this no has been convict
ed and sentenced. Is Il not soS
And now to explain everything, to make the
dark clear and the crooked straight.
On tho 10th of November last / committed
suicide, having previously arranged that every
thing should point clearly to the guilt OF
James, my butler. ! secreted the skewer. |
shnrpened it with file md placed the file Ia
Thompson's room. l stained his coyerlet with
blond, my blood for II came from a cut on my
finger. 1 hid my purse in his chimney, and
finally, on the night of Nov. 10. committed
suicide by stabbing myself to the heart.
And now for my reasons.
In taking my own life have doubtless COM
mitted crime against the laws Of God and
the state, but believe that the life of one man
possible good to the community. II my death
fulflls the object have In view, then my life
has been well sacrificed. And even II 1t fails,
tho intention will absolve me.
Next, have inflicted great anguish Of mind
on an innocent and virtuous old man. But
here again the agony, even II 1t run to martyr
dom of one, must be weighed against the bene-
ut OF the many. For James Thompson himself
l have endeavored to supply consolation, II not
compensation, in my legacy of $1,000 and the
supplementary sum of $1,000 which inclose
herewith. May he understand and forgive me-
Perhaps even now you scarcely understand
what hope to have accomplished by my death,
but l will endeavor TO explain. You have
heard me speak, you have perhaps read my
written words on the use OF circumstantial
evidence. am convinced that so long as men
are done To death on Indirect evidence SO long
must the constant possibility of judicial muir
der lie heavy on the conscience OF the nation
BY my death and Thompson's conviction !
hope TO awaken the public conscience TO q
sense OF its shameful burden. II am success
full, then all has been well done.
Here is an innocent man sentenced to death
on circumstantial evidence OF the clearest de-
scription, and but for this letter his sentence
would eventually be executed.
All that have done to fix my death upon
Thompson might have been done by third
party had been really assasslnated.
In conclusion beg that a copy Of this letter
be sent TO each of the new spapers, and that the
inclosure be handed TO James Thompson with
the assurance Of my affection and thanks for
his services voluntary and others.
For myself feel that II this case leads to q
revision of the law touching the intiiction of
the death penalty neither my life nor Thomp-
sons peace Of mind will have been vainly sac
rinced. Your affectionate friend,
GEORGE WKATHERcRAFT.
The two men sat silent for a minute
while the lawyer folded up the paper
and laid it on the little pile of notes
Then Mr.. Lacey spoke;
II always thought poor Weathercraft
was bit of q crank on circumstantial
evidence, but he must have been stark,
staring mad. wonder what old James
will think of it. l wouldn't have gone
through it for millions"
II doubt if old James would il he had
been given chance" replied the man of
law; mot but what $4,000 is q good
round sum for the old fellow to earn in
six months, though he might have pre-
ferred earning it in some other way"
"Do you think it likely to have the de-
sired effect on the minds of our law CIV
ersF" asked the other.
mot the least in the world" replied
Mr.. Fogey, rather the reverse, should
imagine" he continued, with half
smile. People will say that Weather
craft was as mad as March hare and
may even infer that everybody who
shares his views is a little cracked too.
No, no! Poor Weathercraft has thrown
his life away, old Thompson is richer by
1000 minus his law expenses and plus
vast deal of experience, and the law
will remain just as it was before.
"Now good by. Pm off to show the
letter to the governor. It's rum case
anyhow. philadelphia Press.