The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-05-18
WAS HE GUILTY.
IN THE FACE OF DEATH HARRIS
MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE.

MAIN AIMS HIS lNNOCENCE.
He Charges That Additional Evidence In
HIS Favor Was Disregarded, Becauso o
the Governor Had to Sustain Recorder
Smyth and Wnlmans
NEW York, May 1.-THE following
Is the last statement written 10y Carl yle
". Harris, who was executed at Sing
Sing prison in this city last Monday for
the poisoning of his young wife, with
whom he had contracted a secret MAJ
riage. Here is his last statement in re-
ference to the matter. 1t Is dated
"Sing Sing, May 6, 1893." and reads is
follows:
A notification has been brought me
that Governor Flower has refused to
interfere with the execution OF the SEN
tence Of the lower court in my case
Evidence has come to light that my
wife was for years before addicted TO
the use (or misuse) of the drug from an
overdose of which she died. / am sem
fenced to death upon the suppOsitiOn
that l substituted Il capsule containing
five grains Of morphine for one of the
harmless capsules l prescribed for her
ten days before her death. Now, 1t is
self-evident to any one having knowl-
edge Of medicine that no one addicted
to morphine could be murdered with
five grains Of that drug, because for
such person five grains would not be
fatal dose. Upon this fact was based
my motion for retrial, which Recorder
Smyth denied, and later my plea for cx-
ecutive interference.
In recognition of this last plea COM
missioner was appointed to Investigate
the credibility Of the witnesses who had
volunteered testimony as to my wifes
habit. Their evidence remained rn-
shaken and though the prosecution at
tempted rebuttal, they did not dare to
produce in open court witnesses whose
aflidavits were the most important of
those on which Recorder Smyth denied
my motion for retrial. ! refer to
Treverton and DR.. Hand, who in their
affidavits foreswore the testimony given
on my trial, as l have shown, and to
Dilworth Choate.
Hence it was established before the
Governors commission by the testimO-
ny of DR.. Kimouth, DR.. Woolman, Miss
Jackson, Miss Waddell and others that
my wife purchased morphine frequent
ly and that she foolishly used it to quiet
neuralgia pain.
1t is not claimed and never has been
that my wife willfully destroyed her
self, for she was beloved and happy
but the fatal mistakes of those who
self administer morphine are matters
Of record all over the world.
When the charge of murder were
first preferred against me, delivered
myself at once into custody, demand
ing an investigation.
Again on the Goth of April last, al
though under sentence OF death, l re-
fused tc take advantage of free oppor-
tunity to escape. AS to this last mat
ter, Keepers Murphy and HulZn and
other prison officials will bear me out.
So how is it that in case where so
many facts and the entire behavior of
clemency, together with the petition of
over $4,000 citizens, among whom are
mary prominent in national esteem,
such clemency should be denied?
Because the action of the court was
not justified by the facts in the case
and hence the public outcry must be
silenced by a seeming justification Of
the court, outside Of the facts.
Where there was no doubt of guilt,
Governor Flower has not hesitated to
interfere, as in the case of James Min
naugh about year ago, but in that
case the facts justified the court and
there was no Recorder Smyth clamor,
ing to be upheld.
Carlyle Harris living would bea men
ace to the career of Smyth, IIellman
and others. Dead, he will soon he for
gotten and affairs may go on as before
There is an idea in the minds of many
that at the time of my wife's death |
desired marriage with some other wo-
man. Such person has never been
found, nor does she exist. 1t IS my mis-
fortune that have been prosecut cd by
libels ard inuendoeS through the col
umns of the press rather than by means
of witnesses in court.
desire in this utterance to express
my great thanks to those members of
my jury who have declared that had
they known OF the newly found evi-
dence at the time Of my trial they
would have acquitted me.
And yet beg that the witnesses who
did not bring forward their knowledge
until too late will not upbraid them
selves. have for them no thought Of
blame. Individually they did not real
iZe the pertinence Of what they know,
nor could they be expected to. Also to
those many friends who have labored
80 diligently TO bring the truth to light,
send my thanks; that they are in my
thought at such a time as this is as
earnest OF my gratitude.
1t has been reported in newspapers
mat during my stay here in Sing Sing
l have scoffed at the devotions of mV
fellow prisoners and indulged in irrov.
erent jokes. This is cruelty false. |
stiii ENJOY the hopes of my childhood's
faith and believe that | shall no. be
misjudged through all eternity.
The Governor states that he has been
finally CONVINCED of my guilt by the
allidavits Of Eupice Rockwell and Ra-
chel Cookson. These anidavits are
Identical as to phrase, and wele evident
ly both dictated 10y the same person. 1t
is my honest belief that they were
signed unread; for on the trial, Miss
Cookson gave testimony that directly
conflicts with her later affidavit, and
the District Attorney did not dare to
call either of these witnesses before the
commissioner and submit their state.
ments to cross.eXamination.
NO one bad so many reasons, all SEN
tment or love aside, for desiring nv