The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-10
HARRIS'S LAST STATEMENT
Governor Flower Charged with Being
Influenced by Recorder Smythe,
Who Is Said to Have Cismored to Be Upheld
Carlyle Desired His Wife TO Live-Ris
Innocence Solemnly Declared.

ALBANY, N. Y, May o.-The remains of
Carlyle w. Harris were buried in Rural
Cemetery here this afternoon. The lot
was purchased several days ago. but by
whom 10 could not be ascertained. Mrs.
Harris and her son. who accompanied the
body, refused to talk. By consent of War
den Durstou q private funeral service was
held at Sing Sing prison at 10 o'clock this
morning. Mrs. Harris and her son Allan
were the mourners. and the public were
strictly excluded. The body was then
taken to the train. which was about to
leave for this place. Even in death the
dramatic features which have marked the
life of Harris ever since he committed the
crime were present The inscription on
the polished silver plate, which was
screwed to the lid of the antique oak coffin
that incloscd the remains. as announced
last night. contained the words:
Murdered, Nay 8, 1893" Another in
stance of carrying out after death the
dramatic features of Harris's last days was
the inclosing In the coffin of the affidavit
of juror Crawford Mason. It will be re-
membered that In his speech before the re-
corder. Harris waved this affidavit in his
hand, say ing: "Do not file this here. Mr..
Howe; file it in my coftin." This document
was dropped into the casket By Mrs. Har-
ris at che funeral service In the prison this
morning.
After the burial of the body here. Harris's
last statement sent by the warden to the
prison department. of the State was gwen
ont. Harris, In this. his last writing opens
with reference to the review of his case
by the Governor. Harris canvasses this
review, refers TO his giving himself up
when he learned OF q warrant for his ar
rest. recurs to bis refusal of proffered means
Of escape from Sing Sing, and then Gays:
3d. how is it that in a case where many facts
and the entire behavior of the defendant all in
vite executive clemency, together with the peti-
ton of over hfty thousand citizens among them
many who are prominent in the national esteem,
such clemency should be denied because the
action OF the court was not justified by facts in
the case. and. hence, public outcry must be si-
fenced by q seeming justification OF the court
outside Of the facts. Where there was no doubt
OF guilt Governor Flower has not hesitated to in
terfere, as In the case OF James Minnaugh, about
year ago; but In that the facts justified the
court. and there was no Recorder smythe
Carlyle Harris, living. would be daily menace
to the career OF Smythe, Wellman and others.
Dead, he will soon be forgotten. and the affairs
may go oD 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 woman. Such person has
never been found. nor does she exist.
1t has been reported in the newspapers that.
during my stay here in Sing Sing, have scoded
duIged In irreverent jokes. This is cruelty false.
I still enjoy the hopes of my childhood's faith.
and believe that 1 shall not be misjudged through
ell eternity.
No one had many reasons-al sentiment or
love aside-for desiring my wife TO live as had
She would have brought me money and profes-
sional success; she would have graced my home,
and had known OF her sad habit. il would have
been my happiness to shield and cure her. l
have now to die; the manner Of my death Is of
small moment to me. have waited patiently
SO long as there was the remotest chance or OBJ
tanning justice, refusing to run away even under
sentence OF death. May God in mercy bless and
guard those leave behind and give them peace.
And now. face TO face with the greatest mys-
terry known to man. knowing that no conceal
ment or untruth can mitigate my end, l do
solemnly declare that am innocent OF the crime
for which am condemned to die.
beg that those who think. or speak, or write
of me in years TO como will do so as kindly as
they can, not forgetting that when much proof
OF my innocence found it was inhumanly
thrust aside. CARLYLE W. HARRIS.
SING SING. May 9, 1898.
This statement TO be copied for publication
and the original given to my mother.
CARLYLE w. HARRIS.