The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-10
WASPROSECUIEDBYuBA.
So SAYS Harris In. the Statement He
Has Left Behind Him.
DENIES THAT he WAS A SCOFFER,
And In the Face Of Certain Death and
Knowing That Unit nth or Conceal
ment Would Avail Him Nothing, He
soiemnIy Protests His Innocence.

from the state prison department:
SING SING, Mayo
Notification has been brought me that Gov
ernor Flower has refused 10 interfere with the
execution OF the sentence OF the lower court
In my case. Evidence has come to light that
my wife was. for years before her death,
addicted TO the use (or misuse) OF the drug
from an overdose of which she died.
4 am sentenced TO death upon the supposi-
tion that substituted capsule containing
five grains Of morphine for one OF harmless
capsules prescribed for her ten days before
her death.
Now It is self-evisient to anyone having the
knowledge of medicine that NO one addicted
to morphine could be murdered with five
grains of that drug, because for such a poison
five grains
Would Not BE a Fatal Dose.
Upon this fact was based my motion for re-
trial. which Recorder Smyth denied and later
my plea for executive interference. In recog-
milton Of this last plea, commissioner was
appointed TO investigate the credibility of
the witnesses who had volunteered testimony
as TO my wifc's habit. Their evidence re-
manned mistaken. and though the prosecu-
ton attempted rehuttal, they did not dare
oprosecute in open court the witnesses whose
affidavits were the most important OF those on
which Recorder Smyth denied my motion for
retrial. refer To Eunce Rockwell. Rachel
Cookson. Dr. Trerorton and DR.. Hand, who in
their affidavts foresworc the testimony given
on my trial, as have shown, and TO Dilworth
Choate.
Hence IL was established before the gov
ernor's commissioner by the testimony OF DR..
Kinmouth. DR.. Woolman, Miss jackson, Miss
Waddell and Others that my wife purchased
morphine OF them. and that she foolishly used
Il 20 quiet neuralgia pain. II Is not claimed,
and never has been. that my wife wilfully de-
stroyed herself, 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 charges of murder were first preferred
against me delivered myself at once into
custody. demanding an investigation. Again
on the 10Th OF April last, although under sem
tence of death,
Refused to Take Advantage
of free opening TO escape. AS to this last
matter Keeper Murphy and Hulse and other
prison officials will bear me out. So how is IL
In a case where 80 many facts and the entire
behavior of the defendent all invite executive
clcmency, together with the petition OF over
5000 citizens, among whom many who are
prominent in the national esteem, such
clemency should he deniedf Because the
action OF the court was not justified by the
facts IN the case. and hence the public outcry
must be silenced by seeming justification of
the court outside OF the facts. Where there
hesitated to interfere. as In the case of James
Minnaugh about a year ago, but in that case
the facts justified the court and there was no
Recorder Smith clamoring TO be upheld.
Carlyle Harris. living, would be a daily
menace TO the career of Smyth, Wellman and
others. Dead. he will soon be forgotten and
the affairs may go on as before. There is an
idea I'm the minds OF many that at the time Of
my wife's death desired marrying with some
other woman. Such person has never been
found, nor does she exist IL is my misfor-
tune that
Have Been Prosecuted by Libel
and innuende through the columns of tho
press rather than by means Of witnesses in
court. desire In this utterance to expressmy
great thanks TO those members Of my jury
who have bravely declared that had they
known of the newly found evidence 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 themselves. / have for
them no thought of blame. Individually they
did not realize the pertinence OF what they
knew, or could they be expected to. Also to
those many friends who have labored so dill.
gently to bring the truth to light, l send my
thanks; that they are In my thought at such
time rs this is an earnest OF my gratitude.
1t has been reported in the newspapers that
during my stay here in Sing Sing 1 have
scoffed at the devotions Of my fello w-prison-
ers, and INDUCED in rreverent jokes. This 10
cruelty false. still enjoy the hopes of
My Childhood's Faith
and believe that shall not be misjudged
through al eternity. The governor states
that he has been finally convinced of my
guilt by the aoidavits Of Eunice Rockwell and
Rachel Cookson. These aflidavits are identi-
cal as TO phrase, and were evidently both die
tated by the same person.
IL 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 bring any of these witnesses be-
fore the mmissioner and submit their state
ments to ocross-cxamination
No one had so many reasons, all sentiment
or love aside, for desiring my wife 10 live as
had. She would have brough me money and
professional success; she would have graced
my home. and. had known her sad habit, 1t
would have been my happiness to shield her.
| have now to die; tho manner Of my death
Is Of small moment to me. ! have waited
patiently so long as there was the remotest
chance Of obtaining justice, refusing to run
away even when 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
mystery known To man, knowing that no
concealment or untruth can mitigate my end,
do solemnly declare that | am innocent Of
the crime for which | am condemned 10 die.
I beg that those who think. or speak, or write
of me in years 10 come, will do 50 rs kindly as
they can; not forgetting that, when much
proof Of my in nocence was found. IL was in
humanely thrust aside.
This statement to be copied for publication,
and the original given to my mother.
CARLYLE HARRIS.
Was Calmly Written.
The statement Of Harris was written In
bold and steady hand, without any ap-
parent evidence Of nervousness ON any of
tnree sheets of the legal cap. The last
two pages were written on both sides, and
then there was an extra page devoted to
his wishes~for its distribution and to a
brief statement that the erasures were
made by himself
The remains of Harris arrived here yes
ferday afternoon, and were at once taken
10 the Albany rural cemetery, where they
were inferred in the presence OF his
mother, his brother and the rep
resentatives of the press, who had fol-
lowed the remains from Sing Sing. Mrs
Harris declined to talk any further, ex-
sept to complain about the reporters fol
A