The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-17
THEY SWORE TO lies |!
Davidson and Gallagher Confess
to Perjury.
Story Of the Poisoning Of Non Union
Men at Homestead False.
PInkerton Detectives Kept the Cooks
Drunk and Bribed Them -Innoccnt Men
Now Serving Terms In the Pen APP
pIication for Dempsey's Pardon.

PrrTsBURsH, July Is Patrick J. Gal
iagher and J. NJ Davidson, the Home
stead cooks, who are serving terms in
the Western penitentiary for self-con-
fsssed completely in the alleged poison
Ing Of the non-unfon worlnmen in the
Homestead mill, have made another com
fession in which they say they were
paid to swear away the liberty Of Hugh
r. Dempsey and Robert J Beatty. both
Of whom they now assert were inno-
cent Of the crime Of which they were
convicted They further state that so
far as they know, there was no poison
administered to the men in the Home
stead mill Gallagher's confession Is
written by himself, and sworn to before
Squire s. ID. White, Of Haysville, Dav-
idson's was given verbally in the pre-
sence of witnesses.
Attorney Porter, one Of Dempseys
attorneys, has ever since the trial been
gathering evidence in Dempsey's favor.
Six weeks ago he received letter from
Gallagher, asking him to call at the PEN
itentiary. Mr.. Porter called, and in the
presence Of Warden Wright and Squire
White, Gallagher and Davidson told
their stories Gallagher said the secret
was killing him. He had prepared the
confession and read II to the gentlemen
present. and then made affidavit to ii.
Davidson's statements were simply a
Confederation Of Gallagher's Mr. Por-
ter Friday afternoon gave out the sub
stance Of the confession, snppressing
only the names Of the men who Gal
lagher says were in the plot to send
Dempsey to prison. Mr.. Porter read
Gallagher's confession, as follows:
Dempsey and Beatty are entirely innocent
never got any powders poison from them,
and never administered any In the mill was
told BY Pinkerton detectives who arrested me
that II did NOT do as they wanted me to do,
ihey would indict me for murder ana haYe me
hanged. They got me drunk and prepared
confession for me. Twas kept supplied with
money and whisky for fortytwo days,
while detective Swallowed me ali
the time. ] was tod that II attempted to
get away would be shot, After the story got
into the newspapers, was given revolver
and was told that ! would be Justified In
shooting any one who molested me. They
told me they were after Dempsey because he
was 1t the head Of the Knights Of Labor, and
that organization WAS no good and ought To-
be broken up. They said that II / would ties.
= tify against Dempsey and Beatty they would
not push murder charge against me, and that
would 80 free. Al the most, would get only
sixty days to satisfy the public. They contin-
ually cautioned me not 10 get mixed In my
story, but TO swear 10 what they safd ann
stick 10 ~ They made me rehcarse the story
frequently. There were other witnesses who
were to take their cue from me and make their
stories corroberate mine
Attorney Porter said Friday. II
have no doubt but when we establish
the truth OF what we know to be true,
the pardon OF Hugh r. Dempsey and
Robert j. Beatty will meet with hearty
approval Saturday an order from
court will be secured for the conviets
in the penitentiary to give testi-
mony, and the district attorney.
together with the attorneys for
Dempsey and Beatty, will have
Gallagher and Davidson repeat their
confessions, while the district attorney
will cross-examine them Then. if they
stick to the statements already made,
papers will be prepared and an appeal
TO the board Of pardons viii be made al
the earliest possible day. This done.
attention will then be given To- the
several persons instrumental in depriv-
ing Dempsey and Beatty of their lib
erty