The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-10
HARRIS DENIAL OF GUILT.
lie Leaves a Statement to be Given to
the Public.

Use of Morphine-A Claim That He
Was Electrocuted Merely to Shield
the Courts.
Sing Sing, May 9.-The funeral services
over the remains of Carlyle w. Harris
were held in the prison chapel this morn
ing. J.C. S Wells, the prison chaplain,
oficiated. Mrs Harris and her son Allan,
Mrs. Golding, Edward Morrell and two
others were present. After the services
those present viewed the remains, which
were placed in a hearse and taken to the
railroad for transfer to Albany. This is
the first time a convict's body has ever
been carried from the prison in a hearse.
HARRIS LAST STATEMENT.
Albany, N. Y, May 9.-Following is
the last statement written by Carlyle w.
Harris, which was given out this after
noon from the states prison department:
May 6, Notification has been brought
me that Gov. Flower has refused to interfere
with the execution of the sentence of the
lower court in my case. Evidence has come
to light that my wife was for five years before
her death addicted to the uso or misuse of
the drug, from an overdose of which
she died l am sentenced to death
upon the supposition that 1 sub
suited a capsule containing five grains
Of morphine for one Of the harmless capsules
prescribed for her ten days before her death.
Now it is selfevident to any one having llnowl-
edge Of medicine that no one addicted TO NOR
phine could be murdered with five grains of
that drug, because for such a person five
grains would not be fatal dose.
Upon this fact was based my motion
for a retrial which Recorder Smyth
ference. In recognition of this last plea a
commissioner was appointed to investigate
the credibility of the witnesses who had vol
unteered testimony as to my wife's habit.
Their evidence remained unshaken and though
the prosecution attempted rebuttal they did
not dare to produce in open court
witnesses whose af6davits were the most i'm
pOrtant of those on which Recorder Smyth
denied my motion for retrial. I refer to
EUnice Rockwell, Rachel Cookson, DR.. Trev-
erton and DR.. Hand, who in their afadavits
foreswore testimony given on my trial
as have shown, and to Dilworth ChOate.
Hence it was established before the COVER
ner's commissioner by the testimy of DR..
Kinmouth, DIR. Woolman, Miss jackson, Miss
Waddell and others that my wife purchased
morphine frequently and that she foolishly
useditto quiet neuralgic pain. It is not claimed
anu never mas Deeu JlaG my WIG WllIully QG-
stroyed herself, for she was beloved and
happy, but the fatal mistakes of those who
selfadminister morphine are matters of
record all over the worlds
THE CLAIM OF INNOCENCE.
When charges of murder were first pre-
ferred against me, I delivered myself at once
into custody, demanding an investigation.
Again on the goth of April last, although
under sentence of death 4 refused to take
advantage Of free opportunity to escape.
AS to this last matter Keepers Murphy
and Hulse and other prison officials will bear
me out So how IS it that in case where
so many facts and the entire behavior Of the
defendant all invite executive clemency. to-
gether with petition of over $4,000 citizens
among whom are many who are prominent in
the national esteem, such clemency should
be denied? Because the action of the court
was not justified Iy the facts in the case, and
henco the public outcry must be silenced by
seeming justification of the court outside of
the facts.
Where there was no doubt of guilt Gov.
Flower has not hesitated 90 interfere. as in
Ihe case OF James Minnaugh about year
ago but In that case the facts justified the
court and there was no Recorder Smyth
clamoring to be upheld.
/. carlyle Harris living would be q menace to
the career Of Smythe, Wellman and others
Deaa ne viii soon be forgotten, and affairs
may go on as before
DIDN'T WANT TO MARRY ANOTHER.
There was an idea in the minds of many
mat at the time of my wifes death 1 desired
marriage with some other woman Such a
leISon mas never been found, nor does she
eAlsI. 1t is my misfortune that 1
uaFe been prosecuted by lbels and
mhuendo through the columns of the
press rather than by means of witnesses in
court. desire in this utterance to express
my great thanks to those members of nv
jury who have brayely declared that had they
khoWn OF the newly found evidence at the
lilhe OF my trial they would have acquitted
me ana yet beg that the witnesses who
ulo not bring forward their knowledge
un'u TOO late, will not upbraid
themselves. 1 have for them no
'hought Of blame. Individually they did not
realize the pertinence of what they know, nor
'ould they be expected to- Also to those
many friends who have labored so diligently
~ orlng the truth to light send my thanks
tla' they are in my thought at such a time as
'HlS Is an earnest of my gratitude
DENIES sCoFFING AT RELIGION
II mas been reported in the newspapers that
0urlng my stay here in Sing Sing, have
o0oAed at the devotions of my fellow prison
VI' ana INDUCED in irreverent jokes. This is
IueLy false 1 stnl enjoy the hopes Of my
Slilahood S faith, and believe that / shall not
u. HlSJudged through all eternity.
Inc governor states that he has been finally
onvlnced of my guilt by the afidavits of
Luulce Rockwell and Rachel Cookson. These
snlaVlts a-, are identical as to phrase and were
I'4oently both dictated by the same person.
- ~ my honest belief they were signed un-
''du' 1or on the trial Miss Cookson gave testi-
tIony that directly conflicts with
a as[ later afi1davit, and the district attorney
So not dare to call either Of these witnesses
\ ge'ore commissioner and submit their
Elements to cross-examination.
NO one had SO many reasons, all sentiment
W :. ioVe aside, for desiring my wife to live as
-ao. She would have brought me money and
Holessional success. she would have Praced
l' nome and had known of her sad habit
would have been my happiness t. shield and
cure her.
FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH.
nave now to die; the manner Of my death
\ VI small moment TO me; have waited pa
S.'''Iy So long as there wHs the romotost