The morning call., 1893-05-09

HSl uNuSutCI y uEtdu SECRET IudJ Su5 te-
ported that Helen was sufferer from
heart disease, and even the amount of
opium in the prescription might have re-
suited fatally. But so many suspicious
circumstances surrounded the case that the
Coroner was notified and the body exhumed
fifteen days later. Morphine was found in
her system, and Harris was charged with
her death. He attempted 10 cast the blame
upon the druggist who prepared the cap
sules.
During the trial much of the young mans
disgraceful life was laid bare, and the evi-
dence of his guilt was so conclusive that
on February the jury, after an hours
deliberaton, brought in a verdict of
guilty of murder in the first degree
The case. however. did not end here.
, The mother Of Harris. probably believing
in his innocence, had been apa-
thetc up to the time OF his con-
domination. She awoke now, and no
tigress could have made a fiercer fight for
her young than Gid she. An appeal was
taken, and it was denied. This kept the
case hanging fire for several months. Then.
on the Goth of March. Harris was brought
before Recorder Smyth to be sentenced to
death for his crime. 1t was one of the most
intensely dramatic scenes. perhaps, ever
witnessed in a court of Justice in this
country when the condemned man arose.
before being sentenced, to make what it
pleased him to call plea in his own justi-
fcation. a man of no mean ability, he as
serted his innocence and in clear, forciDle
language for an hour and half reviewed
and refuted the evidence that had been
brought out against him. He was espe-
aTa 1lrr l.
DilwOrth Choate, who had procured some
affdayits for the District Attorney in con-
nectiOn with the case, and whom Harris
charged with conspiracy TO compass his
death.
You will know" he said. that he is
the man who. a reporter. more than re-
porter, gabbler for disreputable sheet.
sneaked into the FIack jury-r0Om III con-
tempt of the Supreme Court, and for such
contempt was fined and imprisoned to the
full extent of the law-his minister of
justice, this man for whom the wheels of
justice had to pause while there appears in
a morning newspaper an exclusive and SEN
sational article for his own promotion and
advancement in the Office of that newspa-
per. Now. what was the result of that
publication? l think your Honor read it;
perhaps not; l don't know"
Harris then proceeded with long dis
cussion Of the sO-called "schoolgirl'
affidaVits submitted by the people, and
follow ed that with a discussion of the
expert testimony going over the points
made by his counsel before the trial Jury.
He then took up an affidavit which he said
had not been submitted because it had been
made TOO late. 1t was by Craw ford Mason,
ON, Of .
the affidavit Of DR.. H. S. Kinmouth been
presented during the trial and substan-
tated according TO the rules of evidence.
l would unhesitatingly have given verdict
in favor of said Harris"
After reading this affidavit Harris, hold
ing the paper in his hand, turned to his
counsel and said:
'Mr. Howe. do not file this affidavit with
the clerk; lay it in my coffin."
Commenting on the testimony that he
had deserted his dying wife's bedside,
Harris said:
May | never know through all eternity
moments peace, may my mothers
prayers for me echo through space ana
never find her God. if for one moment left
that poor girls side from the time l reached
her until she was cold in DEATH"
Harris then paid tribute to the ability
of the counsel who had defended him, and
closed 10y saving:
perhaps when my poor body and tired
brain are laid at rest, some one may mark
that spot with little slab OF stone. ask
that there be engraved there, in justice to
those men who sat there a year ago, We
would not If we had known. and signed
The Jury l will leave the rest of my
epltaph 10 your Honor.
81 realize my position. No man could
realize il better than have realized mine
day after day; and know there is naught
that remains for me now but 10 meet my
great misfortune with that forlitude which
Is the birthIight Of a gentleman and the
pTerogative Of an innocent man."
Recorder Smyth then sentenced the
prisoner to be killed By electricity in the
week commencing on May s., and lie was
taken back to tie Tombs prison and, with In
few days, to Sing Sing.
On his way from the court 10 the Toni BIS
he was cheered by thousan ds of men and
boys In the street, aud seemed vastly
pleased at the sensation he had produced.
A reporter asked Harris after lie had
been taken back 10 the Tombs whether lie
had expected the sentence 10 death.
L
don't see how the Recorder could refuse
me new trial. Does he assume that Miss
jackson and Miss Waddell and DIR. Kin
mouth have been bribed by usP How else
can he discredit them? | am sorry now
for their sake that they came forward to
tly to save me- They have only subjected
themselves to abuse on my account and it
has availed nothing.
Nhprp in iha vunrfJ
to bribe witnesses? Why, il $500 could
buy my freedom l could not pay it, If
Mr.. NicolPs assertions are true he has
fine chance now to bring lot of star
prosecutions for perjury. Why doesn't he
do it? Why doesn't he try to convict all
those people who have tried to help ME by
showing their wicked motive in helping
me?
-'What could induce so many reputable
people TO perjure themselves for me, a
poor man, whom they had never seenP
Isn't It absurd"
Harris had been talking to the reporter
through the high wooden pa lings and
Keeper Caffrey approached at this mo-
ment.
:IsIon't mind dying" he went on.
THAT doesn't amountt 10 much. But think
"a VIZ 6AaNO Va tiC HItlk OF lH6
disgrace my family will Well. |
guess it's better not to talk about that"
Removed to Sing Sing Harris was con-
fined in Murderers' Row. and when the
two brutes, Roehl and Pallster, walked
out of the prison and made their escape, it
is said that he declined the chance of
going with them.
Within few days after that Governor
Flower. disregardng one of the longest
petitions ever presented to him. de-
clined to interfere in the case. add now
harris has paid the penalty of his crime.
REPUBLICAN LEAGUE CLUBS.
Getting Ready for the Great Conven-
tiOn at Louisville.
LOUISVILLE, KY, May S.-DeIegates to
the convention of National Republican
clubs are coming in on every train. The
State League convention will be called to
order at 10 o'clock tomorrow, and then