Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-01-31

was insane. In his pocket
was found a scarcely legihle letter
written by him to the editor of the
LEDGER ON Nov. 20, 1894, while the
former was in Louisiana, Mo.,at work.
mere was also found a testimonial as
to his ability as a laborer from promi-
nent citizens of Bowling Green, Mo,
where he also worked. Both are pub
lished below. The letter was evidently
written for publication, showing that
The killing of someone or himself, or
wife, was a premeditated idea of his
many months before it was done.
The letter was terribly written, the
words very badly spelled and portions
OF the letter scarcely legible. He had
evidently carried it in his pocket ever
since writing tito the editor of this
paper last November. The following
is the letter:
HARDWICk WRITES \ LETTER.
To Il. Ill. White, Editor of the Ledger.
LOUISIANA, Mo-, November 20, 1894.
1T is with all diligence and laying all
malice aside with every desire to state
the truth, and nothing but the truth,
SO help me God, in all this round world,
with broad and pervert plains, that 1
write this. There can be no comfort
found to compare with the comfort
tina was in that little home of mine
when we were together. Though poor
as was, the toll to support rny loved
ones is nothing to compare with the
burden now have. No tongue can
express the woe and misery of my
heart. "Let mine enemy be as the
wicked, and he that riseth up against
me as the unrighteous."-Job 27-7.
81 viii teach you by the hand of God
that which is with the Almighty will l
not conceal."-Job IL. May God re-
ward my family that is the joy of my
life and give unto me my one flesh and
blood and that one that was with my
flesh made one according to the di-
vine scriptures. Now the death line
is in sight with Paradise on one side
and destruction on the other. We are
struggling with destruction; we battle
with mans mind; we heed to satan's
calls with his false promises, of in
ducements, offolly. Is this proper? I
say no. Let us strive to be as God
once placed lis. One soul and body,
one flesh and that which God hath
joined together let nc man put as
under. I shall struggle from this
day hence. The fight and struggle for
my beloved ones shall never cease.
My wife, who has found and planted
that seed of love so deep in my heart
that it has sprouted, has forsaken me.
Wilt thou, O Lord, restore and give to
me the comfort of my life and above
this, Almighty Father, forgive those
that so burdened and widened the
.anacs batsaen those of our family. for
they know not what they do. May |
the Almighty Father see their wrong
and turn and restore that which they |
have thus led astray and to forsake
me-the love and Joy of my life. There
is no cause for this fault. We pray
the Magistrate of the higher court to
avail in this, our petition. MY life's
blood is gradually ebbing away at the
longing to be with my family again.
The children of my parentage, the
seed of all love, pride of father, the
main comfort of home, the joy of all
nations. viii ask which of the two
murderers are the worst-he that Stays
on the highway, or they that creep
into my house and cut from me my
own flesh, shutting away the fond
view, that patter of footsteps, that
merry laughing voice, the meeting of
those fond little faces when I return
home-the bud of the life of O
Whose heart can be SO cruel as all this?
What nations laws will suffer this
great wrong? Why should they treat
me with such stony hearts? Lay your
malice aside. You have no right to do
it. Read your Bible and think of
the promises that God has given. One
is no better than another of one flesh.
I will see my children unless the dim
deathed eye close too soon for vision to
submit, and if the scene of death is
sweeter to them that persecuteth, they
can take but cannot give; but He that
knows all things restores and gives
and taketh.
Written to the world by
DANIEL M. HARDwICK.
p. SIN case that death should be-
fall me with the threat, that have been
made they are supposed to be from
the Ward family in Mexico, Audrain
County This letterc be found with