Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-12-02
METZGER'S CONFESSION.
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE MURDERED
THE ARABIAN PEODLER.
In Statement Made to Newspaper
Man the Youthful Convict Exonerates
His Pal from All GuiIt-The Confession
May Save Bowman from the Gallows

His Pal from All GuiIt-The Confession
May Save Bowman from the Gallows.
Another remarkable feature of the
Bowman-Metzger case has just materi-
allied in the confession of young Metz
ger, which may possibly save the life of
his accomplice, Bowman. These two
young men, Metzger is now 10 and Bow
man n, waylaid two Arabians near
Nilkesbarre two years ago. One they
shot dead, the other was struck over the
heart with bullet, which hit razor in
his pocket and just stunned him. The
boys robbed the men and fled. A year
alter, Bowman, conscience-Stricken
gave himself up and confessed, saving
Metzger did the shooting. He was tried
and convicted in the first degree, and
has been refused new trial by the
Luzerne and supreme courts. His case
is now before the state board of pardons,
which is asked to commute the death
sentence to life Imprisonment. After
Bowman's conviction Metzger was cap
tured. At his trial few weeks ago he
said the robbery was planned by Bow
man, who also did the shooting. Metz |
ger was found guilty in the second de-
gree and sentenced to eighteen years |
and six months.
Last week he voluntarily made CON
fession to Record reporter. He said:
Il think it will do Bowman some good,
and so | will tell the story. Bowman
did not do the shooting l did it. don't
know what made me do it. | didn't
mean to kill the peddlcr. But you know
how us breaker boys josh them fellows.
We liked to josh and have fun with
them. | had a revolver. Bowman had
Dne, too When we saw the Arabians
coming from the bridge we thought we'd
nave some fun with them So when
hey got up to whore we were we called
hem over and began to look at the stuff
hey had in their boxes.
1--WE jollied them awhile, and then one
elbow got mad. You know how excited
hese fellows get. He wound his arms
lbout and then put one hand in his
pocket. thought he was reaching for
revolver, so pulled mine. His elbow
stuck out and | thought I'd hit him in
he arm so that he couldn't do me. Al
most before | knew what had happened
he hammer clicked and the fellow was
hot. ! didn't mean to kill him at all.
only intended to diSa BILE him so that he
couldn't get back at me.
Il think | fired four shots after that.
rhe other Arabian began to throw
ocks at us and as we ran | fired into
he ground. | don't think the shot that
truck Mike John hit him fair. | was
'nly about fifty feet away. A bullet
rom a 32-calibre revolver at that dis
ance would not be stopped by case of
azors. | think that when | fired into
he ground one of the shots must have
glanced up and hit Mike. If it had hit
lim fair it would have made worse
mark on the razor case then it did"
Penn Bowman didn't pull his revol-
er at all. As soon as the shot was
ired he ran down the railroad with me,
nd | am certain he didn't shoot. The
'nly shots fired that day were fired by
ne.
The confession has caused much sur
rise. Metzger says he is willing to
wear that his last statement is true,
nd the attorneys for Bowman intend to
PRESENT this additional evidence to the
'oard of pardons in behalf of their
lient. Several people who have follow
ID the case from the time of the murder
re OF the opinion that the story is part
# plot to save Bowman from hanging.
letzger cannot be retired, and has
nothing to lose by accusing himself of
he crime. At his own trial he swore
positively that his pal killed the
and they claim that any alfi-
lavit made by self-confessed perjurer
hould count for naught.
All kinds of fruits at J. c. Berncrs.