Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-05-01


passenger conductor ON a division OF
the Northern Pacific railroad.
In all my years spent on ranch and
In the service of railroad companies |
lived an honest and straightforward
life. never had an inclination OF
propensity TO do wrong. While not q
moral man, yet it was not charged
against me that was very wicked
or bad man. My course furnished me
a passport into good company.
My first steps in gambling were
taught me by gentleman gambler y
one OF those smooth, polished men who
claimed that all his games were ION the
square" and that he robbed no man OF
his money. From association with this
man learned to play at cards and de-
termined to play on the same plans and
according TO the same principles. /
never had any desire to play at the low,
ssindling games. The most of my play
Ing was for others, and on salary.
During my gambling days was only
a moderate drinker, or rather social
drinker. drinking only with friends to
be social and keep on good terms.
always believed l could drink or quit
at pleasure. But in this l was mis-
taken. In an hour OF excess COM
mltted the deed which brings me In
shame and disgrace, to an untimely
death.
LIFE WITH JOSIE HILL.
AT q time when / was dealing faro for
firm In Salt Lake City, | met Josie
Hill, for the first time. She was In jail
charged with being implicated in the
murder OF Callahan, murder that was
80 well advertised in Utah and Idaho.
She wes sorely In need OF assistance
and my employer sent me to the Jail to
carry her some money. At that meet
ing our acquaintance began and as it
extended my infatuation for her grew
until my whole being was wrapped up
10 her. She became part OF my life,
and believe she was devoted to me.
We were never married, but we made
pledges one 70 the other as man and
wife, and for long time we were true.
AS long as we were left TO ourselves
we were happy, but her mother would
now and then come upon the scene and
would persuade her TO her former ways
OF life. paid her mothers way TO Ire.
land once 10 get rid OF her, but she
came back 70 US at Boise City and in
duced Josie to go again in path untrue,
and from that moment began my down
ward course In drink which followed
until crazed with the stuff shot and
killed her at Idaho Falls.
The mothers wicked ways and Josie's
connection with man Of some promi-
nence In Boise City set me afire, as IL
were, and from that moment until my
murderous deed | was as crazy man.
The mention of the name OF the Boise
man who wronged me is withheld. II
would do no good TO tell 1t at this time,
| forgive him and would bring no trou-
hle TO him or his family. It has often
been charged against me that knew
something OF the circumstances OF the
killing OF Callahan on the State road in
Salt Lake City. say now in all candor,
sincerely and truthfully the charges
were untrue. was in no way, directly
or indirectly, party TO 1t and never
knew OF it until after 1t had been report
ed In the city. II will be remembered
that Josie was with Callahan when he
was murdered, but ! did not know her
then, and IL is my honest belief now
that she never knew the men who killed
him. She told me so. Callahan was
displaying big roll of money that
afternoon in saloon and | believe that
he was followed and killed by thugs
who saw It,
The charges made against me in the
Callahan case, and the one which has
brought me in sight OF the gallows are
the only two in my life of 81 years ever
laid at my door. But for those two
cases might have gone through life
as thousands OF other men, no better
and no worse. But for the craze d
strong drink, which set me afire,
should meyer have killed Josie; would
not be hanged, Whiskey made me
mad, IL magnitied the wrongs done
me, 1t made me q murderer, 1t caused
my death.
FORGIVE AND HOPE TO BE FORGIVEN
In my past life there are some whose
names | might recall now who cruelty
wronged me, but ! freely forgive then
as hope myself 10 be forgiven. What
ever wrongs they did me shall be AZ
forgotten.
II Il have ever wronged anyone here
by express my regrets for it, and ask tt
be forgiven. / cherish no i'll will to
wards anyone and 1t will be comforting
to me to know that no one cherishes
hatred and ill-will to me. That led
i lifa ~ ain need not be told now, but