The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-31
MRS. B0TKIN
GUILTLESS.
What Motive Could | Have
For Poisoning Mrs.
Dunning ?"
ANOTHER AFFIDAVIT TAKEN.
John P. Dunning Makes 1t
p But Its Contents Are
: UnknOWn. On the
Way to Cali
fOrnia.
DOES NOT LOVE DUNNING.

l
authorities have completed the prelimin
ary work in the case of Mrs WA. Botkir
charged with tho murder OF Mrs. J. /
Deane, and Mrs. J. p. Dunning. The au
thorities have no doubt that Mrs. Botkl
will be brought to this Stale for trial an
she will bo convicted.
1t isexpectel to be two weeks befor
Mrs, Dotkin will arrive in Delaware and
IT may eyon be longer. The habeas corpu
proceedings will DO hsld OH Sop tember
and the preliminary hearing will tax
| place on Septemb,r7. Iftho woman i
surrendered to Detective McVey at once
1t will Lo another week before they arriv
in Dovor.
Tho lust affidavit In the case was sent tt
San Francisco to-day. 1t was that of JOIN
| p. Dunning husband of one OF the victim'
and while the contents have not been mad'
public, 1t is stated that he furnished some
| evidence which will aterially strength
| en- the case.
According to the statement Of one Of
flccr Dunning furni he'd some Of tho miss
ing links in tho evidence against Mrs.
BttEin. He gave reasons why he believ
ed Mrs Botkin murdered his wife and
sister.In law. When asked whether he
identified the handwriting Mr.. Dunning
refused to answer.
San Francisco, Aug, 30-Mrs. Bo'kin
now under arrest on suspicion of being
concerned In The mysterious murder Of
Mis-. Dunn.ng by sending her box Of
poisoned candy. has made the following
statement through the press:
Il believe the time has arrived when 1t Is
proper for mo to speak, and l take this
method of requesting the publication Of
the following statement:
up to the present time have main
taincd silence by the advice OF my hus-
band, who told me. when tbi, awful sus.
picion was first brought upon mo, that in
my hysterical and terrified condition talk
ing could do me 10 good, and that any,
thing might say would undoubtedly bo
distorted aud Ipisrcpresented, and perhaps
used to my disadvantage by sensational
reporters.
"Slncc bavc obtained legal counsel,
hove b. Oh told that this advice was good
Therefore 1t has been through no desire TO
keep from the public information Of my
defence in this matter that have remain
ed silent under the most trying circum-
stances, but because in the humiliation
aud terror of being arrested on suspicion
Of hlving committed IN awful crime,
felt that 1t Was not safe for me to speak.
SAYS IT'S TIME TO TALK.
"Now, however, my friends, those to
whom have given the history Of my life
Tor years past advise me that ought to at
least publicly assert my innocence. To
those who know me and know that l am
incapable Of committing any such crime
as has been laid at my door l need say
nothing They will not believe word
against me 10 strangers, who may think
the newspaper reporters have made
out case against me, l only ask
what should DO grantei to every accused
ICrsoE-a suspension of opinion until DO
heard in court.
Il am woman and almost defenceless.
am Frustrated with grief and humilia-
tion. I am filled with horror ut the posi-
ton in which am placed. Is it unrea-
sonabe under these circumstances to ask
thos, who do rot KIN ow mo to await the
'hearingI Ifgiven al opportunity, shall
prove my innocence for am innocent be.
fore God. | have toll Chief of Police Lees
everything. l have accounted for every |
inmate of my life for months past. l
have told one of my attorneys, Senator
MCGOWAN. tic whole story Of my lifo.
lie believes me innocent and says need
have no fear that harm will como to me.
~ thank Heaven that at least one strong
und rcsoluto man is prepared to defend mo
with all his talent, influence and power
Tho newspapers, which should always
espouse tho cause of innocence, nnd the
aut thortics Of this city, who should ever
SUI stain the weak, defcnseless, Seem to bo
against ne
DOES NOT love DUNNING.
lido not know the wife Of John p Dun
ming and have no feeling against her.
an not, and mover was in love with Mr..
Dlnning.
Il berriendei him whom he was in trou-
bic and that Is all. My son was very fond
of him, and both Of us believed that he Is q
truo gentleman, and that none of the
things he is reported to have told the Dol
aware police officers against me arc true.
am incapable Of committing any such
crlIno as this.
MY relations with Mr.. Dunning wcro
only those of friend, I never wrote him
love letters, nor has he written me such
letters. Chief Lees has all my letters, in. ;
cludlng those written by my husband, for
a year past, and they contain nothing
which shows mo IN any other thnn proper
ight. What more can say? deny every /
thing. Can it DO possible that I'm to be /
convicted by tho newspapers Of a crime of
which l am innocent completely because
was SO unfortunate rs to enjoy the ao-
Iuaintance ef John p. Dunnipg and to
help him in his financial troubles2
"What possible motive could have for
poisoning his wlfep He has told mo that
'ho was lovely woman, and ho though,
more Of her than be could tell. Irespect-
ID him for thet. Twas not responsible for
,is troubles. I only did for him what I
,ther friends did for him while he resided 5
IL San Francisco. aided him in nv G
yeak and humble way to retrieve his
ortunes. lhavo said all this, not b..
ause l expect to be beloved. for know
hat every hand is raised against help :
ess woman in my position, but because l
an no longer restrain my emotions.
"In due time know l shall come out of
his ordeal unscathed. am confident that c.
just God will not permit an innocent =
roman to suffer, and have faith In Him.
have read about innocent persons having n
cen convicted upon circumstantial owl a
snce which afterward turned out to be
Misleading and untrue, and the thought q
,at may become a victim Of such a r
ling fills me with horror and dismay. But Oh
I y ~ AZ. z \ Y, Y " le sV