The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-05-17

Is to be doubly pitied for within the
last few months she has seen two
| children carried to the grave, and
during the trial rot spectator entered
the court room and looked upon her
sad face, but left with his eyes be-
| dewed with tears.
The coroner decided not to hold an
inquest, as he made the necessary in.
Vestigation and found that no one was
crlminally responsible for the death of
Dr. tlyings. The letter referred to
was delivered to the coroner 1t was
enclosed IN large, unsealed envelope,
ON ON which was written, "SGeriff
Please don't let any more curious ewes
see the contents ohan you can help"
In justice to the memory of the de-
ceased, and to show to the world that DIR.
Bivlngs was certainly deranged at the
time OF the killing of Mr. TRIMMER,
we publish both letters. 1t will be
seen that DR.. Bivings reques Led the
editor of the Headlight to make proper
corrections In his letters, and he ex.
pected his friends to know his diving
statements. The letters were written
with pencil, and did not show the least
evidence oi nervousness. They were
properly punctuated, and written on
both sides OF the paper. After reading
the statement Of the deceased, penned
with death before his face, no one can
doubt but that he was insane at the
time he committed the offense for
which he voluntarily gave up his own
life. So far as the counsel for the State
are concerned, these gentlemen only
did their duty, and will be held blame
less.
The following are the letters left by
DR.. Bivings for his wife and mother:
SPARTANBURG, May 8, 80 q. M.
Dear Darling Wife: l will DO to-
light what intended to do when ]
ID up the sweet little note that
prison. That note, with only few
words written on it, but they were so
sweet and encouraging that / think
they helped to bring me lack to my
fficiently to let me. for the
first time since my confinement par
tally realize the awful truth of what
| have done. Yes, 1t grew more plain
ly on my deluded brain that had lost
my reason SO far as to deliberately
walk up to one of my best and dearest
friends and shoot him down without
Knowing the awful consequences that
would follow so sad an act. Love, you
know, and God knows, that | had not
one ili-feeling against poor Tom Trim
mier. Tom TRIMMER had always been
good friend to me and God is my wit
ness, as | write these words, to say that
| was friend to him, for If it was nv
hand that took his life it was also the
hand of a crazy man; apd with the
evidence that was so conclusively put to
the jury, that they could render so cruel
and unjust verdict as they did is mys-
terry, which | am not able to solve. Let
them and those who prosecuted me so
l.
child in the face and ask themselves If
they arc satisfied with their vengeance.
| ask God to let this act Of my life, the
taking OF my life's blood, rest on them,
and not on me, because they have
driven me to it by their cruel persecu-
tion. So, oh God Let it he charged
to them and not to me.
Darling sweet wife, take good care
of our little one, and want the friends
that | have to not let rest on you and
our sweet little Pauline any disgrace
or dishonor for what | have done, and
am driven to do. a prison life would
be hell on earth to me, and so long
as | lived | would the more be grieved
by you and those who love me- God
bless you, my sweet, pure, darling wife,
and God give you the power ard grace
to forgive me for the sorrow | have
caused you. Don't you ard mother
grieve for my future welfare, for en-
trust it in the hands of our Almighty
and just Judge-a Judge that know
will be more merciful than my fellow
man. Gould | have lived would have
done all IL my power to prove to the
world that | was worthy to be made
free man. 1t Is the only ambition |
have to live is to be good citizen and
try to attend to you and my dear aged
mother for my past wayward life.
Love, | would write great deal
more to you in regard to your future
and Pauline's also, but | haven't the
time to do so, in order to be at rest SO
far as the troubles of this world is con-
cerned. This act of mine is no quick
conclusion that have arrived at, but
| know that taking the life of poor
Tom TRIMMER WAS NOT MURDER.
| had fully decided to co what am
now about TO do should my enemies
succeed in accomplishing their re-
Dnncsu and O. l.. Schumpert If they
did not know in their hearts that was
not guilty of murder, and believing
such, could they forget that solemn
and binding obligation that they took
when they were made q Master Mason
Let them answer that question and soc
do they stand conscience clear before
God. Ii so, then | say to them $50
mote 1t be, amen" Love, / have to
write very hurridly and can't tell you
all wish to tell you. Get Mr., Ralph
Carson to look after my affairs for me
or rather for you. had him to draw
up will, or at least gave him the alb.
stract to do 80, suppose he has done so
by this time. 1t Is not signed and so
1t is not legal, but trust that you will
to a great degree carry it out. Good.
bye, purest, sweetest wife, and precious
baby Pauline. And again / pray God
to bless you. Have my body embalmed
and put In metallic casket. Carry me
to the old family burying place. Do
NOT put any tombstone at my grave.
My memory can live any way In the
heart Of those who love me, and those
who hate me can remember me know
ing that they had their revenge. Are
they satisfied Let my good old
friend, Coz. CAN'T have this, so that all
those who are curious enough to wish
to know what I have to say rs part
ing word, read for themselves. Have
me buried without any ceremony what
ever. When am laid in my casket
of frinnlo lonlr hat