New-York tribune., 1899-07-24
TELLS ANOTHER TALE.
POSTHUMOUS DENIAL, OF THE
CRIME FOR WHICH HE WAS
PUNISHED.

SAYS HE CONFESSED THAT HE WAS MUIR
DERER TO SHIELD WOMAN FROM WHOM
HE RECEIVED THE MONEY STOLEN FRoa
THE VICTIM OF THE CRIME
Robert Alden Fales, the boy who murdered Thomas
Hayden in Newark in 1892. died in the State Prison
at Trenton on May q. this year. A letter dated
March 1. written by Fales in prison to his mother
in Newark, declares his innocence OF the crime OF
murder, and affrms that unnamed woman
the criminal. and that he (Fales) received the 500
taken from Hayden TO his silence.
The murder occurred on Saturday. April 30. 1892
Hayden was about fifty years old. and book
keeper in a straw hat factory in AIulberry-st
Newark, where Faes was formerly employed. Fales
at that time was not yet sixteen years old and
OF puny appearance. He knew that Hayden went
TO the bank every Saturday before to draw the
pay check of the firm, and had studied the book
keepers habit IT. entering and leaving the factory.
He knew that Hayden upon returning from the
bank entered through hallway that was unfre-
quented. 1t in this hallway that Hayden was
met when he returned from the bank. He was
struck down with heavy bale stick and beaten
into insenslbility, and then the murderer escaped
with the money. Several arrests were made on
suspicion. and William II. Brown. the Superin-
tendent Of Police. arrested Fales, who had been
driving about the suburbs in hired carriage with
a girl and preparing TO go to Boston.
The proofs OF guilt were strong against Fales,
and within hour after his arrest he confessed
the murder and described the details He exhibited
utter lack OF moral sensibilty, and he preserved
this demeanor throughout The dramatic features
OF his position he seemed to enjoy Fales had been
addicted to excessive cigarette smoking and other
vices were attributed to him In his trial the evil
dence Of guilt apart from the confession. was con-
elusive and Judge Depue pronounced sentence OF
death.
E,aTa oil Kt he apfa
His counsel. Thomas S. Henry took appeal, and
the case carried 10 the United States courts.
The State Court OF Pardons commuted the sentence
to imprisonment for life. Faess health gradually
failed In prison, and death followed an operation to
relieve kidney and bladder troubles His mother
received the letter from him, with his personal ef-
fects after his death. and showed 1t to MI Henry
feel we'll and that If he should be taken sick ana
die he wanted his mother 70 know ne was innocent
woman whom Hayden had wronged, according to
a story she told him (Faes) the night Of SatUr-
day, April 80, 1892 He would not tell the name OF
the woman. because he knew II would do no good
been desire 70 distress his mother because OF pad
treatment at home and sudden freak ne took TO
emulate the dlme mover heroes MnU go sS sn
anything rather than oetray woman. was so
full Of revenge Fales says and the desire S,, 70
He goes on to say: Il promised that woman I
would not tell on her and not only that but that
esd would tel p9R a2s a2s he da told d the IN TS sS sS
Kitche dead. who befriended him in the jail,
and placed her under promise or secrecy ohs
begged and pleaded with me-" says Fales, TO tell
them the truth but I said no. told Judge Henry
once in a moment OF anger but he did not believe
me and Il is Just well he didn't"
Fales appeals 10 his mother not 70 reveal what
he writes as Il would make no difference TO MIN
after she received his letter and he asks her love
and forgiveness. In previous letters 10 his mother
Fales made mysterious statements and alluslons
in which he affirmed his innocence OF murder. while
he acknowledged that he had taken the money
Thomas S. Henry. the lawyer. says ne nad known
about the letter since Mrs. Fales received H.. and
had not spoken Fales had made the remark to
him about the woman but he paid no attention 70
n AZ the time Now he felt that Fales's state
ment deserved investigation.
Ex-Polce Superintendent Brown said tnat raIes
plce He understood the case, but never could
Understand Fales. Last December Fales wrote
Letter in nrtson 70 an unfortunate woman In New
ark who was at the time in jail. Her sister got the
letter There was also a package containing an
alleged confession OF the crime by a woman. with
directions that the confession. with womans nat
and shawl be left on the shore OF Chesapeake Say
10 give the Impression that the writer had COM
mitted suicide.