Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-03-17
WHAT COLE SAYS.
Jim Cole, Soon to Hang for the Murder
of the Ford Girl, Says He is
Resigned to Fate.
Is Not Fearful or Nervous and Will
Embrace the Inevitable on the
Scaffold Like a Man.
Jim's Reasons for the Crime and the
Various Causes That Led. Him to
Commit Murder.
From Thursday,s Daily.1

~ tr-.
J. w. Cole, the slayer of Sophronia
Ford, who is to hang in a little over
two weeks for his crime, was seen by
a reporter for the Tribune last evening
and made a long statement of the rca-
sons for his crime, and the causes that
led him to the murder. Jim was will
ing and eager to talk, and his reasons
for the murder and the various Incl
dents that drove him to the crime
poured from his lips in n torrent of
words that puzzled his, hearers to fol
low in all their details. Jim said he
wanted the people to understand that
he did not commit the crime deliber-
ately and maliciolsly and because he
had the power to do it-that lie did not
shoot her down outright in the street
because he had. the power to 10 so
and out of pure wantonness, but be-
cause lie had been wrought to n pitch
of jealousy that amounted 10 frenzy
and that led him to conclude that the
only way in which he could find peace
of mind was to kill the girl ami then
himself.
II don't want them to think 1 did it
just because I could do it." said Jim
last evening. II want the people to un-
derstand that l was worked up to it
through fear, jealousy and other feel
ings that had been played upon until
l thought that was the only way III of
it,"
Then followed a long statement of
the causes for his jealOusy-the var
ious persons whom he said had con-
tributed to his jealousy, and who had
prejudiced the girl until he was thrown
over. On the Sunday afternoon before
the crime, Jim says he had a talk with
the young girl, but owing to circum-
stances was unable to say all he
wanted to say. He made an agree
ment to see her on the following day.
and the day of the crime. but he over
slept and did not see her. Before
this, however, he had sent another per-
son to see her and intercede for him,
but the result of the intercession was
unsatisfactory and only added to his
Jealousy and fear that he would lose
her. When he did not see her in the
morning Of the day of the crime, he
went up past the court house about
noon, walked up and down the street,
and waited for her to come. When
she finally made her appearance, he
Joined her and asked her about her
conversation with the other person.
who had agreed to intercede for him.
She did not want to talk, says Jim. but
finally said that her conversation with
him was merely as to why she had
fallen out with him (Cole). Jim says
he thought there was more than this
to tell. "The last words l said to
her." said Jim, "were: Is this ALL"
She said it was and said to me:
We'll. hurry up and get through with
the conversation). She sort of
wheeled around as she said this and
then ] pulled out the revolver and shot
her"
Cole says he is sorry for the crime
sorry most for the girl. He is not
sorry for himself. He intended to
commit the crime at her house, and fol
low it up with his own destruction, but
moved to do it before he intended.
He says he did not intend to commit
the crime until about the first of Jan
uary, and that he intended when her
folks returned home to have them find
them both dead together. Why he did
not follow up the crime with the other
at the time he did the deed Jim does
not clearly explain, although he partly
admits he was bewildered and did not.
clearly understand things. He says
he realizes that his punishment is just,
and he will bear it bravely like Il man.
He says he is not afraid or ervOu as
the time draws near. but will meet
his punishment with all the calmness
and resignation possible.