Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-27
WOULD NOT CONFESS
Rev G. E. Morrison Died at Dallas
Asserting His Innocence.
He Was HANGED FOR WIFE MURDER
Motive Was to Marry Another
Woman, an Heiress.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME

DALLAS Texas. October 27.-Rev. G. e.
Morrison was hanged AT l. o'clock noon to-
day at Vernon. Texas, for wife murder
He met his death res!gnedly. On the scat
fold he said to the select party of twenty
Witnesses permitted al the execution:
I am innocent. Circumstances over
which I had no control have placed me in
this position. l have taken my trouble in
private 70 my God. | admit that l have
acted indiscreetIy. I have done no worse,
however. than hundreds of men who stand
high in the religious, social, business and
official circles of your state. l nave done
nothing to confess. l am in the hands of
my Maker. He knows l am innocent"
Morrison's neck was broken. and his
death appeared to be painless.
History of the Crime.
The crime for which Rev. G. E. Morrison
paid the death penalty was the poisoning of
his wife in October, 1897. The motive for
the crime was to rid himself Of a pretty.
amlable loving wife, in order to marry a
lady possessed Of means. 100000 of which
was in cash.
Morrison married his deceased wife
about seventeen years ago, AT one time
they lived in California, then in Oklahoma
territory, from which place they moved to
committed. He was born and reared in
Illinois and went to school at Carbonate.
There he became acquainted with Miss
Anna Whittelesey, who subsequently moved
with her parents to Topeka, Kan.
In August previous to the poisoning of
his wife in October, 1897, Morrison met
Miss Whittelesey. his school days sweet
heart. ascertained her financial condition
and made an offer of marriage He pre-
tended that his wife had been dead eleven
years, that he had quit preaching, had
been successfully engaged in the cattle
business for eight years and owned a
ranch near Higgins, Texas On his return
to Texas ne began correspondence with
Miss Whittelesey. urging his proposition Of
marriage. stating that he had for number
of years intended 10 come to her when he
could do so hOnorably, and he believed he
could now see the time. This statement
was made one month before the death of
his wife.
Purchase of strychnine.
He procured strychnine for the ostensibIe
purpose Of poisoning animals which, he
said. We're catching his chickens, On the
cay previous he had procured box of quiz
nine with empty capsules. On Friday night
before her death Mrs Morrison went to
the Swiss Bell Ringers. leaving Morrison
at home, who said he had TO prepare his
Sunday sermon. The next morning he took
the strychutne back to the druggist, telling
him that he was afraid to use it, for fear
he would poison his neighbors' chickens.
The package had been opened. Sunday
night he preached and alluded in a pathetic
manner to the parting with loved ones at
death. About 10 clock that night he call
ed upon his neighbOrs for assistance, an
nOUuCirg the serious illness of his wife She
was found in paroxysms and spasms He
delayed sending for doctor, who arrived
after the wife's death. In the meantime
he had kept up his correspondence with
Miss Whittelesey, writing her letter two
before az he
day after her burial. asserting his love in
the most lavish terms.
In the latter letter he announced the
death of his brothers wife and notified her
Of his early visit to Topeka
on his return from Topeka he was arrest
ed. held few days, was released on bond
ana fed. About three months thereafter
ne " as arrested in San Francisco, returned
10 Texas. tried, with Miss Whtteesey as
the main prosecuting witness, and given the
death penalty.