Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-15
FORCED TO CONFESS.

FORCED TO CONFESS
CONSCIENCE STRICKEN CRIMINALS
WHO COULDN'T KEEP SILENT.
Instances Of Aoknowl-
eagnent of Guilt by Persons Who
Were Not Suspected . DANCES That
Exists For All Wr0ngd0ers.
"He went to the authorities and told
the story OF his crime quite in spite Of
himself. His conscience proved too
strong for him, and, though there was no
risk OF the police tracking him, 1t COM
PEELED him to give himself up"
So observed a judge in a sensational
murder trial. The criminal had escaped.
He was not eyen suspected, and he had
plenty Of money. Everything was in
readiness for his departure to a distant
land where he had bought . comfortable
business. But on the very eve OF his go
ing, on the way home from saying good
by to some friends, his conscience played
him false, and the conviction seized upon
him that he must confess. This danger
exists for all w%rongdoers.
"A painful impression was produced IN
a big country town a year or two back by
a voluntary confession made by n of
Its most respected inhabitants. From
being a small shopkeeper he had risen to
accumulate wealth. and a browning honor
seemed to have been bestowed upon him
when he was elected to q high local office.
Instead 1t in a way proved his undoing.
He had something on his mind, and now.
feeling himself to be unworthy OF the
good fortune that had come to him. he
felt bound to unburden himself.
He accordingly went to the proprietor
Of a local newspaper, intending to ar
range for the printing Of a confession.
That gentleman, astounded at the 9TH
er's seeming madness in unnecessarily
bra nding himself, refused to Insert the
matter. But the man was not to be
thwarted. He called a meeting together
aud there calmly announced that he had
originally started in business with cap
itnl that had been stolen. Naturally he
thus did himself immense harm. but he
had the satisfaction Of being at peace
with his conscience.
In a big London establishment q strange
scene was recently enacted. a lady and
gentleman alighted from a carriage and.
entering. inquired for a certain depart
ment. Seated at the counter, the pair
were inspecting some goods when. look
ing round, the lady turned pale.
"Have-hnve you made any alterations
in your premises since a few years ago."
she asked OF the assistant.
Eyes, maIam," answered he. "This
used to be the book department."
The lady seemed about to faint. Her
husband was grently alarmed.
"Don't stop me. Send for the man
ager." directed the distressed woman.
When that surprised individual ap.
peared, the lady told him how some time
before she had on three separate days
4 stolen books from the counters there,
She Gained down when permitted to pay
for the volumes and to contribute double
their value to the provident fund OF the
firm.
One Of the most dramatic confession.
ever made occurred in Australia in I
church during a. service on New Year.
eve. Some years previously an old farm
: er known to carry much money on hi
:, person had been murdered on that yer,
day, and q certain minister, who hat
been a lifelong friend Of his, always OF
the anniversary OF the dark deed mad
some public ~nllusion to the happening
On this occasion, to the horror OF tn
! congregation. when the death Of the Of,
man was referred to an individual Sit
: ting in the midst OF the people gave
9 sudden cry and, rising to his feet, sai,
solemnly and distinctly. II killed him."
On the matter being investigated TIL
turned out to be true. The man was on
OF a number who had been employed I
search for the missing farmer. He foun
: him partially stunned by a fall and wa
tempted to rob him, knowing that tn
deed would be attributed to others. Th
old man, however, rcgained his senses.
- fierce struggle ensued, and the farme
was slain. The murderer had neve
troubled at all about the affair. But Ii
young to whom he was engage
persuaded him on this night at the en-
OF the year to go to church. and it W e
there that his conscience got the better {
him.
People come in here and confess to 9
. sorts of things" explained a police st
:. ton official. MANY Of those 'confe
sions' are false. more particularly tho
er made under the influence of drink.
re knew Of one woman who whenever 81
q had INDUCED too freely would come
shedding copious tears and accuse he
ee self OF having thrown q neighbours chi
into a canal.
n Zone man confessed first and commit,
or the deed afterward. Very unstendily
re walked in and said he gave himself ,
er for smashing a big plate glass windo,
be The charge proved a false one, but q
n next day he was brought in sober, havil
been caught In the net Of breaking
ay large window Of a diapers shop. {
n her night out a young servant girl on
came timidly just inside the door Al
", asked to be taken up for poisoning a cal
RS. The misrepresentation BY a certain /
%licitor OF the trust money of bis cller
on was brought to light in a most extrat
at binary manner. The man had very Gle
erly stolen thousands OF pounds. and OF
VI at his death would the fact have becol
pw known. He entertained very extensive
to and was usually a light hearted no
ut One evening, however, he lad u stran
~ depression Of spirits. He told his vi
~ he must 60 to his room or he should
compelled to say something that wo,
ruin him. He departcf a his wife y
70 doing her best to M for his 1
sence when. pale and Il sIhe unf