Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-05-23
NEGRO ADMITS gulf
Poisoned an Insane White Man
Because Of Love for
His Wife.
Gained Admission to the Asylum
by Means Of a FORGED
Letter.
Princess Chimay Declared a
spendthriit and Conserva.
tor Appointed.

Jacksonville. III. May 23.-William
most remarkable negro criminal in the
world. has solved the mystery of the
Barnes tragedy by confession to Sheriff
Roth that i tender sentiment for Mrs
Mamie Barnes impelled him to admins
ter strychnine to her insane husband
Dr.. Joseph L. Barnes, who died from
poisoning at the Central hospital May q.
The negro made verbal statement of
his devotion to the woman who be-
friended him in the presence of Sheriff
Roth of Quincy and Sheriff Widmayer
of Jacksonville. and agreed to reduce HE
confession to writing, that 1t might be
laid before the grand jury. An indict-
ment on a formal charge of murder is
expected.
Ferguson asked for an interview with
Mrs. Barnes at the conclusion of his
consultation with the officials, and gave
as a reason for her granting it that he
had sought to shield her. Mrs Barnes
displayed her aversion when she CURLY
declined to see the negro.
The statement which Sheriff Roth de-
clares the prisoner made to him was re-
.peated to the widow. She said that the
strange conduct of the negro while in
her employ was explained TO her by his
statement
The negro's declaration shifts interest
in the case from Mrs. Barnes to himself
and attracts attention to his extraordi-
nary personality. officers of the law
who have come from surrounding coun-
ties in the state and from the state pris-
ons, pronounce him the most wonderful
negro prisoner they have ever met.
fiis appearance is striking. He s
nearly six feet four inches in height and
is mass of sinews Legs like those of
the Kangaroo. 1.-the. long and slender.
carry him over the ground with stride
that is twice az long as that of an ordi-
nary person. Arms that extend nearly
TO the knees end in hands which possess
shape and strength. His features are
torbiddng to the point of responsiveness ,
neca use OF the upper lid OF the right eye,
which droops in a sinister sweep over
the eyeball. surprising contrast Is
presented in the opposite eye, which is
Perfect, and beams with intelligence and
even tenderne IS when speaking OF his
kin.
Ferguson is paroled convict from
Chester peniten,iary having been re-
leased several months ago. after hay-
ing served two and one-hals years He
was convicted in Quincy of the forgery
of a check on which a small sum of
money was obtained. After his return
to Quincy he secured warrant against
another negro in the town. whom he ac-
cused Of having perpetrated the forgery
for which he had suffered punishment
This charge never came 10 trial
He was introduced to Mrs Barnes. a
nurse in the Blessing hos
pital in Quincy by j. T. Gilmer. an at
toraey. who had been instrumental in
obtaining his liberty. Mrs Barnes told
Sheriff Roth that the negro was the
man whom she mentioned in her testi-
money as Henry. a tail co,ored man"
who did chores for her She said that
Ferguson appeared to be very grateful.
but that she had never suspected his
for her.
Out of his acquaintance with her grew
his knowledge of her life tragedy, the
of her husband as an in
sane patient after he had successfully
practiced his profession as a dentist at
Monticello, H., since their marriage.
which took place in Jacksonville in Oct.
IS 1883
ppINrECc rrIJnS Az corMnnuryr~