Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-22
WAS HE GUILTY?
John C. Best's Last Letter to
His Aged Parents
Asserted His Innocence and Bitterly
Reproyed His Prosecutors.
Lost Life Through Vengeance and lg-
norance of Men,"

Salem, Sept. 21.-Bitter words of re-
proof for the courts of Massachusetts.
rs we'll as tender and thoughtful mes
Saees for his father and mother are
contained in the last letter which John
c. Best. the executed murderer of
George F.. Bailey, wrote to his parents.
The contents OF the letter We're made
public, Saturday. Far from taking the
form of confession, Bests words ex-
press rather his innocence, although he
does not declare his innocence in
specific terms.
A statement of the status of his per-
sonal affairs is followed by the declara-
ton that he loses his life not through
the will Of God, but through the Ven
geance and ignorance of men," He says
he thinks the expense Of burial should
be borne by the courts which have
murdered me-" and he remarks finally
that he is fully satisfied with himself.
This letter was written by Best to his
father and mother, who live in Sack
vile. n. b.. Just before his execution lit
the state prison on Sept. . last. AT that
time he was punished for killing his
co-worker. George +. Bailey, on Oct 9,
1900, at North Saugus.
A copy of the letter was given out.
Saturday, by Rev. J. NJ. Mellish. who
was Best's spiritual adviser. Best's
letter follows:
Charlestown. Mass, Sept. s. 1902.
Dear Father and Mother-My last re-
quest is that you shall have my trunk
and its contents. which is at the Lynn
police station, and do you please with
the contents. My overcoat is at the Sa-
lem jail: my easy chair and silver pickle
dish, with three framed pictures are at
Neftie's home. 1t is my desire that you.
mother. should get and keep them One
thing ! would like To impress on the mind
of you. my father and mother. Is that il
is not Gods will that | lose this life that
He has given me- but through the Ven
geance and ignorance of men.
feel as well these last few hours on
earth ever | did in my life. | am net
a fraid to die. but ! would like to live.
| don't compare myself to Christ. our
Saviour. but my condemnati ton is on the
same line His, and | viii meet my
death as calmly as He did If these lines,
my dear father and mother. Will give
you any comfort. | am well paid for
writing them.
| don't know what arrangements have
been made about the disposal Of my body,
but it is my wish that | be dressed in the
clothing that | earned by the sweat OF
my brow. | also wish that the expenses
of my burial be borne by the state. whose
courts have murdered me. ] VIII try ana
instruct my sister how to get my trinkets
together and send them to you.
/ don't know anything about the af-
fairs at Breakheart Hill farm. but the
estate owes me. near as | can figure
in my head. $S1.12. which you can collect
and keep for yourselves.
NV little account book is in the hands
of the Lynn police | worked on the farm
five months and two days had drawn
about 81. as near as ! can remember.
Do not worry. dear father and mother
about me. but comfort yourselves with
the fact that your son meets his death
without fear. and fully satisfied with
himself.
Goodby. father and mother.
Your affectionate son,
JOHN G. BEST.
1t is understood that in addition to the
above Best wrote upon separate piece
| of paper another condemnation of the
courts couched in terms more harsh than
those used in the letter proper. The com
municatio was not given out. however
An interesting incident in connection
with Best's execution has Just come to
| light On the day before he died Best
called to the prison physician and said
| 10 him:
Doctor / wish you would experiment
on my body after am dead to see II you
cannot bring me back to life.
The physician Informed Best that there
was no possibility Of the electricity fail