The St. Johns herald., 1902-02-22

mass; ana then, last or all, the two mems images stood out on the dull gray surface.
 By means of solution of alcohol dried the negative at once, and by us- ing developing paper, 1 soon had a perfect print.
 "The photograph is more than mere curiosity; it is the study of crime. On it you can see undeniable proof of that mans guilt; see the manner of the kill ing; see the already dying victim.
 "That is the extent of my knowledge of this murder"
 In a dazed, uncertain fashion, the man on trial for his life gazed at the photograph which the lawyer held in | his hand.
 He seemed unable to comprehend the story, and his eyes beseechingly asked for a glance at the picture which he l could not understand.
 But the prosecuting attorney had fame and name yet to gain, and needed not the pleading now expressed in the mute, quiyering mouth; what difference could it make, at any rate?
 The picture was a remarkably dis tinct one.
 Before background of tangled trees, merging into the matted grass at their base, stood two men; one with an ex- ploding rife in his hand, was on the extreme right; and the other, on the left side, was falling, his arms thrown up in way that left no doubt as to the human target his companion had chosen. The murderer, whose calm face harmonized with his cool firing, was unquestionably the present pris- oner, John Evans. The other was the man who had been found dead with a bullet in his forehead.
 The first of the twelve jurymen hold out his han dand took the photograph
 For a moment he gazed critically at the bit of cardboard, then a grim look of determined duty oYerspread his face "a look which caused the attorney for the State to lean comfortably back and wreath his face in a contented smile.
 One after another of the jury passed the picture on to his neighbor, some with pitying glances at the puzzled prisoner, some with the loathing for him clearly shown in their shrinking countenances; but one and all with an unmistakable verdict plainly written on their persons.
 A short half hour later the jury filed back into the court room, and the fore man stood up.
 "We find the prisoner guilty of mur- der in the first degree, as charged" was all he said.
 Wrapped in an outer covering of heavy paper, the Governor one day re- ceived an envelope bearing the inscrip- don, ITO be sent to the Governor of the State after my death."
 Inside was signed and duly attested confession, which read, -
 ''In the late Evans murder trial I, Robert Mourdoff. gave false testimony in regard to the killing of Andrew Cor don. In this confession, which shall be read only after my death. wish to state that I was the murderer of An- drew Gordon. The photograph dis played in court was an elaborate affair which I made-skillfully congratu- late myself-and 1t had no real value at all.
 For years Gordon and I have been enemies. l hated him and he hated me, although to the world we were casual friends. 1 murdered him on that fate full Saturday. July 18th.
 How was 1t done? I'll tell you.
 During the past year many dealers in photographic goods have offered for sale little article, under the name of multiplying attachment which en- ables the operator of a camera to take two pictures on the same plate.
 Tt Is small. round instrument to fit over the lens. and as one side only has hole ir it, but one-half of the photo graph Is taken at once. Then, by re- volving the openenig at the opposite side, the other portion may be com pleted, with no dividing line where the sections join.
 'For instance, in my studio 1 have a view of house, with two young men on the lawn. As matter of fact, there Is but one man photographed twice, yet most people pride themselves on recog- niZing that the gentlemen are twins.
 Again, I have two deadly enemies lowing politely to each other-seeming- ly. I first persuaded one to have his picture taken, and then, a few days later, enticed the other to be photo graphed while lowing.
 Of course took number one on one portion of the film, and number two on the other; but the effect Is a continuous photograph which engages both when they see it.
 First begging your pardon for such a lengthy eXplanation-which you will grant to a man who will be dead when you read this-I have determined to re- veal the whole story.
 'I deliberately planned and executed the murder, and can tell of the crime In very few words.
 "On that day in July left the studio. taking with me multiplying attach ment, and went to place where I knew both Evans and Gordon would come during the afternoon.
 Evans was the first to arrive, and he halted in front of my camera, as ex- pected (having set up a dead quail a few yards away. Carefully aiming at it, he fred-fred just as 1 snapped the