Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-09-11
Ellery p. ln9ham Interviewed
by a New York Herald Reporter


Point OF the Sword is meeting with a
large sale in New York City where it has
been favorably reviewed by the literary
world and the best critics. The interest
in the book was such that the New York
Herald sent reporter to this place to in
terview the author and has on its own
account made an investigation of the case
against Ingham and hewitt. The result
of that investigation is that the Herald
concludes Mr.. Ingham was innocent of
the charges made against him and that
the time is not tar distant when a com
plete vindication will come tor him. The
Herald says, on the authority of man
who it states was closer to the late Presi-
dent Mckinley than any member of his
cabinet, that after pardon was refused
to Mess. lngham and hewitt on the
recommendation of Beck and Mcpherson.
this friend secured rehearing.
"Whep Mckinley had heard the main
points reviewed he was profoundly inter
at length. He expressed deep regret that
he had not investigated at the beginning.
He had been assured by the secret service
detectives that Mr. Ingham was guilty
and that there was not IA shadow Of evi-
dence in his favor. On hearing both sides
the President, being a trained lawyer, said
injustice had been done and promised an
immediate pardon. On the following day
he left for Canton but had hardly arrived
at his old home when he went to Buffalo
and was there assassinated. Thus ended
the hope OF an innocent man for pardon
which would have left him Tree of the
crime charged and restored him to his
standing as a lawyer
The Herald further says that "the
whole force OF the secret service machn-
erv of the Government was brought to
bear to convict Mess. lngham Il hewitt
hy powerful enemies. Besides, politics
was in it. Men hungry tor Office and re
venge joined in the clamor." la addition
to the above ar interview with Mr.. Ing
ham was published from which we quote:
NlNDlCATlON AT HAND,
81 can not discuss my plans about this
affair, nor can tell YOU OF certain Intor.
nation have received bearing strongly
on my case, tor it is not vet completed,
though it is vindication Of my course.
! will say that it is impossible tor the
men still against me to show any motive
on my part for the commission of the
crime charged. If it were true, as report
ed in recent Washington dispatches, that
$75,000,000 were involved. that might
have been motive, but as the total
amount involved was only $l2,000-that
settles the seventy-fve million charge.
My income was from $500 to $4,000
a year. ! had a large and growing law
practice, a fine social position, and polit-
ically was in strong position and could
have been judge on the Phladel phia
bench two years before charges were
made against me. Even outside OF my
party | had influential friends. men OF
eminence and power.
OWED no DEBTS.
"Anothcr thing, | owed no debts and
had handsome balance to my credit 10
the bank. kept no fast horses. and did
not gamble. so | had no need ot money
beyond my income. If had been en-
barrassed and in immediate need OF money
there might have been some excuse for
such theory as the government held.
! was happily married, my wife had
money in her own name, and had "A son,
the apple of my eye, to live for, to make a
reputation tor, and such a CRIME would I've
the last thing would do or think OF. 1t
is all too absurd and infamous that even
now it seems like dream. cannot un-
,l.x al
Sc against an innocent man, no matter
what the circumstances might have seem
ed. The subject of my book is Hollands
struggle for liberty. 1t had always in
terested me intensely. and my heart was
in the work from the moment | began 10
write | did not intend my first effort TOR
publication, but when my literary friends
went over the manuscript and advised
me TO print the story sent it to publish
er, little thinking that it would involve
my personality and again bring my case
before the pubic.
VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
But 10 great wrong can he perpcratcd
without bringing much good to light
In that prison | found other men who
were also victim of circumstantial evi-
dence-mem OF whose innocence | was
satisfied. 1t was a pleasure to interest
myself in their behalf. After my own ex-
perience could understand many things
and see hidden facts in a stronger light
aided the release OF one man charged
with murder, who had been locked mp six
years. Another man whom | was forum
ate enough to assist to restore to liberty
and friends,w charged with larceny. In
both cases, am happy TO say, the Judges
that tried them were convinced that wrong
had been done and signed the petition
for their release. | know of two more
cases, men in prison, who are perfectly
innocent and ought to be free. Regard
ing my book it was n great relict, after
all had suffered. nay wife waiting for
me, my little boy believing in me, to turn
my thoughts into new channels, and tell