The Elbert County tribune., 1906-08-23

records OF the post ofice showed that
registered letter had been received
by Hoffman in Higginsville from
Mrs. Myers in Kansas City two days
before the murder.
How Hoffman Was Found.
The next thing to do was to find
Frank Hoffman. His parents said he
had gone away to look for work short.
ly before the murder of Clarence My
ers in Kansas City The detective
thought 1t likely that Hoffman would
write to his folks. The postmaster
promised to hold any letter that
might come to the Hoffman family.
and to notify the detective. who re-
turned to Kansas City and waited.
Within week letter came from
Walla Walla, Wash. The postmaster
sent for the detective. Together they
opened the letter. 1t was from Hott
man, who was living there under an
assumed name. Armed with requisi-
ton papers the detective went to
Walla Walla and arrested Hoffman.
How did you find out where /
was?" was the first question Hoffman
asked the detective.
I'VE discovered you through Mrs.
Myers" said the detective. "She has
confessed all and is in Jail in Kan
sas City She says that you were in
love with her and that you sneaked
into the house with your face black
ened like a negro and that you muir
dered her husband so she would be
free to marry you"
"She puts it all on me, does she?"
asked Hoffman.
Yes. she will turn states evidence
and hang you and go free herself"
answered the detective.
She's a liar she did 1t herselfl"
Hoffman exclaimed, and then he told
the whole horrible story The truth
of every detail of it has been proven
since by circumstances.
The confession of Hoffman is a
document in human ferocity scarcely
equaled in criminal annals. He told
of his early friendship for the slain
man, the development of love be-
tween him and the wife and how to-
gether they planned the removal of
the innocent barrier to that love. Had
not Myers awakened as Hoffman
crept upon him. armed with billiard
cue, the wife might have been but a
tacit accessory to the murder. AS 1t
transpired she became the more
guilty, for on seeing her husband
struggling for his life she disregard
ed his cries for assistance and merci-
lessly attacked him first with a bed
slat, then with pair of scissors, and
finally and successfully with his own
razor.
Ter Remarkable Nerve.
She then turned up the fame of the
lamp. She gave Hoffman one of her
husbands clean shirts and pair of
cuffs from a drawer; and her hus-
bands hat. He wore these away, and
was wearing them when the detec-
tives arrested him in Washington.
He washed the blood from his hands
She gave him $40 and he slipped out
into the night, leaving her alone in
the house with all its ghastliness.
That is the one almost incompre-
hensible thing about this whole hor-
rible affair. 1t is difficult to believe
that frail woman of 20 would stay
there alone from midnight until day
light. But she did. And she probably
worked hard most of the time. She
washed the blood from her arms and
feet, burned her bloody nightdress
and put on a fresh one. and was then
ready to be discovered
Hoffman was tried first and con.
victed. He made no defense. TheQ
she was tried, and Hoffman testified
against her and told the whole story
from the witness stand She testi-
fled. too. in her own behalf and said
Hoffman was liar.
She contends to this day that she
is innocent. IF ] am to be hanged
will have no confession to make;
I've told the whole truth" she said.
IF they hang me will have one CON
ISOLATION: | Will know that | will soon
meet my husband in heaven"