The Delta independent., 1907-04-26
MURDERER CONFESSES
Frank c. Bartlett, Dying With Con.
sumption in California Tells Of
Crime He Committed "a
Years AGO.
FRED TELIMANN THE VICTIM
Crime Was Committed at fggIest0n Lake
On Grand Mesa. Coroner's Jury
Rendered Verdict OF Accidental
Death,

Last Sunday Sheriff c. S. Gibbs re-
ceived the following letters which are
self explanatory:
Indo Calf. April II, 1907.
To THE SHERIFF OF DELTA COUNTY,
Colo:
Dear Sir: In the summer of 1883 (2).
|. with Frank Irwin, Mr.. Eggleston and
hunter and trapper named Fred.
either German or Austrian descent. were
on the Grand mesa together. about 30
miles from the city of Delta. Delta
county, at the source of Forked Tongue
and Surface Creeks. Fred the trapper
and ! tented together that summer.
During that time we got into dispute
about something that has since then
left my mind. At all events. one even
ing after coming home from hunting.
Fred sat down to clean a gun and
sage hen which we had shot. Whether
we were disputing at that time or not
can't recall, but the awful idea struck
me to kill him then and there. was
sitting about six feet to his right.
slightly to his rear and taking up an
old muzzle loading shot gun. sho. him
about the right ear. breaking ia his
skull and causing instant death.
The coroncr's jury was summoned.
which after hearing the evidence Of all
present. brought in the verdict of death
by accidental discharge Of gun in hands
of deceased. or something to that effect.
have never mentioned the matter
to any person until now to the writer.
Chas. J. Dittrich. who is the means OF
bringing me to my God, who so willing
" for His beloved Son. Chist's sake has
forgiven mo all. He further eenvinosd
me that il is necessary to notify you.
the civil authority. and give myself up
for any action you wish TO take.
Yours faithfully.
F. c. BARTLETT.
| have known Mr.. Frank Bartlett
since Jan. 1906. when came to n. c.
Nelson's Sanitarium. or rather healt h
camp at lndo. Cal. At that time al
ready he was suffering quite badly from
pulmonary trouble. but ali this time up
To the las, six weeks or SO, he seemed
to hold his own pretty well These last
weeks he grew worse rapidly. Several
weeks ago Dr. J. {. King of Banning,
Cal. told him he was suffering with a
very serious heart complication which
may cause his death any time. At
present he is SO weak that the least
cxcrtion, such as getting up. slowly
dressing himself and the least moving
about entirely cxhausts him. ! came
here especially to take care of him,
having left this place some months
previous. am ready to assure you
that the dear man is perfectly willing
to let the law take its course. for know
ing evidently that his God has forgiven
him. he knows all is well. hence he can
trust Him with his body as well.
Just what the law will do in such a
case haven't the least idea. His hon
est desire would be to come to Delta
and commit himself to the authority.
But this to my judgment is surely out
Of the question: for such journey to
the high elevations of Colorado would
certainly mean death before he got
there. Still. it is not my aim to dictate
to any civil authority what may or
should be done, for they surely know
what steps can or must be taken under
prevailing circumstances.
merely wished to state his very poor
physical condition. which will no doubt
ere long bring him to his mcrciful God.
Judge and Creator, unless He miracu.
lously intervencs.
Yours respectfully.
CHAs. J. DITTRlCH.
The crime referred to was committed