The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-23
KING EXPLAINS
 NOSES SUICIDE New Book Makes Sensationa 1
 Charges AGAINST TOM w. LAWSON Mystery Surrounding Pitiabe Death of Ex-GoV. Franklin L. Moses of South carolina-"The Light
 of Four Candles"
AGAINST TOM W. LAWSON

l F. King, the south ern man who came i to Boston 10 years ago, who became i highly successful as a financial agent, 1 and few months ago passed through business difficulties that attracted na- tional attention. makes the direct charge that the mysterious death two years ago of ex-Gov. Franklin J. Moses of South Carolina was due to suicide. brought about by remorse because of the ex-governor's dealings with Tn om- as W. Lawson. Moses, who had become wreck from the use of morphine, was l befriended by King because he was a fellow southerner, and had been in Kings employ up to within a few weeks of the day when he was found dead in his room at Winthrop, Mass.
 In MT. Kings book, "The Light of Four Candles" which is out today, the hnancier tells with close attention to detail of his experience with Moses. King and Lawson have been remorse- less enemies for years, and in his book King credits Lawson with all the trou- bles that befell him. His story of his meeting with Moses is dramatic.
 Meets Moses.
 "It was in the winter of 1905. early in December" he says, in a chapter en- titled Judas and Caiphas." that the doorbell of my home in Winthrop was rung and I was told that MT. Moses wished to see me.
 Perhaps you have heard the earlier history of Moses. It is a sad harrow in cfa h ton. Then he fell. Before that time. when he came seeking my sympathy and aid, he had fallen to the lowest depths. He had become a victim of morphine. He had committed a crime. He had been sentenced to prison and had served a term. He had just been released.
 'I can see him today as he looked when l went to the door. Although the wintry winds of a New England December were scurrying about the corners of the houses and a damp chilliness was biting in from the sea, he had no overcoat. He still wore a straw hat. His threadbare jacket was buttoned tighly about his neck to hide the absence of collar and necktle. His wrists were guiltless of cuffs. His
  hair fell about a pale, emaciated face.
 You are from the south,' were the first words he said and so am I. In the name of God, cant you help me?'
 He told me his story, while the warmth of the room stopped his shiv- erings. It was a painful story.
 He recounted his slavery to the drug He admitted that he had com mitted the forgery for which he had tet cd a in Ia weakly and miserably as he recounted the social ostracism that he claimed had driven him to sin. He begged that I help him, not only by means of the few dollars that would get his over coat out of pawn and buy him a win ter hat and a few other necessities, but to get honest employment.
 "'The drug is out of my system now he said. can go straight-and Twill For Gods sake, can't you do something for me?'
 T pitied him. Here is some money I said, Get what you need. And when you have got fixed up and have kept straight for a few days to prove that you can, come and see me at my office. I'll talk with you again.
 "He burst into tears of weakness and ago. I bade him good night
 Old Man Is Grateful.
 The book goes on to tell of Moses evident reclamation and of light work that MT King found for him to do about the office. The old man worked at times on a history of South Carolina during reconstruction. He seemed to be happy and grateful. Then it came to MT. Kings notice that Moses was apparently working with the arch enemy. He called the old man into his private office. "Tve sent for you, MT. Noses I said, to say some things that I'm afraid will prove very distressing.
 "He drew a long breath and became very pale. Yes he said after a moment, ! during which he tried pitiably to get a grip upon himself.
 CT have some unpleasant things to say I went on, but I want you to feel that they are said in the kindlest pos sible spirit. Have I been a friend to | you?'
 He swallowed hard, and the tears came | into his eyes, for, after all, he was but a | weak old man. You have, Mr. King, 1 you have,' he said huskily. | 'I paused for a moment Rou have l committed another crime I said, and | this time 1t is a crime against a friend T don't know what you mean,' he protested hesitatingly.
 You have gone back on me-. l oh, nor he cried
 1 Ou are pldHnlIS SOIneLnlDB unQeT- handed to iniure me. You are planning g | it this very day.
 q looked him full in the face and his eyes fell If you don't know what I am talking about said, tell me why you had two interviews with Thomas w. Law son.
 Two interviews with MT. Lawson? he ! stammered
 One at his house in Back Bay and l the other at Young's hotel,' I said. 1 Burst Into Tears. l Moses looked about him wildly. His l eyes were staring He opened his mouth i to speak two or three times but no words l cahe. He swallowed hard, breathed deep l ly and then, throwing his head down upon | his arm on the desk before him, burst into tears. Wait a minute' he groaned. | Just a minute and I'll tell you l "It was a pathetic scene. His sin had | found him out"
 MT. King goes on to tell story that | came to him a few days later to the | effect that Moses had engaged to commit | a forgery which sould appear to inn 1 plicate King in a crime He wrote Moses. asking him to call. without reply. Again he wrote, this time on Thursday, Decem- Der, and said in the letter: T am pre- | pared to meet any game which you may l have been prevailed mon to cook up.