The Washington herald., 1909-01-12

Carmichael. who murdered Gideon
Browning in the Battle Run Methodist
Church in Columbus Township, near
Adair, Mich. committed suicide here
to-day Just before taking his Life be
wrote a long confession. giving the de-
tails OF the grewsome crime, his escape,
and the motive for the murder.
He died two hours after he had slashed
his throat in Two PLACES
No one b9t the murderers sister. Mrs.
Miranda Hughes, in whose home he died.
knew the identity OF the clergyman until
discovery was made Of a note found on
him giving the mans name and contain
Ing Instructions for the sheriff Of St Clair
County. Mich. 70 take charge Of the
body. in the confession Carmichael sid
Browning held a peculiar hypnotic power
over him and 20 free himself OF this spell
he planned TO end the mans life. and If
possible destroy all evidence Of the crime
Always Had Been Friends.
Carmichael regarded Browning as an
enemy. he says in his confession. al
though persons IN the Adair district
thought they were the best Of friends be-
cause Of their being together so much OF
the time Carmichael. according 10 his
written confession. passed. through Chi
cago while the first accounts Of the
atrocious murder he had committed were
being printed IN that city
The attempt at suicide was made short
Iy before 10 o'clock. While the minister
was slowly losing consciousness from the
loss Of blood he was discovered. He VISA
carried into his sisters house. where he
died
The confession Of Rev J. H Car
michael. given out this afternoon. IS as
follows
Carthage, IL, Jan. 9, 1903.
TO AIr WagonsteIl, Port Huron. Mich.
"Honored Sir:-I write this letter 10 ex-
plain some things in connection with the
Columbus church tragedy ! an guilty
only because I am a coward The man
had such a hypnotic influence over me
that I felt that something must be done.
I felt greatly ashamed that man said
TO be short-minded should be able TO COM
pei me to yield to his viii, but said
nothing about IL At first ne said: It's
all right. elder, don't be afraid. Then
he began 20 talk about how we two
could get rich.
Feared His Influence.
Then after we had been at the restau-
rant. for which he paid. also for the
horse. he gave ne a half dollar and said
he wanted me 10 so across there and buy
a small hatchet for his boy TO play with.
began to tell him 10 go and do his owu
buying. when he set his eyes upon me
in the queerest sort Of a look, something
ike the look OF a snakes eyes. Then
felt his influence Tightening his grin
o. my mind. so I went. intending 10 e
I into the store and out the back way to
get the horse and rush OF for home.
When I turned TO close the door he
stood looking upon me through the win
dow and I Just thought Of the hatchet
and came out again, but by that time
8 ne udG OlSa pptdIeus 80 vent 10 LlS
I barn.
once at the depot at Adair he came
cut Of the house in his shirt sleeves and
/ exercised me by compelling me 10 wall
/ the rails; all the while I felt as small
! as a bantam chicken. When he arranged
with me about his wedding he said he
would 20 TO Port Huron and meet me-
I on the road between that place and the
church I thought he fully meant to
I ge+ married when he engaged ny serv-
/ ices. out when We met on the road and
he vas alone, ! began TO feel uneasy,
+ but he said It was all right, the others
would come IN a carriage.
When We went into the church !
wanted 10 light lamp, TO which he
6isseated. saying: No, Elder; no light
unless they should come Presently he
said: Maybe you'd better have a little
/ FIRE So I went out and passed wood
/ to him through the window When ]
/ had pat in what I thought would be
enough. he said. Now. Elder. the moon
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