The Detroit times., 1909-01-12
Carmichael Pursued as Thief When
tie Committed Suicide in Carthage

To Mr.. waggonsteil. Port Huron,
Mich.
Honored Sir-I write this letter
to explain some things In connec-
ton with the Columbus church
tragedy. am guilty only be-
cause | am q coward. The man
had such a hypnotic influence over
me that | felt that something
must be done. felt greatly
ashamed that a man said TO be
short-minded should be able TO
compel me 10 yield 10 his will.
but said nothing about IT,
AT first he said: Its all right.
elder. don't be afraid" Then he
began 10 talk about how We TWO
could get rich. Three times he
came to the rear OF my barn and
talked To me through the manure
hole, twice he was at the river
when | went TO water my stock
and each time | felt that he was
doing something that he was
proud OF. Once when | was going
out to Columbus, he was on the
pike near the Pinkie schoolhouse.
When | overlook him he asked me
TO ride.
could not refuse. He asked
me If ever | had driven up the
pike 10 Port Huron. 10 which l
answered no. Then he said
Come. let's drive up; | dissent
ed but he kept on until he per
suaded me 10 90.
He got out and stood at the cor
ner while | went 10 the barn with
the rig. Then after we had been
al the restaurant. for which he
paid, Also for the horse. he gave
me half-dollar and said he want
ed me to go across there and buy
a small Ratchet for his boy TO play
with. began 10 tell him TO 60
and do his own buying when he
set his eyes upon me In the queer
est sort OF look, something like
the look of snakes eyes. Then
| felt his influence tightening his
grip on my mind. so I went, IN
tending TO go into the store and
and rush on for home. When
turned to close the door he stood
looking upon me through the win
dow and | just bought the Ratchet
and came out again, but by that
time he had disappeared, so
went 10 the barn. got my rig and
started for home. When | made
the turn on to Military-st. he was
at the corner TO get in. He rode
as far as South Park. where he
got out 10 take the car.
He took the Ratchet with him
and said nothing. nor did | think
anything at the time about the
change. Once at the depot at
Adair he came out OF the house in
his shirt sleeves and exercised me
by compelling me TO walk the
rails. All the while | felt as small
AS a bantam chicken. When he
arranged with me about his wed.
ding he said he would go TO Port
Huron and meet me on the road
between that place and the church.
| thought he really meant 10 get
married when he engaged my SER
vices, but when We met on the
road and he was alone | began TO
feel uneasy but he said IL was all
right. the others would come In
carriage
When We went into the church
| wanted TO light lamp. 10 which
he dissented, saying NO, elder;
no light unless they should come"
Presently he said Maybe you'd
better have a little fire." SO | went
out and passed wood TO him
through the window. When | had
put In Whist | thought would be
enough he said. Now. elder, the
moon is shining right on the front
door and IL you go around there
10 come In someone may see you.
Just put up some wood here and
come In this window.
| brought a few sticks and laid
them across each other. from the
top Of which he helped me into
the building. He let the window
nearly down again and We kept
looking out through the opening
to see the others come down the
state road.
Presently he took a big hearty