The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-28
CR|PPEN'S LAST WORD
 ID ETHEL LENEVE.
Miss Leneve Discovered in a
 Country Village
CLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE
Sincere and UnseIfsh--Crippen Talks of His Creators
 Help

London, November 27.-(SpeciaL)- Ethel Clare Leneve was found today il the little country town where she l. hiding under an assumed name and botl as tribute to Dr. Crippen's memor, and as a revelation of the affection that existed between herself and tn, executed man she consented to the pub lication of the doctors last love letter to her.
 It was written on the eve of Grip pens execution and her chief reason for giving it publicity is that 1t shows the falsity of the alleged confession.
 That confession" said Miss Leneve was cruel falseh ood. Dr. Cripper all along declared his innocence to me and I have been terribly shocked te read the lying statements. It is utter ly and completely false."
 1 Another point was brought out by 8 perusal of pr. Crippen's farewell cor. respondence. Crippen never married Ethel Leneve, although two years age there was child born. This fact has not been commented upon, but there Is no question of it's truth. It was found to be verified by Crippen in one of his l final letters to Miss Leneve from prison referring to the bond between them ii ''our loved and lost one" It was with unconcealed tears that Miss Leneve produced Dr. Crippen's farewell letter and allowed the core. spondent to read and copy 1t. It runs as follows:
 How can I find strength of heart tc struggle through this last letter. God 1 indeed must hear our cry to Him fo1 divine help in this last farewell. How to control myself to write I hardly know, but pray to God to help us, to be brave to face the end so near.
 Thoughts rush to my mind quicker than I can put them down. Time Is too short now and there is much ] would say. There is less than two days left to us.
 l When I wrote you Saturday I had not heard any news of petition, and although I never at any time dared to hope. yet deep down in my heart was 1 just glimmer of trust that God might 1 give-us yet a chance to put me right before the world and let me have the passionate longing of my soul. Oh how glad I am that l had the photo graph. It was some consolation, al- l though in spite of all my greatest ef- forts 1t was impossible to keep down a great sob and my hearts agonized cry.
 How am to endure to take sny last look at your dear face? What agony I must go through at last when you disappear forever from my eyes. God help us to be brave then. Rs
 When I received your letter on Sun day eve I saw that you did not then know the bad news and I prayed God to help you in the morning when you did learn of it. I know what your agony will be, for I know your heart like mine, will be broken. l am com forted at least in thinking that | throughout all the years of our friend ship never have I passed one unkind word or given one reproachful look to her for whom have lived best in life to whom l have given myself, heart and soul, wholly and entirely forever 1 want my dear one to keep for her own use all that can be realized by the sale of my estate. We can safely leave to the hand of just God the production
 
 cence.
 My worries and troubles here will soon be ended, as l shall be tomorrow In Gods hands. I have perfect faith in His help. Let my spirit be with you always, and after this earthly separa- tion is finished we will join our souls forever"
 After the transcription of the letter | Miss Leneve drew attention to Grip pens last words concerning her:
 T desire the world to have pity on the woman who, however weak she may have seemed in their eyes, has been loyal in the midst of misery and to the very sad end of tragedy, and whose love has been self-sacrificing and strong.
 These are my last words. I belong no more to this world and in the si- fence of my cell I pray that God may pity all weak hearts, all the poor chill dren of life and His poor servant Har- vey Hawley Crippen"
 It Is not doubted that the affection existing between Crippen and Miss Le- neVe was sincere and unselfish from the beginning. Although he provided for his aged father in America and foi his wife, and hoarded money in the bank, he was also extremely generous and tender in his treatment of Miss Leneye through the many years of their association.
 The International News correspond ent has had opportunity to study the characteristics of Miss Leneve since her return. Her affection and grief is genuine and true. The girl madly fell In love with Dr. Crippen years ago and decided to live for him alone She never had any other admirers, although she is decidedly attractive, with a pleasant, refined face, fine figure and full-toned, rich voice.
 All her actions after Crippen's con- viction, including her final affectionate telegram to him, shows how she really loved him, and was not merely domi- mated by his stronger will She has at present nearly $5000 in her name This sum will be considerably in creased by her plans to write fol weekly papers.