The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1911-02-09
Lee Carter Writes.

has received two communications from
Lee Carter. confined In the county
Jail on charge of wIlful murder. The
first one. containing probably 80 pag-
es MSS. is merely a review OF his
career and too long for publication.
The last letter. however. we repro
duce. II s very damaging TO our
reputation for truth and yeracity: hit'
Uncle Joe, and reflects on the man
agement of the county jail. We have
about concluded, after reading the
letter. that all the Nseals are on
the outside. Here Is the lettre:
My Dear Editor Hickman Courier.
Your statement in the last issue OF
your paper Is very unjust and untrue.
As to fireing bed clothing. Is false;
as to making any effort or entertain
ing any such idea OF escape is un-
true: as to making trouble for the
officers OF Fulton IL untrue. In the
beginning of my trouble | sent for
the deputy sheriff to come and gct
me aud he stayed with me Q days
and nights. for which ] paid him. and
each night he slept In adJolning room
from me. had all the chance any
man should want TO make an escape.
When we got ready TO start 10 HEX
man asked Uncle Joe to please no,
handcuff me. that would hire the
Chief OF Police TO come with him.
the Chief OF Police also boggod Hun
and told him he would b. nsponsi'
BILE for me. When We got 20 the
train I bcgged him again not 10 put
them on me. He spoke In n high
way that he vas golng 20 put them
on me. was grieyed and almost
driven mad from the persecution OF
people and gave way TO my feelings
and told them when they put them
on me they would do II by main
strength. struck Uncle Joe with
my fist. for which I am very sorry.
and have begged him to forgive mo.
| had nothing on earth against the
old man except his reyengcfui spirit
and the way he has treated me since
| have been In his care.
As TO the fact OF setting FIRE 90
the bed clothing. the bed In cell
where ! am when put In was very
dirty. the bed clothing was very dirty
and they all stunk from fifth. ask
ed Uncle Joe TO let me have a bed
and would pay for II and he would
not allow mo that privilege. stood
II as long as could bear the filthy
scent and early IN the morning l
tore this bed up and put Il all out
through the door OF my cell and
stacked up all the planks In the cor
ner and swept and cleaned tho cell
out and swept the filth up AGAINST
the door. There Was no fire In the
stove. They cleaned up on the out
side and left the filth Ia my door. I
III a match and thought I would burn
II up. having no intention OF harming
anyone. II created considerable
smoke and In came n great crowd
with chains and handouts. excited
TO death. to handcuff and chain me
and ! picked up a piece OF timber
and expected 20 show them n good
time doing this job. As TO the pris-
oner escaping from Uncle Joo al Ful.
ton while We had our little round. IL
Is untrue. The prisoner simply walk.
I'd off from him at Gibbs, while walt.
ing for the train. As TO the Officers
OF Fulton giving me wide berth. not
a single one Of them ever In their
life said a word To me. They are all
my personal friends. never paid
a fine in the city In my life, | never
had an officer In Fulton 10 call me
down or correct me in my life. And
there Is not a man In Fulton will
say and tell the truth that I ever
raised trouble with any one In my
life. Now my dear friend. am here
powerless. don't know
Who you are. | have no right 20
Judge you to be anything but high
oned gentleman Of the frs, water.
'ut you have done me an injustice.
such statements as that Is created
o create hot blooded sentiment a
'ainst mo which would make Il hard
m me. There is but few perfect men
n this country; we all have our short
and faults. I for one have
ailings and faults that | hate myself |
When ! do wrong. am just IA sor-
y for 1t as the other fellow Is. am
but not convicted nor new.
r will be. all ask for h the truth.
am not afraid OF facts I'm my case.
man Is supposed TO be innocent I'M
II proven guilty and is entitled to
he benefit OF all doubts.