Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-28
SERMON BY MURDERER
NoSkINsoN, YOUTH WHO CON-
FEssEp TO MURDER, WRITES
5s REMARKABLE STORY.
WARNS OTHERS NOT TO
II. FOLLOW HIS FOOTSTEPS
Exprossss Sorrow for His Misspene
Life and Urges Other Boys to Pro-
IT BY His Misdesds-Prosecutins At
torney Says Hoskinson Has Brilliant

e
Mjnd-Shows Unusual Nerve.
Muscatine, Dec. 2S-Thomas " Hos
kinson, the slayer Of Officer Gerisher
who was sentenced to Imprisonment
for life In the state penitentiary at
Fort Madison, in his cell in the Mus
catine county jail prepared . state
ment, in which he tells the story of a
mtsspent life, unfolding his inner
may read and profit The murder was
COMMITTED during a strike riot here.
The story solves the puzzle Of the
boys demeanor; it provides an I'M
Outstanding Of his attitude since he
has been incarcerated. That the
youth. who has been robbed Of the
hope Of freedom, possesses men
tally above the average. IS shown by
the strength Of his confession. He
decl4res that fear Of any punishment
that any earthly Judge could intlict
upon him has been a stranger to him
thru the entire proceedings, and that
explains the mental attitude Of the
49,
realized that perhaps never again
would he breathe the sweet and CHEEKY
air Of freedom, did not display the
slightest emotion. Hosktnson is the
most STRIKING figure which has ap-
peared IN the court Of Muscatine coun-
ty tn years and the scenes which were
enacted when he was sentenced to
living death, in expiation Of his rash
deed, were the most dramatic ever
witnessed in a hall Of justice in this
part Of the state.
County Attorney Thompson de-
clared when discussing the document.
that Hoskinson possessed an excep-
tionally- brilliant mind, and that at
times his understanding and his men
tai powers, as displayed before the
|xrand jury and In conference was al
most phenomenal.
b, To Remain In Jail.
!, Hoslkinson Will remain at the Mus
eatine county Jail during the remain
der Of tho present week. The grand jury
requested that he be held for short
;tR1ne and the court instructed Sheriff
vanatta to hold him here until In
structed TO take him to the penal in
stitution where he is doomed to spend
the remainder or at least the greater
part of hts life. His mother and other
relatives will be given every opportu-
nifty Of visiting with him during the
short time which he will spend out
Hoskinson will appear before the
grand jury. previous to his removal to
Fl. Madison.
Hoskinsons Own Story.
The story Of Hosk1nson follows:
ITO whom 1t may concern:-My
trial for the murder OF Theodore Ger
fischer is over, I have received the ex-
treme penalty provided by law for the
crime for which was convicted. My
sentence is not one calculated to in
spire hope, but no sentence that could
possibly be imposed upon me by man
would be severe enough to kill hope in
me- My trial and sent ence have been
q very trying ordeal, thru which have
endeavored to pass like a man. Fear
i(of any punishment that any earthly
Judge could inflict upon ne) has been
20 stranger to me thruout the entire
My sole emotions have
Ibeen a mixture OF sorrow, pain, regret
;pity, sympathy and deep affection
mot only for my own loved ones but
also for those to whom Mr.. Gerisher
was a part Of their life, and hereby
extend my heartfelt sympathy to all OF
the dead mans friends and loved ones
who VIII be kind enough to accept /,
from me Cthe author OF the crine.)
Probably many Of my friends and
web wishers as well as my enemies
win think that the imposition of life
sentence upon me has crushed all gr:y
hope for a future and better life, bur
for the enlightenment Of those who
may have that mistaken idea, wish t.
state, hrst-that consider any man OF
woman coward that gives up the frs
and greatest blessing Of mankind
Hope. Second, that altho the Thoma.
Hosldnson Of the past may have com.
nitted many acts that were construed
as cowardly, the Thomas Hoskinson o
today is no coward. The evidence ant
testimony that the Judge spoke abou
me giving TO the grand jury was no
given in the hope or expectation of
reward either by clemency or other
wise. but it was given with the hope O
stopping the lawless career Of numbe
of my former friends before the,
reached the stage that have, also will
the hope that my experience will b
q help and a guide to parents in bring
ing up their children and to any of tn
children that may he unfortunat
enough to be placed in the position tina
was twelve years ago. I have lifted
mighty weight off my mind in tellin;
all have told and the relief to my con
science has already been a great re
ward, and I want every reader Of thi
article to believe me when say tina
II had never been caught OF had tn
evidence been insufficient to convic
me, could never have felt as do nov
q would have had a horror Of meetin
any one VINO knew HE If had not bee
caught and If I had never been forced t
live q lie all my life. Now can at 1eas
say that have dine my best to repay TIL
world for the crimes have committed
Since my arrest have been surprise
at the treatment have received. I ex
pected to be treated like a dog and nc
Ike man and want to thank every
one that has been kind to me and m
friends since my arrest. I want to than
Ill my friends for the interest the
have taken in me. for the kind word
they. have spoken in encouragement
1n6 Tor the numerous presents fav
received from them. AS for my enemie
sWsSA 20 state that I have No har
M