The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-04-13

(cepgright. q "a g. chapmah.l

Tor the uOcLoFI ~ ~ flOuBlu6 Avuee'
Paterson had previously visited this
place and was we'll acquainted with.
its location. and "a the following
morning he went 10 tlis house insTan-.
ner's Close, Where he found the two
men and their women accomplices.
He gave them five pounds and agreed
that three more should be paid Il the
subject proved desirable. on the
same night the body arrived, packed
ina tea-chest. It had not yet been ex-
amined at the time that the police ar
rived, and, upon the chest being OPP
ened, evidences Of suffocation were
manifest.
Coincident Will this discovery the
testimony of two other witnesses was
voluntarily offered. Mr.. and Mrs.
Gray persons Of poor station who
were travelling through Edinburgh, In
formed the police that certain occur
rences Of the night of October Sl'had
aroused the most dreadful suspicious
IN their minds. They stated that they
had taken temporary lodgings In
Burke's house, and that toward even
ing thoy had seen him enter. with
Mary Campbell, who appeared to be
intoxicated. In the morning they in
uuired Of Mrs. Burke what had be
come OF her and we're told that she
had been put out Of the house for I'M
pudence. The explanation did not en-
tlrely allay'the Witnesses doubts, and
selling the opportunity to peer into
Burke's room, they discovered the
body of the murdered woman under q
heap of straw. Terror-stricken by
this they Immediately collected theiI
belongings and proceeded to leave the
house. Mrs. Burke attempted to dis
suade them, saying that at might be
worth ten pounds week to them" tc
remain. They, however, escaped al
the first opportunity, and on the fol
lowing day communicated their dis
covery to the police.
Upon the arrival Of the authorities
at the Tanners Close they found i
to be a scene well fitted for the per
formance Of such tragedies as hEFad re
Gently been enacted there, The Close
was a dark and narrow passage ant
contained only one house, which wa
situated at the bottom. Here, almos
shut out from the light of Heaven
dwelt this detestable murderer in twt
rooms, one of which he occupied witt
the MacDougal woman, while the 9th
er he rented out to dodgers. The for
mer contained nothing but a miser
able bed, broken table and SOM
straw. while the latter was absolutel'
bare. Fortunately the police foun'
The four confederates. men and WON
en-. assembled, and they were l n t "
diately placed under arrest and cor
yeyed to prison, Burke, 1t appeared
had carried on the pretended trade G
a shoemaker. and nearly 40 pairs 9
iold shoes were discovered in hi
room. but the discovery was ais
made of a great number Of suits c
clothes. bearing distinct marks c
blood, which showed that Mary CAM
bell had been only the last OF a Ion
train of victims
The examination Of the prisoner
before the magistrates Of Edinburg
only served to bring to light fres
atrocities, and a wave of universe
horror spread through the city as on
disclosure after another was mad
The evidence as to the guilt OF tn
men was completely conclusive, q
though great doubts as to the poss
,bility OF securing efficient to conTi'
, the women existed.
i, During the period between the cor
initial of thSGtfisoners and the
trial, Hare, who had been the leadin
shirt in these deeds, with a degree
treachery excelllng that of his felloN
: coaspirator, offered to make disclo
ures upon the subject Of their crime
or as it is pbrased, to turn king
evidence" upon condition that pa
; don should be granted to him and IL
! ! woman Laird. So far as his partn'
was concerned, she had been the lea
; guilty, and her discharge occasiont
no dificulty; but considerable doul
was entertained as to the advisable
Of indemnifying the murderer Har
Long consultations were held by Il
. magistrates upon the matter, but
was at length decided that, for Z
sake Of justice, which demanded u
most satisfactory and complete e,
deuce as to the way in which tn
horrible traffic was carried on, and
secure the conviction Of at least %
Of the gang, Hare's offer should
accepted The prisoner then made :
confession to the officers Of the jai
INIT on account Of the excited state
public feeling It was not at the tir
.E.!jmblished. Some portions Of the &C
iession, however, found their way In
i the public prints OF the time and Sc
thrill of horror through the emil
! country.
9 The first murder which Hare chal
4 ed against Burke, although 1t was 81
:, missed that the wretch had been gull
= Of many previous crimes. was
N murder of young girl named Pat
q son. not more than IS or 20 years
age Burke had accosted her and