New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05
LIKE SAINT, PARD0NS
DAUGHTERS SLAYER
The Rev. w. A. Beecher Ex-
empIifies Divine Command
to Forgive Enemies.
REFUSES TO BETRAY
MURDERER'S TRUST
Boyd Fisher Obtains for Tribune
Remarkable Interview with
Dead Girls Father.

Royd Fisher. icho has been dsSoci,
afcd ia sociological Work tCth Mrs.
Horry Popnc Whitney. Hiss Margaret
Wilson. daughter of Ho President. and
Mrs. Nary hmgSbWU Simkhoriich AZ
GrccRrich House, No. 20 Jones street,
refarRcd yesterday from sonnet, \. y.
,rhcrc nc had da dmd:iHo idN lcN NE
Rcr " e. Bccchcr. Jaihcr of Ida
Bccchor. The school teacher lcho Was
murdered bv Jean Gidalni
Mr.. Fishers purpose in going 10 SEN
net icdS 10 learn ichdt prompted the At
titudc Of the Clergyman iocdrd The
young Sldycr In the fo1ouhg report,
ierit,en 6p himself, he rercnis the re-
suit Of his riSu:
by BOYD FISHER.
The boy has told me some things
about how he murdered my daughter
which he has told no one else. and
which may fairly he regarded as con
tidential. Unless he chooses 10 tell pub
licly all he knows. | shall not violate
his condolences"
This astonishing declaration by the
Rev. Mr.. Beecher at his home in Sum-
NIT yesterday caps everything that he
has said as display Of magnanimity
toward young Gianini. This youth. so
often befriended by Ida Beecher his
teacher finally killed her when she was
9. her way TO interccde again In his
iavor. And yet the father 10 whom she
was the dearest worldly gift. has only
bitter pity" in his heart. as he says,
for her murderer.
Until after the crime Or. Beecher had
never seen Gianini. lie had no prevl-
Gus impression TO relieve the horror
with which he might be expected to
regard the lad when he met him. Dis
interested citizens OF Herkimer, where
ne was brought for trial, were so
wrought upon BY the treacherous mur-
der OF the girl that they muttered OF
lynching.
The white haired father however.
went straight 10 the jail took the boy
by the hand and held IL throughout the
interview. What he said is not known.
but reproaches were so far absent that
the boy confessed more 10 the aged
preacher than he has yet told any one
else.
And this confession the father re-
CARDS as confidential. He will not re.
peat it. He has gone back TO his home
without thought of vengeance and re-
sumed the normal course Of his life as
a country preacher.
Aged Preacher Like Saint.
| went UP to Sonnet yesterday. not IN
curiosity. but In faith. wanted 10 be-
lieve that should find a saint. and 7
was not disappointed.
Here is situation requiring Of a
Christian the uttermost obedience 10
the injunction 10 love them that do YOU
Ill. IL this father could keep out OF his
heart resentment against his daughters
murderer Christian ethics, believed.
were practicable.
The bishop from whom Jean Vatican
stole the candlesticks was able 10 for
give the thief. and still further 10 be-
friend MIN. The Vicar OF Wakefield was
able TO forgive and befriend the be-
trayer Of his daughter. These charac-
ters have inspired thousands But they
were fictitious persons.
DR.. w. a. Beecher is a real person.
and in the fullest sense required by the
teachings Of Christ he loves the youth
who killed his daughter.
"She died as / should have had her
die" he said, 'in the performance of
her duty. She was betrayed and cruci-
fed, like the Master. by those whom
she served. ] am sure that some great
good will come Of It."
] suggested that perhaps the good
intended was the opportunity given
Continued on seventh page, nrst column.