Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-15


nUT instead of writing this, he wrote what
* he had been told to write by the Gov
@ ernor, who had put him in the cell to
trap me. Next day | was summoned to the
Governor, and accused of writing letter to
my wife in which told her to try and poison
some of the witnesses who might give damag.
ing evidence against me.
The Governor was very fierce, and put ques'
ton after question to me- | denied writing
such a letter, and tried to explain the whole
matter, but he would not let me. lie called
me names and swore at me, but would not
confess that had written the letter.
Nevertheless, they made it an excuse to put
me by myself in an awful cell measuring only
twelve feet by nine. Words cannot describe
the horrors of this place. 1t was very high,
with an asphalt floor. 1t had neither mattress,
table nor seat of any kind. 1t was absolutely
empty.
Exhausted after my interview with the Gov
ernor, ! went to lean against the wall to get
some rest. But ! jumped back in horror-it
was as cold as ice, with water running down,
and all kinds of loathsome creatures crawling
about. | felt could not stand this; that it
must be the end | had stood the strain so
long, but alone in this awful hole ! felt |
should either so mad or die.
Night came, and was nearly dead with cold
walked about trying to get warm, but could
not. Then thought of the tiny oil lamp hang
Ing high on the wall, whence 1t gave cut tiny
CLEAN of light l took it in my hands and tried
to warm them at the fame, and standing thus
! spent the night.
II was the most dreadful night l had yet
endured, ! had strong constitution but this
vas too much even for me. believe God was
with me that night, and in his mercy kept me
alive. | am sure no human being by himself
could have stood that cold and misery. 1t
VAS the coolest time in our Russian Winter.
When tho officer came to the cell in the
morning and saw the frozen wals-the water
had s:'0aed nov and turned to ice-he said
u me-
Its q little cold here, is 1t not, Beilis?"
This was the last straw. became hysteri-
cal. sbrieked and screamed. xiii mel
cried
Why should Kill you?" he asked
"Wby?" | replied, "heoause | see from the
way you are treating me that you want my
death Why don't YOU kill me at once? Why
torture me like this? II YOU want my death
put me out OF my misery now
As a result Of this appeal made in a heart
broken voice, with the tears falling from my
eyes, they at last transferred me to another
cell This was bad enough, but it was heaven
compared 70 the last.
During this time the prosecuting attorney
came to see me again lie told me that black
hair haG been discovered on Massachusetts,
clothes. No sooner had he said the woros
than one OF the wafdCrs tore handful OF hair
out OF my head II was very painful
Look" he exclaimed. BLACK, too"
Yes, said the prosecutor we will send II
and have them examined by the experts
! again protested at their keeping an limo
cent man in prison all this time They thought
# was great ioHe. aud laughed loudly.
Soon after this j received visit from Mr..
Margoln who afterRard defended me so whole.
heartedly and energeticaly. It has been the
great shadow on my lie since my release
that ne snouli have suffered SO greatly Ga
NY behai
AZ this visit ne informed me- for the first
time the real nature OF the charge against
me Up 10 then thought that | was simply
accused OF killing the boy, but now learned
OF he ritual" part Of the charge l had never
heard the word ritual before but he told
me what II meant. and explained that my
sneinies were saying that | had killed the boy
IN such 4 way TO produce the largest pos
eoic anoGuj Of blood. which was supposed TO
DE used Tor the purpose OF making The Pass.
over cakes.
Nc@ UNDERSTAND taa question previously
rgt TO n,s ny The nTusegu'igg ATTORNEY, To
rdy su-prise I hoasd sea ;ha; tao 1uas were
bcclzaI 81; using e. i,,5u u..Jd 90 al s.uGs
%: ee.smoiiss.