The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-09-03
TRULL CONFESSES
TO BLOOD GUILT
Says He and No Other Killed
Mr.. Sidney Swain of
Charlotte.
LAYS 1T ALL TO WHISKEY.
ENoncrates Barton, Thanks AttOr-
ncys and Friends and Says He
Is at Peace.


Raleigh Special to Charlotte OBJ
server, Sept. 1.-Confronted by the
certainty of death in the electric
chair Friday morning for the murder
and robbery of Sidney Swain in Char
lotte, all efforts for commutation
having failed, Charles e. Trull has
made to his spiritual adviser, Rev.
J. w. Potter of the Glenwood Meth
odist church, what he terms his
dying and true Confession" In 1t
he admits practically all of the state
ment he made to Governor Craig's
stenographer last week in effort to
induce the governor to reconsider
his refusal to extend executive elem
ency, was false and declares that
only he is responsible for the murder
and robbery of old man Swain.
The written confession which he
wrote out Monday night and handed
to Rev. Mr.. Potter this afternoon. is
even more rambling and disconnected
than the statement made to the gov
ernor's stenographer He makes II
clear. however, that Barton did not
kill Swain or have any part or knowl-
edge of the robbery"
The confession is addressed to
Clifford Newell and D. b. Paul as
my dear kind friends" 1t follows:
Forgive me for what have so
rashly did and pray that my soul NAV
never suffer for that sin, for / have
thoroughly and humbly repented for
all l have said. 1t Is true some fatal
mistakes were made. However, con-
sidering everything. I will say that
you advised me. l believe. as you
thought best. Also. that you did not
know of my guilt--as I should saw.
facts in my case, whatever. L did not
give you any letter to Governor
Craig and / must say you acted hon
orably with me. really do not
think l am myself since hearing that
l was refused mercy.
How / have suffered YOU could
never think, know or realize. I
wish to say that l am humbly sorry
Tor all have did and pray that God
may have mercy upon my soul. I
have s!nned awful. indeed against
God and man, and my ruin was whis.
key, Women, bad company. never
realized in my life I was cut out to
be bad boy; but was so easily, in
spite OF all Christian. honorable
training-which i received at home
led astray. 1 never did, 1 know. in
tend to kill Mr.. Swain. whatever,
only to stun him and get money and
| vaguely remember 1t. knew /
was not myself for / was under the
influence of whiskey and dope.
Neither did really realize or intend
that Barton should ever suffer, but
merely wished to save my life and
avert disgrace on the name of nv
parents, for l have no right to that
noble. honest name whatever. and I
pray that no one will ever again re-
member or link them together.
FREES BARTON OF BLAME.
Barton did not kill or have any
part or knowledge OF the robbery. (
appreciate kindly and sincerely your
letters and your gentlemanIy manner
or writing me and / ask every one
to please Judge me not for no one
could understand or know. Only the
Supreme Ruler and God of the uni
verse, who I shall pray to forgive me
and cleanse through the precious
blood OF His Son. have suffered
enough. shall pay the extreme
penalty. Then let that be enough
and allow my name and memory TO
. rest
MY noble parents, brothers and
sisters do not deserve such a disgrace
and feel unworthy to breathe their
names. To all those who I uninten-
honaily wronged by my deeds, espe-
| ciaiiy the widow aud her son and
loved ones, feel indeed sorry for
and fully repent with all my aching
heart for my sins and wrongs.
To MIR. Jake and AIR. Morrison /
leave only my best wishes and the
fact. that you never won my case was
That | never told VOC the truth. am
Continued on Page Eight)