New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-11

Gowdy. sixty-nine. Certificate says
she was i'll with cholera morbus for
six days. acute gastric intestinal
condition wore out the heart" was
the statement Of attending woman
physician. Town Clerk George X.
Maude, Of Windsor, who records all
vital statistics, admitted to-day that
several women living near the Archer
home asked him 10 investigate alleged
suspicious circumstances concerning
Mrs. Gowdy's death. lie told them, he
says, ITS up TO the doctors"
III never noticed anything suspicious
about any of the cases at the Archer
home" Frost said, as he hurried away
from the inquest. They questioned
me to-day in regard to Andrews only:
! know that this woman has powerful
enemies in Windsor. Every one in the
town knows il. In my frequent visits
TO the home, however, | never FOUND
an inmate who would say anything
against Mrs. Gilligsn."
In her first authorized utterance on
the charge Of murder made against
her, Mrs. Gilligan says: shortly after
the death OF Franklin II. Andrews, in
May, 1914, | was informed that the
authorities were trying TO connect his
passing away with some criminal act
on the part Of some person IN the
home.
"A few Of my neighbors who had ex-
pected to derive profit By trading with
the inmates distorted the facts to keep
the agitation alive. | have been in
formed that Coroner Calhoun and
States Attorney Alcorn conducted an
investigation of the report and that
DR.. II. +. King, medical examiner in
Windsor and Mr. Andrews's attending
physician. was refused permission TO
cxhume the body for an autopsy.
"For months | was told that the au-
thorities were investigating the insti-
tuition and it's management. but having
done no wrong and having nothing to
fear continued to solicit patronage.
"Of course, large number of the
inmates died. Most Of them were old
and feeble when they came under my
care. Many of them were suffering
from diseases other than those incident
10 old age. In each instance when a
death occurred the relatives were noti-
fed. unless, perchance. the relatives
had left instructions that they were
not TO be notifed-in other words, If
they had abandoned the inmate.
Duped by Police. She Says.
when was arrested I asked the po-
lice officers if it would not be advisa-
BILE for me TO consult an attorney.
They told me that if ! would follow
their advice all notoriety would be
avoided. We are friendly to you they
said, and we want to make it easy for
YOU Well, followed their advice and
am in Jail without a hearing.
"The public knows nothing Of my
side of the case and less about the
real facts behind my arrest. After
was locked up Captain Hurley, Of the
state police. came to see me, TO ad-
wise me as r-iend. he said. He told
me that if | would sign a statement
admitting one murder the authorities
would drop three other murder charges
about to be brought against me. Thank
God / did not follow his advice!
II am innocent of wrongdoing to any
person who has ever been an inmate
OF my house as child five years old.
An examination of my record books Will
show the sbsurdity Of the charge that
took inmates under life contracts and
then tried 10 make money by poisoning
them.
81 have no money. When my hus-
hand died he left his property to rela-
tives other than myself. | own two
small pieces OF real estate worth 81
600. which are mortgaged for half that
amount. All my life ! have worked
hard. scrubbing. washing. cooking and
giving my personal attention to the
house My one ambition has been not
TO get wealthy but 20 educate my
daughter. who is heartbroken because
Of this awful charge brought against
me. when she came TO the Jail TO see
me this morning il stunned me TO see
her weep because her pictures had been
published on the front page of Hart
ford newspaper. This was a cowardly
Outrage | hope the man responsible
for il will some day feel little OF the
anguish which stabs a mothers heart
now as a result Of his mean and con-
tcmptible conCuct.
"When I WAS managing the house ]
contracted small bills. Nv lawyer
tells me that the kindhearted deputy
sheriff in Windsor has placed attach
ments on my property, making 1T i'm
possible for me to raise funds for my
defence. II seems as though all the
world has turned against me. At times
feel a forlorn and defenceless woman,
but | try to have faith in God. My
love for my baby girl will give me
strength TO live until my innocence is
proved. ask for no sympathy, no
charity, just chance to prove my IN
nocence."