Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-17

condemn me. That would be impossible.
1 am thankful because, maybe now, they
Will never know that the dnddy they
loved SO much md who they think is
away on sen duty was on trial for the
so dearly. -.
"a great load was lifted off my mind
when Judge Chinn announced in court
last night that my little Kathy
was not competent TO testify, but still
a greater load was lifted when the com
monwcalth attorney, Mr.. Mayo, said he
would not call my son, the boy who
bears my name. No one can imagine
how ] felt. The strain was terrible,
far greater than any had been SUBJ
jccted TO since my arrest charged With
this murder"
II don't want. my Riddles to know.
would prefer by far that I go to my
death in the electric chair than to have
them know that the reason their daddy
has been away from them is that ne IL
in prison charged with killing tSeit
mother. Suspense has been awful, but
now / know they nrc not r. he brought
into court my mind is relieved.
Prays Daily for Riddles
"Of course, I want to see my kid
dies. It may sound funny for me &c
say that I have prayed night and
morning for them, but it is the Gods
truth, and I am only waiting for the
moment when my council. Messrs,
Butzner and Chichester, walk me out .!
court free man.
'I want to see my kiddies badly,
When heard they were here within Q
stones throw of this little Jail pecrcd
out the screened barred window, think
s..- nltv,noo of thnp, nj
I didn't. Then I thought maybe
could arrange to have the Sheriff take
me to the hotel where they were stop
ping and there have the glad meeting
/ have looked forward to for so many
weeks. but they wouldn't let me go
However, 1t Is now only a matter OF
hours, | think, before l will have them
in my arms.
81 am not ns black as the Common =
wealth would have the people believe,
and in due time it will be shown tina,
] had absolutely nothing to do with the
cruel murder of my wife. Franklin
Caruthcrs spoke the truth on the wit.
ness stand when he said | was aboard
the boat when he got to the pier.
left my home exactly at 5 80 A. N
on the morning my wife was killed.
left my wife sitting at the table.
had kissed her good-by and said the
usual so long Never for one moment
did / suspect that she was in danger il
I had / would have remained at home
with her.
II asked my mother, sister ant
brother to come on here from Philndei
phia to be near me in my greatest houl
Of peril and to be with me when / all
set free. They know my story as vii
tell it on the stand. 1 have told then
everything; every little detail of IN!
acquaintnnceship with Miss Knox. ant
they are quite as confident as ] an
that I will he able to show that l hat
no part in this murder of my wife.
Would Have Died for Wife
"How could any one believe that
could kiss my wife good by as 1 went t
nv daily work. If / had a plan in IN!
heart to harm her. or IL l knew he
life was in danger, God forbid. woult
have shielded Margaret at the cost o
my own life:
'"I would like to bare my soul to you
but Mr.. Butzner said l must wait ant
tell my real story on the stand. I an
ycarning for that time
Eastlake was asked about the lette
that Miss Knox wrote to his wife ],
which she speaks of Miss Knox
brother. Mason Knox.
10 say about that or my wife's char
actcr either" he said. ~ sincerel
hope that I will not be compelled t
talk on that subject. I believe I woul,
rather die than speak"
Then with his head bowed low East
lake walked away saying. Guess
will say prayer for my kiddieS.'