The Washington times., 1921-05-07
BABE FUTURE.
GR|EvED 0DElL
Slayer's Letters Express Regret
Over Stigma on Wife
and Child.

ROCHESTER,. N. ", May =
James Louis Odell sent his last
message to his stepmother, Mrs.
George B. Arnold, of this city, just
before he went to his death in the
electric chair in Sing Sing.
LOVED FOSTER PARENTS.
The letter. which was written on
the last day he was alive and before
him In the prison, contains express
sions of love for his foster parents
and for his wife, Pearl Beaver Odell.
and the baby, Mildred Naomi Odell.
my dear beloved mother" he began
In addressing the letter to Mrs. Ar
mold, and he told her he always had
"a great love" for her. From that
point he went on to speak Of the
Judge of all judges" and of the
stigma, as he phrased 1t, that would
fall on the baby.
The letter did not arrive in Roches-
te until Monday. Coming two days
after the funeral OF Odell, 1t was a
shock to Mrs. Arnold.
On the morning of the day that
Odell was to be taken to the electric
chair letter was received in
Odell bade goodbye to his foster
parent.
"All we can do is to hope for the
best at all times" Odell wrote. He
asked Mr.. Arnold to keep his belong
ings, take good care of them and see
that some were turned over to Pearl
and the baby. He wished success and
happiness to both Mr.. and Mrs.
Arnold in the closing, and signed 1t
son"
MOTHERS LAST VISIT.
Mrs. Arnold bursts into tears nearly
every time Odell's name Is spoken in
her hearing. When seen in her home
she said she wished she could have
her son back with her.
They hoped to the last at Os-
slning that Governor Miller would
commute the sentence of my boy"
said Mrs. Arnold. "They all liked
him in the prison. He was a favorite
of Warden Lawes, and he had every
enc wishing that his sentence would
I've commuted. Even as late as
o'clock on the night he was to die
Warden Lawes communicated with
the governor to learn If reprieve
mad been granted to my boy.
They treated me fine there at
Sing Sing. left Rochester on
Wednesday night and arrived at the
Trison where my boy was the next
morning. He sobbed, oh. mother
How my heart went out to that
boy! They let us talk to each other
for a few minutes and then he was
forced to return to his cell. Later /
had dinner with Mrs. Lawes and
tnen the pastor, the Rev. Anthony
N Peterson. took me for an auto
mobile ride. After we had ridden
for some time we went to his
house, and when it was all over
they took me to the station at
Cssining and put me on the train
that carried me home"
The Odell babys name is Mildred
Naomi Odell. 1t was given to her
jointly by Odell and his wife. 1t
was Mrs. Odell's idea that the girl
be called Mildred, while odell ,sug-
gested Naomi
ODELL's LAST TWO LETTERS.
Below are the last letters which
were sent to the foster parents of
Odell:
Dear Dad: Just few lines to you
and mother in answer to your kind
and welcome letter, and / was very
pleased to hear from you as eyer. I
hope you are in good health, also
mother; az for myself ] am feeling
fairly good under the present circum-
stances.
"As you say in your letter, all we
can do is to hope for the best at
all times. and il in the end all efforts
have been in vain. / am called home
before n higher Judge. All my be-
longings / leave in your care and per-
sonal keeping; you are at liberty to
dispose OF any article you may see fit.
You will keep any personal articles CT
mine, such as fraternal articles, navy
articles, or any other article which
you believe to be of benefit to my
wife and baby. These articles you
will have in your keeping until you
believe the right time has come to de-
liver them.
81 leave everything in your honest
keeping for my wife and child, and
you can use your Judgment. My
only hopes are for the best at all
times and | wish you and mother sue
cess and happiness, also all the rest
OF the family. ] will close for this
time with my very best wishes to you
and all. I'm am, as ever,
with love,
uJAMES JOITIC ODEIJn