Evening star., 1932-05-15

CLIPPNG from New York paper of Sat-
- urday, April 2e, 1881:
SUICIDE CLEARS MURDER
MYSTERY.
Eugene r. Decker shoots himself, leaving
written confession of guilt. Sanford Ferris to
be released after arrest for crime.
Eugene p Decker, lawyer and partner OF
the late Joseph Blackor died by his own hand
in his apartment yesterday afternoon. His
death clears up mystery, and entirely
exoncrates another man Of the charge or
having murdered Joseph Blackor. Sanford
Ferris was arrested three days ago on war
rant given out by Judge Smith and taken TO
the Tombs."
At Z o'clock yesterday evening Mrs. Nellie
Burns, proprietress of the house where Decker
had his apartment went to his room to deliver
a package Of clean laundry. She tapped on the
door, Almost instantly there was loud report
and the sound Of a falling body. She ran
downstairs and got Patrolman Ernest Fay,
who forced open the door. Decker was lying
dead on the floor, bullet wound in his head.
On the desk lay most amazing confession OF
guilt. Suspicion for the murder OF Blackor had
never once been directed against him, but
had fallen on Sanford Ferris from the first.
Had Ferris been brought to trial. Detective
William Wade stated last night, the chances
were stronge for his conviction, as circum-
stantial evidence was so strongly against him
Deckers confession is too long to be printed
in full. but the last part with the actual COM
mitment of the murder is given:
Its all upi understood everything. Ferris
arrest was blind and Wade has suspected me
from the first. He's outside now waiting for
me- Just went to the window and saw him.
couldn't see his face, but he wore the brown
hat he always wears and I'm sure 1t was he.
When I 60 out to start for the steamer he'll
get me. But Will he? Maybe I'll be where he
can't follow me.
Last night I woke up wondering why he
hadn't called on me for evidence against Ferris.
I knew Ferris and knew Blackor. He should
know could tell him things. I couldn't sleep
for thinking about it. Just now when looked
out and saw him, knewi He had been after
me all the time! don't have to start for an
hour. so I'm going to write the finish to this
tale. If I get on board the steamer safely,
IN throw these papers into the sea. If he
comes and finds Newell he'd better have q
correct account Of the case. He won't get me-
My loaded pistol is lying on the desk In front
Of me.
II killed Blackor. That doesn't surprise you,
I know Mr.. Wade. He was low-down skunk
and deserved what he got, and more. He'd
always had an influence over me. He and
Ferris concocted dirty scheme. They were
hard up-card playing and all that-and
needed cash. had relative, an old woman.
They made me get hold Of her affairs she
was nch-and put them in our ONCE. She
gave me control Of everything. Blackor
borrowed some Of her securities and used
them to pull himself and Ferris out Of the
hole. Then began q steady system Of borrow
ing, saw her fortune dwindling. and I was
powerless to stop 1t.
The old lady died. She had never known
about the borrowing as We had paid her Q
steady income each month. She had made
Blackor and me her executors and was her
>I., y.nir ~~A -
hands on some real money at last-I knew
there was still lot left But soon found that
Blackor and Ferris had their paws on it. They
needed 1t to finance some crooked deal They
flung me an occasional check. like q bone
thrown to q dog to keep him quiet. I thought
Of q dozen ways to be rid Of them, but there
seemed to be only one. Death for Blackor.
MY scheme was q wonderful one I'd kill
Blackor and pin the crime so tight on Ferris
he couldn't escape. In that way I'd be rid Of
them both. and the money would be entirely
mine. I've already said that Ferris apart
ment had been robbed. That gave me an idea.
Blackor had terrible fear Of thieves. per-
suaded him to borrow Ferris pistol for pro-
lection. That was after Ferris and his friend
had climbed down the fire escape and fright
ened him. After that managed to stage the
fight in Lindley's apartment. Ferris had always
been jealous Of Blackor It was easy to get
him to drink bit too much. and then to
incite him to rage. I dropped q quiet word
about an old quarrel between them. Instantly
he fared up and irsulted Blackor
II went to the house as have already
described. only I carried bottle containing
ch1orform, CLOTH and large bath towel In
my brief case. reconnoitered. The down.
stairs han seemed to be empty. It was neces-
sary to my scheme that no one should see me
enter. It was when was two or three steps
up the stairs that saw the elevator operator.
I was frightened. However, went on, Is you
know. Blackor opened the door for me and
We sat down for about Is minutes discussing
the Carey case. was perfectly calm. and vas
waiting for my moment to come
He was sitting On the end Of the sofa
smoking . long cigar got up. and moving