Year: 1869




Since the murder of Mrs. Hill in November
last, five months ago, Notwithstanding the eluei-
dating evidence adduced on the trial, certain
air of mystery has surrounded the tragedy. This
is now dispelled Yesterday reporters of the
various daily papers waited Mrs. Camille
Twitchell, who had signifed her determination
OF responding TO the allegations of her husband
and clearing herself of the imputations which
that religious young motricde had endeavored
to fssten upon her. Her verbal statements were
taken from her own lips as given below; the
letters are copies from the originals, written by
Twtchell during his incarceration. Our reporter
has seen his handwriting, and from close and
scrutlnizing examination has no doubt that the
documents are genuine. They are written on
note paper in very small letters, closely packed
together, evidently 40 inscribed to avoid bulk
and admit of their transmission TO Mrs Twitchen,
on her visits 10 the cell, without detection by
the keeper


Aside, however from the fact that these letters
are undoubtedly what they purport to be-the
enusons of George Twitchell written by himself
they bear other evidences of their genuine
ness. They also throw additional light upon the
manner of the commission of the crime, for 1t
seems more than probable that in many of the
leading features of the confession Twitehell
has drawn on his knowledge rather than his
imagination. The parts cast for Gilbert or Lee
are no myths, and only need the substitution of
his own name to make them literally correct n
the main points.


The very cowardice of the resorts TO save his
neck accords with Twitchell's bravadO at the
trial and tears and eye-rollings at the reading OF
the death sentence. The hypocrisy of the state
ment II know nothing about it, ~ made in tears
and sobs, agrees perfectly with the attempts to
Mr.. Bringhurst tool, while the prisoner
was mocking that gentlemans attempts 70 in
duce in his penitent religious faith in Gods
mercy, and resignation to his impending fate
His own confession is now understood to be
last urgent appeal to the wife to grant the re-
quest made in the letters we give below. The
challenge to her to come forward and disprove
his declaration is believed by Mrs. Twitchen,
and for that matter by every one else, to have
been made in the firm hope that she would either
use one of the three confessions offered her, or
flee, and SO give color of truth to his lies.


In her conversation with the reporters Mrs.
Iwitchell was nervous and agtated, and in the
pale carewom face of the woman it was easy 30
read intense suffering and mental prostration,
but whether this be the effect merely of anxiety
at her own and her husbands fate, or the ha-
RAISING OF conscience guilty of completely in
mothers death, none save. herself can tell. That
she positively denies any knowledge Of the mar
der until after ii was committed, and even then
knew nothing more than the merest spectator. .
will be seen by her statement given below In,
her manner Mrs. Twitchell was very earnest
seemingly desirous of thoroughly impressing
her hearers with a conviction of her innocence
In her manner there was also an
evident undercurrent of restraint, as though
she was half-ashamed of the part she was play
ing towards her husband, in exposing his ras-
cality after his death, which, though in violation
of the rule, ''Of the dead say nothing save good"
was nevertheless necessary to her own good
name. Her demeanor was furthermore that Of
interviews with her husband and the nature of
his infamous requests she was nearly overcome
with sorrow and grief This is the last phase of
the affair which has caused so much excitement
will die away, for the public have little if any
thing more 10 learn Of the terrible deed and its
consequences.