Year: 1868

nothing TO say to him; he then went away ana came
again me me next day. and said Y would tell him all
him that had nothing to say he took me out in the
ONCE and asked me few questions; he said that
remarks; he said that had been % arrested there
once before and told him yes, had been, and
was this:-I was sitting in the barroom Of a friend
in Hartford when two officers came in and asked me
drink said YES, and they then said, swe % yoa must
come along with us;n that was the way came to be
arrested; was fined 81; Mr.: Packard a police ON
GER testified In court at my trial In Hudson that


made statement to him while In the Jail at Hart
ford which l never made 70 him; al there was
and gave him answers; officer Kelley, o2 Albany,
came TO Hartford and told me he was a detective;
that he had requistion from the Governor to take
me to Hudson; asked him to show II TO me- but ne
did not; he took to Albany and we went into his
office there, where stad two or three hours and he
ernor and took me to the jail; staid there two
days and then was brought to the jail In
hs tins &C cisy; S Kelley stated that made sGnfes
him why was he examined on my tralY made no
statement to Kelley whatever; he used me WELL out
tered the Court House yard "The Hartford Insurance
Company have told me enough about you to hang
you already" and replied, awel then, II that is
the case, 1 shall not need any longer;n | was
placed IN the Hudson jail on the 23d day OF De-
cem6er cen 6a, lse. where remained until April 1868;
to investigate the circumstances Of the alleged
der, and It is said reported his way home that he
to belong to me, on which axe was a guam
tity of red hair and blood, and found secreted |
was no truth in this story-that there was |
no axe found wrapped up in a vest belonging to me;
which had been left there by former occupants of the
premises; in opening the case for the people the Dis


rlc Attorney made the remark that if was guilty or
not guilty or the murder ought to go to State Pr
son for six years do not feel satisfied with the pro-
ceedings OF the court Mr.. Allen the Coroner, should


in my opinion, have had a.chance to state what APP
peared in connection with the investigation OF the
Ceroner's Jury; think also that MI. Drown |
under his observation; he and few others |
were prevented from stating facts which would |
have thrown light upon the case, but were |
Drown told me that Mr. Beale never tried |
to open the pantry doors Mr.. Clark told me the
charge to the jury, because he said l was the |
last. last man in the house, the pantry door was
then the re@arH wSo SUor did ws Mas
for the jury to decide these facts; the Judges |
charge ,h,s to TO the the Jury N was hard against me


rule that the prisoner is entitled to the benefit OF all
reasonable doubts was reversed in my case the jury
recommended me to mercy, but have not received |
any at the hands of man yet but hope to receive it
In the fuure was married to Miss Josephine We'd
der January 2, 1896, in New Haven, Conn, by a |
Methodist clergyman; the night of the fire |
Harriet Silverna came to my house and asked |
Angie II she would go with her to meeting she said
she could not go, as her father and mother were |
going out to spend the evening; we were eating sup
per at this time .; my wife said to me, 'Joe ! am





! said yes; this was when Harriet Svernai was |
present.


In regard to this crime have only to say in addi-
ton that my greatest satisfaction Is in the belief
that in the endless future all men will be satisfied of
my innocence. Great stress has been laid upon the
statement that my wife has controlled me, which s
not so; have generally managed my own AFFAIRS
having had the ability to do so; freely forgive the
Judge, District Attorney and all others who were
instrumental In my cOnvictiOn the treatment /
have received since prisoner at the hands of Sheriff
Overfiser, County Clerk 4. G. Terry, Mr. Cyrus
Macy, the Rev. Mr.. Johnson, and other gentlemen
whose names l cannot now remember has been
most kind and cOnsiderate; without money friends
they have befriended me In the hour OF
my adversely, and ! pray that the God be-
fore whom am shortly to appear will bless them |
In this world and that their final abiding place may
be heaven; especially do Ireturn my grateful thanks
to Mr.. X. Il. Andrews, who has devoted him
self to my case with fidelity equal to that Of |
brother; he has not received one cent |
remuneration for his laborious duties. and |
has freely given his time and money to secure justice
to me; cannot In the gratitude Of my heart, thank
him enough, and II beseech kind Providence to
shower the richest blessings upon him; he most ably
defended me on my trial and am well satisfied with


In regard to this crime am not guilty I know
nothing Of Its commission believe the death Of the
child was purely accidental am not guilty OF the
crime OF murder neither an guilty Of setting fire
TO the building this statement Is true, and make
It with consciousness that am soon to answer at
the bar OF my Maker for for all deeds done In this
life.


This statement Ia the only one that have made as
my dying decl aratiOn. his
JOSEPH BROWN
OIL. mark


witness-Cyras Macy Byron G. Howard.