Year: 1867




Hon. L. Harris Hiscox, member of the
constitutional convention, was Just shot
dead at Stanwix hall, by man who talks
deliberately Of the deed and says he can
justify it.


The man who shot Hon. L. Harris His
cox, is General Cole, lumber dealer of
Syracuse. About halt past eight o'clock
Hiscox was standing in the large reception
room of the hotel near the clerks desk, in
his slippers. Cole who was sitting near by,
rose and approached Hiscox, made some
remark which was not distinctly overheard
by those near, and Immediately thereafter
drew small pistol and presented it to his
head and fired, the ball entering near the
right eye Hiscox fell back senseless and
bleeding profusely and expired within
thirty minutes. Cole remarked Hiscox
had been his best friend, but while he
(Cole, was in the army, where he rose to
the grade Of general in the cavalry SER
vice, he had raped his wife, and added, II
have the evidence now in my pocket.


He quietly awaited the coming of the po-
lice and was conveyed to the station house.


A coroner's inquest is being empanneled,
but it is not likely the inquest will be COM
menced until to morrow.


Cole is a tall, fine looking man.


STATEMENT OF COLE.


The following is a statement of the pris-
oner:


THE cause of the tragedy is this 1 had
a friend, L. H. Hiscox thought him the
best friend had in the world have
wife and two children she is as pure as
snow, or was before he became acquainted
with her, in 1864 l was in the army, first
as private and last as major general;
| was in the army five years during the
war. In 1864, my wife was taken sick,
and expected to die, and sent for this law
yer to make her will knowing him to be
friend Of mine. While she was in bed he
come and lifted her up and kissed her.
All this time he expressed his friendship
tor me, and and sympathy for her. After
her recovery he came again. One evening
be came in the disguise of business when
the family with whom she boarded (rela-
tives of hers) were absent, when he started
to leave, she started to the door to bid him
good night. He threw his arm around her
and endeavored by all means within his
power to have criminal intercourse with her,
she demonstrating, and praying him to de-
sist, which he finally did, but not until af-
ter shahefully insulting and exposing her.
She was still weak tron the result of her
sickness. He then. went away, and she
sank to the floor with shame and exhaus,
tlon, fearful to make any alarm, as he had
been there SO frequently before and false
opinions might be formed. She .Fas fear
ful, also, OF the consequences if should
know it; he afterwards called again, and
expressed SO much sorrow for his conduct
that she did not make any exposure. After
that he continued to call, and endeavored
by all means to seduce her, and made a
similar forclble attempt again. She, op-
pressed with feeling of shame and guilt
for having permitted him to kiss her, and
tor not having exposed the former inter
view, did not dare to make an exposure. -
This was repeated a number of times, she
resisting and preventing the full accomplish
ment OF his purpose, and he making efforts
at all times to overcome her by exciting
her passions. After open threats ofex-
posure to me he desisted for short time.
After my return from the army had occa.
sion to visit Washington about four months
since, and while [ was absent he went to
my house and solicited my wife again, be-
seeching her that she would submit fully.
10 this she made an indignant refusal, but
was still not relievedlfrom his importunities.
he trying every opportunity to annoy her.
but he never fully accomplished his pur
poses. All this time /, as husband, felt.
that there was something wrong in regard
to my wife because she seldom smiled, and
seemed broken hearted during all of these
three years. Only week ago last Monday
he met me In the street and asked me when
was going away again, which he had done
at previous times, andtherefore [ noticed
it. His guilty manner awoke the first sus-
plclon in my mind as to my wife virtue. =
Upon that, after my return to New York.
l wrote to friend asking if he had ever
seen any lmproprieties between Mr.. His
COX and my wife. He replied he had seen
suspicious circumstances. l immediately
come home on Sunday morning last. and
learned the above facts from the lips of nv
wife herself When | found thathe had be-
trayed the love of my wife and de6led her
person, and when l found her utterly bro.
ken hearted and my home desolated. / felt
distracted, and as if I should be Obliged to
kill her destroyer. At her solicitation.
that L might avoid so great calamity to
her and her poor little children, instead of
hunting him up at once and shooting him.
as felt inclined, / waited until to- day.
that might become more calm. I came
to Albany o-day, from Syracuse, with NV
wife intending to take her to her sister 5
In Brooklyn, where she might have less
opportunities to brood over her troubles,
and then to return myself to Albany, where
l learned Mr. Hiscox was, force him at the
mouth of pistol on his knees to beg for
glveness tor the great injury he had done
me, and then to leave the country in two
days. thought bad the better of my mind,
and when went over to his hotel, and
when the fall of my poor heart broken wife
and the disgrace of my children rose up
before me, l could not restrain myself.
n had not spoken to- him. thought l was
calm. could not speak. Something was
in my throat, and could not say word. -
At tie station house the prisoner being
requested to hand over everything in bis
possession, he delivered his pistols, &c.
and declared positively that he had retained
nothing but, on being searched, there
was fousd concealed upon him a large
sharp-bladed spring knife, from which it i:
argued he contemplated suicide.


About midnight he was removed to the
jail.


MI. Tharo 49, Go xbo,,rorI -.