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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #66900 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66900)
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-The Project Gutenberg eBook of Life and Confession of Ann Walters,
-The Female Murderess!!, by Anonymous 
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
-will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
-using this eBook.
-
-Title: Life and Confession of Ann Walters, The Female Murderess!!
-
-Author: Anonymous 
-
-Release Date: December 8, 2021 [eBook #66900]
-
-Language: English
-
-Produced by: The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
-             https://www.pgdp.net (Images Courtesy of Cornell University
-             Law Library, Trial Pamphlets Collection)
-
-*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE AND CONFESSION OF ANN
-WALTERS, THE FEMALE MURDERESS!! ***
-
-
-
-
-
-LIFE AND CONFESSION
-
-OF
-
-ANN WALTERS,
-
-The Female Murderess!!
-
-ALSO, THE EXECUTION OF
-
-ENOS G. DUDLEY,
-
-AT HAVERHILL, N. H., MAY 23D, 1849.
-
-TO WHICH IS ADDED
-
-THE CONFESSION OF
-
-MARY RUNKLE,
-
-WHO WAS EXECUTED FOR MURDER.
-
-PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR.
-
-1850.
-
-
-
-
-CONFESSION OF
-
-ANN WALTERS,
-
-A FEMALE MURDERESS!
-
-
-It has probably never fallen to the lot of man to record a list of more
-cruel, heart-rending, atrocious, cold-blooded and horrible crimes and
-murders, than have been perpetrated by the subject of this narrative,
-and that too in the midst of a highly civilized and Christian
-community; and deeds, too, which for the depravity of every human
-feeling seems scarcely to have found a parallel in the annals of crime.
-
-And it seems doubly shocking and atrocious, when we find them committed
-by one of the Female sex, which sex have always been esteemed as having
-a higher regard for virtue and a far greater aversion to acts of
-barbarity, even in the most abandoned of their sex, than is generally
-found in men of the same class, and we may truly say that we have
-never seen recorded a greater instance of moral depravity, or one so
-perfectly regardless of every virtuous feeling which should inhabit the
-human breast, as the one it becomes our painful lot to lay before our
-readers, in the account of Ann Walters, the subject of this thrilling
-and interesting narrative. And we will now endeavor to state the facts
-as they have actually transpired; and our readers may rely upon the
-account here given of her parentage, as they have been selected from
-the most authentic sources, which no pains were spared to obtain.
-
-S. P. Smith the father of the subject of this narrative was the son of
-a wealthy nobleman residing in Yorkshire county, in the northern part
-of England. He had in the early part of his life received a liberal
-education, as we learn from the pen of one of his youthful companions,
-from which we principally quote so far as regards his career, but was
-regardless of the endeavors of his kind parents to plant in him that
-youthful impression of morality and obedience, for in vain did they
-labor to bend his stiff neck. As we learn, by his father’s refusal to
-comply with his request in marrying the object of his first love, he
-fell a prey to that soul-destroying monster, intemperance. He then
-secretly married a woman, who, by her intrigue and artfulness, had
-succeeded in drawing his affections towards her, and was also very
-remarkable for the influence she exercised over the minds of men as
-will be seen by referring to circumstances which occurred subsequently;
-for by her great artfulness she succeeded in marrying her daughters,
-four in number, to persons of respectability, although they were every
-one of them prostitutes of the most common character. On this and
-many other similar accounts, she was considered by many superstitious
-persons a witch.
-
-Soon after his father heard of his marriage, whose indignation and
-anger become so great, that he determined to cut him off with a
-shilling, and forbid his ever entering his house.
-
-Matters had now come to such a pass that he had determined to leave his
-native country, and his wife concurred in the plan; she soon scraped
-up her effects, for she had a small estate of her own, and turned them
-into money. They then embarked on board of one of his Majesty’s ships
-bound for Montreal, where he settled down, and for several years gained
-a comfortable livelihood for his family by industry, but as his family
-increased, and the means of living began to grow rather scanty, his
-evil habits of intemperance also gained upon him. He forsook all honest
-courses of getting a living and joined a band of smugglers, moving
-from Montreal to the village of St. Johns, situated on the St. John’s
-River, about thirty miles from Montreal, and here carried on a regular
-course of smuggling between Montreal, Plattsburg New York, Burlington
-in Vermont, sometimes going as far as Quebec, to obtain articles which
-they could not readily get in Montreal, and as his house was situated
-at a convenient distance from those places, they made it a receptacle
-for their goods until such times as they should find an opportunity to
-run them in and dispose of them.
-
-While things were going on in this style, it so happened that an old
-acquaintance whose name was Alexander Paine moved from Montreal and
-settled in the neighborhood in which Smith resided, and as they had
-formerly been on intimate terms, the acquaintance was soon renewed,
-though not much to the satisfaction of Smith, as he knew Paine to be a
-man of very sober, honest habits, and not likely to be easily persuaded
-to forsake the path of virtue, and it was on this ground, and the
-fear of detection and exposure, that Smith dreaded again becoming on
-intimate terms with an old acquaintance; for Paine was as yet entirely
-ignorant of the business Smith was following, for he, Smith, had always
-managed, through the influence of his wife, to keep up the appearance
-of honesty and respectability during his stay in Montreal.
-
-As Paine frequently happened at the house of Smith, he soon began to
-suspect that all was not right. However he said nothing on the subject,
-until one evening he happened to be passing by Smith’s house rather
-late, and seeing, as he thought, an uncommon stir going on at that
-late hour, he determined to go in and satisfy his doubts as to what he
-before suspected, and there he found Smith and two or three more of
-his gang secreting goods, which he knew must have been either smuggled
-or stolen. He therefore at once threatened to expose them immediately.
-Smith then tried every means of persuasion in his power to induce Paine
-to join in his unlawful pursuits, but all in vain, as Paine said that
-his duty to his God and his country would be the instant exposure of
-their misdoings.--Smith finding that he could not induce him to join at
-any rate, then had recourse to stratagem.
-
-He begged of Paine to allow but three days to settle up his affairs and
-leave the country, swearing in the most solemn manner, and calling upon
-his God to witness that if he would grant him this request he would
-immediately leave off his dishonest course of living, and forever after
-become an honest man. All this he said in such an earnest manner, that
-Paine, seeing that it would be the utter ruin of Smith’s whole family,
-as well as himself, at length yielded to his request, after the most
-solemn assurance that Smith would do as he swore.
-
-But we will see how well he regarded his promise; for no sooner than
-Paine had left the house, he called in his companions, and held a
-consultation as to what should be done. Meanwhile the bottle was
-circulated freely so as to steel their hearts, and fit them for any
-fiendish purpose that should suggest itself to their maddened brain;
-and they determined, before they separated, as the only chance of
-escaping and avoiding the law, to murder Paine. They then separated for
-the night, resolving to meet early the next day and lay the plan for
-their diabolical and fiendish purpose, which was as follows:--
-
-It was agreed that they should meet near Paine’s house about dark, or
-soon after, and endeavor by some means or other to decoy him away from
-the house to the river, where they were to fall upon him and kill him
-with weapons they should provide for the purpose; then they were to
-tie a large weight about his neck and throw his body into the river.
-Accordingly they repaired to the place of rendezvous appointed, each
-one armed for the diabolical purpose with some deadly weapon. After
-waiting some time without being able to see or hear anything of Paine,
-for he happened to be away from home, and did not return until late,
-they repaired to a low public house near by, to consider what should
-be done, as they were now frustrated in their design. They here drank
-deeply, and urged on to desperation by the maddening and intoxicating
-draught they had taken, resolved upon the death of their victim at
-all hazards. After disguising themselves as much as possible, they
-went back again to Paine’s house, and stationed themselves one on
-each side of the house, to give the alarm if they were likely to be
-discovered. Smith then entered the house and groped his way through
-the dark until he came to the room where Paine and his wife slept.
-Paine hearing the door open, raised himself a little in the bed and
-enquired who was there, when Smith raised an axe which he picked up
-outside the door, and struck Paine upon the head nearly burying it
-to the socket, and splitting his head in a horrible manner. He then
-threw down the axe and drew a large butcher knife, and rushed upon
-him, and stabbed him to the heart, and cut his throat from ear to ear
-and otherwise mangled his body in a most horrible manner. During this
-time Paine’s wife was screaming as loud as possible, but Smith paid no
-attention to her cries, intent only on the death of his victim. His
-companions outside fled upon hearing her cries, and persons in the
-neighborhood, on hearing the alarm repaired to the house. Smith was
-taken just as he was coming out of the house; he was kept in custody
-until the following day, when a warrant was signed and he committed to
-prison, until the first sitting of the Supreme Court, where he received
-the just merit of his cruel and blood-thirsty crime. He was tried,
-condemned and sentenced to be hung, I believe, in 1822, which finished
-his cruel and unlawful career. Had he himself fled after striking the
-first blow, he too might have probably escaped, but perhaps he was too
-much intoxicated. Thus some means are always left whereby the guilty
-are sooner or later brought to punishment. It was on the gallows, just
-before he was swung off, that he made a short confession from which we
-copy the words above stated.--The names of his companions we did not
-learn, as he would not discover them, as he said they were the fathers
-of families. We give this short history of him who was the father of
-the subject of this narrative, in order to show the source from which
-she sprung.
-
-After the execution of Smith, his family, as may be supposed, was
-thrown into the utmost confusion, and it was at this time that Mrs.
-Smith saw the necessity of bringing all her artfulness into action,
-as she had now a large family depending upon her for support, and her
-means of living had now become very limited. However she managed so
-as to make her house a house of entertainment for persons travelling
-for pleasure, or those who were spending the summer months in that
-delightful region, away from the more unwholesome air of a crowded
-and pent up city, and in this manner, as may be supposed, they formed
-many new acquaintances, and by keeping up appearances pretty high, and
-teaching her daughters well the art of deception, she soon succeeded
-in marrying them all to persons of considerable respectability. She
-had now an only son who was nearing the age of manhood, and who by his
-long associations with a set of low, drinking, gambling and licentious
-persons, was little better even at this age than a perfect sot, but of
-him we will speak in another page.
-
-The youngest daughter, whose name was Ann and who is the subject of
-this narrative, was at the age of sixteen married to a man whose name
-was Walters, a respectable wheelright from the lower part of Delaware,
-who happened to be travelling in that section of the country in the
-summer of 1828, and stopped for a day or two at St. John’s, where he
-was taken sick, and as he had put up at the house of Mrs. Smith, and
-she found her guest to be a person of very good personal attraction,
-and possessing considerable money, she determined at once to bring
-about a marriage between him and her daughter. Consequently he was
-treated with the greatest care and attention during his illness;
-Ann being his constant and daily attendant. She was an uncommonly
-agreeable person, and by no means bad looking, although rather large.
-She was extraordinarily fond of music and dancing, a great talker,
-very witty and fascinating in her conversation, and concealed her real
-character so well that he soon fell in love with her, and her mother
-also exercising an influence over him, he was induced to marry her
-immediately on his recovery.
-
-The following year he returned to Delaware, taking his wife with
-him, and settling down on the Nontioke river near the Maryland line,
-about ten or twelve miles from Laurel, where he established a ferry
-now called by the same name, also working considerably at his trade
-whenever opportunity permitted.
-
-He had not been married long, as may be supposed, before he found out
-the real character of his wife which preyed upon his constitution.
-His health soon began to decay rapidly, and at the end of three years
-he died, leaving her a young widow just twenty years old. His death
-was not so much grief to her as was supposed by those who dealt out
-sympathies towards her, as the tender hearted but deceived people
-thought, she being so far from her relatives if she had any alive,
-for none were ever seen visiting her since they moved there. But it
-has since been ascertained by her own confession that he died by the
-effects of poison which she gave him through her negro slave whom she
-kept as cook, taking care lest suspicion might occur after his death
-and examination take place, that it might appear a mistake, or through
-the ignorance of the illiterate slave. This she did, thinking no doubt,
-that she was clear of him, as his health seemed declining, she could
-then carry out any plan she might devise for the gratification of
-propensities, for she was very sensual in her pleasures and totally
-incapable of appreciating that high toned feeling and the dignity of
-self respect and refinement which should govern the female sex. She was
-almost indifferent to any principle of justice, as well as to human
-sufferings. She was bold, revengeful, and courageous, and cunning in
-the subjects of her pursuits. She was also very deceitful, shrewd,
-and had great influence over the weaker minds. After the death of her
-husband she became one of the most abandoned and notorious of women,
-giving loose to every species of licentiousness and extravagance, and
-there was no crime too great, no deed too cruel for her to engage in,
-to accomplish any object of her design, after engaging personally in
-acts of the most outrageous butcheries and robbery.
-
-After living in this manner for three years after the death of her
-husband, her previous course of life being secreted from public
-censure, 1835, she moved from her place of habitation to near Johnson’s
-cross roads, on the line between Maryland and Delaware, five miles from
-her old place of habitation. She here set up a low tavern, as she knew
-she would then have a much greater chance of carrying on her unlawful
-and wicked practices here. She made use of a great variety of artifices
-to induce slave dealers and others, who she thought would be likely
-to have any quantity of money with them, to put up with her, and she
-was considered by some to be a very hospitable woman; seldom charging
-her visitors anything. Besides, being a young and fascinating widow,
-just in the flower of life, it was nothing remarkable to see gentlemen
-of various ranks frequenting her house some under the pretence of
-paying addresses to her, besides its being a tavern, as taverns in the
-southern countries differ in regularity from those of the northern
-or free States. Although born in a free country where slavery is
-abhorred, she soon imbibed a taste for the traffic in slaves, as our
-readers may easily perceive that her location was in a slave State
-where morality is not very exalted, as such a course could not possibly
-have been carried on in a free State so long, without meeting the eye
-of detection. However, she so managed matters as to make her house a
-kind of head quarters for slave dealers, who generally had plenty of
-money, she soon got round her a gang of ruffians who were perfectly
-obedient to her will and ready to do the most bloody acts whenever she
-commanded. Of this gang she was always the master-spirit, and deviser
-of ways and means. Whenever travellers called upon her she marked her
-man at once, laid her plans, then gave the watchword and frequently
-became the leader herself in the most horrible crimes.
-
-About the middle of November 1835, a gentleman whose name was Parker,
-from Richmond, Va., on his way to New York, stopped to feed his horse,
-and called for dinner. Finding that he had a large quantity of money
-by him, she placed her unsuspecting guest at a table so that his
-back was near an open window, through which he was shot by one of
-her accomplices. They then robbed him of every thing he had in his
-possession, amounting to three thousand dollars. They then secreted his
-body in the cellar until the night, when a hole was dug in the swamp in
-the rear of the house, where he was afterwards deposited without much
-hesitation. His horse they afterwards sold for two hundred dollars in
-Baltimore.
-
-In about two months after, two slave dealers from Norfolk, Va., called
-at the house on their way to Baltimore, the travelling being very bad,
-and finding it necessary to stop and feed their horses, and refresh
-themselves. After calling for dinner, and making some enquiry about the
-slave market in Baltimore, they engaged in conversation, and whiled
-away the time by exciting and gratifying their feelings by the wit of
-their hostess. Three times they called for their horses, which were at
-length brought, but another glass of wine was passed around, and they
-were enticed to stay a little longer. Thus she kept them until night,
-when they started expecting to reach Laurel, which was about fifteen
-miles distant, via Perkin’s ferry. But no sooner had they departed
-from the house than she dressed herself in men’s attire, and took
-with her three of her gang. One was named Griffin, of whom we will
-speak immediately; another, whose name was Hunt, was one of Griffin’s
-early associates; but the name of the other we are not certain of, as
-he has yet escaped; it is thought he made his way to Texas. However,
-they mounted some of their fleetest horse, and started in pursuit,
-determined on killing and robbing them. Taking another road crossing
-the river above Perkin’s ferry, and placing obstructions in the road as
-it passed up a sandy hill, they there laid in wait for them; stationing
-themselves to fire upon them as they ascended the hill, she and her
-gang rushed out and fired, wounding both of them--one of them so badly
-that he died in a few hours--and so frightening the travellers’ horses
-that they ran away from both robbers and drivers, though the wounded
-travellers managed to drive safely through to Laurel that night, where
-the one who was most hurt died almost immediately on his arrival at the
-inn.
-
-[Illustration: Ann stands behind a guest, seated at a table, with a
-knife in her raised hand.]
-
-The above named Griffin was executed for murder, at Cambridge,
-Maryland, on the 14th of June last, and when brought upon the scaffold,
-he declared, as he stood in the last moments of his earthly existence,
-and on the brink of eternity, expecting in a few moments to meet his
-God in judgment, that he was innocent of the crime, for which he was
-about to die, but still acknowledged that he was guilty of other
-murders of the most awful and blackest shade. He begged a little time
-as he said he could not think of appearing before his eternal Judge,
-without confessing to the world, the awful crimes of which he was
-guilty. He then proceeded as follows:
-
-I was born in the year eighteen hundred and eleven in the town of
-Freeport, Cumberland county, Maine, of temperate, moral, and honest
-parents, who were kind, tender, and loving towards me, their unworthy
-son. Instead of adding comfort to their venerable years, I brought
-grief and sorrow to their heart, and disgrace to their gray heads. I
-lived with my father until I became nineteen years old, when I left
-home in consequence of my father’s contrary disposition, which I then
-thought I had much reason to complain of; but alas, to my sorrow, I
-since became sensible of my error, but too late. An uncontrollable
-desire to leave home seized me, I despised my father’s counsel, and
-strolled about from place to place associating myself with idle and
-dissipated company and by this means soon became one of the most idle
-and dissolute wretches in existence. In this manner I roved about, and
-finally went to Philadelphia. Here I fell in with a young man whose
-name was Hunt, a low gambling sort of a fellow. We agreed to join
-companionship and share equally in whatever we could make. We then kept
-a good look out. Whenever we discovered a man intoxicated after dark,
-or any we thought it possible to make so, we enticed him in to some
-dark alley, or other secret hiding place, and robbed him of what money,
-watches, or other valuables he happened to have with him. Some time
-late in January, we robbed a traveller on the Wilmington road, about
-five miles from the city. We rushed upon him, endeavoring to knock him
-down, but the blow missing its aim, he made a desperate resistance,
-nearly overpowering us, when, drawing a large knife which I always
-carried with me, I stabbed him in the back, when he fell, exclaiming,
-“I am murdered.” We then robbed him of four hundred dollars. Seeing
-an account of the murder, two days after, in the papers, and that the
-Mayor had offered a thousand dollars reward, I feared my companion
-might turn State’s evidence, and I should suffer; I determined to leave
-for New Orlines, or some southern city, as I had plenty of money,
-but I only reached Baltimore, when I was induced to stop. I then
-dressed up pretty fine, intending to play the gentleman. I here became
-acquainted with a very pretty young lady, whose name was Eliza Morton,
-whose father was a respectable merchant of that city. She received
-my addresses very cordially for some time, but at length began to
-suspect that I was not exactly what I pretended to be, and grew daily
-more cold and reserved in my presence. I then tried to persuade her
-to elope with me, but this she at once refused to do, declaring that
-she would never marry against the will of her parents. Finding that I
-could not induce her to accede to my plans, I then determined upon her
-ruin. I then persuaded her to accompany me in a ride for pleasure, and
-conducted her to a house of ill repute, called for a room, and desired
-not to be disturbed. I then locked and bolted the door. Perceiving
-this, she inquired why I did so. I then told her what my intentions
-were, promising her at the same time, that if she would consent to
-marry me before returning to her father’s home, I would desist. This
-she flatly refused, saying at the same time, that she would rather die
-than ever permit herself to be led to the altar by me after taking such
-a dishonorable course. She then attempted to escape, but finding that I
-prevented her, she began to cry out for help, that so enraged me that
-I caught up a towel which was hanging up and tried to force it into
-her mouth. I then twisted it around her neck, choking her until she
-was insensible, I then proceeded to accomplish my hellish purpose, and
-knowing that if she should recover she would immediately expose me, I
-therefore resolved on her death, which I consummated by tying a pocket
-handkerchief around her neck so tight as to prevent the possibility of
-her breathing. I then left her, and, making my way unperceived, fled
-from the city. After that, my disposition became if possible, more
-reckless. I cared little what I did. I reproached myself with all the
-bitterness of anguish, and my very soul was tormented for years, as
-though I felt the wrath of God, and the torments of hell. I would this
-moment, if I had the choice, suffer twenty mortal deaths, such as she
-did, then again enter into the like feeling which I have suffered. But
-I am about to be released. But if you who hear me could but conceive
-the slightest idea of the sufferings my poor heart felt, you would no
-doubt, look on me with pity and not with scorn; but I hope my death
-will be an example to those who survive me, for I am satisfied to leave
-this world, and deserve the fate that awaits me.
-
-He then faltered back, faintish and silent. The above named Eliza
-Morton was murdered on the twenty-second of June, 1833, as we
-ascertained from the coroner’s books, and from her bereaved parents,
-whom he left to sigh after their only daughter.
-
-Ann’s cruelty and atrocity at this time reached to a mature age, for
-she was enveloped in innocent blood, and it seems almost impossible
-that such crimes could possibly be committed by one of such tender
-looking countenance as she possessed even at the bar.
-
-Such a course continued quite smoothly for four years. On one occasion,
-an intended victim had a child about eighteen months old, sometimes
-subject to fits. In these fits the child would scream in a most
-horrible manner. It happened to have one of these fits while in Ann
-Walters’ house. She was so enraged upon hearing its cries, that she
-flew at the child, tearing the clothes from off the victim of her
-wrath, biting it at the same time in the most dreadful manner, and as
-if this was not enough to satisfy her brutal disposition, the child
-still continuing to scream, she caught it up and held it with her own
-hands to the fire, until its face was burned to a cinder. She then
-threw it in a cave in the cellar.
-
-Shortly after this, a gentleman was travelling through that section of
-the country, where he owned a grist mill.
-
-On his return he stopped at her house. She ascertained that he had
-considerable money, and seemed anxious to get home, but she determined
-this should never happen, and while he was at breakfast she came
-behind him, and plunged a large dagger into his heart. He fell, and
-then expired. Two of her accomplices, Griffin and Brown, were sent for
-but did not arrive in season. Being anxious to secure the prize she
-attempted and accomplished the murder herself, without any assistance.
-She robbed him of seven hundred dollars, took his body in a small boat
-and threw it into the river, with a stone attached to it, to prevent it
-from rising.
-
-Soon after, we believe in April 1840, a slave dealer who was on his way
-from Wilmington, Del., to Norfolk, Va., with two valuable slaves, was
-overtaken by a heavy rain, and obliged to put up at her house for the
-night. She put him to sleep in a room separate from the main part of
-the house, and during the night, she entered a secret way with one of
-her gang, armed with a large club prepared for the purpose, and finding
-him asleep, they tied him to the bed and passed a cord around his neck
-to prevent his breathing.
-
-They then robbed him of four thousand dollars with a watch worth one
-hundred and twenty dollars. The body was buried in the garden, under a
-clump of rose bushes.
-
-She concealed the slaves for upwards of a week, barely giving them
-enough to support nature, until she sold them to a slaver who happened
-to be on the coast.
-
-Soon after this, she murdered a negro boy, of twelve years of age, who
-was for some time previous in her house, in the capacity of waiter or
-servant, because he accidentally saw her perpetrate the deed of burning
-the child, and one day, when angry, said he would discover her. But she
-resolved like the pirate, that the dead tell no tales, and immediately
-ordered him down to the cellar to regulate something there, then taking
-with her a large knife, she followed him in person, and drove it
-through his body while stooping. She then dragged him over, and threw
-his lifeless body amongst the skeletons.
-
-It was about this time, that she received the news of the death of her
-mother, and untimely death of her only brother, of whom she had heard
-nothing for several years, whose name was James Smith. He was hung
-in Kingston, U. C., for horse stealing. He had continued his riotous
-and dissipated course of life for some time after the marriage of
-Ann, and finally joined a gang of horse thieves and counterfeiters,
-which infested the country round about the lakes. This gang had a
-regular communication established from Detroit, through to Toronto and
-Kingston, and across the States through to New York and Philadelphia.
-
-It is supposed that at one time, before the gang was broken up, there
-were upwards of one hundred persons engaged in it, although the precise
-number has never been ascertained.--Their method of operation was this.
-A horse stolen by one of the gang was conveyed by night to the next
-station, the thief returning immediately to prevent suspicion. In this
-way the business was managed until the horse was out of the reach of
-pursuit. They had regular stations where the horses that were stolen
-were kept until they had collected a sufficient number, when they
-were taken in small droves to New York, Philadelphia, and other large
-places, and disposed of. The route on which James was stationed, was
-between Kingston and Toronto, near Coburg, where he had been engaged
-for some time. On one occasion he had been to Kingston with a horse
-thus stolen, and there received a considerable sum of money for his
-service to the company, and, on his way home, broke into the stable
-of a British officer, and stole a very valuable horse, but the noise
-awakened an old inmate who got up, and perceiving the door opened, he
-went in and found the horse missing. He immediately gave the alarm to
-the officer.--Several men were sent out in pursuit. He was overtaken
-before he got ten miles from the place where the horse was stolen. They
-were brought back to Kingston, where he was tried before a magistrate
-and thrown into prison, until the sitting of the Kings Court, when he
-was condemned and sentenced to be hung. He was executed at Kingston,
-some time late in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-five. Thus ended
-the unhappy career of both father and son--the father setting the
-example.
-
-After this news, she became, if possible more cruel and barbarous than
-before. She now seemed to take no delight whatever in anything but acts
-of the most blood-thirsty and inhuman nature; nothing now satisfied
-her murderous disposition but the death of some innocent, and to her
-unoffending victim; but her career of guilt was nearly run; she had
-carried it to such a height that it was impossible to continue in this
-way much longer, without being overtaken by justice, and it was not
-long after this that she was, by the following circumstance, exposed,
-and her gang broken up and some of them brought to condign punishment,
-for the high handed and outrageous crimes, they had for a long time
-committed, thus far without detection.
-
-She, and her associates, Griffin, Brown and Sharp, murdered a Quaker,
-who was travelling in that section of the country in November,
-1843. During his stay in that vicinity; he had formed considerable
-acquaintance, and had intimated to a friend with whom he had
-considerable business, that he would stop at that tavern that night,
-and probably board there while he remained in the neighborhood, which
-he did, for he was seen there four days after.
-
-[Illustration: Ann and an accomplice murder a guest in their bed.]
-
-After the lapse of two weeks, a box and parcel came in the care of a
-gentleman for him from New York. Another week elapsed, during which
-time Mr. Jones, in whose care it came, thought it strange why he did
-not call, and as he was driving past, he called to see Mr. Morse, to
-let him know that a package had arrived for him. He enquired for Mr.
-Morse. He then returned home, opened the parcel, and found among other
-things, a letter from his wife which stated a dissatisfaction at his
-boarding at a tavern, which seemed rather uncommon among Quakers, as
-she said.--She was sorry it was not in his power to come home sooner,
-as it seemed that he stated to her that he should stop there some time.
-She said she hoped that he was in good health, but was much afraid that
-he was not, for she was annoyed with disagreeable dreams about him, and
-it was utterly impossible for her to rest. These things looked strange;
-suspicions spread around the neighborhood, until some persons came into
-the store, who said they talked with Mr. Morse, in Walters’ tavern, a
-few days after his going there, when some remarked the idle, sauntering
-fellows that were perpetually hovering about there, having no business,
-and many other circumstances were alluded to, until suspicion became so
-strong in the minds of the people, that they finally resolved to make
-a private search, but not until Mr. Jones, accompanied by some others,
-went again to make enquiry. The answer was the same as before, but she
-seemed a little confused which strengthened their suspicions.
-
-Accordingly they went one afternoon, and visited the house, making some
-pretence for the visit, one of them said that he was about to build
-himself a new house, and asked permission of her to examine her house,
-that he might measure and take the dimensions of it at the same time,
-and the plan on which it was built, saying that he wished to build
-after the same plan. Not suspecting anything, she allowed them the
-privilege though not permitting them to enter the cellar. They then
-made such examination as they were able, discovering nothing above,
-however, to confirm them in their suspicions. They were now diverted
-entirely to the cellar, and in her absence from the room for a moment,
-they questioned an old wench, one of her domestics, as to what was
-kept in the cellar. She replied she dare not tell for fear she should
-be killed. They promised to liberate and protect her, if she would
-disclose to them what she knew of the matter. She replied, that there
-was something awful in that cellar, but for the life of her she dare
-not tell what it was. Her mistress coming in at that moment, prevented
-any farther discourse with her. They then left the house, and concluded
-that they had got information enough. Next morning they proceeded to
-the house, accompanied by the sheriff with a warrant. She was taken
-after a resolute resistance, together with three of her associates,
-Johnson, Brown and Sharp, on the sixth day of June last, to await the
-sitting of the Supreme Court at Georgetown, where they were tried and
-received the sentence of the law; but as Sharp turned State’s evidence,
-and favored the other two, she alone was sentenced to die. The other
-two were recommended to mercy by the Jury, and were sentenced to
-perpetual imprisonment.
-
-But the jury found a verdict of guilty of murder in the first
-degree, and she received sentence. They have not as yet made any
-public confession, but have acknowledged much of the guilt of which
-they are charged and from which we select considerable of the above
-atrocious crimes committed, and the mode of executing their plans.
-But while in prison awaiting the day of execution, three days after
-receiving sentence, she obtained a quantity of poison by some private
-correspondent, yet unknown, which she took to avoid the exposure of a
-public execution. She died a most terrible and awful death. After the
-poison which she had taken began to operate, she raved like a maniac,
-tearing the clothes from her body in handsful, attempting to lay hold
-of and bite every thing within her reach, and cursing God and the hour
-that gave her birth. After these fits of insanity had a little subsided
-and reason had again returned, the pangs of a guilty conscience, and
-remorse with all its horrors and bitter anguish, would seize her soul,
-and she would cry out in the bitterness of her torments that she
-already felt in flames of hell, reproaching herself in the most bitter
-anguish for the awful crimes she had committed. Then she would again
-rave like a maniac, cursing and swearing in the most horrible manner,
-and attempting to destroy every thing within her reach, and so strong
-was she in her fits of raving, that it was with difficulty that three
-men were able to tie her on the bed. She appeared to be in great agony
-and pain during the whole time until she died. About two hours before
-her death, she was visited by a minister of the Episcopal Church, who
-endeavored to console her, by telling her to acknowledge the crimes she
-had committed with sorrow, and ask forgiveness, telling her that there
-was no doubt that her soul would reign in happiness in heaven. Then she
-felt a little consolation, and expressed the following--or rather, more
-than we give here, as the narrative is principally compiled from her
-confession, and the confessions of the other two who remain in prison
-awaiting the reward of their cruel and atrocious crimes. Here follows
-her confession:--
-
-I was born a short distance from Montreal, in the year 1812 but when
-I was very young, my parents removed from that place to a village in
-the vicinity of Quebec, where I lived until my father was hung for
-the murder of Paine. I then lived with my mother until I was sixteen
-years of age, when I was married to Mr. Walters, and settled near the
-neighborhood of my late residence, in the lower part of Delaware.--When
-I had been married about three years, my husband’s health began to
-decline, and to free myself from the trials incident to a protracted
-illness, I gave him a dose of poison. I administered it through my
-negro cook. I strangled to death my first and only offspring when
-three days old, which was the only son nature ever furnished me
-with. Afterwards, in the fall of eighteen hundred and thirty-five,
-I shot a traveller who stopped for dinner on his way from Richmond,
-Virginia, to New York. We robbed him of eight hundred dollars.--His
-horse we afterwards sold in Baltimore for two hundred dollars. In the
-beginning of February following, I and my comrades followed two slave
-traders, stationed ourselves and fired upon them, and killed one of
-them instantly, of which no account was ever heard. I burned to death
-a negro child eighteen months old, soon after. In eighteen hundred
-and forty, with my own hands I killed Isac Smith of Baltimore, on his
-way home. About two months afterwards, I was accessory to the murder
-of a slave trader from Wilmington, Del. on his way to Norfolk, Va. We
-robbed him of four thousand dollars and a gold watch. Soon afterwards I
-killed a negro boy twelve years old, whom I owned as mistress. Last of
-all, we murdered Morse, the Quaker, after he had boarded three days at
-the house. I am guilty of ten murders with my own hands, and accessory
-to a great many others. I can confess no more. For I do not expect
-forgiveness, and feel already the pains of hell.
-
-She was seized with another fit of despair, crying out that she felt
-the wrath of God punishing her. Thus she went on until she sunk back on
-her pillow exhausted, and her immortal spirit winged its way to appear
-before the bar of its Judge, there to answer for the dreadful deeds
-committed in the body. Her death was truly heart-rending and awful,
-and should serve as a warning to all those who read this account to
-be prepared to meet their eternal Judge, to render such an account of
-their past lives as shall be acceptable in his sight. She breathed her
-last on the 25th of September, four days after trial, thus terminating
-the cruel and unhappy lives of father son and daughter.
-
-In giving to the public an abridgement of the life of this atrocious
-woman, we hope that our readers, either moral or immoral, will not be
-in need of such a lesson or example as that already detailed, but it
-may be truly looked upon as the most astonishing circumstance of the
-age in the midst of civilization and morality. We deem it unnecessary
-to give an account of the trial, as no doubt a greater portion of
-our readers throughout the United States have already seen it in the
-columns of the weekly journals. As regards the truth or authenticity
-of the facts contained in the foregoing pages, we presume it will
-not be doubted by any. The publishers deem it not unimportant, and
-perhaps interesting to our readers, to state that in consequence of
-the strong and prevailing propensities ever manifested by her to
-commit crimes of the most heinous as well as unprovoked nature, was
-considered by a celebrated and highly respectable phrenologist, as
-worthy of examination, and her skull was obtained for that purpose a
-few days since at Georgetown, Del., and which will probably remain in
-the possession of that gentleman, Mr. O. S. Fowler, of Philadelphia,
-and the publisher in delineating and presenting to the public view,
-the atrocious crimes of this vile and wicked woman, is in a very great
-degree prompted by a desire to preserve the honest fame of those who
-enjoy a moral reputation, and to secure peace of mind to those who are
-not as yet conscious of offence; as it is well known that an artful
-mind, actuated by illusion, if not checked, may pass on to acts of
-violence, and, in some instances to cold-blooded murder, as it appears
-that even the tenderness of the female sex, of which the foregoing
-pages furnish an example, is converted into the barbarity of a traitor;
-that she who should make her arm a pillow for the head of her husband,
-conspired to raise it against his life; that the bosom which should
-be filled with fidelity and affection, in addition to other crimes,
-planned his destruction.--Hence, it is hoped that in sending this
-narrative abroad, that it may be the instrument of rescuing some
-misguided youth from similar offences. There are many in the moral
-retiracy of a village life, who when young hear much of the enterprise
-of a city life, and resolve on trying it, unconscious of the depravity
-and vice which is set to entrap them in a net, as they advance without
-caution on their journey of life. A road which every youth should walk
-with the greatest care, by keeping still in view one general rule to
-avoid intemperance and bad company, which are always linked together;
-if the unfortunate subjects of this narrative had done so in early
-life, they would have avoided their unhappy lives and untimely end.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-TO THE PUBLIC.
-
-The reader may depend on the truth of the fact in the foregoing pages;
-but, in consequence of their singularity, the author was induced
-to search minutely into her parentage, and has spared no exertion
-to obtain his information from the most authentic and respectable
-sources. After perusing it, he will pause and reflect, “Poor human
-nature! how weak and corrupt thou art, if not checked in the morning
-of thy existence.” The father of this wicked woman was the victim of
-disobedience to kind but arbitrary parents, and this narrative is a
-solemn warning against intolerance, which together with the vice of
-intemperance, has sent more victims to the dungeon, the scaffold, and
-an untimely grave, than any other calamity that has ever afflicted our
-race. If there be any who think this narrative should not be published,
-or that the innocent should not read it, lest it should corrupt their
-feelings, I would entreat them first to read it, and then to enquire
-what portion of the community crowds our jails and State prisons, and
-where the inmates of the abodes of vice and infamy are generally born
-and educated, whether in the city or in the retiracy of the moral
-village? They will find three-fourths of them, at least, are from the
-latter. The reason of this is, because they know not the wickedness of
-the world, and its allurements, until they were on the journey of life,
-piloting their craft--many of them, alas! never to reach a harbor.
-
-
-
-
-EXECUTION OF
-
-ENOS G. DUDLEY,
-
-AT HAVERHILL, N. H.,
-
-MAY 23d, 1849
-
-
-A large number of people from the surrounding country came here early
-this morning, all anxious to witness the execution of Enos G. Dudley,
-convicted at a recent term of the Court of Common Pleas of Grafton
-County, N. H., of the murder of his wife. The town throughout the day
-was the theatre of intense excitement.
-
-The evidence on which Dudley was convicted was entirely circumstantial,
-and, in the opinion of many, inconclusive. Strong expectations had been
-entertained since the period of conviction that he would be reprieved
-by Gov. Williams, and that hope was indulged in by the friends of the
-wretched prisoner up to the last moment.
-
-They were, however, doomed to a terrible disappointment. The Executive,
-however much his personal predilections might have been disposed
-towards clemency, believed it their duty to let the law take its
-course, although the sacrifice of the life of the victim was its
-termination.
-
-As the hour assigned for the execution approached, the anxiety
-manifested by the prisoner’s friends was painfully intense. They had
-clung to hope, even hoping against hope--for the spectacle of the
-execution of a fellow being among them, was a thing so unusual, that it
-could scarcely be realized, especially when that fellow being was one
-with whom they had enjoyed many years of intimacy.--The fatal hour at
-length arrived. At half-past one o’clock on the 23d of May, 1849, the
-prisoner was informed that but a few more moments were allowed him to
-live. He then appeared to be resigned to inexorable fate, and, having
-made final preparation of religion, in a few minutes after the above
-hour, he, with a firm tread, approached the gallows erected in the jail
-yard.
-
-He was accompanied by the Chaplain and Sheriff Powers, and not a waver
-in his step or tremor in his frame, was noticed by them even at that
-awful hour.
-
-Ascending the scaffold, (which was a high structure, affording a full
-view to the immense concourse outside,) Dudley desired to address a few
-words to those within hearing. Permission was of course granted, and in
-a few earnest and truly affecting remarks, the doomed man _asserted his
-entire innocence of the crime for which he was about to suffer death_.
-He called God to witness the truth of what he said.
-
-Upon the conclusion of his address, the fatal cap was drawn over his
-eyes, and the rope attached to his neck.
-
-Sheriff Powers then asked him, “Are you prepared?”
-
-Dudley replied, “I am ready.”
-
-At that instant the rope was severed by the Sheriff, and after a few
-spasmodic struggles, the unhappy man--guilty or innocent--was launched
-into eternity.
-
-It was a saddening, sickening exhibition, and those who witnessed it,
-left the scene with troubled hearts.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-Below we present a communication from Mr. Morrison, counsel for the
-deceased, and a letter from Dudley himself protesting his innocence.
-
-Perhaps I should disclose the manner in which the following statement
-came into my possession. About nine o’clock on the day Mr. Dudley
-was executed, I visited him to ascertain his last wishes, and afford
-such aid and comfort in his last extremity as might be in my power.
-When I entered, he was writing in a book made up of about a quire of
-paper, which had been mostly written over. We spoke of his approaching
-end. He expressed disappointment and regret that his brother had not
-arrived, but hoped that he might before the execution, which he wished
-for that reason to have delayed as long as possible. He then divided
-his testament, hymn book, two tracts, some other small articles of
-property, and a few sheep among his children, and gave me letters which
-he had written for them. His bible had been given by an old neighbor,
-to whom he directed it to be returned. He completed the last line of
-his statement, and signed his name to it. I enquired if he wished me to
-take charge of _that_, and he said he did.
-
-He remarked that he intended to have revised and corrected what he
-had written--that some things had better been omitted--that there was
-some things in it which would please some, and which others would be
-sorry to see. I replied that the essential thing was, that they should
-be true, and he said yes. During the whole interview he was entirely
-composed, except when he spoke of the little pittance that he could
-leave for his children, when he was considerably moved, and wished me
-to say to his brother to take care and not be too selfish with them. I
-carried away the writing without examining it or knowing its contents,
-till all was over with Enos G. Dudley for this world, and he had gone
-before that God to whose final judgment he, with so much apparent
-confidence appealed. The greater part of the book is made up of Mr.
-Dudley’s account of the trial and his comments upon the testimony--and
-so much is here given as appears to have been written the morning
-before the execution.
-
-C. R. MORRISON.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-May 23, 1849.
-
-I am not the first innocent victim that has wrongfully been hurried
-from this to another world, through the prejudice of public opinion.
-I am only one among the many that have been thrown from existence on
-a charge of guess work and false supposition, and the falsehood that
-always attends supposition, where prejudice dethrones and becomes the
-master of the government. There is not much trouble in gaining victory
-against the innocent, however falsely charged. The charge against me
-has been perfectly false, falsely sustained by false testimony. Yet,
-although I am just about to be hurled from time to eternity, a curse
-forbidden both by the New and Old Testament, Deut. 17, ii, viii.
-&c.--yet I am innocent of the charge--innocently convicted, innocently
-sent into the presence of that God who knows every thought, even of the
-human heart, thank God, too, that there is nothing hid, and that my
-final sentence is not to be passed by the base rabble of false witness,
-nor the base conjecture of supposition.
-
-At that bar I stand an innocent man, and I hope all who have lent their
-acts or voice in favor of such an achievement will not hide under the
-witnesses, but remember they are accountable for lending their aid or
-voice in favor of a course that is repugnant to the Scriptures. These
-are given us for our guide, and they that lend their influence in
-favor of a law repugnant to the Scriptures, inasmuch as they deny the
-requirements of the Bible, disown the truth therein contained, deny
-them as their rule and guide and assent to take the life they cannot
-give.
-
-O, may not such think they are innocent to take the life that God has
-given and forbid others to take it away--though we may flee to that
-law that was given to the Jews, which was bounded, inside the land of
-Canaan, imposed on no other people but the Jews, and those that dwelt
-in their land, and still we fail to support a case of conjecture, Deut.
-ii, viii, &c. Then, when we assent to take human life in a manner
-forbidden in this law even, do we consent that the law is not good, and
-which God gave? Certainly we do--and refuse to give it place in our
-hearts. But I forgive all.
-
-I hope that all will seek for pardon at the hand of mercy, and
-hereafter be more careful to secure the rights of the innocent, and
-sure to detect the false testimony, guard themselves against prejudice,
-give reason its throne, and let justice find its place in every heart.
-I am glad this morning to tell all, my faith is unshaken; I have no
-doubt to enjoy a home in Heaven, again to reunite in singing praise to
-God in a more perfect world than this. Bless the Lord. So I bid a long
-farewell until we meet at the bar of God.
-
-ENOS G. DUDLEY.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-HAVERHILL, May 21, 1849.
-
-Dear Brother and Sister Hoit:
-
-I am about to leave you. I rejoice that I feel within the fullest
-assurance that I shall enjoy a far more desirable state of existence.
-I feel as calm to day and my mind as clear as when you last saw me
-at the school-house, endeavouring to exhort my fellow men to seek an
-interest in that Savior, that I have found so precious to _me_, during
-my soul-trying afflictions. The same gospel that I then preached I find
-sufficient for me in all my trials, notwithstanding their severity; and
-I doubt not that the same will sustain me until death shall close the
-terrific scene through which I am about to pass; yes! that same Jesus
-will go with and ever near me safely across the valley and shadow of
-Death. The blessed prospect that is before me smooths the roughness of
-the way. Bless God, I can say with Paul, “I am ready to be offered. I
-am glad my sorrows end so soon, then I shall enjoy the presence of Him
-that died to save us all, and of my dear companion who has gone before
-me.” I have often wondered how the martyrs could stand in the midst of
-flames and shout praises to the Most High. It is no longer a wonder.
-“Christ was with in them, the hope of glory.” And though I must die by
-the _gallows_, yet I am confident it will be the passport from this
-ungodly world, to one of bliss and beauty. Jesus has promised to stand
-by, if we will put our trust in him, I have found it so thus far, and
-have no reason to fear that his promises will not all be fulfilled.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-A little more than one year since, I was torn from my home to which
-I had as good a right as any earthly being has to his home, and by
-false accusation I was shut out of the pale of society, and away from
-my children, who are as dear to me as ever children were to a father.
-By the circulation of these false reports the public mind has been
-prejudiced to so great an extent that I am condemned to die for that
-which I never did. Many of these reports were so completely false that
-they could not have been told but to injure me designedly and at that
-time it stirred bitter feelings within me, but they are all gone now;
-yes, now I love them, and I pray to God they may prepare to meet their
-murdered subject at the bar of Him who judgeth righteously. Thank God I
-am innocent of the crime for which I am condemned to die, and innocent
-shall I stand before that tribunal where conjecture and circumstance
-are not heard. But it is not so here, therefore must I leave you, and
-by your request I leave in your care that little girl. In tears I give
-her to you in all confidence that I leave her in the hands of those who
-will be parents to one whose father and mother can no longer guard her
-youthful years. Teach her to pray daily, and O, may God be with and
-bless you and her and together save you in heaven.
-
-And now I bid you all--_farewell_.
-
-Yours, in love,
-
-ENOS G. DUDLEY.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-Below is a copy of a note enclosed within the above and addressed to
-the little girl above mentioned.
-
-HAVERHILL, May 22, 1849.
-
-MY DEAR DAUGHTER ELIZABETH;--I can no longer be your FATHER nor provide
-for your wants in childhood, nor protect you from surrounding dangers
-therefore I have given you to your father and mother Hoit; they will
-be kind parents to you and you must be a good and dutiful child to
-them; always be obedient and good; love them, and improve your mind
-daily--and read the Bible with great care, you will there learn that
-God has said he will be a father to the fatherless; with Him your
-mother now lives, and soon I shall live with Him and her, where we
-shall die no more. Now, my dear, be a good child, and when you are in
-the field or in the house, ask God to bless you and save you in Heaven
-to dwell with your parents.
-
-God loves little children, and you must love Him and ask Him to purify
-your little heart, and fit it for the kingdom. Always love the truth;
-be kind and loving to all your playmates, “do unto them as you would
-have them do unto you.” I should be glad to see you but I cannot; but
-if you are a good humble little Christian, you will soon come to me, so
-I must command you to God, praying you will ever trust in his grace and
-meet your parents in Heaven--there will be no more parting.
-
-And now, my dear, I must bid you farewell, until we meet in heaven.
-
-This is from your poor dying father--FAREWELL! it makes my heart ache
-to part with you, but oh! do well and it will be well with you when you
-leave this world. May God be with you, and comfort you all the time,
-and sanctify this afflicting dispensation to the spiritual good of your
-brothers and sisters, and finally may all dwell together at last at
-Christ’s right hand.
-
-
-
-
-CONFESSION OF
-
-MARY RUNKLE,
-
-WHO WAS HUNG FOR MURDER.
-
-
-Mrs. Mary Runkle was born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co. N. Y.,
-and at the time of her execution was about fifty years of age. She
-was married to her late husband in her native town, and says she
-become jealous of him about a year after marriage, since which time a
-continual series of difficulties have occurred between them.
-
-She acknowledges that she obtained goods upon a forged order, about ten
-years after her marriage, and says that it was her first crime.
-
-Not long afterward a pedlar passed through the section where she
-resided, and sold goods on a credit of four or five weeks. Not
-appearing at the expiration of that time to make his collection,
-suspicions were aroused, and as the result of enquiry, the pedlar was
-traced as far as the house of Mr. Runkle, but no further trace of him
-could be obtained.
-
-Her children, when spoken to about new dresses, said that their
-mother had plenty of such cloth, and having repeated the remark in
-their mother’s presence, were soon after found drowned in a tub of
-water--the depth being but a few inches. It is generally believed that
-she murdered the pedlar, and afterwards her own children, to prevent
-detection. This she denies.
-
-One of the offences she acknowledges, is the robbing of a church in
-Fulton, of its cushions, &c. She was arrested, but evaded the law by a
-settlement. She has also been charged with poisoning her son, who, she
-says, died of the measles.
-
-The circumstances of her husband’s death are yet fresh in the memory of
-our readers. He was found dead in the morning, when the neighbors were
-called, with bruises upon him, which afforded sufficient evidence of
-her guilt in the mind of the Court. She acknowledges a quarrel between
-them, but charges the blame upon him, and avers that she did not intend
-to murder him, but did so in defending herself from his assault. She
-gives the following version of the affair.
-
-“The general health of my husband was not good; on or about the 20 of
-August, he procured four vials of medicine, and one fourth gallon of
-brandy; a portion of the brandy he applied externally. At tea time, he
-became furiously mad, venting his feelings upon me. I tried to quiet
-him, but all to no purpose; after tea, in his continued rage, he caught
-hold of my hair and pulled me over on the floor, continuing to kick
-and strike me, until I thought he would kill me. At length I got free
-from him, suggesting that I would call for assistance, he declaring
-that if I did so he would break my neck. At the proper hour he prepared
-to retire for the night, calling for some milk which was promptly
-furnished.
-
-Within a very short time he took twice of the medicine, complaining
-that the milk was sour, he then took a large drink of brandy, and lay
-down, soon calling for the wash, which he applied to his neck. I found
-myself in much distress from the bruises inflicted upon me. While
-engaged in bathing my bruises he frequently called upon me to come to
-bed.
-
-Near eleven or twelve o’clock, he called me up to get some drink. At
-his request I lay down with him; the first thing I was sensible of, I
-found him on my stomach, clinching me by my throat. A desperate fight
-ensued between us; I made every effort in my power to defend myself;
-while the struggle lasted, I struck him with such force that he fell
-over a chair. He beat me with such violence that I bled profusely at
-the nose.
-
-After the fight was over, I helped him up and he sat down, calling for
-a dry shirt. There was a dry shirt hanging near him, which he procured
-himself, and partly put on. I then helped him to put on the other
-sleeve, after which he expressed a wish to lay down, as he was tired;
-he accordingly did so. I then lay down with him, soon after which I
-heard him make a strange noise. I immediately arose and procured a
-light, when, discovering froth on his lips, I directed my daughter to
-call in the neighbors, it being then about daylight.
-
-I did not for one moment suppose that I should be suspected of the
-crime of murder, as I had no intention of terminating his existence.
-The representation that I made at the time, though not in strict
-consonance with my present statement, was prompted by no other motive,
-then that of suppressing his conduct from public gaze.”
-
-A relation of the criminal, was present, to take charge of her body for
-her friends, who are said to be respectable.
-
-
-THE EXECUTION.
-
-Mrs. Mary Runkle was executed at the Jail in Whitesboro; The gallows
-was erected in the room over the Jailor’s office and consisted of a
-strong lever about fourteen feet in length the long arm of which eight
-feet in length, was held by a cord, and loaded with weights.
-
-To the short arm was attached the hanging, which was extended down
-through the floor into the jailor’s office, the noose being attached to
-it.
-
-During the day, up to the time of her execution, she lay almost
-motionless on her bed, her eyes half closed, and her right hand resting
-upon the bed-clothes on her bosom. Her fingers only moved slowly as if
-she was engaged in deep and unhappy thought. She spoke only whispers,
-and assisted some in dressing herself for the event.
-
-She said she was prepared for death, having made peace with her Maker.
-
-At two minutes past twelve o’clock she was carried down to the room
-assigned for the execution, and placed in the chair under the spot
-where the cord passed down.
-
-Having been placed in this position, the jailor seated beside her, she
-rested her head upon his shoulder, while a feeling and appropriate
-prayer was made.
-
-The sheriff then asked her,
-
-“Mary Runkle, have you any word to say to this jury, to these people.”
-
-To which she gave no answer.
-
-The bell rang the cord was cut, and she was launched into eternity! Not
-a word, not a motion, but a very little heaving of the chest.
-
-After hanging twenty minutes, her body was cut down, put in the coffin,
-and delivered to her friends.
-
-Thus closed the earthly fate of Mary Runkle.
-
-
-THE END.
-
-
-Transcriber’s Notes:
-
-Page 4: Changed “from which we principally quite so far as regards
-his career,” to “from which we principally quote so far as regards
-his career,”. Changed “He then secretly married a womao” to “He then
-secretly married a woman”. Changed “small estate af her own” to “small
-estate of her own”. Changed “situatod on the St’ John’s River” to
-“situated on the St. John’s River”.
-
-Page 5: Changed “Mew York” to “New York”.
-
-Page 7: Changed “came to tho room” to “came to the room”.
-
-Page 10: Changed “of the illerate slave” to “of the illiterate slave”.
-Changed “secrted from public censure” to “secreted from public
-censure”. Changed “induce slave-dealers and other” to “induce slave
-dealers and others”.
-
-Page 12: Changed “made his way to Texas, However” to “made his way
-to Texas. However” Changed “frightning the travellers’ horses” to
-“frightening frightning the travellers’ horses”. Changed “of his
-earthly existance” to “of his earthly existence”. Changed “beged a
-little time” to “begged a little time”.
-
-Page 13: “An uncontrolable desire to leave home seized me,” changed
-to “An uncontrollable desire to leave home seized me,”. “I dispised my
-father’s counsel” changed to “I despised my father’s counsel”.
-Changed “what money watches” to “what money, watches”. Changed
-“when he fell, exclaming” to “when he fell, exclaiming”. Changed
-“persude her to elope” to “persuade her to elope”. Changed “house of
-ill repute called for a room” to “house of ill repute, called for a
-room”.
-
-Page 14: Changed “I would desist, This” to “I would desist. This”
-Changed “led to the alter” to “led to the altar”. Changed “my heleish
-purpose” to “my hellish purpose”. Changed “if she sohuld recover” to
-“if she should recover”. Changed “Ann’s cruelty and attrocity” to
-“Ann’s cruelty and atrocity”. Changed “It happend to have one” to “It
-happened to have one”.
-
-Page 17: Changed “where James was statined” to “where James was
-stationed”. Changed “where he was condemed” to “where he was condemned”.
-
-Page 18: Changed “acts of the most blood thirsty” to “acts of the
-most blood-thirsty”. Changed “nothing now satifised her” to “nothing
-now satisfied her”. Changed “a lettr from his wife” to “a letter
-from his wife”. Changed “with disagreable dreams about him” to “with
-disagreeable dreams about him”. Changed “who said they talked with
-Mr. Morse, in Walter’s tavern” to “who said they talked with Mr. Morse,
-in Walters’ tavern”.
-
-Page 19: Changed “make a private sarch” to “make a private search”.
-Changed “went again to make enquiery” to “went again to make enquiry”.
-Changed “the demensions of it” to “the dimensions of it”. Changed “with
-a warrant, She was taken” to “with a warrant. She was taken” Changed
-“of the above atocious crimes” to “of the above atrocious crimes”.
-
-Page 20: Changed “by some private correspondant” to “by some private
-correspondent”. Changed “awful death, After the poison” to “awful
-death. After the poison” Changed “After these fits insanity” to “After
-these fits of insanity”. Changed “hersef in the most bitter manner” to
-“herself in the most bitter manner”.
-
-Page 21: Changed “home, About two months afterwards” to “home. About
-two months afterwards” Changed “accessary to a great many others” to
-“accessory to a great many others”.
-
-Page 22: Changed “interesting tn our readers” to “interesting to our
-readers”. Changed “crimes of the most henious” to “crimes of the most
-heinous”.
-
-Page 23: Changed “kind but arbitary” to “kind but arbitrary”.
-
-Page 25: Changed “Are you prepared!” to “Are you prepared?”.
-
-Page 26: Changed “thrown from existance” to “thrown from existence”.
-
-Page 27: Changed “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &c” to “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &c.”.
-Changed “of such an acheivement” to “of such an achievement”. Changed
-“fordidden in this law” to “forbidden in this law”. Changed “give
-reason its thorne” to “give reason its throne”. Changed “my mind as
-clear sa” to “my mind as clear as”.
-
-Page 28: Changed “the terriffic scene” to “the terrific scene”. Changed
-“my sorrws end so soon” to “my sorrows end so soon”. Changed “could
-sand in the middle” to “could stand in the middle”. Changed “condemed
-to die” to “condemned to die”. Changed “who judgeth righteously, Thank
-God” to “who judgeth righteously. Thank God” Changed “girl, In tears”
-to “girl. In tears”.
-
-Page 29: Changed “May 22 1849” to “May 22, 1849”. 5 lines that were
-printed upside down were transcribed right-side up. Changed “yon will
-soon come” to “you will soon come”. Changed “until we meet in heaven”
-to “until we meet in heaven.”
-
-Page 30: Changed “about a year after marrige” to “about a year after
-marriage”. Changed “suspicions ware aroused” to “suspicions were
-aroused”.
-
-Page 31: Changed “health of my hsband” to “health of my husband”.
-Changed “he declaing that if I” to “he declaring that if I”. Changed
-“being about daylight” to “being about daylight.” Changed “for one
-moment suspose” to “for one moment suppose”. Changed “relation of the
-crrminal” to “relation of the criminal”.
-
-Page 32: Changed “into the jailors office” to “into the jailor’s
-office”. Changed “peace with her Maker” to “peace with her Maker.”
-
-Unbalanced quotation marks were remedied when the change was obvious,
-and otherwise left unbalanced.
-
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-<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Life and Confession of Ann Walters, The Female Murderess!!</p>
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-<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE AND CONFESSION OF ANN WALTERS, THE FEMALE MURDERESS!! ***</div>
-
-
-
-
-<h1>LIFE AND CONFESSION <br />
-<small>OF</small><br />
-<big>ANN WALTERS,</big> <br />
-The Female Murderess!!</h1><hr />
-<p class="center">ALSO, THE EXECUTION OF <br />
-<big>ENOS G. DUDLEY,</big> <br />
-AT HAVERHILL, <abbr title="New Hampshire">N. H.</abbr>, MAY <span class="allsmcap"><abbr title="twenty-third">23D</abbr></span>, 1849.</p>
-<hr />
-<p class="center"><small>TO WHICH IS ADDED</small> <br />
-THE CONFESSION OF <br />
-<big>MARY RUNKLE,</big> <br />
-WHO WAS EXECUTED FOR MURDER.</p><hr />
-<p class="center">PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETOR.</p>
-<hr />
-<p class="center">1850.
-</p>
-
-
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONFESSION_OF_ANN">CONFESSION OF<br />
-<big>ANN WALTERS,</big><br />
-<big>A FEMALE MURDERESS!</big></h2>
-
-
-<p>It has probably never fallen to the lot of man to record
-a list of more cruel, heart-rending, atrocious, cold-blooded
-and horrible crimes and murders, than have been perpetrated
-by the subject of this narrative, and that too in the
-midst of a highly civilized and Christian community; and
-deeds, too, which for the depravity of every human feeling
-seems scarcely to have found a parallel in the annals of
-crime.</p>
-
-<p>And it seems doubly shocking and atrocious, when we
-find them committed by one of the Female sex, which sex
-have always been esteemed as having a higher regard for
-virtue and a far greater aversion to acts of barbarity, even
-in the most abandoned of their sex, than is generally found
-in men of the same class, and we may truly say that we
-have never seen recorded a greater instance of moral depravity,
-or one so perfectly regardless of every virtuous
-feeling which should inhabit the human breast, as the one
-it becomes our painful lot to lay before our readers, in the
-account of <span class="smcap">Ann Walters</span>, the subject of this thrilling and
-interesting narrative. And we will now endeavor to state
-the facts as they have actually transpired; and our readers
-may rely upon the account here given of her parentage, as
-they have been selected from the most authentic sources,
-which no pains were spared to obtain.</p>
-
-<p>S. P. Smith the father of the subject of this narrative
-was the son of a wealthy nobleman residing in Yorkshire
-county, in the northern part of England. He had in the
-early part of his life received a liberal education, as we
-learn from the pen of one of his youthful companions, from
-which we principally quote so far as regards his career, but
-was regardless of the endeavors of his kind parents to plant
-in him that youthful impression of morality and obedience,
-for in vain did they labor to bend his stiff neck. As we
-learn, by his father’s refusal to comply with his request in
-marrying the object of his first love, he fell a prey to that
-soul-destroying monster, intemperance. He then secretly
-married a woman, who, by her intrigue and artfulness, had
-succeeded in drawing his affections towards her, and was
-also very remarkable for the influence she exercised over
-the minds of men as will be seen by referring to circumstances
-which occurred subsequently; for by her great artfulness
-she succeeded in marrying her daughters, four in
-number, to persons of respectability, although they were
-every one of them prostitutes of the most common character.
-On this and many other similar accounts, she was
-considered by many superstitious persons a witch.</p>
-
-<p>Soon after his father heard of his marriage, whose indignation
-and anger become so great, that he determined
-to cut him off with a shilling, and forbid his ever entering
-his house.</p>
-
-<p>Matters had now come to such a pass that he had determined
-to leave his native country, and his wife concurred
-in the plan; she soon scraped up her effects, for she had a
-small estate of her own, and turned them into money. They
-then embarked on board of one of his Majesty’s ships bound
-for Montreal, where he settled down, and for several years
-gained a comfortable livelihood for his family by industry,
-but as his family increased, and the means of living began
-to grow rather scanty, his evil habits of intemperance also
-gained upon him. He forsook all honest courses of getting
-a living and joined a band of smugglers, moving from Montreal
-to the village of St. Johns, situated on the St. John’s
-River, about thirty miles from Montreal, and here carried
-on a regular course of smuggling between Montreal, Plattsburg
-New York, Burlington in Vermont, sometimes going
-as far as Quebec, to obtain articles which they could not
-readily get in Montreal, and as his house was situated
-at a convenient distance from those places, they made it a
-receptacle for their goods until such times as they should
-find an opportunity to run them in and dispose of them.</p>
-
-<p>While things were going on in this style, it so happened
-that an old acquaintance whose name was Alexander Paine
-moved from Montreal and settled in the neighborhood
-in which Smith resided, and as they had formerly been
-on intimate terms, the acquaintance was soon renewed,
-though not much to the satisfaction of Smith, as he knew
-Paine to be a man of very sober, honest habits, and not
-likely to be easily persuaded to forsake the path of virtue,
-and it was on this ground, and the fear of detection and
-exposure, that Smith dreaded again becoming on intimate
-terms with an old acquaintance; for Paine was as yet entirely
-ignorant of the business Smith was following, for he,
-Smith, had always managed, through the influence of his
-wife, to keep up the appearance of honesty and respectability
-during his stay in Montreal.</p>
-
-<p>As Paine frequently happened at the house of Smith,
-he soon began to suspect that all was not right. However
-he said nothing on the subject, until one evening he happened
-to be passing by Smith’s house rather late, and seeing,
-as he thought, an uncommon stir going on at that late
-hour, he determined to go in and satisfy his doubts as to
-what he before suspected, and there he found Smith and
-two or three more of his gang secreting goods, which he
-knew must have been either smuggled or stolen. He
-therefore at once threatened to expose them immediately.
-Smith then tried every means of persuasion in his power
-to induce Paine to join in his unlawful pursuits, but all in
-vain, as Paine said that his duty to his God and his country
-would be the instant exposure of their misdoings.&mdash;Smith
-finding that he could not induce him to join at any
-rate, then had recourse to stratagem.</p>
-
-<p>He begged of Paine to allow but three days to settle
-up his affairs and leave the country, swearing in the
-most solemn manner, and calling upon his God to witness
-that if he would grant him this request he would immediately
-leave off his dishonest course of living, and forever
-after become an honest man. All this he said in such an
-earnest manner, that Paine, seeing that it would be the utter
-ruin of Smith’s whole family, as well as himself, at
-length yielded to his request, after the most solemn assurance
-that Smith would do as he swore.</p>
-
-<p>But we will see how well he regarded his promise; for
-no sooner than Paine had left the house, he called in his
-companions, and held a consultation as to what should be
-done. Meanwhile the bottle was circulated freely so as
-to steel their hearts, and fit them for any fiendish purpose
-that should suggest itself to their maddened brain; and
-they determined, before they separated, as the only chance
-of escaping and avoiding the law, to murder Paine. They
-then separated for the night, resolving to meet early the
-next day and lay the plan for their diabolical and fiendish
-purpose, which was as follows:&mdash;</p>
-
-<p>It was agreed that they should meet near Paine’s house
-about dark, or soon after, and endeavor by some means or
-other to decoy him away from the house to the river, where
-they were to fall upon him and kill him with weapons they
-should provide for the purpose; then they were to tie a
-large weight about his neck and throw his body into the
-river. Accordingly they repaired to the place of rendezvous
-appointed, each one armed for the diabolical purpose
-with some deadly weapon. After waiting some time without
-being able to see or hear anything of Paine, for he
-happened to be away from home, and did not return until
-late, they repaired to a low public house near by, to consider
-what should be done, as they were now frustrated in
-their design. They here drank deeply, and urged on to
-desperation by the maddening and intoxicating draught
-they had taken, resolved upon the death of their victim at
-all hazards. After disguising themselves as much as possible,
-they went back again to Paine’s house, and stationed
-themselves one on each side of the house, to give the alarm
-if they were likely to be discovered. Smith then entered
-the house and groped his way through the dark until he
-came to the room where Paine and his wife slept. Paine
-hearing the door open, raised himself a little in the bed and
-enquired who was there, when Smith raised an axe which
-he picked up outside the door, and struck Paine upon the
-head nearly burying it to the socket, and splitting his head
-in a horrible manner. He then threw down the axe and
-drew a large butcher knife, and rushed upon him, and
-stabbed him to the heart, and cut his throat from ear to ear
-and otherwise mangled his body in a most horrible manner.
-During this time Paine’s wife was screaming as loud as
-possible, but Smith paid no attention to her cries, intent
-only on the death of his victim. His companions outside
-fled upon hearing her cries, and persons in the neighborhood,
-on hearing the alarm repaired to the house. Smith
-was taken just as he was coming out of the house; he was
-kept in custody until the following day, when a warrant
-was signed and he committed to prison, until the first sitting
-of the Supreme Court, where he received the just merit of
-his cruel and blood-thirsty crime. He was tried, condemned
-and sentenced to be hung, I believe, in 1822,
-which finished his cruel and unlawful career. Had he
-himself fled after striking the first blow, he too might have
-probably escaped, but perhaps he was too much intoxicated.
-Thus some means are always left whereby the guilty are
-sooner or later brought to punishment. It was on the
-gallows, just before he was swung off, that he made a short
-confession from which we copy the words above stated.&mdash;The
-names of his companions we did not learn, as he
-would not discover them, as he said they were the fathers
-of families. We give this short history of him who was
-the father of the subject of this narrative, in order to show
-the source from which she sprung.</p>
-
-<p>After the execution of Smith, his family, as may be supposed,
-was thrown into the utmost confusion, and it was
-at this time that Mrs. Smith saw the necessity of bringing
-all her artfulness into action, as she had now a large family
-depending upon her for support, and her means of living
-had now become very limited. However she managed so
-as to make her house a house of entertainment for persons
-travelling for pleasure, or those who were spending the
-summer months in that delightful region, away from the
-more unwholesome air of a crowded and pent up city, and
-in this manner, as may be supposed, they formed many
-new acquaintances, and by keeping up appearances pretty
-high, and teaching her daughters well the art of deception,
-she soon succeeded in marrying them all to persons of
-considerable respectability. She had now an only son
-who was nearing the age of manhood, and who by his
-long associations with a set of low, drinking, gambling and
-licentious persons, was little better even at this age than a
-perfect sot, but of him we will speak in another page.</p>
-
-<p>The youngest daughter, whose name was Ann and who
-is the subject of this narrative, was at the age of sixteen
-married to a man whose name was Walters, a respectable
-wheelright from the lower part of Delaware, who happened
-to be travelling in that section of the country in the summer
-of 1828, and stopped for a day or two at St. John’s,
-where he was taken sick, and as he had put up at the house
-of Mrs. Smith, and she found her guest to be a person of
-very good personal attraction, and possessing considerable
-money, she determined at once to bring about a marriage
-between him and her daughter. Consequently he was treated
-with the greatest care and attention during his illness;
-Ann being his constant and daily attendant. She was an
-uncommonly agreeable person, and by no means bad looking,
-although rather large. She was extraordinarily fond
-of music and dancing, a great talker, very witty and fascinating
-in her conversation, and concealed her real character
-so well that he soon fell in love with her, and her mother
-also exercising an influence over him, he was induced to
-marry her immediately on his recovery.</p>
-
-<p>The following year he returned to Delaware, taking his
-wife with him, and settling down on the Nontioke river near
-the Maryland line, about ten or twelve miles from Laurel,
-where he established a ferry now called by the same name,
-also working considerably at his trade whenever opportunity
-permitted.</p>
-
-<p>He had not been married long, as may be supposed,
-before he found out the real character of his wife which
-preyed upon his constitution. His health soon began to
-decay rapidly, and at the end of three years he died, leaving
-her a young widow just twenty years old. His death was not
-so much grief to her as was supposed by those who dealt out
-sympathies towards her, as the tender hearted but deceived
-people thought, she being so far from her relatives if she had
-any alive, for none were ever seen visiting her since they moved
-there. But it has since been ascertained by her own confession
-that he died by the effects of poison which she gave
-him through her negro slave whom she kept as cook, taking
-care lest suspicion might occur after his death and examination
-take place, that it might appear a mistake, or through
-the ignorance of the illiterate slave. This she did, thinking
-no doubt, that she was clear of him, as his health seemed
-declining, she could then carry out any plan she might devise
-for the gratification of propensities, for she was very sensual
-in her pleasures and totally incapable of appreciating
-that high toned feeling and the dignity of self respect and refinement
-which should govern the female sex. She was almost
-indifferent to any principle of justice, as well as to human sufferings.
-She was bold, revengeful, and courageous, and cunning
-in the subjects of her pursuits. She was also very deceitful, shrewd,
-and had great influence over the weaker minds.
-After the death of her husband she became one of the most
-abandoned and notorious of women, giving loose to every
-species of licentiousness and extravagance, and there was no
-crime too great, no deed too cruel for her to engage in, to accomplish
-any object of her design, after engaging personally
-in acts of the most outrageous butcheries and robbery.</p>
-
-<p>After living in this manner for three years after the death
-of her husband, her previous course of life being secreted
-from public censure, 1835, she moved from her place of habitation
-to near Johnson’s cross roads, on the line between
-Maryland and Delaware, five miles from her old place of habitation.
-She here set up a low tavern, as she knew she would
-then have a much greater chance of carrying on her unlawful
-and wicked practices here. She made use of a great
-variety of artifices to induce slave dealers and others, who
-she thought would be likely to have any quantity of money
-with them, to put up with her, and she was considered by
-some to be a very hospitable woman; seldom charging her
-visitors anything. Besides, being a young and fascinating
-widow, just in the flower of life, it was nothing remarkable
-to see gentlemen of various ranks frequenting her house
-some under the pretence of paying addresses to her, besides
-its being a tavern, as taverns in the southern countries differ
-in regularity from those of the northern or free States. Although
-born in a free country where slavery is abhorred,
-she soon imbibed a taste for the traffic in slaves, as our
-readers may easily perceive that her location was in a slave
-State where morality is not very exalted, as such a course
-could not possibly have been carried on in a free State so
-long, without meeting the eye of detection. However, she
-so managed matters as to make her house a kind of head
-quarters for slave dealers, who generally had plenty of
-money, she soon got round her a gang of ruffians who
-were perfectly obedient to her will and ready to do the
-most bloody acts whenever she commanded. Of this gang
-she was always the master-spirit, and deviser of ways and
-means. Whenever travellers called upon her she marked
-her man at once, laid her plans, then gave the watchword
-and frequently became the leader herself in the most horrible
-crimes.</p>
-
-<p>About the middle of November 1835, a gentleman whose
-name was Parker, from Richmond, <abbr title="Virginia">Va.</abbr>, on his way to
-New York, stopped to feed his horse, and called for dinner.
-Finding that he had a large quantity of money by
-him, she placed her unsuspecting guest at a table so that
-his back was near an open window, through which he was
-shot by one of her accomplices. They then robbed him
-of every thing he had in his possession, amounting to three
-thousand dollars. They then secreted his body in the cellar
-until the night, when a hole was dug in the swamp
-in the rear of the house, where he was afterwards deposited
-without much hesitation. His horse they afterwards
-sold for two hundred dollars in Baltimore.</p>
-
-<p>In about two months after, two slave dealers from Norfolk,
-<abbr title="Virginia">Va.</abbr>, called at the house on their way to Baltimore,
-the travelling being very bad, and finding it necessary to
-stop and feed their horses, and refresh themselves. After
-calling for dinner, and making some enquiry about the
-slave market in Baltimore, they engaged in conversation,
-and whiled away the time by exciting and gratifying their
-feelings by the wit of their hostess. Three times they called
-for their horses, which were at length brought, but another
-glass of wine was passed around, and they were enticed
-to stay a little longer. Thus she kept them until night, when
-they started expecting to reach Laurel, which was about fifteen
-miles distant, via Perkin’s ferry. But no sooner had
-they departed from the house than she dressed herself in men’s
-attire, and took with her three of her gang. One was named
-Griffin, of whom we will speak immediately; another, whose
-name was Hunt, was one of Griffin’s early associates; but the
-name of the other we are not certain of, as he has yet escaped;
-it is thought he made his way to Texas. However, they
-mounted some of their fleetest horse, and started in pursuit,
-determined on killing and robbing them. Taking another
-road crossing the river above Perkin’s ferry, and placing obstructions
-in the road as it passed up a sandy hill, they there
-laid in wait for them; stationing themselves to fire upon them
-as they ascended the hill, she and her gang rushed out and
-fired, wounding both of them&mdash;one of them so badly that he
-died in a few hours&mdash;and so frightening the travellers’ horses
-that they ran away from both robbers and drivers, though the
-wounded travellers managed to drive safely through to Laurel
-that night, where the one who was most hurt died almost immediately
-on his arrival at the inn.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter illowp75" id="i_p008">
-  <img src="images/008.png"  alt="Ann stands behind a guest, seated at a table, with a knife in her raised hand." />
-</div>
-
-<p>The above named Griffin was executed for murder, at
-Cambridge, Maryland, on the 14th of June last, and when
-brought upon the scaffold, he declared, as he stood in the
-last moments of his earthly existence, and on the brink of
-eternity, expecting in a few moments to meet his God in
-judgment, that he was innocent of the crime, for which he
-was about to die, but still acknowledged that he was guilty of
-other murders of the most awful and blackest shade. He begged
-a little time as he said he could not think of appearing
-before his eternal Judge, without confessing to the world, the
-awful crimes of which he was guilty. He then proceeded as
-follows:</p>
-
-<p>I was born in the year eighteen hundred and eleven in the
-town of Freeport, Cumberland county, Maine, of temperate,
-moral, and honest parents, who were kind, tender, and loving
-towards me, their unworthy son. Instead of adding comfort
-to their venerable years, I brought grief and sorrow to their
-heart, and disgrace to their gray heads. I lived with my
-father until I became nineteen years old, when I left home in
-consequence of my father’s contrary disposition, which I then
-thought I had much reason to complain of; but alas, to my
-sorrow, I since became sensible of my error, but too late. An
-uncontrollable desire to leave home seized me, I despised my
-father’s counsel, and strolled about from place to place associating
-myself with idle and dissipated company and by this
-means soon became one of the most idle and dissolute wretches
-in existence. In this manner I roved about, and finally went
-to Philadelphia. Here I fell in with a young man whose
-name was Hunt, a low gambling sort of a fellow. We agreed
-to join companionship and share equally in whatever we could
-make. We then kept a good look out. Whenever we discovered
-a man intoxicated after dark, or any we thought it
-possible to make so, we enticed him in to some dark alley, or
-other secret hiding place, and robbed him of what money,
-watches, or other valuables he happened to have with him.
-Some time late in January, we robbed a traveller on the Wilmington
-road, about five miles from the city. We rushed
-upon him, endeavoring to knock him down, but the blow missing
-its aim, he made a desperate resistance, nearly overpowering
-us, when, drawing a large knife which I always carried
-with me, I stabbed him in the back, when he fell, exclaiming,
-“I am murdered.” We then robbed him of four hundred
-dollars. Seeing an account of the murder, two days after, in
-the papers, and that the Mayor had offered a thousand dollars
-reward, I feared my companion might turn State’s evidence,
-and I should suffer; I determined to leave for New Orlines,
-or some southern city, as I had plenty of money, but I only
-reached Baltimore, when I was induced to stop. I then dressed
-up pretty fine, intending to play the gentleman. I here
-became acquainted with a very pretty young lady, whose name
-was Eliza Morton, whose father was a respectable merchant
-of that city. She received my addresses very cordially for some
-time, but at length began to suspect that I was not exactly
-what I pretended to be, and grew daily more cold and reserved
-in my presence. I then tried to persuade her to elope with
-me, but this she at once refused to do, declaring that she would
-never marry against the will of her parents. Finding that I
-could not induce her to accede to my plans, I then determined
-upon her ruin. I then persuaded her to accompany me in
-a ride for pleasure, and conducted her to a house of ill repute,
-called for a room, and desired not to be disturbed. I then
-locked and bolted the door. Perceiving this, she inquired
-why I did so. I then told her what my intentions were, promising
-her at the same time, that if she would consent to marry
-me before returning to her father’s home, I would desist.
-This she flatly refused, saying at the same time, that she
-would rather die than ever permit herself to be led to the
-altar by me after taking such a dishonorable course. She
-then attempted to escape, but finding that I prevented her,
-she began to cry out for help, that so enraged me that I
-caught up a towel which was hanging up and tried to force it
-into her mouth. I then twisted it around her neck, choking
-her until she was insensible, I then proceeded to accomplish
-my hellish purpose, and knowing that if she should recover
-she would immediately expose me, I therefore resolved on
-her death, which I consummated by tying a pocket handkerchief
-around her neck so tight as to prevent the possibility
-of her breathing. I then left her, and, making my way unperceived,
-fled from the city. After that, my disposition
-became if possible, more reckless. I cared little what I did.
-I reproached myself with all the bitterness of anguish, and
-my very soul was tormented for years, as though I felt the
-wrath of God, and the torments of hell. I would this moment,
-if I had the choice, suffer twenty mortal deaths, such as she
-did, then again enter into the like feeling which I have suffered.
-But I am about to be released. But if you who hear me
-could but conceive the slightest idea of the sufferings my poor
-heart felt, you would no doubt, look on me with pity and not
-with scorn; but I hope my death will be an example to those
-who survive me, for I am satisfied to leave this world, and
-deserve the fate that awaits me.</p>
-
-<p>He then faltered back, faintish and silent. The above named
-Eliza Morton was murdered on the twenty-second of June,
-1833, as we ascertained from the coroner’s books, and from
-her bereaved parents, whom he left to sigh after their only
-daughter.</p>
-
-<p>Ann’s cruelty and atrocity at this time reached to a mature
-age, for she was enveloped in innocent blood, and it seems
-almost impossible that such crimes could possibly be committed
-by one of such tender looking countenance as she possessed
-even at the bar.</p>
-
-<p>Such a course continued quite smoothly for four years. On
-one occasion, an intended victim had a child about eighteen
-months old, sometimes subject to fits. In these fits the child
-would scream in a most horrible manner. It happened to
-have one of these fits while in Ann Walters’ house. She was
-so enraged upon hearing its cries, that she flew at the child,
-tearing the clothes from off the victim of her wrath, biting
-it at the same time in the most dreadful manner, and as if
-this was not enough to satisfy her brutal disposition, the
-child still continuing to scream, she caught it up and held
-it with her own hands to the fire, until its face was burned to
-a cinder. She then threw it in a cave in the cellar.</p>
-
-<p>Shortly after this, a gentleman was travelling through
-that section of the country, where he owned a grist mill.</p>
-
-<p>On his return he stopped at her house. She ascertained
-that he had considerable money, and seemed anxious to
-get home, but she determined this should never happen,
-and while he was at breakfast she came behind him, and
-plunged a large dagger into his heart. He fell, and then
-expired. Two of her accomplices, Griffin and Brown,
-were sent for but did not arrive in season. Being anxious
-to secure the prize she attempted and accomplished the
-murder herself, without any assistance. She robbed him
-of seven hundred dollars, took his body in a small boat
-and threw it into the river, with a stone attached to it, to
-prevent it from rising.</p>
-
-<p>Soon after, we believe in April 1840, a slave dealer who
-was on his way from Wilmington, <abbr title="Delaware">Del.</abbr>, to Norfolk, <abbr title="Virginia">Va.</abbr>,
-with two valuable slaves, was overtaken by a heavy rain,
-and obliged to put up at her house for the night. She put
-him to sleep in a room separate from the main part of the
-house, and during the night, she entered a secret way with
-one of her gang, armed with a large club prepared for the
-purpose, and finding him asleep, they tied him to the bed
-and passed a cord around his neck to prevent his breathing.</p>
-
-<p>They then robbed him of four thousand dollars with a
-watch worth one hundred and twenty dollars. The body
-was buried in the garden, under a clump of rose bushes.</p>
-
-<p>She concealed the slaves for upwards of a week, barely
-giving them enough to support nature, until she sold them
-to a slaver who happened to be on the coast.</p>
-
-<p>Soon after this, she murdered a negro boy, of twelve
-years of age, who was for some time previous in her house,
-in the capacity of waiter or servant, because he accidentally
-saw her perpetrate the deed of burning the child, and one
-day, when angry, said he would discover her. But she
-resolved like the pirate, that the dead tell no tales, and immediately
-ordered him down to the cellar to regulate something
-there, then taking with her a large knife, she followed him in
-person, and drove it through his body while stooping. She
-then dragged him over, and threw his lifeless body amongst
-the skeletons.</p>
-
-<p>It was about this time, that she received the news of the
-death of her mother, and untimely death of her only brother,
-of whom she had heard nothing for several years, whose name
-was James Smith. He was hung in Kingston, U. C., for
-horse stealing. He had continued his riotous and dissipated
-course of life for some time after the marriage of Ann, and
-finally joined a gang of horse thieves and counterfeiters, which
-infested the country round about the lakes. This gang had
-a regular communication established from Detroit, through to
-Toronto and Kingston, and across the States through to New York
-and Philadelphia.</p>
-
-<p>It is supposed that at one time, before the gang was broken
-up, there were upwards of one hundred persons engaged in it,
-although the precise number has never been ascertained.&mdash;Their
-method of operation was this. A horse stolen by one
-of the gang was conveyed by night to the next station, the
-thief returning immediately to prevent suspicion. In this way
-the business was managed until the horse was out of the reach
-of pursuit. They had regular stations where the horses that
-were stolen were kept until they had collected a sufficient
-number, when they were taken in small droves to New York,
-Philadelphia, and other large places, and disposed of. The
-route on which James was stationed, was between Kingston and
-Toronto, near Coburg, where he had been engaged for some
-time. On one occasion he had been to Kingston with a horse
-thus stolen, and there received a considerable sum of money
-for his service to the company, and, on his way home, broke
-into the stable of a British officer, and stole a very valuable
-horse, but the noise awakened an old inmate who got up, and
-perceiving the door opened, he went in and found the horse
-missing. He immediately gave the alarm to the officer.&mdash;Several
-men were sent out in pursuit. He was overtaken before
-he got ten miles from the place where the horse was
-stolen. They were brought back to Kingston, where he was
-tried before a magistrate and thrown into prison, until the sitting
-of the Kings Court, when he was condemned and sentenced
-to be hung. He was executed at Kingston, some time late in
-the year eighteen hundred and thirty-five. Thus ended the
-unhappy career of both father and son&mdash;the father setting the
-example.</p>
-
-<div class="figcenter illowp75" id="i_p016">
-  <img src="images/016.png"  alt="Ann and an accomplice murder a guest in their bed." />
-</div>
-
-<p>After this news, she became, if possible more cruel and
-barbarous than before. She now seemed to take no delight
-whatever in anything but acts of the most blood-thirsty and inhuman
-nature; nothing now satisfied her murderous disposition
-but the death of some innocent, and to her unoffending victim;
-but her career of guilt was nearly run; she had carried
-it to such a height that it was impossible to continue in this
-way much longer, without being overtaken by justice, and it
-was not long after this that she was, by the following circumstance,
-exposed, and her gang broken up and some of them
-brought to condign punishment, for the high handed and outrageous
-crimes, they had for a long time committed, thus far
-without detection.</p>
-
-<p>She, and her associates, Griffin, Brown and Sharp, murdered
-a Quaker, who was travelling in that section of the country
-in November, 1843. During his stay in that vicinity; he
-had formed considerable acquaintance, and had intimated to a
-friend with whom he had considerable business, that he would
-stop at that tavern that night, and probably board there while
-he remained in the neighborhood, which he did, for he was
-seen there four days after.</p>
-
-<p>After the lapse of two weeks, a box and parcel came in the
-care of a gentleman for him from New York. Another week
-elapsed, during which time Mr. Jones, in whose care it came,
-thought it strange why he did not call, and as he was driving
-past, he called to see Mr. Morse, to let him know that a package
-had arrived for him. He enquired for Mr. Morse. He
-then returned home, opened the parcel, and found among other
-things, a letter from his wife which stated a dissatisfaction at
-his boarding at a tavern, which seemed rather uncommon
-among Quakers, as she said.&mdash;She was sorry it was not in his
-power to come home sooner, as it seemed that he stated to her
-that he should stop there some time. She said she hoped that
-he was in good health, but was much afraid that he was not,
-for she was annoyed with disagreeable dreams about him, and
-it was utterly impossible for her to rest. These things looked
-strange; suspicions spread around the neighborhood, until
-some persons came into the store, who said they talked with
-Mr. Morse, in Walters’ tavern, a few days after his going
-there, when some remarked the idle, sauntering fellows that
-were perpetually hovering about there, having no business,
-and many other circumstances were alluded to, until suspicion
-became so strong in the minds of the people, that they finally
-resolved to make a private search, but not until Mr. Jones,
-accompanied by some others, went again to make enquiry.
-The answer was the same as before, but she seemed a little
-confused which strengthened their suspicions.</p>
-
-<p>Accordingly they went one afternoon, and visited the house,
-making some pretence for the visit, one of them said that he
-was about to build himself a new house, and asked permission
-of her to examine her house, that he might measure and take
-the dimensions of it at the same time, and the plan on which
-it was built, saying that he wished to build after the same
-plan. Not suspecting anything, she allowed them the privilege
-though not permitting them to enter the cellar. They
-then made such examination as they were able, discovering
-nothing above, however, to confirm them in their suspicions.
-They were now diverted entirely to the cellar, and in her absence
-from the room for a moment, they questioned an old
-wench, one of her domestics, as to what was kept in the cellar.
-She replied she dare not tell for fear she should be killed.
-They promised to liberate and protect her, if she would
-disclose to them what she knew of the matter. She replied,
-that there was something awful in that cellar, but for the life
-of her she dare not tell what it was. Her mistress coming in
-at that moment, prevented any farther discourse with her.
-They then left the house, and concluded that they had got
-information enough. Next morning they proceeded to the
-house, accompanied by the sheriff with a warrant. She was
-taken after a resolute resistance, together with three of her
-associates, Johnson, Brown and Sharp, on the sixth day of
-June last, to await the sitting of the Supreme Court at Georgetown,
-where they were tried and received the sentence of
-the law; but as Sharp turned State’s evidence, and favored
-the other two, she alone was sentenced to die. The other
-two were recommended to mercy by the Jury, and were sentenced
-to perpetual imprisonment.</p>
-
-<p>But the jury found a verdict of guilty of murder in the first
-degree, and she received sentence. They have not as yet
-made any public confession, but have acknowledged much of
-the guilt of which they are charged and from which we select
-considerable of the above atrocious crimes committed, and
-the mode of executing their plans. But while in prison
-awaiting the day of execution, three days after receiving sentence,
-she obtained a quantity of poison by some private correspondent,
-yet unknown, which she took to avoid the exposure
-of a public execution. She died a most terrible and awful
-death. After the poison which she had taken began to operate,
-she raved like a maniac, tearing the clothes from her
-body in handsful, attempting to lay hold of and bite every thing
-within her reach, and cursing God and the hour that gave her
-birth. After these fits of insanity had a little subsided and
-reason had again returned, the pangs of a guilty conscience,
-and remorse with all its horrors and bitter anguish, would
-seize her soul, and she would cry out in the bitterness of
-her torments that she already felt in flames of hell, reproaching
-herself in the most bitter anguish for the awful crimes
-she had committed. Then she would again rave like a maniac,
-cursing and swearing in the most horrible manner, and
-attempting to destroy every thing within her reach, and so
-strong was she in her fits of raving, that it was with difficulty
-that three men were able to tie her on the bed. She appeared
-to be in great agony and pain during the whole time until
-she died. About two hours before her death, she was visited
-by a minister of the Episcopal Church, who endeavored to
-console her, by telling her to acknowledge the crimes she had
-committed with sorrow, and ask forgiveness, telling her that
-there was no doubt that her soul would reign in happiness in
-heaven. Then she felt a little consolation, and expressed the
-following&mdash;or rather, more than we give here, as the narrative
-is principally compiled from her confession, and the confessions
-of the other two who remain in prison awaiting the reward
-of their cruel and atrocious crimes. Here follows her
-confession:&mdash;</p>
-
-<p>I was born a short distance from Montreal, in the year 1812
-but when I was very young, my parents removed from that
-place to a village in the vicinity of Quebec, where I lived
-until my father was hung for the murder of Paine. I then
-lived with my mother until I was sixteen years of age, when
-I was married to Mr. Walters, and settled near the neighborhood
-of my late residence, in the lower part of Delaware.&mdash;When
-I had been married about three years, my husband’s
-health began to decline, and to free myself from the trials incident
-to a protracted illness, I gave him a dose of poison. I
-administered it through my negro cook. I strangled to death
-my first and only offspring when three days old, which was
-the only son nature ever furnished me with. Afterwards, in
-the fall of eighteen hundred and thirty-five, I shot a traveller
-who stopped for dinner on his way from Richmond, Virginia,
-to New York. We robbed him of eight hundred dollars.&mdash;His
-horse we afterwards sold in Baltimore for two hundred
-dollars. In the beginning of February following, I and my
-comrades followed two slave traders, stationed ourselves and
-fired upon them, and killed one of them instantly, of which
-no account was ever heard. I burned to death a negro child
-eighteen months old, soon after. In eighteen hundred and
-forty, with my own hands I killed Isac Smith of Baltimore,
-on his way home. About two months afterwards, I was accessory
-to the murder of a slave trader from Wilmington, <abbr title="Delaware">Del.</abbr>
-on his way to Norfolk, <abbr title="Virginia">Va.</abbr> We robbed him of four thousand
-dollars and a gold watch. Soon afterwards I killed a negro
-boy twelve years old, whom I owned as mistress. Last of all,
-we murdered Morse, the Quaker, after he had boarded three
-days at the house. I am guilty of ten murders with my own
-hands, and accessory to a great many others. I can confess
-no more. For I do not expect forgiveness, and feel already
-the pains of hell.</p>
-
-<p>She was seized with another fit of despair, crying out
-that she felt the wrath of God punishing her. Thus she went
-on until she sunk back on her pillow exhausted, and her immortal
-spirit winged its way to appear before the bar of its
-Judge, there to answer for the dreadful deeds committed in
-the body. Her death was truly heart-rending and awful, and
-should serve as a warning to all those who read this account
-to be prepared to meet their eternal Judge, to render such an
-account of their past lives as shall be acceptable in his sight.
-She breathed her last on the 25th of September, four days after
-trial, thus terminating the cruel and unhappy lives of father
-son and daughter.</p>
-
-<p>In giving to the public an abridgement of the life of
-this atrocious woman, we hope that our readers, either
-moral or immoral, will not be in need of such a lesson or
-example as that already detailed, but it may be truly
-looked upon as the most astonishing circumstance of the
-age in the midst of civilization and morality. We deem
-it unnecessary to give an account of the trial, as no doubt
-a greater portion of our readers throughout the United
-States have already seen it in the columns of the weekly
-journals. As regards the truth or authenticity of the facts
-contained in the foregoing pages, we presume it will not
-be doubted by any. The publishers deem it not unimportant,
-and perhaps interesting to our readers, to state
-that in consequence of the strong and prevailing propensities
-ever manifested by her to commit crimes of the most
-heinous as well as unprovoked nature, was considered by
-a celebrated and highly respectable phrenologist, as
-worthy of examination, and her skull was obtained for
-that purpose a few days since at Georgetown, <abbr title="Delaware">Del.</abbr>, and
-which will probably remain in the possession of that gentleman,
-Mr. O. S. Fowler, of Philadelphia, and the publisher
-in delineating and presenting to the public view,
-the atrocious crimes of this vile and wicked woman, is
-in a very great degree prompted by a desire to preserve
-the honest fame of those who enjoy a moral reputation,
-and to secure peace of mind to those who are not as yet
-conscious of offence; as it is well known that an artful
-mind, actuated by illusion, if not checked, may pass on
-to acts of violence, and, in some instances to cold-blooded
-murder, as it appears that even the tenderness of the female
-sex, of which the foregoing pages furnish an example,
-is converted into the barbarity of a traitor; that she
-who should make her arm a pillow for the head of her
-husband, conspired to raise it against his life; that the
-bosom which should be filled with fidelity and affection,
-in addition to other crimes, planned his destruction.&mdash;Hence,
-it is hoped that in sending this narrative abroad,
-that it may be the instrument of rescuing some misguided
-youth from similar offences. There are many in the
-moral retiracy of a village life, who when young hear
-much of the enterprise of a city life, and resolve on trying
-it, unconscious of the depravity and vice which is set
-to entrap them in a net, as they advance without caution
-on their journey of life. A road which every youth should
-walk with the greatest care, by keeping still in view one
-general rule to avoid intemperance and bad company,
-which are always linked together; if the unfortunate
-subjects of this narrative had done so in early life, they
-would have avoided their unhappy lives and untimely end.</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<h3>TO THE PUBLIC.</h3>
-
-<p>The reader may depend on the truth of the fact in the foregoing
-pages; but, in consequence of their singularity, the author
-was induced to search minutely into her parentage, and has
-spared no exertion to obtain his information from the most
-authentic and respectable sources. After perusing it, he will
-pause and reflect, “Poor human nature! how weak and corrupt
-thou art, if not checked in the morning of thy existence.”
-The father of this wicked woman was the victim of disobedience
-to kind but arbitrary parents, and this narrative is a solemn
-warning against intolerance, which together with the
-vice of intemperance, has sent more victims to the dungeon,
-the scaffold, and an untimely grave, than any other calamity
-that has ever afflicted our race. If there be any who think this
-narrative should not be published, or that the innocent should
-not read it, lest it should corrupt their feelings, I would entreat
-them first to read it, and then to enquire what portion of the
-community crowds our jails and State prisons, and where the
-inmates of the abodes of vice and infamy are generally born and
-educated, whether in the city or in the retiracy of the moral
-village? They will find three-fourths of them, at least, are
-from the latter. The reason of this is, because they know not
-the wickedness of the world, and its allurements, until they
-were on the journey of life, piloting their craft&mdash;many of them,
-alas! never to reach a harbor.</p>
-</div>
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2 class="nobreak" id="EXECUTION_OF_ENOS">EXECUTION OF<br />
-<big>ENOS G. DUDLEY,</big><br />
-AT HAVERHILL, <abbr title="New Hampshire">N. H.</abbr>,<br />
-<small>MAY 23d, 1849</small></h2>
-
-<p>A large number of people from the surrounding country
-came here early this morning, all anxious to witness the
-execution of Enos G. Dudley, convicted at a recent term
-of the Court of Common Pleas of Grafton County, <abbr title="New Hampshire">N. H.</abbr>,
-of the murder of his wife. The town throughout the day
-was the theatre of intense excitement.</p>
-
-<p>The evidence on which Dudley was convicted was entirely
-circumstantial, and, in the opinion of many, inconclusive.
-Strong expectations had been entertained since
-the period of conviction that he would be reprieved by
-<abbr title="Governor">Gov.</abbr> Williams, and that hope was indulged in by the
-friends of the wretched prisoner up to the last moment.</p>
-
-<p>They were, however, doomed to a terrible disappointment.
-The Executive, however much his personal predilections
-might have been disposed towards clemency, believed
-it their duty to let the law take its course, although
-the sacrifice of the life of the victim was its termination.</p>
-
-<p>As the hour assigned for the execution approached, the
-anxiety manifested by the prisoner’s friends was painfully
-intense. They had clung to hope, even hoping against
-hope&mdash;for the spectacle of the execution of a fellow being
-among them, was a thing so unusual, that it could scarcely
-be realized, especially when that fellow being was one
-with whom they had enjoyed many years of intimacy.&mdash;The
-fatal hour at length arrived. At half-past one o’clock
-on the 23d of May, 1849, the prisoner was informed that
-but a few more moments were allowed him to live. He
-then appeared to be resigned to inexorable fate, and, having
-made final preparation of religion, in a few minutes
-after the above hour, he, with a firm tread, approached
-the gallows erected in the jail yard.</p>
-
-<p>He was accompanied by the Chaplain and Sheriff Powers,
-and not a waver in his step or tremor in his frame,
-was noticed by them even at that awful hour.</p>
-
-<p>Ascending the scaffold, (which was a high structure,
-affording a full view to the immense concourse outside,)
-Dudley desired to address a few words to those within
-hearing. Permission was of course granted, and in a few
-earnest and truly affecting remarks, the doomed man <em>asserted
-his entire innocence of the crime for which he was
-about to suffer death</em>. He called God to witness the truth
-of what he said.</p>
-
-<p>Upon the conclusion of his address, the fatal cap was
-drawn over his eyes, and the rope attached to his neck.</p>
-
-<p>Sheriff Powers then asked him, “Are you prepared?”</p>
-
-<p>Dudley replied, “I am ready.”</p>
-
-<p>At that instant the rope was severed by the Sheriff, and
-after a few spasmodic struggles, the unhappy man&mdash;guilty
-or innocent&mdash;was launched into eternity.</p>
-
-<p>It was a saddening, sickening exhibition, and those who
-witnessed it, left the scene with troubled hearts.</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>Below we present a communication from Mr. Morrison,
-counsel for the deceased, and a letter from Dudley himself
-protesting his innocence.</p>
-
-<p>Perhaps I should disclose the manner in which the following
-statement came into my possession. About nine
-o’clock on the day Mr. Dudley was executed, I visited him
-to ascertain his last wishes, and afford such aid and comfort
-in his last extremity as might be in my power. When I
-entered, he was writing in a book made up of about a quire
-of paper, which had been mostly written over. We spoke
-of his approaching end. He expressed disappointment and
-regret that his brother had not arrived, but hoped that he
-might before the execution, which he wished for that reason
-to have delayed as long as possible. He then divided his
-testament, hymn book, two tracts, some other small articles
-of property, and a few sheep among his children, and gave
-me letters which he had written for them. His bible had
-been given by an old neighbor, to whom he directed it to
-be returned. He completed the last line of his statement,
-and signed his name to it. I enquired if he wished me to
-take charge of <em>that</em>, and he said he did.</p>
-
-<p>He remarked that he intended to have revised and corrected
-what he had written&mdash;that some things had better
-been omitted&mdash;that there was some things in it which
-would please some, and which others would be sorry to see.
-I replied that the essential thing was, that they should be
-true, and he said yes. During the whole interview he was
-entirely composed, except when he spoke of the little pittance
-that he could leave for his children, when he was
-considerably moved, and wished me to say to his brother
-to take care and not be too selfish with them. I carried
-away the writing without examining it or knowing its contents,
-till all was over with Enos G. Dudley for this world,
-and he had gone before that God to whose final judgment
-he, with so much apparent confidence appealed. The greater
-part of the book is made up of Mr. Dudley’s account of
-the trial and his comments upon the testimony&mdash;and so
-much is here given as appears to have been written the
-morning before the execution.</p>
-
-<p>
-C. R. MORRISON.<br />
-</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>
-May 23, 1849.<br />
-</p>
-
-<p>I am not the first innocent victim that has wrongfully
-been hurried from this to another world, through the prejudice
-of public opinion. I am only one among the many
-that have been thrown from existence on a charge of guess
-work and false supposition, and the falsehood that always
-attends supposition, where prejudice dethrones and becomes
-the master of the government. There is not much trouble
-in gaining victory against the innocent, however falsely
-charged. The charge against me has been perfectly false,
-falsely sustained by false testimony. Yet, although I am
-just about to be hurled from time to eternity, a curse forbidden
-both by the New and Old Testament, <abbr title="Deuteronomy">Deut.</abbr> 17, ii, viii. &amp;c.&mdash;yet
-I am innocent of the charge&mdash;innocently convicted, innocently
-sent into the presence of that God who knows every
-thought, even of the human heart, thank God, too, that there
-is nothing hid, and that my final sentence is not to be passed
-by the base rabble of false witness, nor the base conjecture
-of supposition.</p>
-
-<p>At that bar I stand an innocent man, and I hope all who
-have lent their acts or voice in favor of such an achievement
-will not hide under the witnesses, but remember they are accountable
-for lending their aid or voice in favor of a course
-that is repugnant to the Scriptures. These are given us for
-our guide, and they that lend their influence in favor of a law
-repugnant to the Scriptures, inasmuch as they deny the requirements
-of the Bible, disown the truth therein contained,
-deny them as their rule and guide and assent to take the life
-they cannot give.</p>
-
-<p>O, may not such think they are innocent to take the life
-that God has given and forbid others to take it away&mdash;though
-we may flee to that law that was given to the Jews, which
-was bounded, inside the land of Canaan, imposed on no other
-people but the Jews, and those that dwelt in their land, and
-still we fail to support a case of conjecture, Deut. ii, viii, &amp;c.
-Then, when we assent to take human life in a manner forbidden
-in this law even, do we consent that the law is not good,
-and which God gave? Certainly we do&mdash;and refuse to give
-it place in our hearts. But I forgive all.</p>
-
-<p>I hope that all will seek for pardon at the hand of mercy,
-and hereafter be more careful to secure the rights of the innocent,
-and sure to detect the false testimony, guard themselves
-against prejudice, give reason its throne, and let justice
-find its place in every heart. I am glad this morning to tell
-all, my faith is unshaken; I have no doubt to enjoy a home
-in Heaven, again to reunite in singing praise to God in a more
-perfect world than this. Bless the Lord. So I bid a long
-farewell until we meet at the bar of God.</p>
-
-<p>
-ENOS G. DUDLEY.<br />
-</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>
-<span class="smcap">Haverhill</span>, May 21, 1849.<br />
-</p>
-
-<p>Dear Brother and Sister Hoit:</p>
-
-<p>I am about to leave you. I rejoice that I feel within the
-fullest assurance that I shall enjoy a far more desirable state
-of existence. I feel as calm to day and my mind as clear as
-when you last saw me at the school-house, endeavouring to
-exhort my fellow men to seek an interest in that Savior, that
-I have found so precious to <em>me</em>, during my soul-trying afflictions.
-The same gospel that I then preached I find sufficient
-for me in all my trials, notwithstanding their severity; and I
-doubt not that the same will sustain me until death shall close
-the terrific scene through which I am about to pass; yes!
-that same Jesus will go with and ever near me safely across
-the valley and shadow of Death. The blessed prospect that
-is before me smooths the roughness of the way. Bless God,
-I can say with Paul, “I am ready to be offered. I am glad
-my sorrows end so soon, then I shall enjoy the presence of
-Him that died to save us all, and of my dear companion who
-has gone before me.” I have often wondered how the martyrs
-could stand in the midst of flames and shout praises to
-the Most High. It is no longer a wonder. “Christ was with
-in them, the hope of glory.” And though I must die by the
-<em>gallows</em>, yet I am confident it will be the passport from this ungodly
-world, to one of bliss and beauty. Jesus has promised
-to stand by, if we will put our trust in him, I have found it so
-thus far, and have no reason to fear that his promises will not
-all be fulfilled.</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>A little more than one year since, I was torn from my
-home to which I had as good a right as any earthly being has
-to his home, and by false accusation I was shut out of the
-pale of society, and away from my children, who are as dear
-to me as ever children were to a father. By the circulation of
-these false reports the public mind has been prejudiced to so
-great an extent that I am condemned to die for that which I
-never did. Many of these reports were so completely false
-that they could not have been told but to injure me designedly
-and at that time it stirred bitter feelings within me, but they
-are all gone now; yes, now I love them, and I pray to God
-they may prepare to meet their murdered subject at the bar of
-Him who judgeth righteously. Thank God I am innocent of
-the crime for which I am condemned to die, and innocent shall
-I stand before that tribunal where conjecture and circumstance
-are not heard. But it is not so here, therefore must I leave
-you, and by your request I leave in your care that little girl.
-In tears I give her to you in all confidence that I leave her in
-the hands of those who will be parents to one whose father and
-mother can no longer guard her youthful years. Teach her
-to pray daily, and O, may God be with and bless you and her
-and together save you in heaven.</p>
-
-<p>And now I bid you all&mdash;<em>farewell</em>.</p>
-
-<p>Yours, in love,</p>
-
-<p>
-ENOS G. DUDLEY.<br />
-</p>
-
-<hr class="tb" />
-
-<p>Below is a copy of a note enclosed within the above and
-addressed to the little girl above mentioned.</p>
-
-<p>
-<span class="smcap">Haverhill</span>, May 22, 1849.<br />
-</p>
-
-<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Daughter Elizabeth</span>;&mdash;I can no longer be your <span class="allsmcap">FATHER</span>
-nor provide for your wants in childhood, nor protect you from
-surrounding dangers therefore I have given you to your father and
-mother Hoit; they will be kind parents to you and you must be
-a good and dutiful child to them; always be obedient and good; love
-them, and improve your mind daily&mdash;and read the Bible with great
-care, you will there learn that God has said he will be a father to the
-fatherless; with Him your mother now lives, and soon I shall live
-with Him and her, where we shall die no more. Now, my dear, be
-a good child, and when you are in the field or in the house, ask God
-to bless you and save you in Heaven to dwell with your parents.</p>
-
-<p>God loves little children, and you must love Him and ask Him
-to purify your little heart, and fit it for the kingdom. Always love
-the truth; be kind and loving to all your playmates, “do unto them
-as you would have them do unto you.” I should be glad to see you
-but I cannot; but if you are a good humble little Christian, you will
-soon come to me, so I must command you to God, praying you will
-ever trust in his grace and meet your parents in Heaven&mdash;there will
-be no more parting.</p>
-
-<p>And now, my dear, I must bid you farewell, until we meet in
-heaven.</p>
-
-<p>This is from your poor dying father&mdash;<span class="allsmcap">FAREWELL</span>! it makes my
-heart ache to part with you, but oh! do well and it will be well with
-you when you leave this world. May God be with you, and comfort
-you all the time, and sanctify this afflicting dispensation to the
-spiritual good of your brothers and sisters, and finally may all dwell
-together at last at Christ’s right hand.</p>
-
-</div>
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="chapter">
-<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONFESSION_OF_MARY">CONFESSION OF<br />
-<big>MARY RUNKLE,</big><br />
-<small>WHO WAS HUNG FOR MURDER.</small></h2>
-
-
-<p>Mrs. Mary Runkle was born in the town of Root, Montgomery
-Co. <abbr title="New York">N. Y.</abbr>, and at the time of her execution was about fifty years of
-age. She was married to her late husband in her native town,
-and says she become jealous of him about a year after marriage, since
-which time a continual series of difficulties have occurred between
-them.</p>
-
-<p>She acknowledges that she obtained goods upon a forged order,
-about ten years after her marriage, and says that it was her first
-crime.</p>
-
-<p>Not long afterward a pedlar passed through the section where she
-resided, and sold goods on a credit of four or five weeks. Not
-appearing at the expiration of that time to make his collection,
-suspicions were aroused, and as the result of enquiry, the pedlar was
-traced as far as the house of Mr. Runkle, but no further trace of him
-could be obtained.</p>
-
-<p>Her children, when spoken to about new dresses, said that their
-mother had plenty of such cloth, and having repeated the remark
-in their mother’s presence, were soon after found drowned in a tub
-of water&mdash;the depth being but a few inches. It is generally believed
-that she murdered the pedlar, and afterwards her own children,
-to prevent detection. This she denies.</p>
-
-<p>One of the offences she acknowledges, is the robbing of a church
-in Fulton, of its cushions, &amp;c. She was arrested, but evaded the law
-by a settlement. She has also been charged with poisoning her son,
-who, she says, died of the measles.</p>
-
-<p>The circumstances of her husband’s death are yet fresh in the
-memory of our readers. He was found dead in the morning, when
-the neighbors were called, with bruises upon him, which afforded
-sufficient evidence of her guilt in the mind of the Court. She acknowledges
-a quarrel between them, but charges the blame upon
-him, and avers that she did not intend to murder him, but did so in
-defending herself from his assault. She gives the following version
-of the affair.</p>
-
-<p>“The general health of my husband was not good; on or
-about the 20 of August, he procured four vials of medicine,
-and one fourth gallon of brandy; a portion of the brandy he
-applied externally. At tea time, he became furiously mad,
-venting his feelings upon me. I tried to quiet him, but all to
-no purpose; after tea, in his continued rage, he caught hold
-of my hair and pulled me over on the floor, continuing to kick
-and strike me, until I thought he would kill me. At length I
-got free from him, suggesting that I would call for assistance,
-he declaring that if I did so he would break my neck. At the
-proper hour he prepared to retire for the night, calling for
-some milk which was promptly furnished.</p>
-
-<p>Within a very short time he took twice of the medicine,
-complaining that the milk was sour, he then took a large drink
-of brandy, and lay down, soon calling for the wash, which
-he applied to his neck. I found myself in much distress from
-the bruises inflicted upon me. While engaged in bathing
-my bruises he frequently called upon me to come to bed.</p>
-
-<p>Near eleven or twelve o’clock, he called me up to get some
-drink. At his request I lay down with him; the first thing I
-was sensible of, I found him on my stomach, clinching me by
-my throat. A desperate fight ensued between us; I made
-every effort in my power to defend myself; while the struggle
-lasted, I struck him with such force that he fell over a chair.
-He beat me with such violence that I bled profusely at the
-nose.</p>
-
-<p>After the fight was over, I helped him up and he sat down,
-calling for a dry shirt. There was a dry shirt hanging near
-him, which he procured himself, and partly put on. I then
-helped him to put on the other sleeve, after which he expressed
-a wish to lay down, as he was tired; he accordingly did
-so. I then lay down with him, soon after which I heard him
-make a strange noise. I immediately arose and procured a
-light, when, discovering froth on his lips, I directed my
-daughter to call in the neighbors, it being then about daylight.</p>
-
-<p>I did not for one moment suppose that I should be suspected
-of the crime of murder, as I had no intention of terminating
-his existence. The representation that I made at the
-time, though not in strict consonance with my present statement,
-was prompted by no other motive, then that of suppressing
-his conduct from public gaze.”</p>
-
-<p>A relation of the criminal, was present, to take charge of
-her body for her friends, who are said to be respectable.</p>
-
-
-<h4>THE EXECUTION.</h4>
-
-<p>Mrs. Mary Runkle was executed at the Jail in Whitesboro;
-The gallows was erected in the room over the Jailor’s office
-and consisted of a strong lever about fourteen feet in length
-the long arm of which eight feet in length, was held by a
-cord, and loaded with weights.</p>
-
-<p>To the short arm was attached the hanging, which was extended
-down through the floor into the jailor’s office, the
-noose being attached to it.</p>
-
-<p>During the day, up to the time of her execution, she lay
-almost motionless on her bed, her eyes half closed, and her
-right hand resting upon the bed-clothes on her bosom. Her
-fingers only moved slowly as if she was engaged in deep and
-unhappy thought. She spoke only whispers, and assisted
-some in dressing herself for the event.</p>
-
-<p>She said she was prepared for death, having made peace
-with her Maker.</p>
-
-<p>At two minutes past twelve o’clock she was carried down
-to the room assigned for the execution, and placed in the
-chair under the spot where the cord passed down.</p>
-
-<p>Having been placed in this position, the jailor seated beside
-her, she rested her head upon his shoulder, while a feeling
-and appropriate prayer was made.</p>
-
-<p>The sheriff then asked her,</p>
-
-<p>“Mary Runkle, have you any word to say to this jury, to
-these people.”</p>
-
-<p>To which she gave no answer.</p>
-
-<p>The bell rang the cord was cut, and she was launched
-into eternity! Not a word, not a motion, but a very little
-heaving of the chest.</p>
-
-<p>After hanging twenty minutes, her body was cut down, put
-in the coffin, and delivered to her friends.</p>
-
-<p>Thus closed the earthly fate of Mary Runkle.</p>
-
-
-<p>THE END.</p>
-</div>
-<hr class="chap" />
-
-<div class="transnote">
-<big>Transcriber’s Notes:</big>
-<p>
-Page 4: Changed “from which we principally quite so far as regards
-his career,” to “from which we principally quote so far as regards
-his career,”. Changed “He then secretly married a womao” to “He then
-secretly married a woman”. Changed “small estate af her own” to “small
-estate of her own”. Changed “situatod on the St’ John’s River” to
-“situated on the St. John’s River”.
-</p><p>
-Page 5: Changed “Mew York” to “New York”.
-</p><p>
-Page 7: Changed “came to tho room” to “came to the room”.
-</p><p>
-Page 10: Changed “of the illerate slave” to “of the illiterate slave”.
-Changed “secrted from public censure” to “secreted from public
-censure”. Changed “induce slave-dealers and other” to “induce slave
-dealers and others”.
-</p><p>
-Page 12: Changed “made his way to Texas, However” to “made his way
-to Texas. However” Changed “frightning the travellers’ horses” to
-“frightening frightning the travellers’ horses”. Changed “of his
-earthly existance” to “of his earthly existence”. Changed “beged a
-little time” to “begged a little time”.
-</p><p>
-Page 13: “An uncontrolable desire to leave home seized me,” changed
-to “An uncontrollable desire to leave home seized me,”. “I dispised my
-father’s counsel” changed to “I despised my father’s counsel”.
-Changed “what money watches” to “what money, watches”. Changed
-“when he fell, exclaming” to “when he fell, exclaiming”. Changed
-“persude her to elope” to “persuade her to elope”. Changed “house of
-ill repute called for a room” to “house of ill repute, called for a
-room”.
-</p><p>
-Page 14: Changed “I would desist, This” to “I would desist. This”
-Changed “led to the alter” to “led to the altar”. Changed “my heleish
-purpose” to “my hellish purpose”. Changed “if she sohuld recover” to
-“if she should recover”. Changed “Ann’s cruelty and attrocity” to
-“Ann’s cruelty and atrocity”. Changed “It happend to have one” to “It
-happened to have one”.
-</p><p>
-Page 17: Changed “where James was statined” to “where James was
-stationed”. Changed “where he was condemed” to “where he was condemned”.
-</p><p>
-Page 18: Changed “acts of the most blood thirsty” to “acts of the
-most blood-thirsty”. Changed “nothing now satifised her” to “nothing
-now satisfied her”. Changed “a lettr from his wife” to “a letter
-from his wife”. Changed “with disagreable dreams about him” to “with
-disagreeable dreams about him”. Changed “who said they talked with
-Mr. Morse, in Walter’s tavern” to “who said they talked with Mr. Morse,
-in Walters’ tavern”.
-</p><p>
-Page 19: Changed “make a private sarch” to “make a private search”.
-Changed “went again to make enquiery” to “went again to make enquiry”.
-Changed “the demensions of it” to “the dimensions of it”. Changed “with
-a warrant, She was taken” to “with a warrant. She was taken” Changed
-“of the above atocious crimes” to “of the above atrocious crimes”.
-</p><p>
-Page 20: Changed “by some private correspondant” to “by some private
-correspondent”. Changed “awful death, After the poison” to “awful
-death. After the poison” Changed “After these fits insanity” to “After
-these fits of insanity”. Changed “hersef in the most bitter manner” to
-“herself in the most bitter manner”.
-</p><p>
-Page 21: Changed “home, About two months afterwards” to “home. About
-two months afterwards” Changed “accessary to a great many others” to
-“accessory to a great many others”.
-</p><p>
-Page 22: Changed “interesting tn our readers” to “interesting to our
-readers”. Changed “crimes of the most henious” to “crimes of the most
-heinous”.
-</p><p>
-Page 23: Changed “kind but arbitary” to “kind but arbitrary”.
-</p><p>
-Page 25: Changed “Are you prepared!” to “Are you prepared?”.
-</p><p>
-Page 26: Changed “thrown from existance” to “thrown from existence”.
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 27: Changed “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &amp;c” to “Deut. 17 ii., viii. &amp;c.”.
-Changed “of such an acheivement” to “of such an achievement”. Changed
-“fordidden in this law” to “forbidden in this law”. Changed “give
-reason its thorne” to “give reason its throne”. Changed “my mind as
-clear sa” to “my mind as clear as”.
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 28: Changed “the terriffic scene” to “the terrific scene”. Changed
-“my sorrws end so soon” to “my sorrows end so soon”. Changed “could
-sand in the middle” to “could stand in the middle”. Changed “condemed
-to die” to “condemned to die”. Changed “who judgeth righteously, Thank
-God” to “who judgeth righteously. Thank God” Changed “girl, In tears”
-to “girl. In tears”.
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 29: Changed “May 22 1849” to “May 22, 1849”. 5 lines that were
-printed upside down were transcribed right-side up. Changed “yon will
-soon come” to “you will soon come”. Changed “until we meet in heaven”
-to “until we meet in heaven.”
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 30: Changed “about a year after marrige” to “about a year after
-marriage”. Changed “suspicions ware aroused” to “suspicions were
-aroused”.
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 31: Changed “health of my hsband” to “health of my husband”.
-Changed “he declaing that if I” to “he declaring that if I”. Changed
-“being about daylight” to “being about daylight.” Changed “for one
-moment suspose” to “for one moment suppose”. Changed “relation of the
-crrminal” to “relation of the criminal”.
-</p>
-<p>
-Page 32: Changed “into the jailors office” to “into the jailor’s
-office”. Changed “peace with her Maker” to “peace with her Maker.”
-</p>
-<p>Unbalanced quotation marks were remedied when the change was obvious,
-and otherwise left unbalanced.</p>
-</div>
-<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE AND CONFESSION OF ANN WALTERS, THE FEMALE MURDERESS!! ***</div>
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