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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. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE AND CONFESSION OF ANN -WALTERS, THE FEMALE MURDERESS!! *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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