Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1891 — CONFESSES AN OLD MURDER. [ARTICLE]

CONFESSES AN OLD MURDER.

An Acquitted Han guy* He K lie! J, I*. Cush Twenty-four Years Age. About twenty-four years ago J. P. Cash was murdered four milei west of Paris, 111., and Bruce Ray and C. W. Perry were arrested charged with the crime. Vendever Perry escaped. Ray aud G. W. Perry were acquitted. A letter was received at Paris which exonerates Vandever Perry of all complicity in the crime, and is as follows: Lamar, Mo. To all whom It may concern: Believing that I am about to die, I wish to make a confession.of the murder of J. P. Cash on the evening of the 18th of December. 1887, at the residence of the deceased's brother, Johnson Cash, about four miles west of Paris, Edgar County. Illinois, the crime of which rny brot her, Vandever Poi ry, was charged. But when I met my brother on the 28th of January, 1888, I told him just how it was, and that If he had done as I wanted him to do and kept out of the way as much as he could and did accidentally get caught, I would step In and give myself up and he should be vindicated and exonerated from all harm. If be did not he would have to suffer an unjust punishment; that I had been tried and acquitted. and they had nothing against me as far as they knew. Some of them thought my brother had a knife, but he did not I took the knife and used it, but in self-defense, as Mr. Cash came at me with a club, swearing he would knock my brains out He struck at me with the club. I threw up my left arm and knocked the lick off. and we came together and I had to do something to save myself. Now I make this confession to' let the people know who did it and to clear my brother of the charge against him, as I am about ready to die and be out of the way. Perry, P. B.—When this is found have it published In the papers so all who are concerned may know that I was the man, and not my brother, who killed Mr. Cash. WnrEJTEVKR a soul is converted ft becomes possible for God to make the world’ a little richer.