Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1908 — LAMPHERE SAYS THAT HE'S LUCKY [ARTICLE]

LAMPHERE SAYS THAT HE'S LUCKY

Writes Letter Protesting His Innocence. THANKS FOR KINDNESS *1 Have Thought Many Times Since I Have Been Here In Jail That It Is a Wonder I Did Not Find a Resting Place In Her Private Burying Ground,'* Is One of the Sentiments He Expresses—Thinks He*ll Be Free In Two Years. La Porto, Ind., Dec. 4. —Attorney H. W. Worden has made public the letter which Ray Lampbere wrote to his mother immediately following his return to the county jail after he had been star fenced to state’s prison for burning the Gunness house, following which fire the bodies of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children were found in the ruins. The letter reads:

“I will try and write you a few lines to let you know how I am. I am not feeling very well just now. I just got back ' from the court house, where 1 went to get my sentence, which you have heard of by this time. I was somewhat disappointed, although the circumstances were against me; but, ma, 1 am not guilty, and before God I am no criminal. Don’t worry about me, ma, for it might have been worse. “I have thought many times since I have been here in jail that it is a wonder I did not find a resting place in her private burying ground; so, ma, do not worry for I am among the living with a clear conscience and know I never did any very great wrong to anybody. “There is a chance for me to get out after two years, and that is not very long. I don’t know whether I will be permitted to write to you or not, but will write if I can. Give my love and best wishes to all and thank Cora and Izzie and Pearl for what they have done for me.”