Before my emigration to York, when the family were all on the farm
together, at a certain time which I cannot now recollect, I was then
about fourteen years old, and for the _first time was tempted to murder_.
In the absence of my father, my brother Michael had the management of
his father’s affairs, and the government of us children given to him. My
brother was very strict with us and tried to make us do what was right,
and on failing to do so, he would chastise us, _which created a hatred
in my breast towards him, and I determined in my own mind to destroy
him. To carry out this determination, I gathered vegetable poison from
trees, mixed it in soup, and intended fully to give it to him, and did
so._ My brother saw something in his soup that did not please him, took
up his plate, went to the door, and threw it out, which saved him. I
do now sincerely pray Almighty God to forgive me, and I humbly pray my
brother to forgive me for attempting to make him suffer so awful a death.
After my return from York, while living at Bastian’s, I went into the
Block-house settlement on some business which I do not now recollect; on
my way home, after doing my business, I stopped a while at John Howard’s
barn, looking at some hands engaged in threshing with a machine. There
came a stranger riding by—_it immediately occurred to me that I might
follow and murder him, if he was not a methodist preacher_. I did follow
him, and cut a good club to put my designs into execution. He took the
new road, I took the old one, and intended to overtake him at the place
where the two roads met; but when I came to the place where I expected to
meet him, luckily for himself, he got past before I reached the place,
and I never saw him more. The reason why I intended not to kill him if he
was a preacher, was, _that clergymen never have money, and are considered
poor game_. This was in the fall of the year.
After this, in the winter, I was in at Messrs. Benners’ store, in the
Block-house settlement, and introduced some conversation with respect to
some mahogany that I wanted to make some bureaus, and asked Elias Benner
when he expected to go to Philadelphia. He told me he could not say to a
certainty, but thought some time in the spring. I then asked him if he
would let me know when he did go, that I would go as far as Williamsport,
and there make arrangements with him to buy mahogany and other materials
I wanted. _This plan was laid by me to murder him on the way, as I knew
he would have money_; but, fortunately for himself, ere the time arrived,
I committed the awful deed for which I must soon suffer, and the prison
became my home, or he too might now be in eternity.
Not long after this, _I had also intended to murder David Raker, for
this reason_; in a conversation with him at his house, he told me he
was _going to collect money_; he did go, called at my shop—we had some
conversation, which I do not now recollect; but while there, _I forgot
this determination, why or wherefore I cannot say, but sure I am it was
no goodness in me_. I also _stole_ from Jacob Bastian, in the Block-house
settlement, screws and nails, as I had opportunity when at work there.
I also _intended robbing my brother Daniel’s chest_ in Blooming-grove,
cannot say whether I did or did not. The last winter I worked at York, _I
intended robbing_ Dr. Ness, went up stairs, rummaged his bureau, &c. but
found no money.
I also _went to rob my cousin, Daniel Seib_, in York; he told me he had
$400 in his chest; I went to the chest, opened and searched for the
money, but found none, and was much disappointed.
I also _intended robbing_ James Dinkle’s chest, but could not get it
open. James Dinkle is a mulatto, and then lived with Daniel Louck,
at Diehl’s mill, near York. About a month before I left my master,
Mr. Spangler, I _stole_ from him a hammer and a two foot rule, which
I brought to the Block-house with me. I also _robbed_ my shop-mate,
John Smith, of about fifty cents, which he left in the garden house and
forgot. Soon as he came out I went in, found it, put it in my pocket.
He missed it, soon went back, and it was gone. Soon as he returned he
charged me with it; _I lied him out of it_; he then gave me clear, and
blamed a black boy belonging to Mr. Kelly.
The first harvest, whilst reaping for Jacob Kindig, on Mr. Longenecker’s
farm, in the evening _I stole_ a sickle out of the field, whom it
belonged to I do not know. I also _stole_ a board from Daniel Wiser, in
York, to make myself a chest.
I also _stole_ from William Stine’s store, mint-sticks, and attempted to
rob his money drawer, but found it locked.
Taken June 30, 1838, before Jacob Grafius, Reverends J. F. Abele and G.
Schulze, as substantially correct, and whereunto I have subscribed my
name or mark in their presence.
Witnesses present:
JACOB GRAFIUS,
G. SCHULZE,
JOHN F. ABELE.
X
WILLIAM MILLER.
his mark.