AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES H. SCHOOLCRAFT

Southern Illinois Penitentiary Chaplain's Study - T. M. Griffith, Chaplain Menard, Ill. Dec. 4, 1891
Hon John C. Edwards, McLeansboro, Illinois
Dear Sir: I used the typewriter to copy Jas. Schoolcraft's affidavit, and if not lawful, you can send it back to me and I will write it. If there are points not sufficiently explicit, make note of them, and so inform me. I expressed as plainly as possible the spirit of Schoolcraft's statements to me. I talked to all the boys, and I am quite well advised that it was no preconcerted plan of action between the men, as they cell separately and I learn that Jas. J. has made prior affidavits. If the boys are innocent, they should have speedy relief. I hope you will prove to the men who have employed you, that they have not employed the wrong man. Thos. M. Griffith

Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
James A. Schoolcraft, now a convict in Chester Penitentiary, being sworn according to law, do depose and aver that on or about the 19th day of Feb, 1866, I killed John Mann under the following circumstances, to-wit:
I was working near Evansville, Randolph Co., Ill, and I discovered a horse that was stolen from my brother, about ten years before. I traced the theft to the above named John Mann. I accused him of the theft, and he bitterly denied it. He threatened my life. I told Bro. George about it and he and John had some sharp words concerning the horse and I can readily see why George was thought to be accessory, if not the principal in the crime of killing Mann. Still, Mann threatened my life. Some time elapsed, and I could hear threats, till I became afraid and determined to revenge myself. I was young, and revenge haunted me when I went to bed and when I arose. I have learned better things since. One morning we met on the road and I shot Mann. I'd killed him. My bros. George and Albert M. Schoolcraft knew nothing of my determination. What I did was of my own determination. By bros. neither prompted nor were they in no wise connected, directly or indirectly. I must say before God and man that my bros. are as innocent of the crime alleged. I may never see the end of my sentence, but I do hope executive clemency will reach my brothers who suffer on my account. X (his mark) James H. Schoolcraft

In testimony to the above statements, thereunto set my hand this the fourth day of Dec., 1891. W. C. Dowell, Notary Public


State of Illinois Hamilton County
To his Excellency the Governor of Illinois your petitioners Marion Schoolcraft and George C. Schoolcraft late of said county respectfully represent unto Your Excellency that they were each convicted of murder at the February term of the Circuit Court of Hamilton County Illinois in the year 1886.

Your petitioners were charged together with James H. Schoolcraft with the murder of John Mann. The deceased was murdered on the public highway about six miles and a half N.W. of Broughton about the hour of nine o'clock AM. The evidence which was circumstantial showed conclusively that there was but one person at the scene of the assassination. This person by his own confession made since the trial was our brother James H. Schoolcraft. The evidence showed conclusively that your petitioner George C. Schoolcraft was at least six miles from the scene of the killing when the same occurred. And that your petitioner Marion Schoolcraft was a halv a mile from the scene of the killing, the time same occurred. The only evidence against your petitioners was the proof of statements and declarations by your petitioners previous to the murder. The killing occurred on the 19th day of Feb. 1886 and your petitioners were tried the next week after the killing and there was agreat deal of prejudice, animosity, and ill will towards your petitioners on account of the dark and deplorable deed of their brother James H. Schoolcraft - He denied any connection with the killing and while the evidence showed that it was committed by but one person and that the person was himself, James H. this was proven by comparison of his boots with the tracks near the body of the deceased. While our statements are not to be taken as evidence ... that we were punished for the crime of our brother. The evidence in the trial tended to show that Marion and his brother James H. staid at the residence of George C. on the night previous to the assassination.

That on the morning of the assassination, your petitioner Marion, and James H. about sunrise left George's house and went north to the place of the assassination but there James H. stopped, and Marion went on a half a mile further north and was at that point when the deceased past going south. And this is the only connection that your petitioner Marion had with the transaction as shown by the evidence. Your petitioner Marion at the time was the youngest one of the defendants, being only 17 years old at the time. Your petitioner Marion herefore claims that the punishment was more than adequate to the offense the State proved he had committed, and asks the same may be commuted to a short term of years. While both of your petitioners were convicted as accessories before the fact, it was not proven that either of your petitioners either advised encouraged aided or abetted James H. in the crime he committed. For the foregoing reason and other causes appearing from the record in the case in which we were convicted your petitioners pray that their respective sentences may be commuted to short terms of years such terms being proportionate to the crimes the record show them to have committed. All of which is respectfully submitted
Marion Schoolcraft
George C. Schoolcraft
by John C. Edwards
their Attorney