Author of noted naturalistic essays and the first autobiographical piece on his friend, Walt Whitman. ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, December 20. Letter to Judge Clearwater, regarding a murder investigation. In full, “There is one point in that Lydell trial that sticks in my craw, and I wonder if it occurred either to you or to the Dist. Attorney. It is this, you remember that the bullet that killed Demorou came out at the back 3 inches lower than the point where it entered in the front. Now this being so, Demorou could not have had his arm up to hurl a stone at Sydell when he was shot (see enclosed sketch). To hurl a missel a man must straighten up with one shoulder thrown back and the other partly turned toward the object aimed at. In such a case the bullet would have gone straight through the body. But if Demorou had been stooping down to pick up a stone at the moment the bullet struck him then the bullet would have come out at the back at a point lower than where it entered in front. This is a physical fact of great weight. I cannot help thinking that had the attorney defense conducted the prosecution Sydell would not have gone scott free. In any case I cannot help holding Sydell at least morally responsible for Demorou's death. Had he not gone in his house & got his gun or had he stayed there, no blood would have been shed.” Accompanied bytwo original ink sketches of the supposed crime. In fine condition, with mailing folds and a couple mounting remnants to reverse of second page. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
