A Doctor's Extraordinary Confession

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 147, 1 June 1893, Page 4

A Doctor's Extraordinary Confession

Nashville (Tennbsse), April 7. There has been found among tno private papers of the. late Dr Francis T. Foutenoy a written confession of crime which was committed twentyeight years ago, and of which Dr Foutenoy was never suspected. Rer* A. M. Feltner, rector of the Episcopal Church, disappeared mysteriously in 1865, and diligent search by his friends, aided by detectives, faded to furnish any clue as to what " became of him. His wife hao just died, but beyond that no cause tor melancholy was known, and nothing could be learned to indicate any motive .for his going: away so. strangely. : The document in question is a confession by Dr Foutenoy that he murdered Feltner. The confession goes into detail. Dr Foutenoy was Mrs Feltner's physician, and became greatly interestad in her case because oJ some peculiar features that appealed to his professional zeal. -When Mrs Feltner died, he yielded to the temptation to steal the body for an autopsy. He had removed it' from ihe grave, and was preparing to refill it, when he received a stunning blow from behind. Wheeling round, he found himself face to face with Feltner. '1 he latter "vj» maddened by the desecration of his wife's grave. The rector again 'attacked him, -and to defend himself, knowing that protests would be lifeless, 'the doctor seized a shovel and struck liifl assailant on the bead, hoping to stun him and make hiseßcnpe. The blow crushed the temple bone.causingirstani death. The horrified murderer placed the body in the empty coffin and refilled the grave. Kain washed awaj all traces of the work, and the strange disappearance was almost forgotten Dr Fontenoy completed his autopsj with great advantage to science. •H c adopted his victiir 's two children, botli of whom are living. The daughter it married to a State official, and the so i is m the Government service. Di Fontenoy was a wealthy bachelor and left them his fortune. Mrs Felt ner's body was found whefre th* confession said it had been buried in the cellar and rein terred beside that>o her husband^^^^^^^