Jefferson Hope's Confession

I, Jefferson Hope, confess that I have killed Enoch Drebber of Salt Lake City, Utah.

It all happened about twenty-one years ago. I was driving some cattle from the Nevada mountains to Salt Lake City. On my way to my newly found home, I met the most stunning woman in my entire life. I immediately fell in love with the overwhelming beauty she possessed and the delicate features that added on to her unique character. I was bound to propose; in which I did.  Everything felt so perfect, giving the opportunity to marry the love of my life.

I thought wrong.  Lucy and John Ferrier, her adoptive father, lived in a Mormon community in which marrying a man outside the Mormon faith was considered a sin and would either be executed or faced very harsh consequences. I vaguely knew about her circumstances, but understood the harsh penalties she would be put through. Moreover, the Mormons found out that I proposed and forced her to marry either Joseph Stangerson or Enoch Drebber, removing any sense of individually she has.  I deeply wanted to save her. After all, I was, and still am, madly in love with Lucy. Initially, John Ferrier, Lucy, and I, had come up with a plan to run away. John completely agreed to this decision and was fully supportive of our profound love. I was very excited to save Lucy from this society of aggressive rules and unfair treatment and finally live a life of calmness.

I was in extreme shock and could not believe the news that came about; John Ferrier was murdered by the Mormons and Lucy was now engaged to Stangerson. This whole act was absolutely disgusting and savage. How could someone kill a girl’s father and force her into marrying someone whom she does not love? Lucy was now left alone in a world full of men who could take advantage of her in horrible ways. Furthermore, the depression grew in her and therefore died of a broken heart. This ignited an immense fire within. I could not understand what kind of human would take someone’s dignity. Did they have any sense of respect and manner? I knew what had to be done.

I found out one day that Drebber and Stangerson’s paths led all the way to London, England. The burning rage and hatred grew every year until I found them and carefully planned a way to retaliate. I never physically “murdered” them. They were given the choice of two pills; one contained poison, and the other was a normal sugar pill. I let fate chose their destiny, in which they received what they deserved. If what they have done was justified, then they would not die; but they both did. This was all purely done in the name of love. I love Lucy and I would do anything for her. What Drebber and Stangerson did was not justified, brutally murdering John and leaving Lucy for scrap.