Letter to C. Hutchinson from Willliam Donnelly

[...] am satisfied now as to where they all met previous to the murder. Old Pat Ryder has a farm ½ mile south of my fathers on the east side of the road there is a side road running by it which leeds to Heenans and Kennedys [...] The Ryan family use this house when working on the farm The morning after the murder there were about fifteen tracks covering this untraveled side road to this house. All the tracks led by John Doherty’s house which is situated by this side road. I understand Doherty saw them going and heard some of their conversation but he is afraid to say anything. [...] I found out a good motive for McLaughlin aiding in the murder, he was told we were going to burn him out after Ryans burning. My wife is at her fathers and I do not sleep any two nights in the same house [...].