The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-12-16
NE Processes Innocence of the
Crime.
From the Mayaeld Democrat.

From the MayGeld Democrat.
John Ryan, who was tried at this term
Of the Circuit Court, and found guilty
OF the murder of Miss Sarah Jane
Owens, in this county in 1868, was sem
fenced, on Wednesday. Judge Boon
pronounced the sentence, and the pris
oner was fearfully agitated at the time,
showing that be fully realized the awful
doom that awaited him. We give as
near as we can the remarks of both the
Court and prisoner. The prisoner, who
had been previously introduced into the
court room was addressed BY the Court
as follows:
"John Ryan, stand up:
The Grand Jury of this county, at
the May term Os66) of this Court, re
turned into Court an indictment against
you charging you with the murder of
Miss Sarah Jane Owens. Attic present
term of this Court, you we're brought
into Court in the custody of the Jailor,
aud in addition to the able and efficient
counsel which you already had, the Court
assigned two other distinguished mem
bers of the Bar to assist in conducting
Court that you were ready for your trial
you waived the arraignment, acknowi-
edged the identity of person AND plead
not guilty, and for your trial put your
self upon the country, which consisted
Of a Jury composed Of the best citizens
of the county, who were selected aud ac-
cepted by you. After hearing the evil
deuce 10 the case, and the argument in
your behalf aud ia behalf Of the Com
monwealth. the J Dry retired for deliber-
alton. and under the solemnities Of their
oath, returned into Court verdict Of
guilty" against you; and it now re-
mains for the Court, in the discharge Of
duty, to pronounce the judgement of the
law upon that verdict, unless you can
show legal reason why the Judgment
should not be pronounced. If therefore
you have such reason to urge, the Court
will gladly hear you"
The prisoner then arose and addressed
the Court and spectators in the following
language
~ am innocent of the crime. On the
day the shooting occurred, Pagan aud
myself were together; we were at the
still house and got some whisky. FSgan
got drunk. and as we were passing near
where Mrs Owens lived. Fagau asked
who lived there [ told him, and he said
he intended to take some bedding and
clothes. | said in the name of God are
You going to treat a widow woman that
way? and told him il he was going to
stop there l would 90 on. He said if |
did not go with him he would shoot me
He then got down, went into the house
and brought out an armfuI of bed clothes
and put some of them on my horse and
some on his l threw those he put on
my horse back into the yard. Pagan
went back and brought out others and
returned to the house The young ladies
then came out and asked me to go and
assist them | went into the house and
Pagan was 10 another room with the door
shut. | told the ladies could do moth
ing with Pagan; II l opened the door
that he would as econ shoot me as any
one else. | went back TO my horse and
Pagan came out with other goods, and
the ladies' following him, begging for
their clothes He, (Fagan) said if you
will drink with me [ will give you your
clothes. One of them pretended TO drink
and he gave them back the clothing ex-
cept some articles of bed clothing. The
young ladies' started back in the house.
and said something when Pagan turned
ropnd and followed them, and the shoot
ing took place by Pagan at the door
This Is the truth. and if you hang me
you will hang an innocent man. This
Is all | have to say"
The Court then proceeded with its
remarks:
The Court does not perceive in your
remarks any such reason as would justi-
fy it in Withholding the Judgment Of
the law. This is most solemn moment;
and one of fearful responsibility to the
Court. The verdict Of the Jury consign
ed you TO the galows aud takes away
your life, and therefore is a dreadful
warning of the doom which awaits you
l pTay you therefore to allow the Court
to say To you to entertain no hope of
escape. but to realize the awful reality of
your present situation, and TO beg you to
look alone for help to that gracious Be
ing, who il ever ready to have mercy;
and who alone has power to forgive sins;
aud humbly pray that he will have
mercy upon your soul.
The Judgment of the Court is that
You be taken 70 the Jail whence you came,
and remain in the custody Of the Jaiior
until Friday, the 26th day of January,
1872, on which day, between the hours
OF sunrise aud sunset, the Sheriff of this
County is directed and required to take
you to such place as he may select and
hang you by the neck until you are DEAD