, 1877-02-24
John Thompson.
HIS CRIME, ARREST, TRIAL AND con-
VICTION.
From Me S.atth Dispatch.

convicted Ol tnc WuTutf OF solomon |
Baxter, at Rcnton on Sunday last, is
something without precedent in the |
history OF Territorial governments. We |
have had trials by the court Of Judge |
Lynch, which were brought to tcrni-
nation with far greater speed than this,
but nothing that was vested with the
prestige OF the law. On Sunday night
man receives mortal wound the fol
lowing Friday his slayer is convicted
and ordered to appear Ior sentence the
following day.
THE SLAIN MAN
Was native of Yorkshire, England, and
had resided in this portion Of the Terri
tory about Two years. He mad bought
neat little farm to which lac proposed
bringing his wife and children as soon
as he had amassed the ready money. II
did not appear in evidence that the de
ceased had acted in any other capacity
than that of pcaccmaker. An attempt
was made to show that he had struck
Thompson, but was not supported by
the testimony of other witnesses,
THE CONVICTED CULPRIT
Is native of Wales, about 43 years Of
age, as we should judge from personal
inspection Of him. His figure is slight,
though he may be wiry and active, yet
he is the last man we should pick mp as
II fighting character. His weak, watery
blue eyes his yellow HAIR and beard
his STOPPING figure, all mark the man ot
undecided character, 1t is said by those
who knew him at Newcastle, That he was
"A timid man and allowed men to bully
over him till at last he grew desperate
and drove them of with G weapon. Be
that as it may, it does not effect the case
now under consideration, in any materi-
al point.
THE PROSECUTION
Called Bennet, the man with whom
Thompson was fighting when Baxter in
terfered and received his death wound
also DR.. G. A. Weed, Geo w. Tihbetts,
Vim. Deacon, Geo. j. Lambert and John
Holden and his wife. Their testimony
went to show that Bennett received one
cut from Thompson on the wrist and
another across the fingers. They also
established the fact that nearly five
hours had elapsed between the fight
over the card table and the stabbing af-
fray on the rollroad track. The testimo-
ny of DR.. Weed was to the effect that the
cut looked rs if made with some dull in
strument.
FOR THE DEFENCE,
Francis ManiIord p. Welsh, j. Griffin,
Antoine Marks, DR.. Bagley and the pri-
soner were all examined, but their testi-
mony failed to exculpate the prisoner
1t is a curious fact that several witnesses
Tor the prisoner, stated matters which
evidently hurt the prisoners case ; while
one or two OF those for the prosecution
made statements calculated to mitigate
in his favor. This was particularly no.
ticedble in the testimony Of Lambert,
The industry and pcrtinacity of the pri-
soner's counsel, reflects great credit On
Nlessrs. Hantord and Andrews, who did
all in their power to save him. 1t was
after nine on Friday night when
JUDGE LEWIS CHARGE
Was delivered to the jury and they re-
tired for delibcration. The night wore
away and Judge Lewis had gone home
at II o'clock and was just retiring to
dream over II hard days session in Court
when a ring at his door bell announced
an intruder, in the person of Deputy
Sheriff ThorntOn, who informed him OF
the fact that the jury had agreed upon
averdict. The Judge came down town
as soon MS possible and found the jury
awaiting him MS he entered the room.
lie took his seat and quietly asked Of the
foreman, W. w. Barker,
"HAvE YOU FOUND A VERDICT ~
ihe foreman responded in the afIirma,
i've and handed the document to his
Honor. A slight expression of surprise
ran through the crowd as the Chiet jus
lce read off the verdict, Guilty oi