The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-05-27
SENTENCE


For the Murder OF VIM. Haeeerty.
II ~ II O'Clock Boon, Nay q, 1879,
ioss eight Dosths 70 day after Frank d.
sidsoo shot william Haegessy. that the
court room of Johaaoe county, 1t Wsrreas-
burg - crowded With The people Of %
Outraged community to hear the death aen-
teoos paaaed upon David.oo. Who had
been found guilty Of murder in the 6r.s
degree.
Jsdse Rogers nd:-"Frsnk DAvidson,
stand up"
The prisoner came to his feet.
Jsd9s.-Have you anything to say Why
sentence and judemeot Of The Court should
not be passed upon your
Dasados.-l have not, - I believe my
attorneys have said all that could say
for myself.
Jsdss-Mr. DAvidson. the prs.en, il .
solemn occasion; to thin audience, TO the
court and certainly svfully 20 70 you. To
say the awful words that must doom .
fellow mortal to sPpear 20 soon in judg-
ment before his Maker Ia duty only to be
endured end done because il IL Q duty.
In this whole audience there 10 not heart
that fails 10 sorrow for you in this terrible
calamity which you have brought upon
yourself. Mr.. Davidsoa, you stand to-day
before the Court convicted Of having com.
mitted one Of the greatest crimes known TO
the law-that Of taking the life Of fellos
being without any just cause or provoca-
tion-and although you came into court at
the commencement Of this trial charged
With this crime, yet in the Law all things
were presumed in your favor, and so care.
full is the Law Of the rights of the citi1-n
that there could he no hot haste in trial
and conviction but certain forms aud pro-
ceedinRs before different tribunal. had TO
be gone through with in the forms Of inves
LEGATIONS, in all Of which the rights Of the
defendant are carefully guarded 40 that il
il almo-t impossible for the innocent to
suffer. In this case there was the Coroner's
jury; your preliminary examination before
the inferior tribunal. the justice of the
peace, and then again the Investigation by
the grand jury, and lastly the final trial
here before this court where YOU had
forty competent, unparalleled good cii,zen-
from the different parts Of the county. out
Of which To select jury Of twelve men, 10
try the cause. Here you we're confronted
face to face With al the viine.ees Who have
testified against you; you have been fur
nished BY the lav with all the pu~.ible
means Of obtaining witnesses to tesiify in
your behalf; The jury have been kept to
themselves 70 that no improper impressions
could be made upon their minds from out.
side rumos. The court has sat nos for
over Eve days hearing evidence and argu
ments Of council. You have had the ad.
vice and assistsnce Of Vie. able and learn.
ed council. Thus you have been furnished
with all the ample means Of defense which
the Law recoGniseH yet twelve
good, honest, upright and intelligent cIti-
sens OF johnson county composing the jury
have said in their verdict, after
mature deliheratinn. that you are
guilty Of murder in the 6nt degree, o.
charged in the Indictment. The evidence
in The cause wss clear. 1t pointed but one
way. would that the jury could have
aid differently. And nov What can The
causes be which brought one 70 young to
pour terrible coodition-that Of convicted
murderer. ! know but little Of your pre-
'ious history but little Of Il VA developed |
10 the evidence. In your own evidence you |
~ that your mother died while you we're |
Jet IN infant This may account for mpch,
'ery much. Of what you may lack in moral
culture. Tn said, THE mother makes the
man." Seldom, IL ever. does the mother make
uch man a you are b dsy-a murderer
md would say to the audience, that in
he investigation Of this case have often
- 70 how much Of the CRIME Ct
'ur own community is to Be laid 1t the door
{ the certainly too prevalent habit and
riminal practice Of carrying concealed
'eapons In this case We find the young
eople Of the neighborhood, where this ter.
ible crime va committed, had appointed
day and place for an open air picnic.
here they might assemble together and
- the day in social intercourse and in.
oceRt amusement; but no sooner had il
zen planned, agreed upon and made /!
nova than certain parties beeun to buy /,
ew revolver. TO burnish up their old ooes,
e them repaired and secure On ample Z
'Pply Of ammunition, evidently for the
nrpose Of carrying them through the pic
&C." A beautiful commentary, indeed, h
pom johnson county civilization What &
lrthly excuse there can Le-in . civilized Z
noted for schools, churches and :
! the appliances Q: intelligence. where the j,
achinery Of the Law is in full force for the il
detection Of the rights Of the poorest citi- Z
n-fsr any man 70 60 about in crowds of !.
,aceabIe. quiet citizens, With deadly .
eapons concealed about his person. can. Il
4 conceive There may be, and are no Z
'ubt, exceptional cases. The practice in =,
rtainly no evidences Of good breeding. Il Fl
the habit Of the coward, the thief and a
E murderer, and ought 10 be condemned e.
all good people, and were the regular
dge Of this Court, should feel il my