Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-03

up 10 me and said, " Ii you over squeal you
arc q dead man.. They came back Their. sat
down the gun, and Williams said that they
would have TO hide tho body and get II oil
that ground; they started of aud went
away from me, and while they were gone L
took my revolver, which had two empty
and put'two more cartridges in
it. They came back to me and asked me
to help them carry him away say L." mol
that mans blood is of my bands and l will
stay So"
Comparing the two statements and juds-
ing from the proofs Of perjury on the part
Of Cammack and Williams as evident in the
gun matter, it looks as if Beebe has the
most plausible side Of the story.
When the skull was brought down to
Yankton, l am informed that a gentleman
who had visited the ground where the crime
had been perpetrated, told the United
States authorities that his firm belief, aud
that Of those who were present with him,
was that more than one man had committed
the murder Of Geo. Landphere. The con-
dltion Of the body, the well-de6ned tracks
on the ground, the concealment of the camp
FIRE and of the clothing, all tended to prove
that Beebe, ifguilty, was not the only one.
That gentleman vent further, he said, 81
believe, and the party who were with me
also believe that Cammack and Williams
are guilty of the murder of Geo. Land
phere." Do you know what the United States
official answered I? "Well !" he said, "Unclc
Brown, (Landphere's %uncle) said to me that
they were all right (meaning Williams and
Cammack,) and if Mr.. Brown does not
think they are guilty, l do not see what l
can do" Mr.. Brown went to the place of the
homicide after the body had been buried,
and had no grounds whatever upon which
to form an opinion.
By the way, let me tell you a little story
which happened a month or two before the
trial of Beebe
Mr.. Munroe wrote to the postmaster of
Virginia to inquire about the reputa-
ton Of Geo. Cammack. Not receiving an
answer he wrote again., Still no answer.
During the trial Mr.. Brown being under
oath testified that he was the postmaster OF
Virginia and the silence of the Vir-
ginia postmaster was explained.
Another little story which tends to prove
how determined Uncle Broun was to find
a reply to any possible defense Beebe nigh,
bring in:
The Virginia postmaster being informed
that the skull of his nephew had heen found
l ha@Iyov and hLnk - lo.l hoo l--a It'll
blunt instrument, and that that fact went tc
prove That the testimony of Cammack anc
Williams in regard to the shooting of Land
account for that. Brown then told the
following story:
IA short time ago my nephew was kicked
in the head by a colt, and probably had
his head fractured. My sister, Mrs. Land
phere, brought with her a scrap book, in
which she has the article about the kicking
of the colt, and if Beebe intends to say that
Georges skull was broken at the place o
the homicide, We are ready 70 prove the
contrary"
The all-potent Uncle Brown having
vouched for the spotlessness of the two in
corruptible witnesses, the United State!
attorney on his representation didn't TAX,
any steps whatever TO ascertain whether O.
not more than one man had made a large
of Hemisphere. 1t was, or seemed to be
only necessary to make one example, ant
they determined to put Beebe through
Midnight and midday consultations wer,
held, the lessons were committed to mem
DRY, knotty points were discussed an
solved. Objectionable statements were lai,
under the table, the witnesses agreed no
to disagree on anything, slept together
ate together, drank together, and In fac
put their heads together, determined L
hang Beebe, and l guess they have sue
ceeded.
Had these two willing witnesses beel
kept apart, and the above mentioned P. NJ
allowed no Intercourse with them, tn
chances are that the truth would have beel
brought forth. and q far trial had for tn
unfortunate man who now waits his sen
tence for murder in the first degree, justic
would have been vindica.ed, and. the lay
officers would have saved a reputation 70
honesty and integrity. which 1t is doubtful
if they now enjoy.
Poverty is not a crime; still Beebe wa
guilty of that, and had to acknowledge II
Consequently 10 order TO procure witnesse
be was compelled 6y TAO to open his defense
which was read in open court, and stat
what be proposed 10 prove OF course tn
prosecution and the i%ncorruptible witncsse
before mentioned wanted nothing bette
THAI that; they listened aud took notes o
what the accused man expected to prove il
bis defense, and we're consequently full,
prepared to swear the opposite. 1t Is to b,
deplored that the law makes il pecessar,
for q pauper 10 court to show his plan q
action, previous to the development durips
the trial, but such 1t seems ia the law. aut
'he Lord help any unfortunate who fall,
into its clutches.
The law refused to allow the condemned
man to submit all his evidence and that il
q murder trial seems to an outsider inex.