The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-06-01
A TEXAS TRAGEDY RE-
CALLED.
Unexpected Conviction of the Law
Yer Who Shot an Ex-Judge in
a Courtroom.

Dallas, Texas, May 1.-On March
IA. 1882, Robert E. Oewart. a leading
lawyer of this city. killed ex-Judge J..
N. Thurmond in the County Court.
room. Thurmond was WeIl.known
politician ID this part OF the state,
was bitter in his hstreds, and a
ustural-bOrn aRitator. Great enmity
had existed between CoWsrt and
Thurmond, growing out of CoWart's
appearing as counsel OF the city when
Thurmond was V0 ed out Of the
Office OF Mayor three years ago by
the City Council. A bitter speech
was delivered b. Oowart in the can
vas. when Thurmond ran for Mayer
to fill the vacancy caused by mis- re-
movAl. and in which Thurmond was
defeated. This bitterness was in
creased 10 February last. when Thur
m0nd entered the municipal canvas
as candidate for alderman from the
second Ward. A small evening
paper. since suspended, contained
a number OF articles extremely bitter
against ClWart and others, and no
doubt existed that Thurmond Was
the author. The elimination came
10 the tragedy of March 14th, when
Cowart killed Thurmond. He was
shot while advancing on CoWart with !
a heavy cane in his left haDd, and in |
the act of drawing a pistol from his
hip pocket with his right hand, ex-
claiming: "DrRW, you; / am |
ready for you" Public sentiment
was almost unanimously with CoWart,
As i. was believed that it was clear
case OF self.defence. He was arrested
and afterwsrd released on hsbeas cor.
pus, with bond of $500.
The trial of Cowart OH q charge OF
murder 10 the first degree came up
On Monday last and occupied all the
week. Great interest has been mani
tested 10 the proceedings, the Court
House being crowded all the time
night and day. It took over three
lays to get jury, so many persons
lad formed an opinion. The testi.
nony was very favorable to OoWart,
md when the case was given to the
ury on Friday night the general
opinion was that be would be acqnit-
ed. Four brothers of Thurmond were
present from various points in Texas
md Arizona, and all the week the
has been listening to
umors that OoWart would he killed
| acquitted. Consequently, Sheriff q
ones had all his deputies, number [
t special officers. and a pat Of the '
olice force, on duty at the Court 9
louise Friday night and yesterday to y
rotect the prisoner and preserve the j
eace. The jury could not agree on 4
'riday night. but yesterday morning G
hey surprised every body by render L
1g verdict of guilty OF murder I'M
le second degree. The Court sem
,nCed Cowart to the penitentiary
u seven years.
Yesterday mornings Herald con- =
lined a severe criticism OF the q:
ny, charging that some of them u u
eIe DRUNK that night and not delib. a.
'Ating Oh the Case. A reporter had :.
'tten intc an adjoining room and !! ~
stoned. When the jury heard OF &c
e publication they we're very indig "
INT. Tney certified TO the Court ~ ~
at no hquor was in the jury room. VI VI
De Herald proprieters we're fined "
90 for contempt, and the jurymen "
g starting libel suits for damage9. ~. ~
Cowart's counsel moved for a new -
al, which came up for argument;at VII
p. 10. Meanwhile newspaper VI ",
porters Investigated the charges ~
ainst the Jury, and soon traced three W
tiles of whisky to different jury. q.
an. and the publication of the facts ~
the EOening Times added interest . .es
the case. The motion for q new .
al was argued before Judge Aid. AZ. uo.
ge last night. The Court House az az
g packed, the most prominent o os11
zens being present. All necessary % Gal
were again taken. The az o1
ton was granted, and the specta- w
, attempted to applaud, but the L.,
,lsuse was suppressed by the iO9
art. After the adjournment, Cow. III,
received the congratulations of pa.'
friends. The new Trial was ~"
nted on the ground that the YER a 81.
was not Ia accordance with the t ual
lenCe. ny