Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-12-07
THE DOCTORS STORY.
Bl II. &. BLACK.

Come, doctor, il is your turn; you
promised us story, so out with it "
We were sitting in the smoking-room Of
the st. Charles Hotel in New Orleans.
We had all told story with the excep-
tion of old Dr. Green, whose turn hav-
ing arrived, he was addressed as above.
The doctor removed his hat, stroked his
long, white beard, and said:
al am not much at telling stories,
hut since you insist, will tell you a
true tale. You have read in history of
the consul Brutus who condemned his
two sons to die? saw the counterpart
of it enacted in real life, only there was
one son instead of two. think it was
in SO; was travelling through the
southern part Of Georgia. One beauti-
ful spring morning found myself in the
town Of g..
There WAS a murder trial to COM
mcnce next day, and as ! was in no par
ticular hurry, thought ! would stay
and see it. II appeared that a young
nan, a stranger to that locality, had I,
while under the influence Of liquor, shot
and instantly killed Clay Wilson, ris-
ing young lawyer of that town. The
murderer was captured, put in prison,
and but for the bravery of the sheriff
and his deputies, he would have been
lynchcd by the infuriated friends of the
murdered man. lie had been in prison
two months and his trial was to come
up on the morrow. The day before,
that il, the two days prior to the open
ing Of the trial, Judge Andrews, the
presiding judge OF that jurisdiction, was
suddenly prostrated by paralytic
stroke, and the Hon. william II. Gra-
ham was elected Judge pro tenn.
"On arriving at the courthouse, next
day, l found il thronged with people.
As the clock struck the hour of ten, the
court Was called to order and the Judge
commanded them to bring forth the
prisoner. All eyes were turned toward
the door through which the murderer
was 10 enter lie was brought in by
the sheriff At first he gazed around
the courtroom upon the audience, then
his eyes wandered toward the one who
was 10 pronounce his doom, for he knew
too well that he would he convicted,
there was not a particle Of a chance for
him to escape. As his eyes met those
Of the Judge, he gave slight gasp and
sank into chair. The judge was
equally moved, all color fled from his
cheek, u slight tremor went over his
whole frame, and it was quite while
before he could speak, then in low, fall
tering tones he said:
| 'Gentlemen, when l accepted your
call to act ~ judge during the coming
trial Of that young man, little expected
that matters stood as they do. Four
years ago. my only son, in fit of pas
sion, left his home and has never re-
turned. l tried every way to find his
whereabouts, but it seemed impossible
ut last gave him up, thinking he was
dead. To-day ] am acting AZ judge Gin
a trial of murder-gentlemen, ask you
to excuse my seeming weakness-the
prisoner Mt the bar is my son. Then
straightening himself up to his accus-
toned dignity, he added, But when the
crime Of murder has b, EN- committed
We must lay aside. parental affection
and enter upon the stern duties ol
Justice
Then he resumed his seat. The
whole court house was still as the cham.
ber Of death. The audience would first
gaze on the Judge, then on the prisoner
tiien on the father, now on the son
The judge arose, called the court tt
order, and proceeded with the trial
Witness after witness was examined
The Judge acted more like an auto
matte figure than living man. Al
last the mornings session was over
then the afternoon, and the court ad
iourned until next day; the trial lasteC
six days, the Judge employing thu
most able talent he had in the State
doing all in his power to save his son
"On the morning of the last day, th'
jury having decided upon verdict
marched into the courtroom and tool
their accustomed places. The clerk o
arraigns turning to the prisoner, said
William II. Graham, alias Georg'
Perry, Stand up. Look upon tin
jury Then turning to the jury, h'
continued, 'Gentlemen Of the jury
what say you? DO you find William
II. Graham alias George Perry, tin
prisoner at the bar. guilty or not guilt.
Of the murder Of Clay Wilson,
There was pause i'm which moth
ing could bc heard in the deathl
stiffness Of the crowd, but the quick
low gasp of the agonized criminal. as
. in the crisis OF his fate, he convulsivel
= clutched the railing before him.,
: owe find him guilty. solemnly re
/ peated the foreman of the jury in tone
that were distinctly heard throughou
the assembly.