The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-28
SENTENCED TO DEATH.
Closing Scenes in the Trial of Will
kinson, the Bath Murder.
To be Hanged Nov. 30, 1SSJ-Remarks
of Attorney General Cleaves and Judge
II. Hi. HaskeII-sergeant Kelly surren-
dered 10 the U. y. Authorities.
Special to the Press

BATH, Aug. 27.-Soon after the coming in Of
the Court this morning, Attorney General
Cleaves moved that Daniel Wilkinson, who
was convicted at the December term, 1885,
of the murder of William Lawrence, police
man of this city in September, be brought into
Court for sentence.
The prisoner was brought into Court by
Sheriff Balou, and placed in the dock.
Attorney General Cleaves then arose and
addressed the Court as follows:
Nay it please Your Honor:
On the night of the third of September last, Will
liam Lawrence, police officer and constable of the
city of Bath whose duty it to patrol the streets
OF this city, and guard ana protect the lives and
property OF its citizens, while in the faithful per-
formance OF his duty and without warning was muir
dered. Peaceable and law abiding citizens were
naturally alarmed and shocked at the commission
OF so grave an offence IN their community
The darkness of night aided the guilty parties in
making their escape. A large rev. ard was offered
by the authorities of the city of Bath several per-
sons were arrested upon suspicion, but finally dis
charged after hearing. The prisoner, who sits in
this dock after eluding the vigilance of the officers
Ior nearly two weeks, was arrested in the city of
Bangor, charged with the commission of the offense
and Immediately brought to this county.
At the following December term the Grand jury
OIL TINS county found an Indictment against Daniel
bar OF this court. jury OF intelligent and upright
citizens of the county of Sagadahoc impanell-
eu 10 pass the case involving the life death
OF this prisoner. He was defended by my brother
Heath, an able and distinguished attorney of
nelghboring county, and his defence conducted
IN most vigorous, honorable and faithful manner.
learned and upright judge presided at the trial:
the prosecuting officers have conducted the case
with the greatest fairness towards the prisoner with
due regard to his rights and the unfortunate posi-
ton in which he was placed.
The full court, sitting as court of law, has
trial. declared bs The snaS vSsne raised the
result. verdict of murder IN the first degree has
been rendered and recorded against the prisoner in
this court.
The Legislature of this State has declared that
the punishment for this crime shall be death. and
In the performance of my last official act in connec-
imposed.
The prisoner was required to stand up and
the Court addressed him as follows:
Daniel Wilkinson-What have you to say why the
you? e
The prisoner-I have nothing to say sir; it is not
necessary.
The Court-Daniel Wilkinson the Court has been
willing to consider any good reason you might see
fit to give why you should not be adj1dged to suffer
the punishment provided by law for The crime of
which you stand convicted. But you are silent.
nave been accused of crime. You have seen accord
ed the same right, the same protection the same
presumption OF innocence that is tie birth-rght of
our cItlzens You were indicted by the grand jury
Tor this county and the charge was specifically
made known to you. You have been provided with
learned and able counsel and with process of this
Court to summon witnesses in your defence Your
trial was careful and impartial one before iury
OF disnterested citizens of this county upon their
verdict you stand convicted of the highest cr me
known to our law In committing one felony To
prevent detection and arrest you did not hesitate
but at midnight, deliberately shot down faithful
otcer in the discharge of official duty guarding the
peace OF this city. The punishment which the law
affixes to your crime is death. You have offered
no sufficient reason for checking the usual course
fho IA mir
me to pronounce can neither be arrested nor de-
iayed unless you assign some legal reason there
for. The Court has no discretion to suspend your
sentence, or mitigate its severity.
IL Is solemn and painful duty to pass q sentence
whlch VIII deprive fellowbeing of his life. en-
treat you, therefore, to consider the aWfuness If
You situation and turn your thoughts to heaven
Ihlnk upon the crime you have committed; think
n your victim, whose life you have estroy ed call
70 ml4o the gIeI ana sorrow that you have visited
upon his family.
Your crime is one not created by society. It re-
celyes its sanction from higher source. "Who SO
sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be
Shed" There is no doubt but that you are guilty
OF murder, deliberate and atrocious. 1 know not
what renect1ons visit you in this extremity but
death will be the consequence of your crime You
nave been tried here, and will be called hereafter to
renoer an account OF your crimes to higher tribu-
nal. Look back upon your past life and evil deeds
aud let repentance take hol1 of your heart. If you
are suffering injuries forgive them If you cherish
any benevolent act to any living being, do it, that
with conscience thus prepared, you may be
strengthened TO meet your death.
There is some hope, some consolation even for the
most wicked. The Christian religion, will furnish
balm for the wounded spirit. Rely upon the assis-
t tsnte OF its holy ministers They win teach you
recall your bad actions and wicked intentions not
to harden 20 heart. but to convince yourself how
much you need forgiveness. Prisoner hearken TO
your sentence as the Court award it:
Inc usual proclamation for silence was then
made.
Daniel Wilkinson:-You stand convicted of the
crime of murder of the first degree. 1t is therefore
considered by the Court that You be hence removed
to our State Prison. situated at Thomaston, in our
county of Knox, and that you be there confined
within our said State Prison until the sentence of
death shall be inflicted upon YOU and that on Fri
gay, tne zUtn Gay OF November, in the year of our
hye between the hours of eleven O'Clock in the fore
noon, and two O'Clock in the afternoon of that day
at said Thomaston, within our said State Prison
you be then and there hanged by the neck until Won
are dead, and that you stand committed in execu
ton of this sentence. May God, in his infinite
goodness, have mercy on your soul.
The prisoner was Immediately remanded
and will be conveyed to Thomasten today.
Sergeant Dennis Kelly was also brought il to
court this morning. Attorney General Cleayes
presented the case stating that Freeman Smith
OF Massachusetts, was fatally shot in Fort Pop
ham, July 20, 1882. No not ice of the case be-
ing taken by the United States authorities, the
matter was taken up by the State and a grand
jury found an Indictment against Kelly for
manslaugter. Subsequently the United States
authorities took up the case and the law court
decided that the United States had full juris-
diction He therefore moved Kelly's dis
charge. The court ordered the sheriff to sur
render Kelly to the United States authorities,
and United States Marshal Bisbee took him to
Portland. The case will come before the dis