St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-24
Two Arkansas Murderers Take a Tum-
bic Through a Trap at
the Same Time.
Indian Territory Assassins Expiate Their
0ffenses on the Gallows at
Fort Smith.
The Treasurer of 81 New York Manu-
featuring Concern Speculates
with the Usual Result.
Mysterious Murder OF n New Jersey
Maiden - Criminal Cuttings
from Over the Country.
Expiatcd Their Offense.

FORT SMITH. Ark. April 23.-JameS
WasSOn and Joseph jackson were executed
here to-day for murders committed in the
Indian Territory. Anticipating a respite.
United States Marshal Carroll postponed
the hour of execution until the afternoon.
At , o'clock the prisoners were dressed and
the death warrants read. They were then
ironed, and after bidding their fellow pris-
Oners good bye, were taken TO the Scatfoid.
At o'clock, before being handcuffed.
Jackson attempted TO cut his throat with a
bottle that some OF the prisoners used as a
flower vase. but was prevented by the
guards. after he had cut an ugly cash in
his neck. Some delay occurred at the
gallows awaiting WaSSon'S minister, and
after the minister's prayers the doomed
men babe each other good bye, the ropes
were adjusted and they made their last
farewell 10 the guards, reporters and Others
present. The drop was sprung at 2:4G p.
IN. and both men died without a struggle.
The execution was witnessed by about 100
persons. mostly deputy marshals, guards
and reporters. Both men protested their
innocence and Jackson said the witnesses
SwOre lies against him. This makes eleven
men hanged on this gallows within the past
twelve years, all Tor murders committed in
the Indian Territory.
THEIR CRIMES.
The crimes for which these men were tried
and convicted were committed in the Indian
Territory, within the Jurisdiction of the
L n.iCd States court for the Western district
oi Arkansas. James Wasson was convicted
of the murder of Henry Martin in the Chick
asaw nation. in November, 1881. Wasson
and Il young Indian named John Mclaughlin.
nephew OF The governor OF the Chickasaw
nation. were together on The day of the kill
ing and were tried Jointly Tor the crime, but
the jury disagreed as TO Mclaughlin and con-
victed Wasson. These men were under the
influence OF liquor, and having an old grudge
against Martin. went from pince 10 place
seeking him. Finally they met him near
tha road in the woods ard shot him down. and
after riding some distance, Wnsson, fearing
that his victim might not be dead. returned
and fired another bullet through his head.
Wasson is also char-ed with the
MURDER oP ALMARINE WATKINS,
Texas cattle king, whose widow offered
81, 900 reward for his arrest.
Joseph jackson is charged with q most hor-
rifle and atrocious wife murder. Simply
because he thought his wife was too much
trouble 10 him he emptied the contents of a
double barreled shotgun into her breast,
while she was washing dishes one morning
after breakfast. This killing occurred March
9, 1885. at Sculleyville, in the Choctaw nation.
and was case OF circumstantial evidence
alone, there being no eye witne SIS to tell of
this foul crime. No one was near but the
murderer an mis- victim, but chain OF Cir
cumstances told the story so plainly that the
jury was out but few minutes before re-
turning verdict of guilty. jackson was a
very desperate negro and had TO be chained
up like wild beast while being taken 10 the
United States Jail.