, 1889-10-31
LATIN WAS PREPARED,
He Had Razor Concealed and was
Determined not to Die.
Tacoma News, October 28.l

Tacoma News, October 26.l
David +, Latin, the murderer of C. c.
Grant, is now on his way to Walla
Walla. Early this morning he took the
overland train, guarded by Deputy
Sheriffs Croake and Conner. Latin was
glad to get away from Tacoma. He was
afraid of being lynchcd should he be in
the city when his confession, which was
made public late yesterday afternoon,
became generally known.
Latin would not have been hung had
the verdict Of the jury been murder in
the first degree lie was prepared for
such verdict and had it been rendered
he would probably have cut his throat
on the spot. lie had razor in his pos
session all the time during the trial. and
probably during his incarceration at the
county jail. This is what Latin told his
attorneys after the jury had rendered
their verdict. Attorneys Milligan and
Sessions, his lawyers, kept the story of
Latln's confession quiet until late yes
terdav afternoon. They were afraid
Latin might be lynched should the
story be made public in time for pu D.
llCation before he got OIL to Walla Walla.
How or where Latin got the razor is
a mystery. He kept it concealed in his
necktie. If the razor was there when he
was committed to Jail IL failed to attract
tho attention of the vigilant officials ut
the county Jail. If the razor was not in
| the noCktiU when he entered the Jail
Latin must have secured it from one of
the other prisoners or have had some
! means of com munication with the out
side world. Latin did not state how he
got the razor. Several things occurred
AZ tile county JUL while he was confined
there that have never been explained.
The, principal thing was the making of
| tho key to the big lock, by the use OF
which the prisoners came so near escap-
ing, 1t was thought that Latin was
connected with the making of the key,
and it Is possible that the lead of which
1t Is made was obtained in the same
manner that Latin got his razor.
Latin was not slow in telling his at
torneys what lac had the razor for. Had
\ verdict OF murder In the first degree
been brought in by the jury hc would
have cut his throat. Latin had the
nocl<te on in the courtroom. He was
observed to take hold of it once or twice
as ii to adjust it and II is probable that
he was then feeling to See ii it was
secure and ready for use when he wanted
IT,. Attorney Milligan said to-day that
II the verdict had been murder In the
first degree Latin might have taken
the razor and cut the throats of his
lawyers as well rs his own. Latin made
the confession and told of the razor
being in his possession Immediately
after the jury brought in its verdict
Attorney Milisan turned to him and
asked how the veroict suited him.
Good said Latin, and then he aston
ished the counsel by telling them the
true story OF the murder.
: The gist OF his confession is as follows
He conceived the idea OF robbng Grant
after they reached Tacoma. He drugged
a bottle of whisky, but could not be in
duced to touch it. About an hour after
they entered their room at the Franklin
house Latin arose to do his deadly
work. lie got out his slungshot and
placed the revolver in readiness in case
II should be needed. He intended to
apply the shlngshot and then use
Chloroiorm. Tho slungshot broke open
and Grant jumped out of bed. The men
grapplcd and there was a short struggle.
Latin hud the advantage as he pos
scssed u revolver. He shot at Grant and
missed him and then went out into the
, hal and fired through the door. Such
is the murdorers story.
, Tho counsel for the defense think II
strange that the poisons which Latin
had in his satchel were not examined
! their contents analyzed and the result
, made known to the Jury. 1t is thought
stranger still that the contents of tho
bottle of whisky, which Latin acknowl
edges that he poisoned and which wa,
) found In the washstand at the FRANKLIN
, house, was not analyzed. Had tho
! whisky been analysed and shown ts
!, have been poisoned, the evidence agains
= Latin would have been stronger still
Latin himself expressed surprise tina
the bottle of whisky was not analyzeS
!, and the result given us evidence to tn,
) jury.
"He ought TO be hung" This Is tn
|, almost universal sentiment and exclama
= tions of the law.abiding citizens OF Ia
coma in regar 10 Latin. The police sa,
o, that they are discouraged and ask wha
i is the use of catching criminals an,
: murderers when the courts do not con
u vict those already caught, or let then
oil with light verdict, as in the case
Of Bnrgus, tho KanakIl, aud Latin, re
= spcctively. The police, and citizens toe
say further that the result of the trial
of these two cases will tend TO cncourag
4 crime, as criminals will begin to thini
h that they will all DO acquitted or let ol
# with light verdicts.