Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-10-09

A Novel Death Sentence: Onc OF
the most interesting characters Of the
early history Of New Mexico Is that Of
the late Judge Benedict. a whole
volume could BIO written on the work
Of this man and most interesting
cook II would make, too. One OF the
most unique acts Of the judge. career
was n sentence he passed on Mexican
convicted Of murder. We publish II
verbatim:
"Jose Maria Martin, stand up! Joso
Maria Martin, you have been indicted,
tried md convicted by Jury Of your
countrymen OF the crime Of murder,
and the court IL now about 10 pass upon
YOU tho dread sentence Of the law. As
n usual thing, Jose Maria Martin, II Is n
painful duty for the judge OF court OF
juslice 10 pronounce upon human
being tho sentence Of death. There IL
something horrible about II, aud the
mind Of the court naturally Tcvolts
from the performance OF such a duty.
Happily, however, your Gus. IA relieved
OF all such unpleasant features, and
the court takes positive delight In SOU
fencing you TO death.
"YOu are young man, jose
Maria Martin, apparently Of good
HlNNllAl tVhrNAhkthh bhA tRNHFA
health. Ordinarily you might
have looked forward 10 many years
of life, and the court has no doubt you
have, aud have expected 10 die at a
green old age; but you are about 10 DO
cut oil In the consequence Of your own
act. Jose Maria Martin, It IL now the
spring tlme; In n little while the grass
viii DO sprlnging up Ia these beautiful
valleys and on these broad mesas and
mountain sides. Flowers VIII be
blooming, birds will bo singing their
sweet carols, aud nsture will be putting
on her most gorgeous and attractive
robcp, and life will DO pleasant and men
will want TO stay. But none OF these
thinga for YOU, Jose Maria Martin. Tho
flowers will not bloom for you, Jose
Maria Martin; tho birds will not carol
for you, Jose Maria Martin. When
these things come 10 gladden the senses
~ men, YOU will be occupying space
about six feet by two beneath the sod +,
aud the green grass and these beautiful
iiowera viii bo growing above your
lowly head.
"rho sentence Of the court Is that
you be taken from this place TO the
county Jail; that you he there Kept
safely anu securely confined, In the
custody Of the sheriff, until the day
appointed for your execution. he very
CAREFUL, MIR. Sheriff, that he have no
opportunity 10 escape, and that you
have him at the appointed place at tho
appointed time. That you be No Kept,
joss Maria Martin, until-Mr. Clerk,
on what day OF the month does Friday
about two weeks from this time come2''
"March 22d, your honor" VERY
we'll, until the 22d day OF March, when
you will be taken by the sheriff from
your place OF confinement to some safe
and convenient spot within tile county
that IL In your discretion, Mr.. Sheriff
you are only confined 10 the limits oil
the county--aud that you there ho
hanged by the neck until you are
dead and-the court WAS about
IL add jose Maria Martin,
may God have mercy on youi
soul'--but the court will not assume ia,
Te.ponsibility Of asking an all'wisp
Providence 10 do that which jury Of
your peefs have refused 10 do. The
Lord couldn't have mercy ON your
soul. However, Ifyou have any re-
licious belief, or are connected with
sny religious organization, II might be
well enough for you 10 send for yOnl
i>riest, or your minister aud get from
him--Well, such consolation rs you
can. hut Tue court advises you 10 place
mo feliance upon anything u that
hnd. Mr.. Sheriff, remove tho prls
oner."
Plhe,s Peak Gold. way back In 1901