Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-03-12
A REMARKABLE SENTENCE
- Judge Who Took Delight in Pronouue-
ing Death on a Prisoner

- Judge Who Took Delight in Pronoune-
ing Death on Prisoner.
one OF the most eccentric and at the
Same time one of the ablest iudges
snat ever sat upon the far western
oench was Kirby Benedict. who. for
'aiir teen years, was justice Of the su-
pre1ne court OF New Mexico, having
Deen nrst appointed in 1858 by President
9ferce and reappointed bv President
buchanan- and appointed chief Justice
OF the court by President Lincoln. He
was man OF great ability and learn
ing strong IN his prejudices- violent in
ms passions and relentless in his con-
victions
mere are many anecdotes told of
'uoge benedict But the crovniDr act
o. ms Judicial career was the sentence
VI death passed by him upon prisoner
convicted of murder. which sentence
was as follows:
Jose Maria Martin. stond up Jose
MARIA Martin You have been indicted.
lrleo and convicted by a jury OF your
Flne1 OF the crime of murder. and
the court IS now about TO pass upon Won
the dread sentence OF the law As a
usual thing Jose Maria Martin. il IS :
painful duty for the judge of a court Of
justice to pronounce upon a human be-
ing the sentence of death. There IS
something horrible about il. and the
MIND Of the court naturally revolts from
the performance Of such a duty. Hap
Plly, however, your case is relieved OF
All such unpleasantness and the court
taxes positive delight in sentencing you
70 death.
You are young man. Jose Maria
Martin apparently of good physical
constitution and robust health. Ordi-
narily you might have looked forward
TO many years of life. and the court has
no doubt You have. and have expected
to die al green old age: but You are
about TO be cut of as the consequence
OF your own act Jose Maria Martin.
1t Is now the spring time: IN little
while the grass viii be springing I'D il
these beautiful valleys, and on these
broad mesas and mountain sides flowers
will be blooming. birds singing above
your lowly head
The sentence of the court is that
You be taken from this place 10 the
county jail; that you there be kept
safely and securely confined in the
custody Of the sheriff until the dav APP
pointed for your execution Be very
careful. Mr.. Sheriff. that he have no
opportunity to escape. and that you
have him at the appointed place at the
appointed time: that you be 50 kept.
Jose Maria Martin. until-Mr. Clerk.
on what day OF the month does
Friday. about two weeks from this
time. Gomez" March -. your honor.
Very well-untl Friday. the 22d
day Of March. when You viii De
taken from your place OF con1ne-
ment IL some safe and convenient
spot within the county that Is in your
discretion. Mr. Sheriff: You are only
confined to the limits OF the county.
and that YOU there be hanged by the
neck until You are dead. and-the court
was about 10 add jose Maria Martin.
may God have mercy on Your soul. but
the court viii not assume the response
bility Of asking an all-wise Providence
Ia DO that which q jury Of your people
have refused 10 do. The Lord couldn't
have mercy on your soul. However If
You have any religious belief. or are
connected with any religious organiza-
ton II might be well enough for you 10
send for Your priest or your minister
and get from him-well. such consola-
ton as you can; but the court advises
You to place no reliance upon anything
of that kind Mr.. Sheriff. remove the
prisoner Pittsburgh Leader.