The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-11-03

gave the watch and some badges he
had given me, to the officers. He told
me be had got $500 from his pap in
Illinois and had bought out the
Moores. He gave me some notes and
said he wanted me to take them and
redeem the property.
R. W. BARNETT.
Know Thomas Williamson. Was
deputy sheriff last May. l identity
watch and chain given me by Mrs.
Funk on Monday evening in May. l
identify the notes also. Have been
deputy sheriff ever since that time.
Have conversed with Williamson in
regard to the killing Of the Moores. I
made no threats or promises. He
answered in reply to my questions.
1t wss few minutes after he was
locked up-the day that he was ar.
rested. I also had seen HIM that day
at the Salvation army barracks, but
he was then in no condition to tex.
He said he didn't commit the murder,
but assisted in burying the bodies. !
saw him next morning. He stated
that he and Charles Moore we're work.
lug in field near the house and they
had falling out and that Moor
tried to strike him y til stick and ne
killed Charles with an axe. A short
time after that he said the old man
got mad at him and threw q smooth
ing iron at him and he killed Moore.
Sheriff Ellis r. Smith: l was sher-
if in May. 1890. Am acquainted
With defendant. Has been in my
keeping since May, 1890. Have cor.
versed with Williamson in regard 10
the killing. 1t was voluntary on his
part, if he had anything to say to me.
He frst told me be hadn't killed these
people, but be knew who did. Finally
he made Q written statement to me.
Confession read, in which William
SON stated that he killed Jefferson
Moore about in the way % already
narrated.) The part relates to the
killing of Charles Moore was as fol-
lows: Williamson and Charlie had
got into a quarrel while clearing VI
some ground. Charlie threw Q chunl
of wood at him and then ran. De-
fendant then chased him and killet
him with an axe, burying him on thu
spot. Williamson told me that Char
lie Moore wss qusrrelsome. 1h'
written statement was dated June 8
1890.
ARGUMENT.
| At 2 o'clock on Friday, Feb. 6
the testimony closed, and Assistan
Prosecuting Attorney Prigmore begsl
The argument on the part of the state
He was followed by Attorneys Johl
; eastman and E. j. Smith for It.
defense. The argument was closed b.
: Prosecuting Attorney George LoDgan
; Immediately afterwsrd the jury re-
? tired and began balloliDg. Tire
ballots were taken which resulted j
. >leven standing for murder in th
first degree. and one in opposition
; The Jury were released for the remain
der Of the night.
THE JURY UNANIMOUS.
Il At 8 o'clock on the following NOR
ing the jury returned a verdict
guilty of murder in the first degre'
and he was condemned by judy
Ryland to suffer death by hanging,
: Friday, March 20, 1891.
al The theory Of the defense was th
If insanity, and considerable test
!. moDy touching that ground was il
: troduced. The principal cause {
the deed. az brought out BY the state
. attorneys vas the desire on the pa
. of Williamson to obtain possession
" the stock. farm lease and househo
. goods of the Moores.
GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT.
u Messrs. E. j. smith and Jol
!. Ca-hman, attorneys for Williams
- appealed the case to the suprer
n court of the state.
~ On Saturday June 6, 1891, {
- matter came up before Division N
'2, of the supreme court
y Judges CAN'T, Thomas and Macfs
L. lsne-and was argued by State 4
ta torrey Longan and Mr.. E. j. Smit
l After q careful examination of {
"a case and on the 30rh day Of Jur
d 1891, the judgment of the lower cot
:, was affirmed, and the
DATE OF EXECUTION
III set for the 2lst day of August. 1Ss
On the 7th day Of July, 1891,
attorneys for Williamson filed a .
y. ton for . rehearing Of the case, all
IF. ing as . cause that certain matt
lib had been overlooked. This action
inn layed the execution, as the court
en- not convene until the 18th Of Septe
mt bop