The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-05-17
YHR OLD MANS PLEA
l Pathetic Story That Saved The Life Of
I Boy CHARGED with Murder.
4 COURT ROOM BATHED IN TEARS.
nasw = Judge, sury and Ceserie Of
Lawyers We're Taken I'm and Done
ssr-Ciever device Of a new York
crisalnaH LAWYER.

Was placed on trial at Springfield, ILL.,,
charged with the murder Of a companion.
He was but lad. probably Is years Of
age. and seemingly Of good bringing up.
He told his story in straightforward
manner. He claimed to have come from
Ohio, where he had left home TO avoid
some trivial ofiense. Upon reaching the
vicinity Of Springfield, ILL.,, he had enter
ed cornfield for the purpose OF obtain.
ing some roasting ears, upon which he in
tended making meal. As he was thus
engaged he was discovered by the son OF
the owner Of the field upon which he was
trespassing. Ahot quarrel ensued. and
the lads adjourned to the railroad tracks
merely for the purpose OF settling the dis
pute. In the fight which ensued the
stranger, seeing that he was getting
worsted, seized an iron couplng-pin lying
near and dealt the other terrific blow.
The victim fell dead on the spot and his
assailant, terrified at what he had done,
FASTENED away. Two DAYS latter the
crime was traced to its author and he was
placed under arrest. The grand jury at
its next session returned an indictment
against him for the murder of the farmer s
boy and his trial was set for an early
hearing.
The case got into the papers and attract
ed some attention because Of the defend
ants tender years. The trial begun and
the lad was apparently too penniless and
friendless to secure much OF defense.
The farmer whose boy had been murder
cd was wealthy and determined that his
sons SLAYER should suffer the Iull penal
ty OF the law. The prosecution, OF which
Gen. Palmer was one OF the lawyers,
puehed the case vigorously.
The trial had not been long one.
Prosecution and defense had finished
and there remained nothing to be done
except the charging Of the jury by the
judge and the rendering Of verdict.
The defense had been miserably weak
and the prosecution exceedingly strong.
The enormity Of the crime had been fully
enlarged upon, and the boy was repre-
sented TO be Of the most villanous nature.
1t was plain tn all that il would go hard
with him. The last lawyer had closed
his speech, and the. case was about to 70
to the jury.
During the trial the figure OF an old
man was seated within the bar. He had
been in constant attendance, but his pres
ence had attracted no remark. He was
plainly clad and appeared to be farmer
of the better class. who had come up to
attend court. He carried an old gray tile
and wore homespun trousers, and a
hickory shirt with white color buttoned
to 1t. He had been an attentive listener
to the entire proceedings, but had scarce.
ly spoken to anyone and was little OBJ
served. 1t was therefore with some sur
prise that be was seen at this point to
arise and address the court.
your honor" he said, GIVE been
listening TO this here case, and II no one
has any objections I'd just like to say a
few Words
Again taking his seat the old man
awaited Il e judges answer. Everybody
looked surprised and an amused smile
went around. The judge asked the gen.
tlemen OF the prosecution il they had
any objections to the strangers address
ing the jury. Thinking to have some fun
out Of the old man they readily assented.
II fear you are almost to late," said
the judge. IL was about to give the
case to the jury; but since the prosecution
has asseuted. you may address the jury
II you 30 desire"
The old man arose and advanced to the
table before the twelve men who were &c
decide the boys fate. Placing his hal
upon it, he began:
Gentlemen" he said, ~ am only a
country justice OF the peace. never had
any schooling to mention. 1 don't know
much about the law. And before begin
/ want to ask you to overlook my gram.
mar, because Pm liable TO make sight
OF mistakes"
With these words be launched forth
into bis speech. He said he had come
from Ohio. He told how he lived in .
little country town, the home OF this lad
the defendant, who was on trial for hi.
life. He described him as an innocent
babe but few short years ago, growing
in his mothers arms. He traced hi,
growth, telling many affectionate Incl
dents In the boys life. He told of hi.
school days. and OF his success in hi.
studies. He told how he had grown up
in the little Ohio village, loved and re.
spected by all. And then he turned tc
the lads home. There was his poor old
mother who loved and worshiped him
above any earthly object. He described
how she had come to him when the new.
OF her boys arrest had reached her; how
she had wept, in her bitter sorrow, wnng
ing her hands in despair, and begin,
him to 60 to her poor lads aid.
And then he turned from this pictur.
Of mothers sorrow and described hei
poverty and condition. A poor widow
with this SON as her only support, asid,
from mere pittance of pension. He
dead husband, once brave soldier, Civ
ing bis life on the field OF battle in hi
nations behalf. And then be drew
picture OF his noble death. How he had
been among the foremost in the awfu
struggle at Gettysburg. How he hac
borne the flag in triumph over the breast
works, bis life-blood dripping from doz
en- cruel wounds. As the old Justice
with homely eloquence, pictured the de
tails oil this scene, the entire jury wept