The Daily Texarkanian., 1894-09-17

death should not be passed upon
you?"
A solemn hush fell over the
crowded court room, and almost
every person waited in almost
breathless expectation for an an
swer to the judges question.
The judge still waited in dignifed
silence.
Not whisper was heard any
where, and the situation had be-
come painfully oppressive, when
the prisoner was seen to move; his
head was raised, his hands were
clinched, and the blood had rushed
into his pale careworn face. His
teeth were firmly set, and into his
haggard eyes came a flash of
light.
Suddenly he rose to his feet, and
in a low, firm, but distinct voice,
said.
81 havel Your honr, you have
asked me a question, and l now ask
as the last favor on earth that you
will not interrupt my answer until |
am through.
81 stand here before this bar,
convicted of the willful murder of
my wife. Truthful witnesses have
testified to the fact that l was a
loafer, a drunkard and a wretch;
that | returned from one of my
prolonged debauches and fired the
fatal shot that killed the wife l had
sworn to love, cherish and protect.
While | have no remembrance of
committing this fearful, cowardly
and inhuman deed, | have no right
to complain or condemn the verdict
of the twelve good men who have
acted as a jury in this case, for
their verdict is in accordance with
the evidence.
But, may it please the court, l
wish to show that | am not alone
for the murder of my
wife,
This startling statement created
a tremendous sensation. The
Judge leaned over the desk, the
lawyers wheeled around and faced
the prisoner, the jurors looked at
each other in amazement, while the
spectators could hardly suppress
their intense excitement. The pris-
oner paused a few seconds and then
in the same firm, distinct
voice;
81 repeat, your honor, that I am
not the only one guilty of the MUIR
der of my wife. The judge on this
bench, the jury in the box, the law
yers within this bar, and most of
the witnesses, are also guilty before
Almighty god, and will have to ap.
pear with me before his Judgment
throne, where we shall all be right
eously judged.
IF twenty men conspire together
for the murder of one person, the
law power of this land will arrest
the twenty, and each will be tried,
convicted and executed for the
whole murder and not for one TWEEN
tieth of the crime.
81 have been made a drunkard by
law. If it had not been for the
legalized saloons of my town | would
never have become a drunkard; my
wife would not have been murdered
and l would not be here now, ready
to be hurled into eternity, Had it
not been for the human traps set
out with the consent OF the govern
ment, ! would have been a sober
man, an Industrious workman a
tender father and a loving husband,
But today my home is destroyed,
my wife murdered, my little chill
dren-God bless and care for them
cast out on the mercy of a cold
and cruel world, while | am to be
murdered by the strong arm of the
state in which ! live.
"God knows, tried to reform,
but as long as the open saloon was
in my pathway my weak, diseased
will-power was no match against
the fearful, consuming, agonizing
appetite for liquor. Atlast sought
the protection, care and sympathy
of the Church of Jesus Christ,
"For one year our town was with
out a saloon. For one year ! was ;
sober man. For one year my wife
and children were supremely hap
py, and our little home a perfect
paradise
81 was one of those who signe(
remonstrances against reopeninl
the saloons in our town. The names
of one half of this jury can be foun(
today on the petition certifying t
the rood moral character of these