The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1894-06-22
EARNED HIS FEE
How Shrewd New Jerk lawyer Won a
Murder Case

Air. GAAstA i8l Win the ulmIuel OF q COM
pani0n. He was bnt lad, probably
eighteen years of age, and seemingly of
good bringing-up. He told his story in
a straightforward manner.
He claimed to have come from Ohio,
where he had left home to avoid some
threatened punishment for a trivial of
Tense, Upon reaching the vicinity of
Springfield, Ill, he had entered a corn
field for the purpose of obtaining some
roasting ears, upon which he intended
making meal, As he was thus engaged
he was discovered by the son of the
owner of the field upon which he was
tregpassiRg. A hot quarrel ensued. and
tine lads adjourned to the railrOad track
near by for the purpose of settling the
dispute. In the tight which eHsued the
stranger, seeing that he was being worst
cd, seized an iron coupling pin Iying near
and dealt the Othera terrific blow. The
victim fell dead OH the spot. and his as
sailant, terrified at what he had done.
hastened away. Two days later the
crime was traced to its authOr, and he
was placed under arrest Thegrand jury
at its next sitting returned an indictment
agains him for the murderer the Farmers
boy, and his trial was set for an early
hearing.
The case got into the papers and at
tracted some attention because of the
iefendsnt's tender years. The trial began
and the lad was apparently too penniless
and frislidless to secure much of a defense.
The farmer whose boy had been murdered
was wealthy and determined that his
sonis slayer should suffer the full penalty
of the law. The prosecution, of which
Gen. Palmer was one of the lawyers
pushed the ease vigorously.
The trial had not been q long one
Persecution and defense had finished. and
there remained nothing TO be done except
the charging Of the jury by the Judge
and the rendering of their verdict The
defense had been miserably weak and the
prosecution exceedingly strong. The
enormity of the crime had been fully en-
larged upon, and the boy was represented
to be eta most villainons nature, 1t was
plain tOall that it would go hard with
him. The last lawyer had closet his
speech, and the ease WAS about to go to
the jury.
During the trial the figure of an old
man was seen seated within the bar. lie
had been in constant attendant. but his
presence had attracted no remark. lie
was plainly clad and appeared to be a
farmer Of the better class, who had come
up to town to attend court. He carried
an old gray tile and wore homespun
trOwsers, and a hickory shirt with a
white collar buttOned to it. lie had
been an attentive hstener to the entire
proceedings, but had spoken to scarcely
anyone and was little observed. 1t was.
therefore with some surprise that he was
seen at this point to arise and address
the court
Your honor" he said, 'I'vc been
listening to this here case, and if no one
has any objection Id just like to say Il
lev words
Again taking his seat the old man
awaited the judges answer, Everybody
looked surprised, and an amused smile
went round The judge asked the gen
tlemen OF the prosecution if they had any
objection to the strangers addressing
'ie Jury Thinking to have some fun
out OF the Old man, they readily as
Senteu'
Il lear yon are almost too Late said
the Judge 81 was about TO give the CASE
TO the jury but since the prosecution
has assented yon may address the jury if
You so desire
The Old man arose and advanced to the
table before the twelve men who were to
decide the boys fate. Placing his hat
hpo" 1t, he began:
Gentlemen he said, 'Im only Il
country justice OF the pence. ! never
had any schooling to mention. ] don't
kno" much about law. And before /
DSSlh l want to ask y0n to over look my
grammar, because Ian liable to make Il
Slght OF mistakes"
"ith these words he launched forth
into his speech. He said he had come on
from Ohio. He.told bo,v bo Iii =,
Iittlo oo,,,,t,,, t,,..,.. 80 !" J"
'''''o county I""h' the nome Of tins Lad,
the defendant, who was on trial for his
life. He described him as an ipnooent
babe lint n few short yaors o,,o anas.,;,-,'
+, H. ,r,a.,,.-, '''''@ ''So' GU" nle
- 80 AIo ''i 'si, arms lie traced his
growth, telling many affecting incidents
la the boys life. He told of his scboo1
days and of bis s,oooss :, H. -.
4+51I IA H'o StuHies'
&c, -" '"tu ass" nc hah grown mp an the
little Ohio village, loved and respected
by all And then he tuFped 10 The lad
home gbaro ,,,, h., -. =,
was '''' toor on mother,
ii"sAel' VINO iSFed and W0Fshiped him
abOYe any earthly object He described
l.,,,,r H.. Ill -