The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-04-23
Benton Wilson COnieSSss That He bur.
dored ] ". Johnson.
IT'S ATALE FULL OF SORROW
Spokane Stirred Up Over a Very
Sensational Murder TriaI-lt Was
a Family Affair, Horrible
In Every Detail.
Special Dispatch to the stan1 lard.

turned a verdict of murder in the second
degree against young Benton Wilson and
verdict OF not guilty against his sister,
Mrs. johnson, wife of the murdered man,
and his father, Charles Wilson,
This case has excited widespread inter
est. The body of J. W. Johnson, Charles
Wilson's son-in-law, was found recently
IN a shallow grave near Chattaroy with
the skull crushed in. Murder had evi-
IDENTITY been committed. About two years
ago the elder Wilson had been seen in
company with johnson near tho spot
where the body was found. Ho was ar
rested recently for the crime and his son
and daughter. the latter being Johnson's
wife, were tried as accompliccs. lcster-
day young Wilson astonished the court by
confessing 10 the killing of johnson,
claiming he did II 10 save his sisters life.
The Reric,c newspaper gives the story in
sensational! form.
The Wilson murder case has always
been full of mystery. IL was worked up
by Deputy SherifTs Felix Pugh and Charles
Cole from a single thread, and a chain Of
circumstaniinl evidence developed that
resulted in the indictment OF the three de-
PENDANTS and the absolute Identification
of rcsurrecicd body, devoid of flesh, as
the remains OF J. ". Johnson. The states
prosecutor had little confidence in the
case after the arrest, and Benton Wilson
was once allowed TO be released on 5000
bail, but rearrested the next day when the
full force of the young mans acts had
been laid bare.
When tho case came to trial Assistant
Prosecutor Piatior took tho links of evi-
dcnce aud forged them into a chain that
wound particularly strong around the
the neck of the father, Charles Wilson.
The force Of Mr.. Plattor's weaving sur
prised the defense. but the attorneys did
not hesitate to play their last card. 1t
was motion To dismiss the case for lack
of evidence. and especially was the plea
made for Benton Wilson. Ii was in OPP
posing this motion that Mr.. Platter
brought all his force Of eloquence to bear.
Judge Moore took the matter under adj
visement and denied the motion. Again
Q special plea was made for dismissal As
10 Benton, but the court was firm. Evil
dence had been brought out that young
Wilson had given TO the sheriff an erron-
eous description of johnson. and until his
motives for this were cleared he would
have to remain defendant, Judge Moore
said. Then came the announcement OF
guilt, and with II a statement that II the
court has been deceived into acquitting
Benton Wilson his attorneys had had his
story OF the killing prepared, ready TO fur
nish the press, on the ground that once
acquitted OF murder his life could not
| agaip ha pIapel in ieonarfly and this can-
fession would have been used TO clear the
father and daughter.
There was no preliminary announce
ment oil the confession to soften Its force.
II came like a thunderboit.
II have statement TO make to tho
jury said W. ii. 'lagett, "and also n
revelation. The revelation l propose to
make Is that Benton Wilson Killed j. w.
Johnson" Then, IN his gifted. oratorical
way. he told the story. lie spoke OF the
awful blow, OF the victim falling forward
on his face, oil the blood gushing IN vol
umes from his wounds, oil Benton Wilson
catching up tho body an instant after the
blow and being drenchcd in the blood oi
his victim, as he carried II oil into the
woods.
Never was moro desperate defense un.
dertaken In court in the United States,
and never did the attorney for defend
ant draw in such eloquent terms picture
OF blood IN which hts client figured 50
prominently. When the story had been
told number of witnesses were produced
who testified TO the good character of the
defendants. Tho mother of Benton was
the first witness after dinner, but the cen
ter of attention was around the story oi
the confessed slayer himself.
Benton Wilson is just = years OF age.
He has kind conntenance, clear blue
eye, and has no mustache or whiskers tc
hide his expression. lie wears his hait
pampadour. is neatly dressed, and would
never be iakan for criminal. much less
an assassin; but his cold demeanor, his
steady step, his unquiyering hand as ht
stood up and took the oath, his steady
voice. as he detailed without quiver the
deed of death. were surprising. Only once
did he falter, and that was when he met
his father and told him what he had done
then his voice quivered, aud what looked