Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-11
THE DEFENSE.

Dill 13ylOr teSt1ned that he worked
at the bank the night of the murder
until 10 o'clock and then went home.
He also said that George was in town
that day to see him, but left for home
after taking supper with him. George
claimed that he went home direct from
his brothers house and spent the night
at home. Their wives corroborated
their stories. Witnesses also claimed
to have seen William Taylor working
in his bank at 10 o'clock that night.
The father of the Taylors stated that
the charred spots in the wagon bed
where it was alleged there had beer
blood stains were the result of fire
caused by the kettle while they were
killing hogs
The Tay1ors explained their figh!
after the crime By stating that they
knew that they had bitter enemies
who would try to fix the crime on
them. aud that in the excitement
which would be worked up they feared
mob violence. Nearly all the strong.
est evidence in their behalf was given
by relatives. They also produced wit
nesses to show the bad reputation OF
some of the states witnesses.
There was nothing marked about
the proceedings yesterday. The crowd
was, perhaps, a little larger than usu.
al D. NJ. Fields, who first spoke for
the state, occupied his time with the
states view of the two wagon tracks
in George Taylor's barn yard. and the
wonderful coincidence of his harrow
track SO nearly covering those of the
wagon He spoke for about an hour.
v. NJ. Conkling, one of the most
active of the attorneys for the defense.
spoke for nearly two hours, working
upon the sympathies of the jury in be.
half OF his clients, and dealing largely
with the personnel of the witnesses.
assuring the jury that, contrary to the
statement of the state, it took nerve to
acqult rather than to convict, and call
ing attention to the fact that eight OF
the twelve jurymen had sworn to hav-
ing an opinion which they could lay
aside to render verdict according to
the evidence, and appealing to them
that they do it.
Maj. Mullins followed for the state
characterizing this as "a case of re-
markable character, nor was there ever
one more startling in character or
more cruel in its nature that ever took
place within the bounds of this coun.
try of ours. 1t is not the outcome of
Christian teaching, but it comes along
down the annals of time, an exhibition
of barbarism, cruelty that will linger
in all the history of the past"
The major spoke for nearly three
hours, the noon recess dividing his
time.
Ex-Congressman j. B. Hale made the
closing speech for the defense, using
about three hours summing up the
evidence for the defense, and culling
that for the state, throwing aside
which he characterized as unnatural
and contrary to human nature. dis
carding that of impeached witnesses,
and asking a verdict of acquittal on
the grounds that the states case had
lost many links to complete the chain
of circumstantial evidence necessary
to convict, not failing to appeal for an
acquittal on account of the wives of
the defendants and their children.
At the night session Prosecuting At
torney Bresnehan closed the case for
the state, going over the instructions
for the state, explaining the duties of
the jury, and appealing for justic e.
which the counties of Linn. Sullivan
and Carroll and the state of Missouri
demands at the hands of the jury He
touched principally on circumstantial
evidence, its character and prevalence,
showing that the murderer sought not
the light of day. but the darkness of
night, and well surrounded by none. He
then impressed the jury that a verdict
of guilty was not all there was in the
case. and that no more responsibility
rested upon them for verdict of this
kind than on the grand jury in finding
the Indictment, or on the prosecuting
attorney for drawing the papers.
The instructions were then given to
the jury, and Deputy Sheriff Cum
mings took the oath to take charge of
them and allow no communication
with them until they should be dis
charged. They were informed by the
court that they were in the hands of
the deputy sheriff. whereupon they
retired.