The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-04-06
THE TAYLORS TRIAL.
Close OF Argument La the SIseks Murder
Case-t.ivrn to the Jury.

CAERoILToN. Mo. April 1.-The trial
of the Taylor brothers, charged with
the murder of the Meeks family last
May commenced here Wednesday. The
first two days were devoted to hearing
testimony for the prosecution. The
evidence was all circumstan.ial. but
the state made strong case. Friday
evidence for the defense was in
troduced mainly to prove an alibi.
Saturday the Taylor brothers took the
stand and in IA very deliberate manner
testified in their own defense. They
gave as their reason for running away
when the murder was discovered that
there was a strong feeling against
them and they feared violence from the
neighbors- They left, they said, until
the public feeling should cool down.
The defense then closed.
CAgRoLLToS, Mo-, April 2.-In the
trial of the Taylor brothers charged
with the murder of the Meeks family
arguments were commenced yesterday
and will possibly close to-day when
the case will go to the jury. The
crowds that attend grow as the end ap-
proaches.
iCOPCuCd at " ClOSh
this morning Attorney Virgil NJ. Conk-
ling had made a new and shrewd ar
rangement of the Taylor children.
Yesterday they sat so that the jury got
a side view of their faces. This morn
ing they were placed SO that Bill Tay-
lor and his wife sat looking squarely
at the jury and Bill held q child on
each knee.
f. Il. Fields, of browning. delivered
his argument for the state. He pre-
faced his speech with the remark that
he would handle with courtesy the
witnesses and attorneys in the case.
He dwelt on the fact that the harrow
tracks made by George Taylor were not
| such as a farmer would make, but
crossed the corn rows diagonally and
followed over and over the wagon
tracks as ii To obliterate them.
Virgil NJ. Conkling told the jury that
he was not insensible to the environ
ments of the trial. 1t would require
unusual nerve on the part of juror to
stand for acquittal in the face of the
sentiment and prejudice against the
prisoners, but he asked the jurors to
have the courage of their convictions
and give justice to the men who
had come to Carroll county as
"a refuge from the anger OF Linn and
sullivan counties. lie reviewed the
whole evidence in the case and his
analysis seemed to make an impression
on the jury. At one period of his
| speech tears rolled down the cheeks Of
Conkling and his voice was broken by
sobs. George and Bill Taylor and
their wives began to sob, too. Mr..
Conkling spoke for two hours.
Maj. A. W. Mullins. of Linneus, then
began his argument for the state. He
told "a connected story of the murder
from the time George Taylor left for
Browning on the afternoon of May 10
until he and his brother Bill disap-
peared in the woods.
At a:4O Maj. Mullins closed his argu-
ment, and after a few moments rest
Col. John h. Hale began the clos
ing argument for the defense. In
three hours speech he minueely
traced every fact and fiction in the
case. His talk was one long, connect
ed argument. To give part with
out the whole would be impossible. He
said that all he had to do was to sum
up the case. and he did SO in masterly
manner. He was the senior counsel in
the case, and made the closing argu-
ment for the defense. Col. Hale made
an impression on the jury and the au-
iience that may cause a hung jury.
At the night session a crowd far sur
passing anything ever before seen in
the court during this trial was present
when Prosecuting Attorney Bresne-
han began the closing for the state In
two hours speech. He detailed
graphically the conduct Of the defend
ants on the night of May 10, closing
With plea for verdict of guilty.
GOES To THE JURY.
CARRoLLroS, Mo, April 3.-Argu
ments in the Meeks murder trial CLOSED
Yesterday evening and at 9:30 the case
was given to the jury.