Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-14
Harry Hayward to Hang for the
riurder of Hiss Cling.

After seven weeks trial of Harry
Hayward for the murder of Miss Kate
Cling in Minneapolis, with the most
able criminal lawyer in the country to
defend him, the jury brought in a
verdict Friday of guilty in the first
degree. This verdict is a just one and
all those who here read the testimony
and followed this trial are well pleased
with the outcome. Harry Hayward
stands foremost as the greatest rascal
yet recorded in criminal proceedings.
The arguments on the part of the state
by Mr.. Frank NJ. Nye. and the defense
made by Mr.. w. W. Erwin, were both
able and eloquent. We append the
closing words Of Mr.. Nye, as follows:
II know that truth and God shall
prevail, and that, after this case is
ended, there shall rest upon the public
mind the feeling and belief that there
Is here law, that there is here Justice.
And, gentlemen, that verdict will live,
long after you and L are dust, and the
| hand which records it shall be traceless
IN the grave. 1t will stand as the living
SLIOONl14IlC1lG VI IIIC SOilSClSlCG Vi tIlC
commonwealth, serving to strengthen
the bonds of confidence between man
and man, making human life safer.
civilization grander and nobler, and
justice more secure. Twill shine as a
DEACON far out on heavens ocean, a
welcome light to the just, and a warming
to the UNJUST, long alter you and [ have
reached the harbor, | trust, Of peace.
Gentlemen of the jury, take this case.
ii sinful publican might at this
supreme moment invoke the guidance
OF the Divine; il frail and errIng child
on this LIES stormy voyage may be
heard; II my broken and feeble words
may rise above the roaring waves to the
LOVING Master, Who stills the tempest
and the angry sea, | pray Him guide
you III the sacred way of truth and
justice"
MIR. Erwin closed his speech in the
following language:
''If fanaticism and the monstrocity
of this union between the periurer, the
highway robber, and the vile murderer,
conducted to the witness stand with all
the pOmp and power of government
1t these things are to move you instead
of your calm, deliberate, analytical
mind, presided over by the angels Of
justice and of mercy, then tell your
artisans to take down from the dome of
your courthouses the figure represent
Ing the Angel Of Justice, holding in her
right hand the scales Of truth. Tell
them to put in her place the figure Of a
broken, terrible Wanton, bag Of hell
and 1ncOherence in the struggle of
honest minds and honest intent and
aspiration. Let her blink from behind
the distorted folds Of her bandage, put
on her eyes only to dupe the public
Take down your flag. the flag of your
republic, the red, the white and the
blue-the red emblematic OF the blood
of the Divine Martyr; the white, of the
immaculate purity OF His spirit and His
life; the blue Of the skies to which He
has ascended; earth blended with
Heaven, set with stars, the old flag of
freedom-and bid your officers lift up
in the heavens which you create that
black tiend Of hellish perjury, on
which is painted as the insignia of the
mOnstrOuS economy a human tiger
March your republic to the church of
penItence as exhibited in this case; tear
up and down the monuments of all your
legions and your martyrs. These figures
it seems to me, are well borne out by Il
calm, patent inquiry INTO the con-
stituent elements of this most nerciless
persecution.
Your honor, l am done. [ leave my
client in this jury's hands, judgments,
consciences. And you, gentlemen Of
the jury, are in the hands of God No
power can harm or mar or hold or
control your verdict. You are the
conscience of this nation. Beware that
you do not betray the conscience of
this nation to our common Master"
Harry Hayward will pay the penalty
of his crime by hanging some time in
June.