The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1895-06-18

1ld I1cuSJy u L. OIccuc duu OLU-
|ers, while on the side of the de-
fense were Mrs. Watson, widow
of the deceased), Chris. Rogers,
Ovid Lawson, Bird Lotus, Sam.
Miller, A. House, etc. The de-
fendant, Paul p. Lawson, was
placed upon the witness stand to
testify in his own behalf, and
six long hours he told how he
murdered in cold blood George
Watson, and other incidents lead
ing up to the fatal shots on May
18th; how he shot Watson twice
in the back on that day. He con-
fessed the whole crime, and at
every moment he fastened the
chains of crime upon himself; his
own story convicted himself and
the commanding manner which
he related it, showed that he re-
garded the life of Watson of less
value than common cur dog; he
acted like hero and was proud
of his victory, and at times a
smile would play across his count
nenance as he or the witnesses
related the terrible tale, which
was shocking to the crowd of
listners.
1t appers that Lawson has
been upon Watson's trail ever
since last November, and with q
shotgun or rife, and on May
14th, Lawson imagined that Wat
son was about to leave the coun-
try, and followed him a long
distance with shotgun, as was
testified to by himself and 9TH
ers, but the next day Watson re-
turned and was in the public
highway nearly opposite the
Miller place, unarmed, Lawson
shot him down in a most coward
ly manner.
On Thursday afternoon the
18th the case closed, and the
witnesses were discharged, and
Dis. At. Rogers began his plea
to the jury, which was a brief
but able argument. He was fol-
lowed by w. T. Reeves for the
defense who pictured the in
nocence of Lawson. Col. Sharp
then spoke briefly for the de-
fense. Court then adjourned
until z o'clock that evening, and
it was known that the large
Court room would be crowded to
overfowing with people, and in
that crowd would be both friends
and enemies of Lawson, and
Sheriff Hosford, with his depu-
ties kept the best of order dur
ing the trial. At the appointed
time Court convened, and stand
ing room was at a premium. r.
M. Bruner in his eloquent and
able manner plead to the jury
for over an. hour i'll behalf of the
prisoner. He was followed by
N. M. Ruick who spoke for over
two hours on the side of the
prosecution. His speech was
listened to with great attention.
and is was a mastery argument,
and at times he brought tears to
the eyes of some of his audience.
His remarks were cutting, as the
following (referring to Lawson)
1.-The Gar of Lost River" "a
Little Knowledge of Law is
Dangerous;'' '.Are You Hurt
Much" Poor Watson is Dead,
but the Dog still Lives" He
Who Lives by the Sword must
Die by the Sword" etc. After
Mr.. Ruick's argument, which
closed the case, Judge Stock
slayer instructed the jury in re-
gard to the law. The jury re-
tired and within one-half hour
and brought in a verdict finding
Paul p. Lawson guilty of muir
der in the 1st degree. The YER
dict was recorded and read by
the Clerk, and on Friday. May
14th, at IL a. M, Judge Stock
slayer told Lawson to arise and
asked him if he had anything to
say, to which Lawson replied:
Nothing now; only that l am
not guilty" The Judge then
sentenced him to be hanged by
the neck until dead ON Friday,
July Goth, 1895. While this SEN
tence was being passed, death
like stiffness prevailed through
out the Court room, but Lawson
did not appear to weaken under
the sentence
Thus ended great trial. This