The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-12-26
MISSOURI A NEWS.
Worried ~ a Supreme Court Decl.is

The case IN question is that Of the State Va
Bobbst Up. S2D, appealed from the Audrain cir
cult court. presided over by Judge E. Il.
Hughes. Here are the courts reasons for
sending the case back:
I'm the closing argument TO the jury the
prosecuting attorney turned 10 the prisoner a.
the bar OF the court and denounced him as this
infamous. lecherous scoundreL.' The counsel
for defendant protested. but the court declined
to rebuke the prosecuting attorney aud de-
PENDANT accepted. We can not too strongly
express our disapproval OF such language
and such conduct in one charged with the i'm
portant duty Of representing the state in q
public prosecution. Counsel have no right 20
indulge in such abuse Of q prisoner. Such
language should have been Immediately re-
buked by the court. 1t was a serious contempt
to the dignity o; the court, and an altogether
unwarranted assault upon the prisoner. Again
and again we have reversed causes for such
conduct. and must, and will, continue to do so
until the prosecuting attorneys understand
that no man, however guilty, can be punished
in this state, with our approval, until ne has
had n fair and impartial trial. The Judgment
is reversed and cause remanded for this mis-
conduct"
Another Battle for the GiIiiss Estate.
A suit for $780, 600 dover in Kansas
City property was begun in the circuit
court in that city the other day.
1t was brought By Julia NJ. Steward and
Charles W. Steward, her husband, against the
Gllliss estate. This estate, which is now ownei
by a thousand different people, comprises the
Gilliss opera house. the property on which the
county courthouse is located, the property on
which the city water-works plant is built and
a considerable portion OF the old town. Its
value is S.,000,0N. There are over I,OO0 de-
PENDANTS, CS OF whom are named in the suit.
Mrs. Steward bases her claim to a oae-third
infnract in thn EFu - l. -.-- ~. =
the widow OF Martin Van Buren, Jackson. who
died in Kansas City in 1889, and who claimed to
be a son of Col. William GiIliss.
Col. GillisS died in Kansas City in 1886. He
was generally reputed to have been a bachelor.
Numbers Of claimants have brought suits
against the GillisS estate hitherto, but only
two were ever successful. They were half
breed Indians, by the name OF Francis BOYER
and Jim Charley. a suit was brought q YEAR
ago by Antonio Gilliss. an Indian who was
fought hard in the circuit court. y verdict was
returned in favor OF the GiIliSS estate ana an
appeal was taken. The case is now pending in
tine supreme court
Gov. Stone and Train Robbers.
The governor has issued a proclama-
ton offering a reward of 5000 each for
the rcbber who recently held up L
train within the city limits of st. Louis.
In his proclamation Offering the reward the
governor says: During the last two or three
years several train robberies have occurred in
this state. They have also occurred freGuens-
~ in other states. In almost every instance
those committing these crimes in Missouri
have been apprehended and punished by in
prisonment. = In 1895 "a law was
enacted by the Legislature OF this
state making train rObbIng 4 capital oTenSe- [
heartily lndorse the enactment OF this lave.
Train robbins is 4 crime which greatly e:.-
dangers human life, as it is accompanied Icy
circumstances OF risk and danger, and is rer-
petrated by armed and desperate men. = . .
Its frequent occurrence will 10 il
calculable harm to the state. 1t is
n crime that should be broken I'D.
ard confess disappointment and inpatien:e
that luries do not deal with criminals OF this
class with the utmost severity. The execution
OF a few of these highwaymen, a punishment
always richly deserved, would, IN my juds-
ment. put an end to this description OF crime
in this state
Successful Farmers Institute.
The farmers institute at Lebanon,
under the auspices of the state board
OF agriculture, was a success.
DR.. T. E.. White, state veterinarian. discussed
the disease of animals and gave much inforIaa-
tion for their treatment. Prof John Il. Kirk,
state superintendent Of schools. delivered an
address on education, impreSsing farmers with
tie Importance of giving their sons and daugh-
tiers good common school education. G.. W.
Waters also discussed the question OF educa-
ton from Il farmers standpoint There was an
excellent display Of farm and garden products,
apples, canned goods, butter, cheese. etc. On
exhibition, all the products OF LacIede county.
Shot the Agent and Robbed the Station.
Early TIE other evening a masked
man, heavily armed, entered the Mis-
souri, Pacific depot at Minden, Barton
county, and fired two heavy charges
from "a shotgun into Agent Brooks
back and leg. The assassin then robbed
h money drawer, securing a small
amount of money, and escaped.
Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Holtzclaw, OF
Chillicothc, celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary the other even.
ing. Among those present were )
England and Mrs. Joseph Stone, who
were guests at the wedding in Mercer
county, Ky, so years ago.
A TIP for Omce-Seekers.
Gov. elect StephenG was greatly ben
Gifted i'll health by his stay at Hot
Springs.
In answer to an inquiry the other day. as to
further appointments under the incoming adj
minlstration. Mr.. Stephens said he did not
think he would consider any more applications
for office until after his inauguration.
Victory for BOOKSELLERS.
The supreme court has decided that
the act entitled IAN act to prohibit
bookmaking and poolselling at any
place other thar upon the premises of
~race-courses, with emergency clause"
is unconstitutional, as it is class legis-
lation.
Made o Normal School Regent.
The governor mas appointed Scott J.
Miller, of Chillicothe, member Of the
board of regents of the state normal
school. to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Robert n. Bodine.
Was Prominent la Jasper County.
Mrs. E. Robertson, Cartervil.e, died
recently of general debility, aged 90.
She was one of the oldest and most
prominent residents of Jasper county.
Not Wife Abandonment. |
The St. Louis court of appeals de.
cides that where a man leaves his wife
~ III I