The herald., 1896-03-10
CRAIG AND KID THOMPSON
Both Will Hang as the Result
of Decisions
FRANK LOWREY ON TRIAL
A Youth Of Eighteen Refuses to Support
Child Wife
George rhorne Fined for Playing q Tattoo on
Tin can-BIanton Duncan Bobs
Up Sereneiy
FRANK LOWREY ON TRIAL


The devious windings of the law have
not served him greatly, for the supreme
court has decided against him, and the
names of Emily Craig. his wife, and of
Mr.. and Mrs. Hunter, his father-in-law and
mother-in-law, will be avenged.
Yesterday afternoon Sheriff Burr re-
ceived a telegram from San Francisco
briefly setting forth that the supreme court
had handed down decision in the Craig
case, in which the judgment of the trial
court had been affirmed.
The news quickly spread about the
court house, and attorneys generally were
much interested, as the appeal TO the SUI
preme court raised a point of law not only
important in this particular instance, but
that will, doubtless, establish a precedent
in future criminal trials.
The mere fact that Craig's last chance of
life has gone-for an appeal to the gov
ernor for executive clemency in his case
would be an absurdity-tends to arouse,
in large extent, interest in one of the
bloodiest tragedies that has marked the
history Of the state.
At the time of the murder Craig was not
living with his wife. There is no knowing
what bitterness of feeling had been eDgen-
gered between them, for that phase OF the
matter was not gone into at the trial. On
Wednesday, July 20. 1894. however, Craig
drove down to Hunters ranch near
Tropico, where his wife and children had
sought refuge with her own people. He
approached the house from the back and
was met by George Hunter at the door
Pulling his revolver, Craig fired at him, the
bullet penetrating the cheek, and making
hat Mt 1rtd sa6 n n
wound. Mrs. Craig was inside the screen
door and before she had time to escape her
husband had entered and fired second
shot at her. The bullet penetrated over
the right eye and the woman fell to the
ground with her life blood ebbing fast
away.
Apparently infurated with his own
work. Craig ran through the
house threatening death TO the servant
girl and his children. They had fled, how
ever, and given the alarm at the home of
Dick Hunter. who lived close by. Rela-
tives and friends were soon on the spot.but
Mrs. Craig was dead and George hunter
lay perilously near deaths door
The uncle of the murdered women, A sa
Hunter. took horse and startedsin pursuit
of Craig AS he testified later he had a
foreboding that the arch-tiend he'd further
murderous designs and would make for
the cottage on Buena Vista street where
the murdered woman, were living at the
time. His premoniton was correct. The
two old people were sitting on the porch in
the cool of the evening when Craig arrived.
He rushed up the steps. and without word
of warning drew his pistol. His father-n-
law arose from his chair and stepped to-
ward him, but the next instant fell back
dead, as a bullet crushed through bis right
side, below the collar bone. Mrs. Hunter,
crazed by fear, tried to jump from the
porch. but bullet struck her under the
left upper arm, entered the chest cavity
and passed ont through the right side.
This hideous series of crimes provoked
great excitement at the time. and when
Craig was brought to trial in department
one of the superior court. on the charge of
numbering Emily Craig, his wife, the court
room was crowded day after day while the
trial lasted.
At one point of the case the prosecution
attempted to introduce proof of Craig S
having proceeded from Tropico direct to
Buena Vista street and there killed the two
old people. This was sought to be done in
order to prove intent; to snow that murder
was in his heart when he first went to
Hunters ranch. and that the murder then
committed was only the first of pre- nedi-
tated series.
The matter was keenly debated by op-
posing counsel, the court finally deciding
to admit the disputed testimony. On this
point the defense, in taking an appeal to
the supreme court, placed great reliance.
for they commended. and many of the legal
lights in town agreed with them, that the
court had grievou5ly erred in permitting
facts bearing on crime subsequently
committed by the same defendant. and for
which he might have to stand trial for his
life, to be admitted for any purpose what
ever in connection with an anterior offense.
What the supreme court may have to
say on this phase of the case will be of
interest, as the precedent thus established
is likely to cut big figure i'll future GRIM
inai trials.
When Attorney Phiobs, one of Craig 5
defending counsel, went to the jail yester-
day and told his Client that the supreme
court had affirmed the judgment of the
lower court, the news was received with
cool equanmity.
The death watch was at once set by or
der OF the sheriff, and so soon as the mitti-
mus is received the condemned man will
be sent north to expiate his ignoble crime
by suffering the extreme penalty of the
law. 49,