The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-19
DEE WILKINSON IN TEARS.
A Sad Scene in Court and Judge Haz-
ems Hard Duty

The spectacle of man pleading be-
tween sobs for the sake of his wife and
babes not to be sent to Jail was seen in
the district court room this morning.
He was Dee Wilkerson, the former po-
nceman, who at the January term of
the district court last winter entered a
plea of guilty to the charge of selling
liquor.
Since the plea of guilty was entered
up to the present time Judge Hazen has
deferred sentence on Wilkerson- At
that time Wtlkerson called on Judge
Hazen, informed him that but a few
days before he had secured employ
ment at the bridge at wages of 81. 80
day, that to send him to jail meant
destitution for his family and that his
Judge Hazen told him that under the
circumstances he did not have the
heart to sentence him
That was six months ago. For his
action in the Wilkerson case Judge Ha-
zen has been freely censured ever since,
and at last he made up his mind that
he could stand the criticisms no longer.
Accordingly he sent for WilkersOn this
morning.
When you entered a plea of guilty
to the charge of selling liquor last win
ter said he as Wilkerson took a seat
in the court room, II deferred sentence
upon you for the reason that you told
me that your family was in destitute
circumstances and that you had but
also said that your wife was in a deli
cate condition. Under the circum-
stances 1 could hardly be human and
send you to Jail.
II told you then to go on with your
work and make a living for your fam
lily. Since then 1 have been criticised
for my action on every hand. The
governor of the state has even taken
occasion to criticise me for what did.
only he divided the blame between my
self and the State Temperance union.
I want to say that the State Temper
ance union had nothing to do with my
action; neither had any other union nor
anyone else. What I did, did on my
own responsibility and for the sake of
any other judge, send a man to Jail
when he had a wife at home in a deli
cate condition, without anyone to care
for her and two or three babies without
sufficient food or clothing?
They have asked me what right I
had to defer sentence upon you, when
refused to act in like manner with other
men convicted of the same OffenSe- [
was unable to answer them. 1 had no
right, except the right to act humanely.
My duty was to have sentenced you
when you entered the plea of guilty.
You have been at work for several
months, and I understand that you are
in much better circumstances. 1t is
now simply a question of duty with me.
Have you anything to say why SEN
tence should not be pronounced upon
you?"
BY this time Wilkerson was sobbing.
He stood up and wiped his eyes with
the sleeve of his shirt. 81 hoped to be
able to beg off until finished the work
at the bridge, judge he said.
81 am afraid that would be impossi-
BILE, Mr.. Wilkerson," said the judge.
There is nothing left me to do but SEN
tence you
Then give me a couple of days to ar
range some way for my family to live
while I'm in JAIL said Wilkerson be-
tween sobS. I'll have to fix them some
way"
''Al1 right" said Judge Hazen. ''You
can have until Wednesday to arrange
your affairs