The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-02
CONVICTED Of hhTR|CHDE.
FOLEY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER
IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
sentenced TO be Hanged February =
the Judge in So Doing Administer
Ing u scathinS Arrangement for

LIBERTY. Nc. Jan This afternoon
the jury IN the trial OF William Foley for
the murder q his sister ard mother, after
Beng oct two hours ari ferty minutes. re-
turned verdict q murder u the arse de-
gree.
After the verdict had been read Judge
Rroadus sentenced Foley 20 be hanged
Friday. February. g
When Foley was brought into Tire court
room 20 hear his fate. his face wzs ashsn.
oor MS features wore the sullsn looE that
ne rad WORN during the latter part q the
eTlaL Al almost iapercepeihle shake Of
the head was Foleys only reply when
askes II re had anything to say why SER
lerce should not be passed upon him
Then Judge Bro43ls proceeded 20 deliver
most scath4ng arralgnmenr. while the
prisoner ne-vously wiped ffe perspiratlon
from MS brow.
At your first trial. said the Judge. IT
lad very grave doubts Of YOUR gull. but
OF the second time they were swept
away. The evidence has shown you 70 De
guilty beyond a doubt L; - the mast
convincing chain Of circuasta3tial evil
Gsnee that ever came under my knowl-
While 1t locks Incredible. the inks are
compiste. ] Cannot conceive why YOU
should murder your mother and sister.
You must be ore OF the most llgpraved
human beings that ever walked the earth.
i cannot think YOU murdered them fer
any motive You and your God know
why you stained your hands with the
oiood OF those Il Was your daty - love
and protect"
At the conclusion OF the judges stern
words Foley sank limp and helpless TO
Ills chair, but grasped the arms of il =
moment later and sat straight up.
Not one Of Foley's witnesses or friends
were near him at the trying moment.
The crowd in thu court room were well
pleased. and gave vent to their feelings
by the stamping OF feet ard applause.
All morning little groups OF farmers gath
cred on the streets, and il was authorita-
lively stated that mob had been organ
ICED TO hang Foley il the jury failed TO
do what the residents OF Clay county con-
sidereG TO be their duty. Before the ar
guments began. Foley and his cousin sat a,
a table, talking and laughing. and he act
ed as II he did not fear the result OF the
trial During the addresses by his at
torneys, however, Foley and his sisters
were almost constantly IN tears.
Foleys crime. the murder of his mother
an aged woman. and his sister FANNIE,
aged 81. was most brutal. They lived to-
gether on their farm four miles north OF
Liberty. The father was dead and the
mother and sister had prevented young
Foley from having the property sold and
divided. On the evening Of November Il,
1876. the women were shot from the out
side by Foley, who then broke in the door
and, following tie wounded women from
room TO room as they tried to escape. fin
ished the crime, using a revolver and a
gun. Foley wan the first 10 give the
alarm, and tried 10 cast suspicion On Earl
Hoover, u discharged farm hand. The
vigilance committee worked up evidence
against Foley. and 1t was necessary to
bring him TO Kansas City 10 prevent a
lynching. He wss tried in June, 1887, but
the jury disagreed.