The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-12-09
AN ELOQUENT ADMONITION
Judge Stillwell Makes "a Pow
erful Appeal to the Better
Nature of the Men He
Sentenced.

room, packing il to the door, at
O'Clock last Friday tn hear the men
sentenced. len men, Diedrlch wit
itch, John Witch, Joe Langley, John
Hall, Joe Nagele, Jim Mills, Frank
limerick, Jack O'Meara, Charles
Groth and Andrew Ferguson, stood
up aud the Judge pronounced the sen.
tence of each, one at time, Overrul-
ing the motions for new trials and for
arrest OF judgment. The men bore
their sentence with various degrees
of st0icism, some smiling disdainful-
ly, others moved tn teais.
Tue sentences pro lounced were a.
'olIowe: Joe Langley, Humboldt,
found guilty. on 10 counts. Motions
Tor new trial aud for arrest Of judg
ment over ruled. Given 90 days in
the county jail and 500 fine on each
count. Also to pay costs of prOsecu-
ton on The counts on which he was
convicted aud 10 give bond in the sum
of $1,000 to observe the peace for two
years after expiration OF sentence.
Charles GrOth, ten counts. Sem
fenced To 60 days on each count and
to pay 500 on each and costs OF
prosecution.
Diedrch Witch, guilty ON four
counts. Given 30 days IN jail and a
fine of 500 on each count. also 10 pay
costs OF prosecution.
John Witch, Humboldt, six counts
Given 800 days and to pay II fine of
5000 and to pay COSTS.
Dan Ball, Humboldt, counts. 100
days and 500 fine and costs.
Andrew Ferguson, lola, . counts.
80 days and 500 fine aud costs.
Frank limerick, lola, six counts.
go days and 5000 fine and costs.
Joe Nagele, lola, six counts, 270
days aud 5000 fine and costs.
Jack O'Meara, LaHarpe and lola,
seven counts, 3l5 days and 500 fine
and costs.
Jas. Mills, lola, one count, sixty
days and 500 fine and costs.
Total sum of fines, not counting
costs, -, 600.
The Often, Thomson, Mcclure and
Harlan cases were set over till the
first day OF the January term.
After pronouncing the sentences,
the Judge sat back i'm his chair and
glanced sadly, but sternly over the
row of men, and began to speak in the
quiet, deliberate tones for which he is
famous, The court room was AS still
asa death chamber duri q his re-.
marks which were substantially as
follnw.:
"The spectacle we have witnessed
this afternoon i'm the matter of The fin
al disposition OF these cases has been
to me ineNpressibly painful and sad
dening. OF the entire array of these
numerous defendants who have stood
up in this room To he sentenced as
criminals, all except twoare young
men in the very prime OF life. They
are magnificent specimens of physic
al manhood, strapping, stalwart,
handsome young men. There is not
one of them, so faras can judge
from appearances, that is not abund
anlly able to earn fair and decent
living in some lawful and respectable
occupation. But they have seen iii
/ to do otherwise, and have chosen and
embarked in vocation which in.
VolVed the continuous and frequent
violation of the laws of the land
They have not only transgressed the
statutes enacted by the Legislature
but they have, in effect, trampleC
upon aud dehed the constitution o.
the state, the permanent Ilaw enacted
by the people in their sovereign capa
city. And what excuse can they of
fer for their course OF conduct?
cannot be the plea of pressing wan
or bitter necessity, because, as | have
remarked, their personal appearance
shows that they have the physica
ability to earn an ample living in al
honest way. This wrongful course
has been dignified by no higher o
better motive than mere selfish gree,
and to make money Off of their fellow
men by means Of traffic which tn
law denounces as criminal. 1t j
shameful and disheartening to know
that in IA community like this ther
are men who are willing To disregarC
the law, defy the constitution. an,
treat wholesome public opinion will
supreme contempt, all for the sake q
amassng few pitiful dollars ant
cents. And there can be NJ
question as to the guilt of the men oil
whom sentences have been passe,
this afternoon. They have been de
Tended skillfully and energetically b.