Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-07-19
WHY GATES P-ROsECUrEs.
Governor johnson Speaks For His
Wealthy Cllent-Duty He
Owed the Dead.

toFneys for the State 10 the Jester
murder Ease for the killing of Gilbert
Gates, the brother of John W. Gates,
to-day gave cut the reason which led
to the prosecution by Gates OF the
sged prisoner. Governor johnson
said:
"The Gates family had long since
given up all intention OF ever pushing
the case Of the murder OF their boy u
trial. One year or mora ago this man
was forced again to the attention OF
that family under the most peculiar
circumstances, as you know, BY Jes-
ter's sister.
"Mr. John W. Gates told his coun-
sci, in a general way, the line Of evil
dence, and said be had not dwelt long
upon whether be should force q trial.
His mother and hls father were old
now, and In their old age the reool-
leotions Of those long and sorrowful.
months were forced upon them again,
and thatAgainst their desire.
nHe told rs he felt 1t a duty he
owed to the memory Of his doad
brother, q duty he owed the State
and, above all, q duty he owed his
aged parents to demand a vigorous
trial and an unearthing OF all the tes-
timony possible.
"We have had detectives follow
that open trail through four states
and we know nearly every act Alex.
Jester did in the past so years. The
aged mother OF the dead boy said that
she had rather die than aver again see
the villain who killed her boy in Hulen
Lane, near Middle Grove, Mo.
"She has never fully recovered
from the sight of Jester at the Paris,
Mo-, trial and she will not be here to
testify.
"Oould you 9 her to-day in her
Chicago home you would see an aged
woman wandering about her home,
brooding over that sorrow Of thirty
years standing. 1t has been an awful
sorrow, one the world can hardly re-
alize. Not for all the world would We
bring the mother to this trial.
"No, John W. Gates is simply doing
what any man who has q particle Of
parental and b~rotherly love would do.
He has the means and will do all pos
sible to bring to justice this pious
william, this murderer of his brother,
and the man who would not do 1t lie
not q man. At the present time John
W. Gates is in Europe and will not be
present."
1t lie not denied by his representa-
tives that his millions are back Of
this case and 1t lie stated this morning
that the attorneys are receiving the
largest fee ever paid in 3 criminal case
in this country.
Francis Marion Dawson, who lived
about four miles east Of the Hulen
lane and south OF the Paris road in
1871, took the stand this morning. He
testified that In January, 1871, be met
Alexander Jester 10 this lane, The
old man had two teams and two wag-
ons. They vert standing still In the
road, al q point east Of the west Mad
Ison road. As Mr.. Dawson passed by,
Jester asked him how far it was to q
road that ne could turn south.
This evidence lie considered signih-
cant, showing that TESTERS turning
from the main thoroughfare wac not
an accident, but to conceal his alleged
Uoid= bioe9sfm aFdsr.
John De Mott, of Valley Center,
Kan, testified that he had lived there
twenty years and had known Jester
for thirty years. He said Jester lived
with his wife and seven children and
that he never knew him as Hill. lie
had around his place in 1870 a two
horse "jolt" wagon and . buffalo calf.
The witness said Jester farmed and
also exhorted a little. He attended
Sabbath School.
Attorney Col. Pat Cullen had been
examining q witness for an hour, q
smile all the time playing over bic
handsome countenanee.
Col. Forest arose and, addressing
the court, said: "Your Honor, / want
TO protest against Mr.. Cullen laugh
Ing at the witness. II lie . species Of
intimidation. demand that the smile
be suppressed"
The court overruled the protest
with the remark that he was certain
Dol. Cullen meant no disrespect to
the witness.
Col. Cullen; sit will do my Chi
eago friend good to enjoy 3 genuine
smile; he does not meet them in the
Windy City"
Col. Forest: 1--WE have a great
many things In Chicago I pay 10 csnts
for and I would pay 10 cents for that
smile any day In the week"
J. O. Temple, Of Reniek, No tes-
tilted that he saw Jester and Gates at
his town in 1871. Jester exhibited the
buffalo calf there and took up 3 coll
lection. ThIs is supposed TO be q short
time before Gates vas killed.
Alexander TESTERS daughter, Alice,
arrived from Norman, Okla, about 8
O'Clock this morning In company with
her brother. They passed the jail
where her old father lie confined
without stopping.
Old man Joseph b. Delaney testi.
fed to the truth Of the questioned
story Published, to the effect that bis
wife made him get up at their home
near Middle Grove one night during
January, 1871, stating that she heard
cries of distress. Mr.. Delaney said
the next morning he went to the
camp and asked the old man what the
noise meant. he said Jester told him
that he had ehoked young Gates
while he (JesteF) vas dreaming.
The witness pointed Jester out this
morning IN the court as the same man
who told him this story hat morning
In January, 1871; as be did 50, Jester
took bis hand from bic face and look
ed &c II be we're having his picture
taken.
The defendants counsel is makInga
strenuous effort to break the force OF
this important testimony. The Wit
ness Is one Of the best citizens Of
Monroe county.