Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-07-27
A Murderer's Last Words.

ing article is published; &.
Am nv brothers keeper?"
Prisoner at the bar, have. you
anything to say why sentence Of
death shonld uot be passed upon
you?"
A solemn hush fell over the
crowded courtroom, and every per-
son waited in almost breathless ex-
recitation for an answer to the
judges question.
The Judge still waited in dlgnlti-
ed silence.
Not a whisper was heard any
where and the situation had be-
come painfully oppressive, when f
the prisoner was seen to move. His
head was raised. his hands were
clinched and the blood had rushed
into his pale. careworn face. His
teeth were firmly set and into his
haggard eyes came a flash Of light
Suddenly he rose to bic feet, and.
in low, firm, but distinct voice,
said:,~-
II have! Your Honor, YOU have
asked me a question, and now
ask, as the last favor On earth, that
you will not interrupt my answer
until am through.
II stand before this bar convict
ed of the wiIlful murder Of my wife.
Truthful witnesses have testified to
the fact that was loafera drunk
ard and wretch; that | returned
home from one of my long de-
bauches and fired the fatal shot
that killed the wife | had sworn to
love. cherish and protect. While
[ have no remembrance Of commit
ting the fearful, cowardly and in
human deed | have no right to
complain or condemn the verdict
of the twelve good men who have
acted as a jury in this case, for their
verdict is in accordance with the
evidence.
But may il please the court, |
wish to show that | am not alone
responsible for the murder OF my
wife"
This startling statement created
a profound sensation. The Judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced the pris-
oner. the jurors looked at each
other in amazement. while the spec
tators could hardly suppress their
intense excitement. The prisoner
paused a few seconds, and then
continued in the same firm, distinct
voice.
II repeat, your honor, that | am
not the only one guilty of the muir
der Of nv wife. The Judge on this
bench. the jary in the box, the
lawyers within this bar. and most
of the witnesses are guilty before
Almighty God, and will have to
appear before His judgment throne,
where we shall be righteouly judg-
ed.
"If twenty men conspired to-
gether for the murder of one per-
son. the law power Of this land will
arrest the twenty. and each will be
tried, convicted and executed for a
whole murder and not for one
twentieth Of the crime.
II have been made a drunkard
by law. If it had not been for the
legalized saloons of my town |
would never have become drunk
ard. and | would not be here now
ready to be hurled into eternity.
Had it not been for the human
traps set out by The consent of the
government | would have been an
industrious workman, tender
father, and a loving husband. To-
day my home is destroyed, my wife
murdered, and my little children
God bless and care for then cast
out on the mercy Of a cold and
cruel world. while am to be MUIR
dered by the strong arm OF the
State in which ] live.
God knows I tried to reform,
but as long as the open saloon was
in my pathway my weak diseased
will power was no match against
the fearful, consuming, sgonzing
fer liquor. At last
sought the protection, care and
sympathy Of the church Of Jesus
Christ.
"For one year our town was
sober town. For one year | was a
sober man. For one year my wife
and children were supremacy hap
ply and our little home was a per-
feet paradise.
II was one Of those who signed
against re-openiDg
the saloons in our town. The |
names of half the jury can be found |
today on the petition certifying to
the good moral character Of these
rumsellprs, and falsely saying that |
the sale of liquor was necessary i'll
our town. The prosecuting attor'
new in this case was the one that
so eloquently pleaded with the
court for the license, and the jndge !
who sits on this bench, and who