Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-05-09
DR. GIRTRELL is ILL.,
D0KAGAEs MURDERER SUDDEN.
LIZ TAKEN ILL IN BATES
COUNTY JAIL
BE WILL COMMIT SUICIDE.
The Doctor Says Re Thinks That
Whiskey Has Wrecked His
Mind-Win Plead Self.
Defense at the Pre-
liminary Trial.

BUTLER, No, May 4th-Dr. J. L
Gartrell, in Jail here on the charge o.
murder, was taken sick to-day with
bemorrhage Of the lungs A physician
had to be called to relieve him. He
is being closely watched, as there Is
some fear that he will attempt to
commit suicide.
DR. GARTRKLL TALKS.
BUTLER, No. May doctor J. L.
GartrelL. who eonfessS to killing D. B.
DOnagan, vas interviewed in his cell
at the county jail by spresS eorTeSpon-
dent to-day. He gave a history Of a
portion Of his life, supporting it with
papers that, if genuine, proyethat the
old mar Is 4 character Of more than
local reputation.
Dr.. Gartrel did not speak directly
Of the killing. He is tall, refined, Of
large physique and an educated man.
He said:
1T is 4 very unfortunate affair /
am nearly 20 years Of age, and my life
has been a life filed with business
and activity.
"You ask why I committed such a
crimes 1t is due to drink and, above
all. to politics.
Drink and politics ruined me. l
took the gold cure several times, bat
without any good result Ny mind
has been affected / think l am de-
mented at times
"F0r the past two years my life has
been wasted. / have accomplished
nothing
WILL FIGHT FOR HIS LIE.
do you have many visitors, doc
tors"
. YES; I have quite a number and /
try 70 treat them with courtesy and
respect 1t Is a little hard On me to.
be locked up this way, as / have never
been in this situation before. But /
guess ] will have to stand it.
Il am treated Just as well as a man
could he under the circumstances 4
am getting good meals and fair ac-
eOmmodations.
Are you going 10 fight the casegH
Il certainly am. / shall plead self
defense. | shall employ the ablest
counsel TO defend me. / have secured
the services Of Major Blake L. Wood
son, Of Kansas City,
ENTERED POLITICS IN TEXAS.
Il served in the Civil War and wasa
member Of BledsOs Battery, - said DIR.
GartrelL Then ! went into politics
Ia Texas as a member Of the Republi-
can party. / twice served In the State
Senate, from 1850 to 1884. After that
j vas made county judge Of Refugee
county TEXAS.
in ISIS / declined the nomination
for State Senator.
Eat one time / was a partner Of
J. V. Cockrell, brother Of United
Senator COekreIl, Of Missouri. -
what do you think Of the final out
come Of your case, doctOrsn
Il don't know. / viii only have 10
wait and see the result
Or. Gartrell and his son win be in
dicted, probably Monday, as the grand
jury met to-day 70 hear the case, and
their cases viii probably be set for the
June term Of circuit court, which con-
venes here June II, next
10 DISTURBANCE
BUTLER, May A-Early reports Of
the GartFell affair, which were sent by
way Of Kansas City. grossly misrep-
resented the feeling here. There was
DO thought Of lynching, and no talk Of
such action. No disturbance has
arisen at any time.
THE GARTRELLs INDICTED.
BUTLER, No, May 8.-The special
jury to-day indicted DR.. J. L.
iartrell and his son, W. P. Gartrell,
or murder. Father and son were ar
before Judge Graves, Of the
Court, and plead not guilty.
The defense not being ready, trial was
'et for the June term.
When going back TO jail shaekled
iogether they stopped and posed for
lmateur photographers and asked
hat pictures be sent them TO the jail.