The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-10
A TERRIBLE CHARGE.

"f death should not be passed upon
you ~
A solemn hush fell over the crowd
ed courtroom and every person
waited in almost breathless expecta-
lions for an answer to the Judges
question.
Will he maintain the cold indifler-
ent attitude that he has SHOWN
through the long trial, even to the
place OF execution
Such were the questions that pass.
ed through the minds OF those who
had followed the case from day to
day. The Judge sli! waited in
digniied silence
Not whisper was heard any
where, and the situation had become
painfully oppressive, when the prison.
er was seen 50 move, his head was
raised, his hands were 3liuched, and
the blood had rushed into his pale
care worn face. His teeth were
firmly set and into his haggard eyes
came a. flash of light suddenly he
arose to his feet, and in low, firm,
but distinct voice, said
Il have! Your honor, YOU have
asked me question, and | now ask,
as the last favor on earth, that YOU
will not interrupt my answer until
am through
IL stand here before this bar, con-
victed of the wiful murder Of my
wife. Truthful witnesses have tesli
fled to the fact that | was loater. IL
drunkard, and wretch; that / return
ed from one ol my prolonged deuau-
ches and fired that fatal shot that
killed the wife | had sworn To love,
cherish and protect. While | have
no remembrance of committing the
fearful, cowardly and inhuman deed
| have no right to complain or to
condemn the virdict of the twelve
good men who have acted as jury IN
this case, for their verdict is in ac.
cordance with the evidence.
But may it please the court,
wish to show that am not alone
responsible for the murder of my
wife,
This startling statement created
tremendous sensation. The Judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced che prison
er, The jurors looked at each other
in amazement, while the spectators
could hardly suppress their intense
excitement. The prisoner paused |
lew seconds, and then continued IN
the same firm, distinct voice:
81 repeat, your honor, that am
not the only one guilty of the muir
der Of my VIE The Judge ON this
bench, the jury in the box, the law
yers within Tins bar, ana most OF the
" witnesses, including The pastor IF the
church, are also guilty before Al.
mighty God, and will have To appear
win me beiere his Judgment Throne,
where We shall all be righteously
Judged. Ii twenty men conspre
together for the murder OF one per.
,on, the law power Of this land will
arrest The twenty, and each will be
tried, convicted aud executed for a
whole murder and not Jue Twentieth
of the crime.
II have been made a drunkard by
law. II it had not beer tor the lie.
gaIized sSloons Of my town, / ne yer
would have become a drurkatd; my /
wife would not have been murdered,
| would not be here now, ready To BIZ .
hurled into eternity HID il not
been for the human traps set out F.
with the consent OF the government,
would have been sober man, AN
industrious workman, a tender father
and ~ loving husband But today .
my nome is destroyed, my wife mar.
dered my litue children God bless
and care for them cast out ON the
mercy Of cold mud cruel world
while am 90 be murdered by the
strong arm Of tEe state.
Good knows, tried 6, reform, but
az long as the open saloon was iu my
pathway, my weak, Diseased viii.
power was uo match against the lcar
lul, consuming, agonizing appetite
for liquor At last, I sought the pro.
lection, care aud sympathy of my
church OF Jesus Christ, bu at Tie
communion topie received from
the hand Of lhe pastor who sits there,
aud who has testified against me iu
This case. the cup thsi contained the