Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-04-23
MURDER, FIRST DEeREEI
FIRST CASE OF THE KIND IN PHIL.
LIPS COUNTY.
The Jury in the Hinton Trial Brought in q
Verdict Saturday Morning Finding the
Defendant Guilty of Murder in
the First Degree.

AHS IASI DSStCCs
Saturday morning about nine o'clock
| the jury in the Hinton murder case
/ brought in verdict- as follows:
"We, the jury duly empanelled and
sworn in the above entitled case, dc
upon our Oaths find from the law and
the evidence the defendant, Joseph B.
Hinton, guilty IS charged in the in.
! formation, of murder in the first de-
gree, committed at the time, with
the weapon, in the place and manner
therein charged, by then and there
wilfully, deliberately, premeditatedly
and of his malice afOrethought with
said revolver shooting Maggie ShurtZ,
infiicting wounds, from the effect OF
which wounds so inflicted she, the
said Maggie Shurtz on April 3, 1901,
died. a" JOHN \. HARRISON,
Foreman.
The defense began ON Friday morn
ing with statement of the case by
Mr.. StinSon who, together with Mr..
T. NJ. Sullivan, represented the de-
PENDANT as his attorneys.
Joseph B. Hinton was first called
He testified to having received letters
from Maggie Shurtz. Did not have
letters in his possession, knew con-
tents; contained threats of self de-
struction. Her mother did not want
them to keep company. Maggie had
threatened to kill herself twice prior
to February IA. Did not work the
afternoon of Feb'y ii; did not feel like
work: went over to butcher shop after
supper; went to barber shop but did
not go in. Met G. F. ShurtS on the
street. Started to go out to faith
er's house west of town: went to rail-
road track and followed it until in
sight of house: no light: returned to
town. Went near Shurtz's house: saw
light in kitchen and supposed Maggie
was there: went around corner of the
house: Maggie threw her arms around
his heck and kissed remembered
nothing more except his right fore
finger twitching- regained conscious
ness several days later-in bed-asked
his mother where he was and learned
about shooting for first time. Had no
intention of killing Maggie Shurtz.
Cross examination brought out no new
material evidence.
Albert Price who cared for Hinton
after he was brought to this city teS-
titled as to his action when told of the
death of Maggie ShurtZ. Said he fell
over on cot-did not speak until 10
o'clock-ate nothing all day. Witness
thought Hinton would die.
Oscar HilI-Knew defendant: good
character: never had trouble except
with witnesses boy: reputation fair
until this time; saw him Feb. IA;
acted odd all afternoon; saw him
wounded on the floor at Shurtz's
house; helped carry him to doctors
office; defendant begged the doctor to
finish him.
John Bowman testified to seeing
defendant on evening of Feb. IA;
thought he acted strange.
B. Pennington-Saw' defendant on
afternoon Of Feb. II: made remark
that he acted queer.
Mrs. NOel-ASsisted in caring for
Maggie. She told witness she brought
the trouble upon herself by not mind
ing her mother.
No material points were brought
out in cross examination of the wit
neSSes.
After the defense rested County
Attorney BisSell addressed the jury,
making a strong plea and arraying the
evidence presented, in a logical and
convincing manner. He was followed
by T. N. Sullivan who made an
eloquent and forceful speech. He
brought out thu points Of evidence in
mastery way. Mr.. StinSon closed
the argument for the defense very
ably reviewing all8the evidence and
summing it up in manner that left
nothing untouched that had any
bearing on the case for his client.
Mr.. BiSSell then briefly closed on
behalf Of the state. The case went to
the jury at five O'Clock Friday evening.
This is the first time in the history
of the county that conviction for
murder in the first degree has been
secured. County Attorney Bissell is
being congratulated on all hands for
bringing the case to successful issue.
The attorneys for the defense deserve
much credit also for making strong
! showing for their client, considering
the circumstances and time they had
to prepare the case. The sentence
will probably be passed at the close of
! the term of court.