Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-01-16
chARoEp VIII MURDER.

From the Gainesville, Fla, News.)
Prisoner at the bar, have you anything
To say why sentence of death shall not DC
passed upon you? -..a
solemn hush fell over the crowded
court room, and every person waited 10
almost breathless expectation for the an
swer to the judges question.
Not a whisper was heard anywhere' anu
the situation had become painfully OPP
pressive, when the prisoner was seen 70
| move. his head was raised, his hand was
elinehed, and the blood ran into ms pale'
care-worn face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet, and in a
| low, firm, but distinct voice, said;
II 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.
~ stand here before this bar, convicted
of the wilful murder of my wife.
tsTruthful witnesses have testified 70 the
] fact that | was loafer, a drunkard, and
/ wretch; that had returned from one OF
my prolonged debauches and fired the
| fatalshot that killed the wife | had sworn
| to love, cherish and protect.
''While have no remembrance OF com
hitting the fearful deed, ! have no right
to complain or to condemn the verdict OF
the twelve good men who have acted as
jury in the case, for their verdict is IN ae-
cordance with the evidence.
'But may it please the court, l wish to
show that ] am not alone responsible Tor
the murder OF my wife !"
This startling statement created ire
mendous sensation. The Judge leaned
over the desk, the lawyers wheeled around
and faced the prisoner, the jurors looked
at each other in amazement, while the
spectators could hardly suppress their in
tense excitement. The prisoner paused
| few seconds, and then continued IN the
same firm, distinct voice.
81 repeat, your honor, that / am not the
only one guilty of the murder of my wife.
The Judge on this bench, the jury IN the
| box, the lawyers within this bar and most
OF the witnesses, including the pastor OF
! the old church, are also guilty before AL
mighty God, and will have to stand with
me before His Judgment Throne, where
we shall be righteously judged.
aTf it had not been for the saloons OF my
town. / never would have become
drunkard; my wife would not have been
murdered: ] would not be here now, ready
to be hurled into eternity.
"Had it not been for these human traps,
| / would have been a sober man, an indus
trious workman, a tender father and
/ loving husband.
"But today my home is destroyed, my
wife murdered my children-GOd bless
and care for them-cast out on the mercy
OF the world, while ] am TO to be hung by
| the strong arm Of the state.
"God knows / tried to reform, but as
long as the open saloon was in my path
way. my weak, diseased will-power was no
match against the fearful, consuming,
agonizing appetite for liquor.
| 'For one year was a sober man.
stFor one year my wife and children were
happy, and our little home was paradise.
II was one of those who signed remon-
strances against re-opening the saloons OF
our town.
"One- half Of this jury, the prosecuting
attorney on this case, and the judge, who
sits on this bench, all voted for the
saloons.
"By their votes and influence saloons
were re-opened and they have made me
what am"
The impassioned words OF the prisoner
| fell like Goals of fire upon the hearts OF
those present, and many of the spectators
and some Of the lawyers We're moved to
| tears.
The Judge madea motion as il to stop
further speech, when the speaker hastily
said:
s'No No your honor, do not close my
| lips; am nearly through.
| ~ began my downward career at sa-
| loon BAR-legalized and protected by the
voters Of this town.
"After the saloons you allowed have
made me a drunkard and a murderer,
am taken before another BAR-the bar of
| Justiee-now the law-power viii conduct
me to the place of execution and hasten
my soul into eternity.
| II shall appear before another bar, the
| JUDGMENT BAR OF GOD, and there
you, who have legalized the traffic, will
have to appear with me.
''Think you that the Great Judge will
hold me, the poor, weak, helpless victim
OF your traffic, alone responsible for the
murder Of my wife2 Nay, j, in my drunk
en-, frenzied, irresponsible condition have
murdered ONE, but you have deliberately
voted for the saloons which have muir
dered thousands, and they are in full
operation today with your consent.
| SAIL of you know in your own hearts
that these words of mine are not the raw
ings of an unsound mind, but God Al
mighty's truth.
''You legalized the saloons that made
me drunkard and a murderer, and you
are guilty with me before God and man
for the murder of my wife.
"Your honor, am done.
Il am now ready 10 receive my sentence
and be led to the place Of execution.
"You viii close by asking the Lord to
have mercy ON my soul
81 will close by solemnly asking God to
open your blind eyes to your own indvid-
ual responsibility so that you will cease to
| give your support to this dreadful traffic.
Not the Grammatical Kind.