The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-02-27
Hunter Gets Life Sentence.

Mat Hunter the Mt. Ayr gambler who
shot Homer Holland at Mt. AYR last
November was on Friday morning sem
fenced by Judge Parrish to the Fit. Mad
ison penitentiary for life. On account
of running out of business Judge Parrish
decided to adjourn court Friday so the
time set for the sentence of Hunter was
advanced one day. The Mt. Ayr Fri
day News says:
When the Ames case was dismissed
yesterday afternoon the court suddenly
ran out of business,and it was determin-
ed to adjourn to-day,so the time of SEN
fencing was advanced from tomorrow
morning to this morning. All interest
continue to center in the Hunter case,
and people thronged to the court room
to hear the sentence imposed.
At 9:2O, while Mr.. Spence was arguing
the motion for new trial in the Miller
case, Hunter was brought in. The room
was completely filled with spectators.
Capt. Holland and Miss Bernice were
present, in the body of the audience.
Charles and Miss Anna Hunter sat in.
side the rail, near their brother. S. w.
Miles read the motion of Hunters coun
sci for new trial. Mr.. Miles made a
few remarks in criticism of the court for
advancing the time of sentence by one
day, SO that counsel for defense could
not prepare to argue the motion. Mr..
Miles arose again in response. to Judge
Parrish s request, and referring to the
fact that several jurors voted for lower
degree. of crime than second degree MUIR
der, asked for the minimum penalty
ten years. Judge HenryIialso spoke.
arguing that owing to heat of blood the
verdict should not ..lhave been for
more than manslaughter. Life i'm.
prisonment, said he, means death to a
frail man like Hunter. Judge Henry
referred to his own incessant.labors for
four weeks, to his task of examining all
the witnesses on both Sides. besides
making the opening statement and one
of the arguments.
The Sentence.
Judge Parrish labored underl'evident
emotion as he made the preliminary
remarks. He referred to the advan-
tages the prisoner had had Of living in
a peaceful, moral community, with
good school privileges. He told Hun
ter the latter had deliberately chosen
one of the most unlawful of',professions,
and it was no credit to him that he had
lived up to the gamblers code oflhonor.
Said.he, s'There can be but one end to
the man who follows that business and
goes around armed prepared to enforce
his demands. You quarreled with your
FRIEND, hunted him down, and deliber-
ately shot him. All the evidence goes
to show that he was taken unawares.
Had the jury found verdict Of first
degree murder or imposed the death
penalty the court would not have ques-
toned it This is one of the cases in
which there seems to be absolutely no
extenuating circumstances. 1t is the
JuUSulSEl VI luc COuIG IndG YOU UG iii
prisonedI for the term of your natural
life"
How Hunter Took 1t.
The prisoner stood up as directed by
Che court, and clasped his hands behind
him. At first he twitched his thumbs
nervously but soon ceased. When it
becametapparent that Judge Parish was
leadingaup to heavy sentence Mat
reeled and touched the table slightly
with one hand, then drew himself up
erect again. Afew moments before his
sister Anna had started to interrupt the
Judge, and Mat was the first person to
give her cautionary glance. When
sentence was pronounced Mat was pale
as ghost, but those who looked direct
iy into his eyes saw not the slightest
1linching of glance or facial muscles.
After sentence was pronounced he sat
down deliberately. When he was TAX
en- to the sheriff's office he and Charles
Hamm were manacled together for their
"trip back to the Jail.
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