Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-01
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
Sentencing Of Dick Williams TO Death
Penalty at OskaIoosa.

Special to Times Republican.
OskaloosA Feb. For the first time
in the history of the sixth judicial dis
trict of Iowa the death penalty has
been given to criminal Judge A. r.
Dewey. of Washington, sitting in this
city Friday afternoon. sentenced Dick
Williams. colored, to be hanged on Fri
day, March 10, 1903, at the state prison
at Fort Madison.
Williams was convicted of the MUIR
der of William Sharper at mining
camp called Buxton on the afternoon of
Dec. s, and in accordance with the law
the jury In finding the defendant guilty
of murder in the first degree as indict-
ed, recommended the imposing of the
death penalty.
The crime had been without provoca-
ton and was in cold blood. Several man
had congregated in a drinking place
near Buxton. A dispute arose and the
circumstances We're aggravated and ex-
aggerated by Williams, who seemed
bound and determined to have trouble.
He was warned to desist by several
people in the place, but he persisted af-
ter having pulled a forty-one caliber
revolver, in following one Cooper about
the room and threatening to do harm.
Sharper in place of Cooper came in line
of the gun as 1T was discharged, and
fell dead at Williams feet with ball
buried deep in his brain. Williams fled.
but was apprehended next day at OF
tumwa. He was indicted for murder In
the first degree and found guilty.
George Woodson of Muchakinock and
To- ac NJ
of ability, defended the man. County
Attorney James A. Dewitt of this city
was assisted by Byron w. Preston in
the work of prosecution. The court
room scene at the sentencing of Will
Jams was more than impressive The
room was nearly filed with a crowd
who gathered to hear the decision. The
judge spoke in clear and measured
tone and extended all sympathy possible
to the prisoner. He said the defendant
was not to blame for being without rel
atives and friends, but that he was
wholly responsible for his environment.
and his conduct. His life prior to the
crime had been such as would mark him
as a hard character. He had gone about
the streets with revolvers In his hands
and had made threats and had been in
trouble before.
Continuing the judge said that the
evidence had established the fact that
the intent on murder existed, and that
the law made no distinction as to when
the intent was executed-whether in
minute or in a year He also said that
the conduct of the defendant showed
that he was not only looking for pro-
vocation to put the intent inc execution,
but had gone farther and created one.
IF the facts in this case do not bear
out the verdict, then they do not in any
case within my experience" :.
After announcing that he over-ruled
the motion for new trial the Judge
told Williams to stand up. The de-
PENDANT obeyed. and when questioned
as to what he had to say. he mumbled
in low tone that he had nothing to
say but threw himself on the mercy of
the court. He knit his brows little
like one who did not fully comprehend
what was being said, but otherwise
was not visibly affected by the SEN
tence.
The judge then proceeded with the
sentence, supplementing his words
with the remarks that he felt that a
moral lecture from the bench would
have little or no effect upon a man of
the defendants character and record.
You gave Sharper no warning, what
ever" said the judge to the prisoner,
but dispatched him to eternity with
out preparation. The law is more char
table to you. 1t prescribes certain