The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-12
ASSERTION OF
LAWS SPIRIT
AT kINGFISHER
Verdics in the Watcher Case
Meets With Favor.
GIVES SECURE FEELING
Public Sentiment of the Coun-
ty Has Been INDICATED.

Guthrie. 0. T. Oct Title conviction
OF J. E. Watcher, for the murder Of Col.
John Stone. has inspired the following
leading article in the Kinghsher Free
Press:
The verdict rendered in the case OF the
Territory VS.. J. z. Watcher. finding him
guilty OF murder in the first degree, and
fixing his punishment a. imprisonment
Tor life, IS the most praiseworthy jury
Performance that has ever taken place in
this county. 1t Is an unexpected triumph
OF law. Of decent public sentiment, OF
common and impartial justice. The
failure OF the jury 10 agree upon YER
6ict in the two previous trials OF the
case had created a feeling Of insecurity
OF life, and an impression that public
sentiment had become so thoroughly de-
bauehed that it was almost useless 20
try TO enforce the law, against crime
when the accused was able TO surround
himself with able and inGueatial friends
The crime for which Watcher has been
finally convicted was committed nearly
tow years ago. The pU,sic is familiar
With the facts. The murder III John i.
stone was deliberately and cunningly
planned and was conslsnD.ated in the
most coldblooded. brutal and inhuman
manner There never has been a single
doubt in the mind of anyone acquainted
with the facts that the Ess1der was pre-
-
dered man had no notice or even suspi-
cion Of danger. that he had accepted an
apparently friendly invitation to Visit his
slayer without thought OF harm, and
that he was shot down from ambush
Ike a wild and savage beast. and that
the murder was committed by j. r.
Watcher, who walked out cody from his
hiding place, plundered the dead man
body. and made his escape by means and
routes that had been previously carefully,
irtelligently and studiOusiy adopted.
Decent public sentiment was horrihed
and stood aghast at the foul crime. But
we blush 10 say. there was another sen
timent. not general. but vicious. unclean
and dangerous. that was not only ready
to condone the murder, bat even defend
~
a blot upon the good name Of Kingfisher
county as were the fruitless efforts made
to punish the criminal So far as the
criminal actor in this tragedy is con
cerned. no one now takes him personally
into consideration. What becomes Of
him is a matter Of small concern TO the
Public There is no feeling Of vengeance
against him. No one is glad TO see him
suffer ana everyone piues and sympa-
thizes with those who. being innocent
must also suffer on account Of his great
crime against nulnanity and good gov
eminent. 1t is the crime, and not the
criminal, that thoughtful men feel must
be condemned IL there IS 10 be security
of life and property in the community.
The result OF this last trial is not a tri-
umph over a poor, wretched, cowed and
broken individual, but 1t Is the triumph
OF law. 4 guarantee OF personal safety,
an assurance that crime canaot be COM
mitted in this community with impunity.
we do not care 10 sive the details Of
this trial: they are horrible enough 70
make the blood freeze ia ones veins;
they should be forgotten az soon as pos
sihle. We only rejoice IN the victory OF
law and order over violence and crime
that an honest. conscientious jury OF
twelve good men las been brave enough
10 give public notice that criminals can
not reasonably hope 20 escape punish
ment IN Kinghsher county
The lesson taught in this case viii re-
suit in lasting and permanent good.
Prior to the third trial the people had
4 1f-r.
he general feeling was that 1t was use
less 10 put the county 10 any further
expense IN an effort 20 secure verdict
in this case. No one expected a verdict
especially a verdict ~ gltity-auother
hung jury" was confidently predicted
This sentiment was not the result ri any
doubt OF the guilt = the accused. but IL
grew out Of a general belief that jgry
could not be secured in this county which
would conscientiousiy DO its duty r. This
case Time was expected 10 perform lts
usual mission. 20 deaden mems conscien-
ces and TO cause them 70 Be forsctsul and
Indifferent So much greater Therefore.
is the triumph 81 iaw-so much mere
cause the law abiding people n this
county have-to rejoice over IRE results.
~ curse hA- Fats at A-ttH H.-a afaH aa.fH
been reached. Advantage viii BE- taken
OF every legal rechuioality thet csn le
interpossd. and The verdict ~ this jlry
nay be set aside That Is q matter -
small mon snt- the lesson has been
taught No one cares 20 follow the con-
demned mar 70 prison and gioat over his
Punishment. nor IS IL a matter II much
concern what becomes 81 him. The good
has been done and that good cannot b-
vndone. nor VIII TIE lezson b. forgotten.
An honest verdict ~ az nCuest jury kss
been rendered. That record has been
r.ade. and u VII stand to the lasting
credit not only OF The twelve ueu. COED
and true who made g. bot - TIE credit
OF the community as vel
FATAL ACCIDENT TO FARMER
Crushed Between Freight Cars While
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