The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-01-12
THE LAWYERS SPEECHES.
In the Hancock case-Weli Matched
on Both Sides


The George Hancock murder trial
was commenced Friday. January 3.
and ended Saturday, January II, in
the acquittal OF defendant.
Il has been tedious case, and every
inch Of ground on both sides has been
contested. the attorneys on both sides
leaving nothing undone to help their
cause.
In addition to United States Attor-
ney w. b. Johnson and Assistant Unit
ed States Attorney j. w. Ownby on
the side Of the government. A. c.
Cruce was retained for the govern
ment.
The defendant was ably defended
by stilwell Ii. Russell Of Dallas. Mo
mon Prueitt Of Pauls Valley. and II. u.
Reynolds OF this city.
The two sides were well matched.
for they were all good lawyers. They
all realized the fact, which had a ten.
dency to make each man do his best.
United States Attorney W. b. John
son opened the case for the govern
ment. and after explaining the judges
charge to the jury. making everything
plain to them. he set out on the main
track and made things hot around
there for a while.
Mr.. Johnson made an able speech
TO the jury, and many were the com.
ments from his friends on his efforts
after he had taken his seat And not
withstanding the case was lost TO the
government 1t was through no neglect
OF Mr.. johnson that IL was. for he
made a splendid fight
II. d. Reynolds followed Mr.. John.
son on the side OF the defense. Mr..
! Reynolds is fine lawyer, and was Sc
lected as one among many last year
by the United States attorney as one
whom he would like to assist him. This
was before Mr.. Ownby was made as.
sistant prosecuting attorney.
Yes, Judge Reynolds made fine ef-
fort for his client and acquitted him
self with honors.
Then came the assistant United
States attorney. J. w. Ownby. the as
tute lawyer and orator. Mr.. Ownby's
speech was one of the finest oratorical
| efforts Wa hava avar lggtaro5 80 IL
did not forget the case while speak.
ing; he rehearsed the whole thing to
the jury, and made the whole thing
plain to them. His speech was beauti.
full, ii was eloquent Many were the
comments passed upon it by his broth
er attorneys.
But the surprise came when Momon
Prueitt OF Pauls Valley took the floor
and spoke in favor of the defendant.
Mr.. Prueitt is yet young man. and
promises to be one of the leading law.
yers of this country. His speech on
this OCCASION was faultless.
He has the faculty of dissecting the
evidence into such pieces that the jury
cannot fail TO view it otherwise than
Mr.. Prueitt's way Mr.. Prueitts re.
marks carried force with them and no
doubt made a deep impression upon
lie jury. His speech was highly com.
mented upon.
Next came Stilwell II. Russell OF
Dallas, who spoke also ior the defense
MIR Russell is one of the most remark
able lawyers in the southwest He
never makes a note to refer to though
there may be ntty witnesses he
keeps everything in his head and new
er makes a mistake. He can quote al
most verbatim and witness testi
mony that testified on the stand. The
colonel made a wonderful speech and
spoke for nearly six hours.
This case was concluded by that
powerful lawyer A. c. Cruce of Ard
more. Mr. Cruce was employed on the
government side and made one of the
greatest speeches of his life. although
it was only two hours long. Mr.
Cruces way of geung at the jury 4;
original. his argument carries a great
deal of weight with it, The audience
paid strict attention to him and YOU
could almost hear pin drop during
his argument
Taken altogether the Hancock case
proved a legal battle rarely equaled il
: any court.