The Bemidji pioneer., 1902-06-26
SECURED A CONVICTION.
How Church Organist Unconsciously
Aided the Prosecuting Attorney.

, The little party had been expert
menting for some time with the ones
] that have mint around the edge Of the
glass, and had finally, according to
the New Orleans Times-D Democrat,
reached the stage where each had a
, story to tell and insistedupon telling
it. u worked in Atlanta, Ca, once
on one Of the papers there that en-
ployed only the finest, said the In
nocent Microbe, 1.and il fell to me to
report the famous Willie Myers muI-
ider case. TWAS cause celebre where
the state had to depend upon circurn-
. stantial evidence to convict Myers,
Il who had decoyed young married
i man to the woods near the city and
cruelty murdered him to obtain pos
session Of few dollars, and the best
| legal talent in the state was ranged
/ on either side. The excitement was
intense, and on the night when the
closing arguments were to be made
i the big courtroom was crowded to the
i doors. 1t was a summer highland in
tensely hot, and every door and win
dow was wide open to let in any va
grant breeze, and occasionally the
notes Of the big pipe organ ina church
across the way, where the choir was
/ practicing, could be plainly heard.
The criminal was good-looking
young fellow, scarcely 20 years of
age, and his old gray haired parents
sat by his side throughout the trial.
1t was distinctly case for the jury,
and the attorney for the defense
closed for his side in really brilliant
effort, and, pointing to the old father
and mother Of Myers, drew a picture
Of their saddened and dishonored
path to the grave il their boy was
| convicted, which was about as effect
i've and telling bit OF pure oratory
as had ever been heard in the capital
Of Georgia. Charlie Hill, states at
torney, and son Of the great Ben
Hill, rose to close for the state, evi-
IDENTIFY impressed with the fact that
he had his work cut out for him. He
made a mastery analysis of the eyi-
dence, which delighted even his best
friends, and as he swung into theper-
grafton of his speech nothing could
be heard but his rich, deep voice,
which added tenfold to the effective
ness of every sentence. He realized
the force Of the picture Of the old
parents, whose hearts would break
if a verdict Of guilty were broughtin,
and set about to offset it by painting
a picture of the murdered mans
home on the banks of the Chatta-
hoochie, which was masterpiece.
Every man in the courtroom could
feel the happy life he had led, could
hear the prattle Of his two little chill
dren when they greeted him at the
end Of the days work, and see the
eyes Of his wife light up at his ap-
proach. 1t was a treat to listen to
him, a pure joy and delight, when
suddenly, without warning, the eli
max came. The organist across the
street, dreaming over his keys just
before leaving, began to play, softly,
Home, Sweet Home The notes
foated in through the open window
and lifted over the crowded court
room as if a message from another
world were being delivered then and
there. A short gasp marked the be-
ginning of the music, and Hill
stopped for moment as if lost in
thought. Then, using to the best adj
vantage his wonderful voice, and
throwing all the earnestness Of his
nature into every word, he went on
with his picture. 1t was his great |
chance, and he took advantage of it.
That home in all its sweetness APP
peared right there in the courtroom.
with the songs of the birds and the
ripple Of the river and the laughter
of children all tangled up with the
music in the church, until they made |
q symphony that was almost cruel in
its sweetness. Suddenly, without
warning, the murderous stroke was
delivered. The ripple of the river
was heard no more, the childish
laughter ceased, the songs of the birds
were as though they had never been,
and only the deep sobs of heart
broken wife broke the solemn silence.
As the last notes of the organ died
away Hills final word was spoken,
and for full minute no man moved
muscle. Then there was sigh that
vas such q tributa as few mon can I