The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-09-10
ADVERTISEMENT
A Terrible Charge.

"Prisoner at the bar, have you anything to
say why sentence OF death should not be pass
ed upon your"
A solemn hush fell over the crowded court
room, and every person waited in almost
breathless expectation for an answer.
Not whisper was heard anywhere and the
situation had become painfully oppressive,
when the prisoner was seen to move his head
was raised, his hands were clenched, and the
blood had rushed into his pale, careworn face.
Suddenly he rose to his feet, and in a low,
firm voice, said:
al havei Your honor, you have asked me
a question, and l now ask ii as the last favor
on earth that you will not interrupt my an
swer until am through.
"I stand here before this bar, convicted of
the willful murder OF my wife Truthful wit
nesses have testified TO the fact that / was
loafer, drunkard, and a wretch; that / re-
turned from one OF my prolonged debauehes
and fired the fatal shot that killed the wife
had sworn TO love, cherish and protect. While
have no remembrance of committing the
fearful, cOwardly. inhuman deed, have no
right TO complain OF, or condemn the verdict
OF twelve good men who have acted as a jury
in this case, for their verdict Is n accordance
with the evidence. But, may IL please the
court wish to show that am not alone re-
sponsible tor the murder of my wife,
The prisoner paused a few seconds, and then
continued In the same firm, distinct voice.
II repeat, your honor, that / am not the
only one guilty Of the murder Of my wife. The
Judge on this bench, the Jury in the box, the
lawyers in this bar, and most of the witnesses,
are also guilty before Almighty God, and will
have to appear before his Judgment throne,
where we shall all be righteously judged. II
twenty men cOnspire together for the murder
of one person, the law OF this land will arrest
the twenty, and each will be tried, convicted
and executed for whole murder. and not for
one-twentieth of a crime. | have been made
a drunkard by law. lift had not been for the
legalized saloons in my town; would never
have become drunkard; would not be here
a.. -. fa1 Inf. 81. IL
il not been for the human traps set out with
the consent Of the government, would have
been a sober man, an industrious workman a
tender father and a loving husband; but to
day my home Is destroyed, my wife murder
I'd. my little ehildren-G0d bless them-cast
out upon the mercy OF a cold world, while |
am to be murdered by the strong ann OF the
state in which live. God knows tried to
reform, but as long as the open saloon vas in
my pathway, my weak, diseased will-power
was no match against the fearful, consuming
agOnizlng appetite for liquor. Al last sought
the protection, care and sympathy of the
church OF Jesus Christ For one year our
town was without saloon. For one year
was sober man. For one year my wife and
children were supremely happy, ana our
home was a perfect paradise. | was one OF
those who signed remonstrances against re-
opening the saloons in our town. The names
OF half OF this jury can be found today on that
petition. certifying to the good moral charac-
ter OF these rum-sellers, and falsely saying
that the sale OF liquor was necessary IN our
town. The prosecuting attorney In this case
is one that 50 eloquently pleaded with the
court for the license, and the judge who now
sits on this bench, and who asks me If have
anything to say before the sentence Of death
/ Is passed upon me, granted the license
II began my downward career at q saloon
har-Iegalized and projected b. the common
wealth, which has received annually part
OF the blood mone' nom the poor, deiuded
victims. After the state had made me q
drunkard and a murderer, am taken before
annther bar-ths bar Of iustice-by the same
now the law power will conduct me 10 the