Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-12-31
WALLACE TRIAL
ABOUT ENDED
After Ten Days Hearing Case Now
in Hands of Jury-Verdict
Expected This Evening.

Special to the New Mexican.
Socorro, New Mexico, Dec. 31-The
trial OF Wallace charged with the mur
der of Mcammon in Socorro County 6
few weeks ago which has been pending
here for the past ten days is about al
an end. The arguments for the prose
cutlon are in and this forenoon the ar
guments for the defence were com,
menced and closed this afternoon. AT
this hour the case is in the hands of
the jury. Opinion as to the verdict is
very much divided. If the jury comes
in at any time this evening with the
verdict Judge w. Fl. Pope who is pre-
siding at the trial, will leave early to-
morrow morning for Santa Fe where
he will hear the case of the Wood
lawn Ditch Company VS.. the South
Springs Cattle Company.
History of the Case.
The case of the Territory of New
Mexico against Irwin Wallace, charg-
ed with the murder of William Ney
McCammon on October 10. last, in the
Datil Mountain district of Socorro
County, which has been on trial in the
District Court here, since Tuesday
morning December II, is drawing to a
close.
The case has attracted a great deal
were cattlemen, living in the Datil
district Wallace had sold some cat
tie and ranch improvements to Nc
Cannon. There seemed to be some
misunderstanding on Wallaces part as
to the trade; in fact he testified he
was drunk when he signed the papers
relating to it, and that McCammon |
was trying to beat him out of what |
was due him, and the cattle. The mis-
understanding extended over a year
Last May they settled their differences
and McCammon gave Wallace a new
mortgage on the property. The first |
payment of interest, of $400, was due
October l last Threats had been COM
to Wallace, said to have
been made by McCammon. that he
would not pay Wallace cent, that
he would beat Wallace by law, and if
he could not beat him by law, he
would do SO another way,
pointed to his Winchester and said
there's the law" and other direct
threats against Wallace were proved
A great deal of testimony was intro
duced as to the good character of both
men, and some as to bad reputation
for peace as to both of them.
Wallace went to McCammon's
'anch on October 10th, to collect as
ne says. If possible. the money due him
or interest from McCammon. He {
stepped to the door, and was in the act I
If knocking on the door-which was ,
partly open, when McCammOn opened
ire on him. firing four or more shots. {
Wallace then fired; the two men grap-
lied and struggled out of the door. +
Irs. McCammon came to the assist, f
nee of her husband. who broke away I
rom Wallace and said he would get 8
lis Winchester and kill Wallace, the s
after turned and fired, shooting Nc t
cannon through the abdomen. Nc !
,ammon lived until October 13. 1t is r
laimed on. behalf of the prosecution y
hat Wallace began firing just as soon
s he stepped inside of the door and r
vas the aggressor. A large number of q
witnesses have been examined. occu- t
'ying ten days and long night ses- t
ions. The greater portion of Wednes- q
ay was occupied by the speeches OF n
he counsel in the case in the argu- r
1ents to the jury. d
Last night at $3.50 the court the Of h
GERS, attorneys and jurors being very o
red, an adjournment was had until a
clock Thursday. 1t Is believed that
ne jury will bring in a verdict on e.
afternoon or evening. IL