The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-24
Modern Jean Vatican Is Acquitted
of Killing His Brother-in-Law
Twenty-Seven Years Ago.
TWICE ESCAPED FROM PRISON.
Lived an Exemplary Life Under an
Assumed Name Near Dunlap,
Tenn, for a Quarter of a Cen
tury-Interest in Trial.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Nashville, Ill, Feb. 2-William Murray
the modern Jean Vatican. who escaped from
Jail at Williamsburg, in this county, twenty
seven years ago. fed to Tennessee, where
he lived an exemplary life under the as
sumed name of Howard, and finally was ar
rested and brought back to Jefferson Coun-
ty for trial on a charge of numbering his
brother-in-law. Joel Woodrome. has beer
found not guilty.
The verdict was received with cheers by
the big crowd which has been steadfast in
attendance on the trial. Murray's demeanor
during the trial won him many friends, and
, as the case progressed and the evidence
that he had killed his brother-in-law In self
defense became more and more preponder-
ant, there was a fervent hope that the ac-
cused man, who long ago had atoned for
his deed in a life of unusual faultleSsneSs,
should be permitted to go free.
The jury was but fifteen minutes in re-
turning its verdict. The trial occupied two
days. The identification of the defendant
was complete and he did not deny that his
real name is Murray from the day he was
captured by the son of the Sheriff who first
arrested him twenty-seven years ago.
This son, then a little boy, witnessed Muir
rays escape from the Jefferson County Jail
and called to him to return. As Murray
fled the child threw a stone at him in child
| ISL anger, tleu ran ana lOIu HIS ldlIltE ina
his most important prisoner had escaped.
HIS LIFE IN TENNESSEE.
Murray was captured after this escape
and brought back, but again managed to
free himself and made his way to Tennes-
see, where for more than a quarter of a
century he lived a life above suspicion. He
sent for his wife and children and they lived
with him until the faithful wife died and
the children grew to manhood and woman
hood and married or left home to make
their own careers.
Murray prospered as a farmer and was
known and loved over the countryside near
Dunlap, Tenn, for his unselfishness. gen.
crosby and charity. His capture by the son
Of the former Sheriff. now Deputy Sheriff
through accident, the young man having
heard that an uncle of Murray's was living
near Dunlap, and was frequently visited by
an elderly man of quiet manners, whose
general description suited that of the es-
capped man.
The young deputy. together with Sheriff
to Tennessee. and drove out to Murray's, or
Towards, farm. When informed that he
was under arrest. Murray quietly said:
knew this had to come some day.. and 1
am not sorry that it has COM now"
HAUNTING FEAR LIFTED.
Among the men and women who attended
the trial were many whose youth has long
since fed. but who remembered Murray and
men. They could scarcely believe that the
gray-haired man with the careworn face
was the same William Murray, who had be-
come involved in a quarrel with Woodrome
over family matters SO many years ago, and
had shot his brother-in-law in the streets
of Williamsburg.
Murray held a little reception after he
had been discharged by the court, thanking
his friends for their faith in him and their
active sympathy. and telling them how
ing days OF his life free from the haunting
fear of prison, or, maybe, the gallows. He
intends to return to his farm near Dunlap.
Tenn.