The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-25
PRISONER is
INDIFFERENT
Much Speculation Has Been
Heard About Queenan Case
NO MANDATE RECEIVED
Supreme Court Passes on the
Case but 1t Isn't Reported

Oklahoma City, o. T., Dec. 24-For
some time past there has been consid-
cradle specula ticn regarding the status of
the case of Thomas Queenan, convicted
OF murder and condemned to hang. in
the district court OF the Third Oklahoma
district, which verdict has been sustained
by the supreme court of the territory and
the supreme court of the United States,
Gays the Oklahoman.
Queenan was indicted on February y,
1900
He was arraigned February 90. 1900
Entered plea Of not guilty February
"a 1900.
Was tried between March and 16. 1900.
Motion for a new trial was filed and
over-ruled February Is, 1901.
On February 20, 1901, was sentenced to
hang and April II. 1901, was fixed as the
date of execution.
The death warrant was issued March
26, 1861
The certificate of the clerk of the su-
preme court. showing that the appeal
was filed with the supreme court, was
sent to the district court and filed April
15. 1901.
The next action in the Queenan case
was a hearing before the supreme court,
which was affirmation of the Judgment of
the district court.
An appeal was taken to the supreme
court of the United States and this court
Of last resort affirmed the decision of the
lower courts, but up 10 the last sitting
of the supreme court OF the territory no
mandate had been received from the su-
prene court of the United States. At
the last session, here referred to. the
Queenan case was called up TO see if
something could not be done relative to
it, and it was ascertained that mandate
had not been received frem the court
at Washington. This was in June last.
And so the matter stands today. The
district court has never received any
mandate from the supreme court of the
United States or from the supreme court
OF the territory, and it is well understood
that no action can be taken by the lower
courI until the mandate has been received.
TWO and one-half years have elapsed
since the Queenan case reached the su-
preme court of Oklahoma territory.
One of the marvellous features of the
case is the fact that, at no time since
his arrest on the charge of numbering
his wife, has the prisoner manifested the
sighIest interest in the final outcome Of
his case When the death sentence was
pronounced. Queenan manifested the ut
most Indifference.
He has been model Of good conduct
during the time he has been confined in
the county Jail. and at one time when
other prisoners broke out of the jail he
had an excellent opportunity to esape,
but declined to do so.
He has many friends and his family is
highly respected in the community. and
for these reasons many persons have
hoped for his ultimate discharge. some of
them believing the crime to have been
committed during a period of temporary
alteration of mind.
Others have believed his crime to be alb
eolulely unjustitiable and have thought
the law should take its course and that
the prisoner should give up his life in
expiation OF his crime.
Queenan has ever been Indifferent and
still maintains that Indifference. The
cause of that Indifference is unknown.
He may have the assurance that he will
never pay the penalty OF his crime, but
this can hardly be None who know him
believe that he will attempt his own life.
There is much of mystery in the case,
not the least OF which is the laws delay.