The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1905-06-08
MAUPlN GETS TWELVE YEARS
Jury Out Ten Hours Appeal Taken to
Supreme Court.

supreme l0urt.
The case OF the State against Ward
Maupin, for murder in the first degree,
came up for trial Tuesday morning.
In brief the story would be about as
follows: Alta dance at the jeff Clayton
place, near Hercules, on Monday night,
February I, Charley knight and Ward
Maupin became involved in difficulty,
which ended in Maupin stabbing
Knight six times, from which wounds
he shortly died. On Thursday, the
9th, Maupln came in to Forsyth and
surrendered to Jerry Franklin, who
was acting as deputy sheriff.
On trial the testimony for the state
was substantially as follows: Maupin
and Knight were observed in conver'
sation Immediately before the cutting
standing in front of the fireplace in the
house in which the dance was being
held. Knight was heard by several
witnesses to say, "I'm better man
than you are" to which Maupin re-
piled, "You'll have to show me-"
knight then said, "Come out doors
with me aud m show you," Maupin
replying, "All right, I'll so anywhere
with you"
George Adamson, Jimmy Burns
Mourcy and Morgan heard this conver
sation, and on seeing the parties start
out they followed them. Maupin led
the way, Knight following him, and rs
they passed out OF the door Knight
shut it after him. The witnesses named
followed Immediately, and on opening
the door an instant after Maupin and
knight stepped out, saw Maupin throw
his right arm round knight and com
mence striking him with his left hand
After stabbing Knight Maupin gave
him shove back against the fence,
and started TO run around the house.
knight leaned against the fence for a
moment or two and recovered to some
exent and started in pursuit OF Maupin
After he had gone few feet he drew
his pistol and fired, walked around
even with the corner of the house and
fred a second shot, and along the side
of the house and fred a third, Al
traced by the footprints and bloodstain'
in the snow knight went as. far as tn,
fence at the back of the house, turned
and came back, and when he reached
the doorstep met Will Duckctt, TO whom
he said, "Ward, you've cut me all L
pieces!" fell. He was then carried into
the house, where he lived for abou
liftccn minutes longer,
The testimony OF the defendant him.
sell was substantially as follows; Our
ing the evening he and knight were
engaged in conversation in whicl
Knight said, "If you hadn't spoken Il
me this evening | was going to whtl
YOU" Maupin replied that he did no
believe Knight could do that Knigh
then said, II can do it, am bette
man than you are" Maupin expressed
his doubt of this sentiment, and asket
knight TO keep still, as he didn't wan
,,,, ,,n,,blo hat Gpnll, nurnoI IN ~,
with Knight, and started out Of tn,
house, in front of him. When Maupil
got out Of the door and on the grOun,
knight caught him by the collar AM
said, I'm going to kill you," but ha,
no weapon visible. Maupin then salt
"Thcre's no use OF US having any trouble
Charley, and want you TO turn M
loose" Receiving no reply he CON
mcnced cutting, and on becoming dis
engaged from Knight started to run.
The only other witness who claims Il
have seen the fight according to thi
version was Charley Carlisle Jr., but /
was shown that at the time OF the dis
turbance he was in the house and no
in position TO sec.
John Howard and Henry Cunning
ham heard knight and Will Ducket
say Sunday evening that they were 90
ing to leave Taney county and wanted
TO fix things so they couldn't com,
back any more. knight told Mar,
Burns that she had better come TO tn,
dance, as something would happen tina
would make thedance long rememb bered
This was about the substance of tn,
defense.
The jury which tried the case wa
composed of N. V. Stewart, Marshal
Hunter r, G. Cupp, L. w. Stewart
w. W. White. J. w. a. Keithley,
c. Estep, L. C. Davis, J. H Nagel, I
j. Burkhart, John Lamb and T. c
Stewart.
Instructions were given as to frs
aDd second degree murder, togethe
with the usual instructions as TO sci
defense, reasonable doubt and III
credibilitY Of witnesses.
The taking of evidence was complete,
Tuesday evening about six and the In
| structions read 10 the iI,ry. after whicl