The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-07-26
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABcJT
THE VICE or iNTeMPE RANCE.


Judge interrog gated Him.
prisoner Mt the bar, have you any
thing to say why sentence of death
should not be passed upon your"
A solemn hush fell over the crowded
courtroom. and every person waited in
almost breathless expectation for the
answer to the judges question.
The Judge waited IN dlgnified silence
Not whisper was heard anywhere
and the situation had become pain
fully oppressive. when the prisoner
was seen TO move his head was raised,
his hand was cllnchcd aud the blood
had rushed into his pale. careworn
face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet and in
low, firm but distinct voice, said:
II have! Your Honor. you have
asked me question. and | now ask.
as the last favor "a earth. that your
will not interrupt my answer until
am through.
81 stand here before this bar convict
ed of the wilful murder of my wife.
Truthful witnesses have testified TO
the fact that | was loafer, drunk
ard and wretch; that returned from
one OF my prolonged debauches and
fired the fatal shot that killed the wife
| had sworn to love, cherish and pro-
tect. While | have no remembrance
Of committing the fearful deed. have
no right to complain or to condemn the
verdict of the twelve good men who
have acted as jury In the case, for
their verdict Is in accordance with the
evidence.
But may it please the court. wish
to show that am not alone responsible
for the murder of my Wife,
This startling statement created a
tremendous sensation. The Judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced the prisoner,
the jurors looked at each other in
amazement. 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 within
this bar, and most OF the witnesses,
including the pastor of the old church,
are also guilty before Almighty God.
and will have to stand with me before
His judgment throne, where we shall
all be righteously judged.
"If 1t had not been for the saloons in
my town, | never would have become
n drunkard: my wife would never have
been murdered; | would not now be
here, ready to be hurled into eternity.
HAD 1t not been for these human
traps | 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
murdered, my little children-God bless
and care for them-cast out on the
mercy of the world, while am to be
hanged by the strong arm of the
State.
"God knows / tried to reform, but
as long as the open saloon was in my
| pathway, my weak, diseased will power
was no match against the fearful, con-
suming, agonizing appetite for liquor.
For one year our town was without
a saloon. For one year | was sober
man. For one year my wife and chill
dren were happy, and our little home
was a paradise.
Il was one of those who signed re-
monstrances against reopening the sa-
looms of our town. One-half of this
jury the prosecuting attorney on this
case, and the judge who sits on this
bench, all voted for the saloons. BY
their votes and influence saloons were
ceopened, and they have made me what
| am"
The impassioned words of the pris-
oner fell like Goals of fire upon the
hearts of those present, and many of
the spectators and some of the lawyers
were moved to tears The Judge made
] 20 cfn fiip gnanala
when the speaker hastily said:
mo! No! your honor, do not close
my lips; l am nearly through.
Il began my downward career at a
saloon bar-legallzed ana protected by
the voters of this town. After the sa'
looms you allowed have made me a
drunkard and a murderer, am taken
before another bar-the bar of justice
and now the law power will conduct
me to the place of execution, and
hasten my soul into eternity. | shall
appear before another bar-the judg-
ment bar of God-and there YOU, who
have legalized the traffic, will have tC
appear with me. Think you that the
Great Judge will hold me-the poor
weak, helpless victim of your traffic
alone responsible for the murder of my
wife? Nay, |, in my drunken, frenzied
irresponsible condition have murdered
one, but you have deliberately votet
for the saloons which have murdered
thousands, and they are in full opera
tlon to-day with your consent.
you legallzed the saloons that made
me a drunkard and a murderer, an'
you are guilty with ne before God anC
man for the murder of my wife.
Your honor, l am now done. | an
am now ready to receive my sentence
aud be led forth to the place of eXecu
ton. You will close by asking TIA
Lord to have mercy on my soul. | vii
close by solemnly asking God to opel
your blind eyes to your own indivldua
responsibility, so that YOU will ceas
to give your support TO this dreadful
traffic. .'-Anonymo
sue the Mayor.
The temperance workers of Akron
Ohio haVa cupI tho mnNOr of the city