The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-12-16
MEWH0USE MAKES
DRAMATIC PLEA
Continued from PAGE

every justification for what he did. Step
by step as the recollection came TO him
became so strong that he could not re-
sist il.
He was a poor ignorant man, but
he had the same feelings and passions
that we all have. l can see him suf-
fering, and 1 would feel, you all would
feel the same.
IF he should be so fortunate as to be
free and enjoy with US the glad Christ
mas, will give him position and re-
lieye the state forever from the burden
of his maintenance. / believe him a good
man and honest. He was Ignorant of the
English language and we all know that
not give the same IDENTICAL version twice.
] think some allowance should be made
for this.
"As Men, Not Judges Only"
IT believe that he had every justifica-
ton for doing what he did. My God,
gentlemen. / would have done the same
thing. While expressing my most pro-
found respect for YOU, honorable judges,
ask that you do not sit as judges only,
man impulses and feelings"
Botha's story in full before the pardon
board was as follows:
81 was married in Leadville in 1900.
Previously 1 had taken up land In Mont
rose county, Colorado. and then after my
marriage 1 went to LaSal. Utah, to make
my home. 1 lived in my new home for
fourteen months before my troubles be-
gan.
Meeting With Tibbits.
'Then I met Williams Tibbits, a rich
cattle owner. short time before Christ
mas, 1901. He seemed to know all about
me. He said, Charlie, you have just
taken q wife, l told him had. He in
vited me to go to his house and spend
Christmas and take my wife with me. He
was all alone. He had separated from his
wife He said he would get his wife to
go, too. We went there on Christmas,
but his wife was not there.
II had contracted to do some work in
a mine close by. I had to go back to the
mine. and told Tibbits. He asked me to
stay with him all winter. l went to Para
week. My wife was at home. ] had pre-
viously told Tibbits that she stayed at
home. l quit my job unexpectedly be
cause there was not sufficient shelter
for me to sleep in, and went home When
/ got home everything was all right. My
wife told me she had seen two mountain
lions near the house and she was fright
ened. and 1 took my gun and went out for
them.
Urges Her to Drink.
when I came back I heard some one
'holler' in the cabin. I thought there
might be some of the children from the
nearest cabin there, and they were play
ing with my wife. I went into an irri-
cation ditch and sneaked toward the
house. 1 heard my wife cry out: i won't
l WON'T Leave me alonep
'T stepped into the door, and there was
Tibbits. He had his arm on her Shout
der and a bottle of whisky in his hand
He was asking her to take drink. He
seemed to be under the influence of IL
quor. I asked Tfbbits what he was do
ing. There was no harm he said, I
was just giving your wife a drink
Il overlooked the matter. as Tibbits was
L
my house. He went home, but returned
few days later. He came to my house
and said he had a business proposition
to attend to in Moab, and wanted me to
go to his house and tend to his place.
When We got there. TibbitS instructed me
as to the work. He was gone a week,
and when he came back was badly intoxi-
Gated. He said he was sick and wanted
me to stay longer, and he would pay me
what the work was worth i agreed.
cone morning / came into the house I'M
eXpectedly. Tibbits had q big bottle of
whisky and glass He wanted my wife
to drink. Here, Tibbits, / said, this
won't do: this is not right. She never
used liquor and 1 do not want you to
approach her with it, He said he'd new
er do it again. The same afternoon l
came in from work My wife was sit
ting in front of the fireplace. Tibbits
new shoes on her feet / asked what IL
meant, and Tibbits said he had bought
her the shoes.
Suspicious Are Aroused.
1.-THE next day he said he wanted me to
cut fence posts. He took me to the tim
Der. from three to five miles from the
house. / cut fence posts for five days,
and came home late at night. 1 thought
everything was ali right for my wife had
my utmost confidence.
81 came in Unexpectedly from the barn
and went into the Kitchen called lib
bits and there was no answer. Tibbits
came out of one of the bedrooms. Ny
wife was in one of the bedrooms making
the beds The same thing happened the
next day. ] walked in toward the sit
ting room, Tibbits again came out of one
of the bed rooms. That was the first
time it did not seem right to me. I
thought I would watch things and keep
my eyes clear.
Later 1 went around the house.
sneaked around the house to see, l
pushed the door open"
Botha's voice broke. He became ex-
cited and trembled from head to foot. 1t
was several minutes before he recovered
sufficiently to continue the narration of
his wrongs
II demanded an explanation. Tibbits
would not explain Ny wife would not
look at me. 1 called Tibbits out. He was
trembling so he hardly could talk. What
does this mean, Tibbits? 1 asked him.
He trembled and then he said that my
wife was sick and that he was comfort
ing her. I told him that was my business.
/ told him that if ever / saw such a
thing again there would be trouble
demanded my time and he did not have
the money, but l moved and took my wife
home
Tibbits Had Influence.
Then we had trouble. The next day
demanded an understanding. l demand
ed that she be true to me as my wife for
had been true to her as her husband.
If she could not, / told her We must part.
She said Tibbits did no wrong. 1t was
hard to convince me that he had done a
wrong to me and my wife. l was not
sure a wrong had been done
Then my wife bundled up her clothes
and left. / loved my wife as do now
| loved her as much as ever. L tried TO
coax her back. She said she was going
to the valley to some friends. / went
back to my home alone. / was there but
a little time when Tibibts came up.
was on the verge of killing him then /
was mad because my wife had left me
through him. Tibbits almost convinced
me that [ was wrong. He had great in
fluence over me, and he could make
friends with any one.
Botha Relents.
my wife went to Bedrock. 1ibbits
followed her. l sat on a high bluff and
saw him take the road to Bedrock /
foxx Than Il ~