The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-08-25
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
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Prisoner at the bar" said the
Judge, have you anything to say
why sentence of death shall not be
passed upon you?"
A solemn hush fell over the crowd
ed courtroom, and every person wait
ed in almost breathless expectation
for the answer to that question
The judge waited in dignified
silence.
Not a whisper was heard any
where and the situation had become
painfully oppressive, when the pris-
oner was seen to move; his head was
raised, his hand was clinched, and
the blood rushed to his pale, care
worn face
Suddenly he rose to his feet, and in
a low, firm, but distinct voice said:
Il have, Your Honor, you have
asked me a question and | now ask
as last favor on earth, that you will
not interrupt my answer until | am
through.
Il stand here before this bar, con-
victed of the wilful murder of my
wife Truthful witnesses have testi-
fled to the fact that | am a loafer,
| a drunkard and a wretch; that
returned from one of my long de-
| bauches, and fired the fatal shot
which killed the wife | had sworn to
! love, cherish and protect While
| have no remembrance of committing
the fearful deed, | have no right to
complain or to condemn the verdict
of the twelve men who have acted as
| jury in this case, for their verdict
| is in accordance with the evidence
which | myself have heard.
! But may it please the court, | wish
to show that l am not alone respon-
sible for the murder of my wife"
This startling statement created
tremendous sensation. The judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced the pris.
oner, the jurors looked at each other
in amazement. The prisoner paused
a few seconds, and then continued
in the same firm, distinct voice:
Il 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 with
in 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 be
fore his judgment throne, where we
shall all be righteously judged for all
our thoughts, words and deeds.
IF there had not been saloons in
my town, | never would have become
a druukard, my wife would not have
been murdered. | would not be here
now, ready TO be hurled into eternity.
| Had il not been for these temptations
and human traps, | would have been
sober man, an industrious work
man. a tender father, and a loving
husband But today my home is de
! sIruyed, my wife murdered, my little
I children God bless and care for
them east upon the mercy of the
world while / am to he hung by the
strong arm of the state.
God knows ] tried to reform and
prayed So often for strength to with
stand fhp licensed temptations. hut
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