Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1907-04-24

coeflsh ana project. While L have no
remembrance OF committing the fearful
deed, | have no right 10 complain or to
condems the verdict OF the twelve good
men who have acted a. jar, ia the case.
for their verde; is it accordance with tie
evidence.
But may ii please tic court, wish TO
show that l am not alone responsible
for the murder of my wife,"
This siar;lia statement created - ire
mendsus sensation. The Judge leaned
over the desk. the lawyers wheeled
around and faced she prisoner. the jurors
looked at each other in amalement, while
the spectators could hardly suppress their
intense excitement. The prisoner paused
a few seconds, and then continued in the
same firm, distinct voice.
Il 'vl cat your honor. iuat am not
the only one cuiliv o. The murder of
M vile. The Judge ca this bench,
the j1rl in The box, the lawyers within
this bar. and most of the witnesses. in.
Guiding the pastor of the old church are
also gully before Almighty God. aud
will have To stand with NE h.f re- Ills
judgment Throne, wherc We shall al! be
righteOusly judged.
If il bad not been for the saloons OF
my town, never would have become a
drunkard; my wife would not have been
murd, led; would not be here now. ready
TO he hurled int eternity Had il not
been for these human traps would have
been a - Der man. an INDUSTRIOUS work
man. u tender father aud a loving hus
band. Bun today my home is DESTROYED.
my wife murdered, my little children
God bless them-cast out on the mercy
ofthe world, while am To be hung b,
the strong arm of the Stale
God knows, tried 10 reform. but a.
long as the open saloon WAS in my rath.
way, my weak, diseased will-power was
no match against the fearful. consumin.,
agonizing appetite for liquor.
For one year our town was without "a
saloon. For one year was a sober man
For one year my wife and children were
happy, and our little home was aparadise
IL was one of those who signed remon
strances against re-opening the saloons
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 saloon By their votes
and influence saloons were re-opened
and they have made me what | am"
The impassioned words of the prisoner
fell like Goals of fire upon the hearts OF
those present, and many of the spectators
AMI some of tie lawyers were moved TO
tears. The Judge made a motion as if
TO stop further speech, when the speaker
hastily said:
No! No! your honor, do not close my
lips; am nearly through
Il began my downward career a, n
saloon bar-legalized and protected bv
the voters Ofthistown. Afterthe saloons
you allowed have made me drunkard
and murderer, am taken before
another bar the bar Of Justice. and
now the Law power will conduct me 10
the place OF execution and hasten nv
soul into eternity. | shall appear before
another bar-,he judgment bar of God
and there you, who have egalized the
the traffic, will have TO appear with me.
Think you that the Great Judge will hold
me-the poor weak, helpless victim of
your traflio- alone responsible for the
murder of my wife, Nay. in nv
drunken, frenzied, irresponsible condi.
tlon have murdered one-but you have
deliberately voted for the saloons which
have murdered thousands, and they are
are in full operation today with your
consent.
"All of you know in your hearts that
these words of mine are not the rawlings
of an unsound mind, but God Almighty's
truth.
You legalized the saloons that made
me drunkard and a murderer, and YOU
are guilty with me before God and man
Tor the murder of my wife.
"l our honor, l am done. | am now
ready TO receive my sentence and be led
forth the place of execution. You will
close by asking the Lord to have on my
soul. | will close by solemnly asking
God TO open your blind eyes to your own
individual responsibility, so that YOU
will cease to give your support 10 this
dreadful traffic"