The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1907-05-22
The Lexington Dispatch.


CHARGED WITH MURDER.
Man Condemned to Die for the MUIR
der Of His Wife Declares that Judge
and part Of Jury are Likewise Re-
sponsibIe for His Terrible Deed
They voted for Saloons, which soon
caused Him to be a Drunkard and
a Murderer.
prisoner at the bar, have you any
thing to say why sentence of death
shall not be passed upon you"
A solemn hush fell over the crowd
ed court room, and every person wait
ed in almost breathless expectation
for the answer to the Judges question.
The Judge waited in dignifed silence.
Not a 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 clinched, and the blood
had rushed into his pale, care-worn
face. Suddenly he arose to his feet,
and in a low, firm, but distinct voice,
said:
ST have! Your honor, you have
asked me a question, and I nov ask,
as the last favor ON earth, that you
viii not interrupt my answer until I
am through.
tsI stand here before this bar, con-
victed of the wilful murder of my wife.
Truthful Witnesses have testified to
the fact that I was a loafer, a drunk
ard, and a wretch; that I returned
from one of my prolonged debauches
and fred the fatal shot that killed the
wife I had sworn to love, cherish and
protect. While I have no remem-
brance of committing the fearful deed,
I have no right to complain or to con-
denim 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, I wish
to show that I am not alone respon-
sible 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 pris-
oner, the jurors looked at each other
in amazement, while the spectators
could hardly suppress their intense
excitement. The prisoner paused a
few seconds, and then continued in
the same firm, distinct voice.
tI repeat, your honor, that I am
not the only n 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,
r also guilty before Almighty God.
and will have to stand with me before
His Judgment throne, where we shall
all be ~righteously judged.
eff it had not been for the saloons
of my town, I never would have be-
came q drunkard; my wife would not
have been murdered; I would not be
here now, ready to be hurled into
eternity. Had it not been for these
human traps, I would have been a
Sober man, an industrious workman,
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 lam
to be hung by the strong arm of the
State.
"God knows, I tried to reform, but
aslong, as long as the open saloon was
in my pathway, my weak, diseased
will-power was no match against the
fearful, consuming, agonizing appe-
tite for liquor.
"For one year our town was with
out a saloon. For one year I was a
sober man. For one year my wife
and children were happy, and our lit
tie home was a paradise.
"I was one of those who signed re-
monstrances against r%e-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 saloons. BY
their votes and influence saloons were
re-opened, and they have made me