The Newark journal. (Newark, Ark.) 1901-1959, 1908-09-11
A MURDERER'S LAST PLEA
Cutting Words of Man Sentenced to
Hang for Killing His Wife

tried in the court by a jury of twelve
good men on charge of numbering
his wife. The jury had returned a
verdict of murder in the first degree,
and, as is the custom, the prisoner was
brought before the court for the death
sentence.
He was a man in middle life ard
under the rough exterior it could be
seen that he was, or had been, man
of good sense.
The court had just propounded the
usual question::
prisoner at 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
court room, and every person waited
in almost breathless expectation for
the Judge to pronunce the death SEN
tence. Not a whisper was heard any
where and tie situation was painfully
oppressive, when the prisoner was seen
to move. His head was raised, his
hands were clinched and the blood had
rushed into his pale, eareworn face.
His teeth were firmly set, and into his
haggard eyes came a fash of light.
Suddenly he rose to his feet and in
low, firm, but distinct voice, said:
II have. Your honor, you have
asked me a question, and now | ask as
the last favor on earth, that you will
not interrupt my answer until | am
through.
II stand before this bar convicted
of the wilful murder of my wife. Truth
full witnesses have testified to the fact
that | was loafer, drunkard, and
a.wretch; that I returned home from
one of my long -debauches and fired
the fatal shot that killed the wife had
sworn to love, cherish and protect.
While | have no remembrance of com
v7nitting the fearful, cowartly and in
humane deed. | have no right to COM
plain or condemn the twelve good men
who have acted as jury in this case,
for their verdict is in accordance with
the evidence.
"But, may it please the court,
wish to show that am not alone re-
sponsible for the murder of my wife. -
This startling statement created q
profound sensation. The Judge lean
ed over the desk, the lawyers wheeled
around and faced the prisoner the
jurors looked at each other in amaze
ment, while the spectators could hard
ly suppress their intense excitement.
The prisoner paused a few seconds
and then continued in the same firm
voice:
II repeat, your honor, that am not
the only one guilty of the murder of
my wife. The Judge on his bench the
jury in this box, the lawyers within
this bar and most of the witnesses are
guilty before Almighty God and will
have to appear before His judgment
throne, where we shall be righteously
judged.
eff twenty men conspired together for
the murder of one person, the law
power of this land will arrest the twen-
ty, and each will be tried, convicted
and executed for whole murder and
not for one-twentieth of the crime.
81 have been Il drunkard by law. If
it had not been for the legalized sa-
looms of my town | never would have
become drunkard, and [ would not
be here now, ready to be hurled into
eternity. Had it not been for the hu-
man traps set out by the consent of
the people | would have been an in
drustrious workman. tender father
home is destroyed, my wife murdered
and my little children-God bless and
care for them-cast out on the mercy
of cold and cruel world, while | am
to be murdered by the strong arm OF
the State in which | live.
ssGod 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 once your town was
a sober town. For one year | was a
sober man. For one year my wife and
children were supremely happy and oul
little home was perfect paradise.
81 was one of those who signed re-
monstrances against reopening the sa'
looms in our town. The names of hal
this jury can be found today on the