The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-07-15
HAMS ACTION RECALLS
HISTORY OF EARLY DAYS

ton, while the flanagan family a
employed Attorney B. A. Lipscomb, OF
Washington, at that time one of the
leading criminal lawyers in the United
States. United States senator Voor-
hees, OF Indiana, came as a friend OF
the Hannegans, but before the trial
had progressed a day, seeing the trend
of affairs, he plunged into the fight
with all the force of his vigorous men
tally.
1t was openly charged at the time
thai improper influences were at work
on the jury. The legal quips and ex,
changes between Captain Wise and
Senator voorhees, and Mr.. Goode and
Mr.. Lipscomb were frequent daily
throughout the trial. Official Washing
ton was so interested in the trial that
h Washington newspapers had special
wires in h little court house and ex-
tras We're issued frequently through
out tho day in the capital city.
Evans Star Witness.
Captain Evans was the star witness
a. "~- ..~-..N~. - -, sAaAllna-
ton Il cross-eXamination that lasted
two days. During his examination he
admitted that he was unfriendly to
Hams n that the u~nfriendliness was
on account OF family matters and
things that had occurred in his home,
but there the questions were discon-
tinued. He described the shooting, de-
claring that he saw no demonstration
on the part Of Hannegan, Hams hav-
ing set up a plea Of self-defense, claim
ing that flanagan had attacked him
with an oar.
In substantiation Of this claim, a
negro boatman was found, who swore
that he was in his boat on shore bail
ing it out and saw Hannegan make
the move toward Hams. He did not
explain how he happened to be look
ing in that direction when he was
bailing his boat and Captain Evans
had explained that he had been watch
ing the maneuvering of the boat for
n time. was the only witness
to contradict Captain Evans and sub
stantiate Hams.
Knew Cause Was Lost.
The addresses to the jury were both
fiery and eloquent, occupying several
days in their delivery. Attorney
Lipscomb, in opening his address,
he was arguing a lost cause, that the
jury already had made up their minds,
that their minds were made up be-
fore they were sworn as jurors and
that this fact was we'll known to the
defense. The jury was out only a short
while and returned a verdict Of not
guilty.
Following the announcement Of the
jury's verdict a storm of protest arose
in Hampton and an Indignation meet
ing vas Immediately called by the
most prominent men in the town and
county. Attorney Lipscomb, Who had
been summoned from his bridal tour
to take part In the case and was
stopping at the old I1ygeia hotel with
his bride of three weeks, was sent for
and he addressed the meeting. He did
not mince words in the least and told
the people Of Elizabeth City county
what in his opinion had been perpe-
trated upon them in the guise Of law.
was driven to his hotel, where he Joined
his bride. Within a half hour Fore
man Jones, Of the Jury, appeared in
the lobby OF the hotel fully armed
and followed by a number of his per-
sonal friends, seeking the attorney,
who In his opinion had outraged him.
He found him conversing with his
wife and several other ladies and
gentlemen. Approaching, he demanded
to know what the attorney had meant
Immediately Mrs. Lipscomb disap-
peared, leaving her husband facing the
crowd. She was not gone long, how
ever.
Brides Merry Act.
Within less than two minutes she
was on the first floor Of the hotel,
muff: Walking up to Foreman Jones.
her husband and throwing away the
mutt. revealed q Colts AS in her
right q hand. Il don't know you and
never e, saw you before" she stated, and
who I am. I am Mrs. Lipscomb; 1 was
porn ana reared on a ranch in Texas,
ana 1t Is q known TACT in that country
fathers cowboys. I haven't lost any