The Washington herald., 1911-10-13
"UNWRITTEN LAW"
HIS ONLY PLEA
Amazing Story Is Told By
Daughter on Stand.

Carlnsville, Ill, Oct. I2.-The details OF
an amazing conference during which
Mrs. John w. Wash, her daughter Mrs.
Izzetta Wash Brown. and G.. C. Martin,
a boarder. sat at the breakfast table and
carefully planned the disposition that
should be made of the estate of John
w. Wash, the husband and father. once
he was murdered, were related on the
witness stand here to-day by the daugh-
ter, who, though married, is but four
teen years Of age.
Wash, a cOlorless, stoop-shouldered, be-
spectacled man of middle age, who fitted
in exactly with his occupation as store
keeper. but who seemed wholly out of
place in the court room. shot and killed
Martin, and is now on trial for his life.
Without a thought of her mothers or her
own reputation. the girl told freely of the
story. If Wash is to be acquitted under
the ''unwritten law" his only plea, it
will be his daughters sacrifice that will
save him.
About her own friendship for Martin
the girl was not questioned, but it was
made plain to the jurors that her mother
knew the truth and yet did not turn
her against the man who had estranged
her from her husband. The father. it
was shown, knew that Martin had
wronged both his daughter and his wife,
and was still willing that the man should
go in peace, and even offered TO share
his fortune in order that Martin and
Mrs. Wash might have a start in life
after she had been divorced.
Martin spurned the offer and taunted
Wash with his betrayal Then came the
tragedy. At the breakfast-table confer
epce between Martin, her mother. and
herself, youthful Mrs. Brown testified
that Martin said:
After your father is out of the way, his
business, his life insurance, and his home
will bring US about $1,000. Then, Izzetta
that will buy you a horse and an auto
mobile for the family"
Il first saw Mr. Martin at revival at
the Methodist church" said the girl Il
was with my mother and my school
teacher. The next knew of him was when
mother told me he was working in the
store for father. He came to board with
us, and would come home to dinner at II
o'clock, before the children returned from
school, and while father remained at the
store. Father finally objected, and Mar
tin then came home at noon.
while at our house Martin had two re-
volvers. He told me I must get fathers
pistol from beneath his pillow and give
1t to him in the morning. 1 slipped into
the room while father was sleeping and
took his revolver from beneath his pillow
This was on Monday, and 1t was on We'd
nesday that Martin was shot He said
he exported trouble
Martin had told me before that he
wanted me 10 get some poison to kill
father. He told me these things when
mother was present and I didn't realize
what 1t all meant. 1 liked Martin and
I knew mother liked him. Papa knew
about II, too, for I heard him quarreling
with mother about it. After my father
told Martin to leave our house he came
back while father was away from home
Mother and he had long talks
Wash was on the witness stand earlier
in the day and told Of his forbearance
when he learned Martin had turned
traitor after he had taken him into his
home. He had offered to divide his
property, but when this was not accept
ed by Martin or his wife, Martin hinted
that he would like to get wash's life
Then he orderd Martin away.
Wash declared that Martin not only
remained in Palmyra, but visited his
home against his orders, and one day
met and followed him into his store with
taunts and insults. Then he drew his
revolver and shot Martin dead.