Arizona republican., 1914-02-06
THE TRIAL OF
 RICHARD LAWRENCE

The country was startled from one end to the other on the thirtleth of January. 1885. at the attempted as sassination of President Andrew Jackson. This was the first attempt upon the life of an American presl- dent. and consternation filled the public mind at the thought that the tragical mode of dealing with the crowned heads of kingdoms and em- pires. had at last been tried-though fortunately with abortive results up- on the person of the popularly elect ed ruler of a free republic.
 On the afternoon of the attempt upon his life President Jackson was in the capitol in attendance on the funeral of the Hon. Warren k. Davies, of South Carolina. Richard Lawrence a painter, was seen to en- ter the hall of the house of repre- sentatives during the delivery of the funeral sermon. Before it's close Lawrence took his stand on the eastern portico near one of the col umns. The president, with the sec retary of the treasury, on retiring from the rotunda to reach his car riage at the steps of the portico ad- vanced towards the spot where Law renee stood. As he reached within two yards of Lawrence the assassin extended his arm and leveled the pistol at the presidents breast. The percussion cap exploded with a noise so great that several witnesses sup posed the pistol had fired.
 On the instant the assassin drop ped the pistol from his right hand and taking another already cooked from his left, presented and snap ped it at the president, but Secfe- tary Woodbury and Lieutenant Ged- ney at the same instant laid hold ol the man, who gave way through the crowd and was at last knocked down As soon as the act was known tC the crowd that gathered about thel wished to kill the assassin on tht spot
 | Lawrence, however, was gotter away and was carried to jail. Judg' | Cranch examined the prisoner. I'm total absence of any personal mo I tive suggested the idea that he mus i be insane. But his demeanor whel committing the act, and on beini seized as well as when examined bore not the slightest appearance O | frenzy, or Arrangement of any sort. Lawrence was a handsome youn man of about thirty-five years. Ol the day appointed for the trial tn prisoner appeared in court dresse in d gray coat, black craVat an vest and brown pantaloons. His con duct was that of a man perfectly a ease, though his eyes showed indi cation of mania. He took his sea livery quietly at the side of his coun sel, and conyersed smilingly wit
 them.
 The witnesses having been calle into court, MT. Key, the prosecutin
 attorney, commenced some observa
 tions to the bench when up jumpe Lawrence from his chair, under ev dent excitement of mind, and sat he wished to know whether it Ws correct to bring him or not. I claimed the crown of England,
 said, and also that of the Unite
 States; and he wished to kno whether they could bring him ther The prisoner continually interrup
 ed the proceedings, When his couns asked that he be removed in ord
 that the trial might proceed, Lay
 renee arose and addressed the judg
 wildly, saying: What l have dol
 to Jackson was on account of mon
 which he owes me. I went there f
 that purpose. I consider all in tf
 court as under me. The Unit
 States bank has owed me mon
 ever since 1902, and I want T
 money? It is for me, gentlemen.
 pass upon you, and not you up
 me"
 The chief witnesses for the pros
 cution were Secretary Dickerson al
 Secretary Woodbury,, while the
 fense called number of witness who swore to the peculiar actio of the prisoner in recent years. \ Redfern, his brother Jaw, told }l his peculiarities at home, and Wi ! nes Drury, who said he had knoy ] Lawrence for twenty-five years, sta ] ed that he conceived himself to } King Richard the Third of Englar fl and likewise king of this country