The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-21

There was only the slightest
apology as he stood before the Judge.
81 want to say one thing, judge"
he said, "if it wasn't for moonshine
and cards l wouldn't be before you
right now"
Mother Breaks Down.
1t was not until after sentence
had been pronounced and there was
a brief delay while the commitment
was being made out that Mrs. Jes-
son, the mother broke. First she had
sat on spectators bench, and then
moved to chair at the attorneys
table. There she swayed back and
forth under a nervous tension. When
sentence had been pronounced she
broke down and wept.
Standing in. the court room she
made her declaration.
"I'll fight moonshine all my life." she
said. ;"I'll Join the w. C. T. U. ana
I'll run down every one can. My
boy wouldn't be here il it wasn't for
that"
She shook hands with the judge,
talked with the officers, and showed
she bore them no emnity.
lesson had confessed to the mur-
der of Sundbakken in Washburn. He
was brought to Bismarck to appear
before Judge Jansonius late yester-
day. His confession, In which he
told how he first struck Sundbakken,
his friend, with his fist and then
crushed his head with an ak because
he declared Sundbakken was using
marked cards in poker game, was
placed before Judge Jansonius and
other records brought.
In one automobile came Deputy
Sheriff J. T. Wiese, States Attorney
George Gibson, Clerk Of Court Jacob
Schlichenmayer and two younger
brothers of the murderer. Later came
the father and mother, the accused
and Chief of Police Martineson Of
Bismarck. John F. Sullivan Of Man
dan was called to the court house.
lesson was lattired In the same
khaki work CLOTHES he wore when he
killed Sundbakken. He is a short
man, about feet 6 inches in height,
and weighs not more than 40 to las
p0undssi His blonde hair was brush
ed pompadour. He appeared q pleas
ant young man Of intelligence ano
breeding. There was no trace of
bravado in bis attitude.
Doesn't Want Lawyer.
lesson leaned comfortably. on the
edge of the clerks desk as he ap-
reared before Judge Janson is. The
Judge gave him the confession and
asked him if he had signed it. Jes-
son said he had.
"Do you have an attorney?" the
court asked.
"No, don't want any," he replied.
It was moment later that he told
the court if it wasn't for moonshine
and cards he wouldn't be there. Or
ficers said he had previously told
them he had some moonshine but
that he knew everything he said.
Chief Martineson also said that they
found the deck of cards lesson said
was marked, and they were marked
cards. Sundbakken had won but six
or seven dollars, the chief said.
Judge Jansonius assured the ac-
cused that he didn't need to answer
any questions, asked him if he under
stood what he was doing and again
II he did not want . lawyer.
"No, it wouldn't do any good" he
replied.
"Do you desire to plead guilty 3'''
the Judge asked.
"Uh, I want to plead guilty." Jes-
son replied.
Thanks Officers.
The Judge emphasized again that
he was pleading guilty to hrst de-
gree murder. lesson then demurred
. bit and after few moments again
said he would plead guilty.
"ls there anything else. you want
to say" the court asked.
"Weli. I'd like, to say that Sheriff
Maxwell and States Attorney Glib
son treated me fine all the time and
30 did Chief Martineson. And I
don't think any other man would
have got the truth out Of me but
iCAief Martineson. Judge, I'd like
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