The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-05-03
Charged With
Murder

a solemn huSn Tell over the
crowded court room, and every
person waited in almost breath
less expectation for the answer to
the judges question.
The judge waited with digni-
fled silence.
Not whisper was heard any
where, and the situation had be-
come painfully oppressive, when
the prisoner was seen to move,
his head raised, his hand clenched,
and the blood rushed into his dull,
careworn face.
Suddenly he arose to his feet,
and in low, but distinct voice,
said:
81 have. Your honor, you have
asked me a question, and now |
ask, as the last favor on earth,
that you will not interrupt my an
swer until | am through.
81 stand here, before this bar,
convicted of the wilful murder of
my wife. Truthful witness have
testified to the fact that | was a
loafer, a drunkard, 4 wretch, that
| returned from one of my pro-
longed debauches and fired the
fatal shot that killed the wife that
| had sworn to love, cherish and
protect.
while have no remembrance of
committing the fatal deed, | have
no right to condemn the verdict Of
the y good men who have acted
as jury in this case, for the YER
dict is in accordance with the evl-
dence.
"But may it please the court, ]
wish to show that ! am not alone
responsible for the murder of my
wife"
The startling statement created
a tremendous sensation. The Judge
leaned over the desk, the lawyers
wheeled around and faced The
prisoner, while the spectators
could hardly suppress their in
tense excitement.
The prisoner paused few see
onds and then continued. in the
same firm, distinct voice:
81 repeat, your honor, that | am
not the only one guilty of the
murder Of my wife.
"The Judge on the bench, the
Jury in the box, the lawyers with
in the bar. and most of the Wit
nesses, including the pastor of the
old church, are also guilty before
Almighty God, and will have to
stand with me before his Judg-
ment Throne. where we shall be
rightcously judged.
"If it had not been for the sa.
looms of my town, | never would
have become drunkard, my wife
would not have been murdered, /
would not be here now, ready 10
be hurled into eternity! Had 1t
not been for the inhuman traps, !
would have been sober man ana
an industrious workman, 4 tender
father and loving husband. But
today my home is destroyed ny
wife murdered, my little children
God bless and care for them
cast out upon the mercy OF the
world whilst / am to be hung
by the strong arm of the state.
"God knows / tried to reform
but as long as the open saloon was
in my pathway, my weak, diSea :
ed. will-power was no match
against the fearful, consuming,
agohizing appetite for liquor. For
one year our town was without a
saloon. For one year my VIE
and children were happy and our
little home was a paradise.
81 was one of those who signed
remonstrances against the re-
opening of the saloons OF our
towns. One-half Of this jury, the
prosecuting attorney on this case,
and the Judge who sits on this
bench, all voted for the saloons
Bv their votes and influence the
saloons were reopened, and they
made me what ] am"
The imprisoned words Of the
prisoner fell like Goals of fire up
on the hearts of those present,
and many Of the spectators ana
some of the lawyers were moved
to FEARS. o.,
The Judge made a motion as II
to stop further speech, when the
prisoner hastily said:
honor
close my lips. / am nearly through
81 began my downward career
at saloon bar - legalized and
protected by the voters of this
town. After the saloons you al,
lowed have made me drunkard
and a murderer, | am taken be-
fore another Bar-the Bar of Jus,
tice. and now the Law Power will
conduct me to the place of eXecu'
ton, and hasten my soul to etern-
| ity. | shall appear before another
Bar-the Judgment Bar of Cod
and there you, who have legaliz-
ed the traffic will have to appear
with me! Think you that the
Great Judge will hold me, the
poor. weak, helpless victim OF
YOUR traffic, alone responsible 1or
the murder of my wife?
"Nay! :,,o
"In my drunken, frenzied, IRE
sponsible condition | have muir
dered one, but you have delloer'
ately voted for the saloons which
have murdered thousands. aho
they are in full operation today
with your consent. $500,
Gail of you know in your hearts
that these words of mine are MOI
the rawlings of an unsound mino'
but God Almighty's truth.
"You legalized the saloons ano
made me a drunkard and a MUIR
derer, and you are guilty with me
Era 'rnJ for rho murder of nv