Hunt Co., TX - History: Hanging Decree Of 1904 Was Classic
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In Hunt County
Hanging Decree Of 1904 Was 'Classic'
    By Herman Scott
    Herald Banner Staff
    In recent weeks, this reporter has referred to several criminal trials,
which were held since the present courthouse was built nearly forty years ago.
Like the "Poison Murder" and the  "Skeleton Murder" and the Sleepwalk Murder"
cases and in only one of which the defendant was convicted.
    These trials attracted national attention.  Each was covered by news
reporters representing metropolitan newspapers and the three wire services at
that time--the Associated Press, United Press, and International News Service.
Thousands of words relating to each trial went out daily over telegraph and
telephone wires.  Greenville was in a limelight that wasn't complimentary.
    IN THE RECORDS
    Musty records in the office of the district clerk in Greenville tells the
stories of other famous trials--murder, rape, and even burglary.  They, run
the gamut of criminal violence and the misbehavior of society.
    Once, it took a week to try a citizen for killing a dog.  The courtroom
was packed during the trial of the civil suit pressed by the animal's owner.
    However, a criminal case in Eighth District Court in Greenville that
perhaps attracted more public attention than any other in the county's history
is on the 1904 records.  A man was found guilty of rape.  Eventually, he was
publicly hanged on the grounds of the old Hunt County jail, which occupied the
lot where the McNatt Motor Company now stands.
    Passed along to The Herald Banner is a faded copy of the death sentence,
which was read by the presiding judge of the Eighth District when the
convicted man was advised of his fate.  This decree, described as a "classic"
by lawyers who have read it, is being published for this newspaper also thinks
that it was outstanding.
    NAME DELETED
    To avoid embarrassment for anyone living today who may be related to the
principals in the case involved, the names and specific dates mentioned in the
sentence of death are deleted.  With these exceptions, the sentence was worded
as follows:
    "The Grand Jury at the present term of this court have presented two
indictments against you one of which charges you with the rape upon__, a young
girl about fourteen years old and the sister of your deceased wife.  The other
indictment charges you in this case with the terrible crime of murdering your
own wife, __, by means of poison.  Our lawmakers in their wisdom and in view
of the fact of the terrible state of depravity of one who might be guilty of
such offense have declared, after defining murder generally that all murder
committed by the means of poison shall be murder in the first degree.
    * * *
    I gave your trial in this case the most careful attention and
consideration that it was possible for me to do.  You had a jury of twelve of
the best men of this county to pass on your case and they sat patiently and
earnestly throughout the whole trial, listening to every word of testimony
given by the witnesses, the argument of the counsel, and the charge of the
court.  You were ably and most earnestly represented by your counsel who left
nothing undone that could possibly avail you the least advantage on the trial
of the case, and certainly no complaint can attach to him for the results of
the trial.
    The testimony in this case satisfied the jury beyond a reasonable doubt
that on (a 1904 date) with your malice aforethought, deliberately and
willfully, murdered your young wife by administering to her strychnine as
medicine.
    And at this point, I will say that I cannot conceive how a man could
become so heartless and cruel as to take the life of a loving and confiding
wife and that, too, just about twenty-four hours after she had borne to him
the first child and that while the innocent and helpless little creature lay
unconscious at its mother's side.  But the proof in this case establishes the
fact, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you took the life of your wife, __,
under just such circumstances, and, doubtless, with no other motive except to
satisfy your lusts.
    Man is created in the image of his maker for a noble and useful purpose,
and there is nothing on earth grander and superior to a good and noble man;
one who tries to live right and just before God and man.  But is it sad,
indeed, to see or contemplate a man, who at one time in life was guileless and
guiltless and could become a peer and example among the children of men, but
who neglects and abuses his opportunities and turns his thoughts and energies
to evil habits and lusts, and destroys his good impulses and usefulness, and
becomes a slave to vice and sin.
* * *
    In passing upon your case, the jury has found your guilty of murder in the
first degree, and finding nothing in the testimony to excuse, justify, or
extenuate the awful crime, they assess your punishment at death.
    Since your trial was concluded, I have reviewed carefully and most
seriously the whole case in detail, and have satisfied my own conscience that
you have received a fair and impartial trial, and it only remains now for me
to pronounce the sentence of the court upon you, __, which is, __, That you,
___, will be remanded to the jail of Hunt County, Texas, where you will be
securely kept in close confinement until the (1905 date), when you will be
taken by the Sheriff of Hunt County, Texas, and between the hours of 10:00 AM
and 4:00 PM, he will hand you by the neck until you are dead.  This is a sad
ending; an awful fate and I trust you will try to make peace with your God and
fellow man before the end."  (November 17, 1965, The Greenville Herald Banner)