SELECTED PASSAGES FROM VOLUME II
Editor’s Note–Part 49(l) in a continuing series. “How many inquest have you
“How many inquest have you held over dead men assassinated by a mob?”
Objected to by the defense, and the question was withdrawn and court adjourned.
The state will examine two or three witnesses this morning, and it is possible argument will begin in the case about 10 o’clock. Editor’s Note–Part 50(a) in a
Editor’s Note–Part 50(a) in a continuing series.
THE GEORGE TROWBRIDGE MURDER CASE IN THE FIFTY-THIRD DISTRICT COURT. IT IS THE HANDS OF THE JURY. The George Trowbridge murder trial was resumed in the Fifty-third District Court yesterday morning, Judge Morris presiding. Jacob Stevens was recalled by the state, and Mr. Burleson asked him: “Mr. Stevens, the other day, on the stand, you were asked a question of what happened when you served a subpoena on John Harris, were you not?” “Yes, sir.” “Well, what did happen?” “When I rode up and told Harris Mr. Turner had been killed and I had a Subpoena for him, he said he had been plowing, and his little daughter spoke up and said, ‘Why, papa, you ain’t been plowing.” “Which one was it?” “It was Lucy.” “Were either of them at the tank washing?” “No, sir.” “Were they in the yard?” “Yes, sir. They were there under a brush arbor. Mr. Harris and Mrs. Harris and her two daughters were there, and I think their baby.” Cross-examined, witness was questioned about changing his testimony from that given on a former trial. He said: “No, sir: I haven’t testified the same on this trial. I’ve told more. I was afraid to tell all I knew on the other trial. I was afraid I would be killed.” “When did that afraid leave you?” “It hasn’t left me altogether yet.” “Did Ranger Sullivan help it leave you?” “No, sir, he didn’t. I just made up my mind to tell. I believe it was right to tell and it was my duty to my country and state to tell even if I died for it, and I believe I will yet.” “You still believe you will be killed, do you?” “Yes, sir, I do, and I’m nervous this morning over a letter from my wife warning me. Sheriff White handed me, the letter this morning.” “Have you got the letter?’’ “Yes, sir.” “You acknowledge you swore to a lie on the stand at the last trial, do you?” “Well, I didn’t tell all I knowed. I was afraid to.” “You are not so much afraid of dying now as you were then?” “I’m just as much afraid now as then, but I’m going to do my duty if I die for it. I felt that it is my duty to my state to break up this gang, and I’m going to do it if I die for it and I expect I will before I get home.” Witness was asked for the letter he had received by Mr. Burleson and he produced it, but the defense objected to its being read, and the court sustained the objection. Sheriff White was put on the stand to tell what he knew about seeing and recognizing men at long distances, but he was not permitted to tell. This closed the evidence, and the court limited the arguments to four hours to each side, the defense expecting to the limitation. The state has been represented in the case by District Attorneys Burleson of Austin and Linden of San Saba County, while the defense has been ably taken care of by Judge J.H. Robertson, Hon. George Pendexter and the Walters brothers of San Saba. The address on both sides were able and intensely interesting, and it has been a long time since the district courtroom has had such a brilliant display of forensic eloquence. District Attorney Burleson closed the discussion last night and the result is now in the hands of the jury. Special attention, perhaps, should be made of the very able effort of the District Attorney. It was a clear, forcible, logical address, and he was highly complimented afterwards by some of the old legal warhorses who were present. The argument of the Attorney G.A. Walters, for the defense, was a superb effort.
To be continued in next week’s edition