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go to tne pwiiit'iuitu y. x m* ctu»w «kuiiislt;l had been tried once before and resulted in a hung jury. His attorneys made a strong fight for their client, but without avail. It is claimed that McDonald had openly boasted during the day of what he would do in case he was convicted by the jury. The police officials and the deputy sheriffs were aware of these threats and were prepared for a demonstration on his part. Detective Dwyer had consulted John K Lamb about the case, and freely admitted that he feared trouble. The letter’s advice was that the officials should be prepared to close in on him should he make a move towards violence, and the fatal mistake was made of not disarming him before the jury returned its verdict. The reading of the verdict, as a matter of fact had not beep completed when McDonald drew a 38-calibre Colt’s revolver from an inside pocket and holding it in both hands, with hi3 elbows on the table in front of him, fired at the prosecuting attorney. Judge J. T. Walker, one of McDonald's attorneys, sitting beside him at the table, attempted to prevent his shooting, but was unable to do so. and his close proximity to the maddened man prevented the police from shooting at once. Walker’s right hand was severely powder burned. McDonald broke from him and made a dive under the table. He was shot just as be emerged from under the table and overpowered. He was thought to be fatally injured and was removed to St, Anthony’s hosnitnl. where his wounds were dressed. He Is in a critical condition, and it Is thought will ultimately die. He boasts of his crime, and expresses regret that he did not succeed in killing Mr, Cooper, as well as committing suicide. A strong police guard has beep kept around him since he was sent to the hospital for fear that the fierce indignation that prevails might bring violence to him.The Lesson of the Tragedy.Tt Is the first time, so far as known, that a tragedy of the kind has ever been enacted in a court room, and It is claimed that an attempt to search a man under Indictment and released on bond would have been unprecedented, The trial of the case hasPatrick! B- vvalsh, president of ffm board or mmim works; Charles It. Duffir, citv controller, and Thormnn. The funeral will no doubt be one of the largest in the history of the city.Notes of the Tragedy.Otis Tichenor, page of the Circuit court, ran hat-less to police headquarters. On the way he passed Taylor Tichenor of the clerk’s office bearing the same name, but not related to the page.Where are you going and what’s the matter?” asked Taylor Tichenor.Help,” uttered in a feeble voice was the only response.Otis Tichenor rushed into police headquarters to tell what had happened. He was too excited to give Taylor Tichenor an intelligent answer.After leaving the court room Prosecutor Cooper, several of the jurymen and spectators, who did not know how they got out. made a rush for the basement. They didn’t stop until they reached the basement and found the doors locked. James K. Allen of the township assessor’s office asked them what was the matter. Not a one responded. On finding the basement door locked they accepted Allen’s invitation to go into the assessor’s office. Allen realized from their actions that something terrible hud occurred to unnerve them. It took some time for them to realize that they were no longer being pursued and then they explained.McDonald planned his crime deliberately. During the trial his wife has been with him nearly every moment, and for a greater part of the time two children also have been there. Immediately before going to hear the verdict he placed his wife and two children on a street car. supposedly making some excuse for not taking his wife with him.William BigI was another attache of the court house that mn from the building, crying Help” at the top of bis voice. He was hatless and too excited to realize what he was doing. Biel did not stop running until he reached the front .entrance of the C. C Smith Sons’ hardware store. Safes were left unlocked in the court house and everyone onvi ej sum to is a prtivf-rnu nf»n. s jftowrt wig** he wHsrhs over 200 pounds and he s#rrps to fig all muscle.”McDonald’s bond was for $1.0*1# according to a statement made in the clerk's office y**te*din' ofm-consulting the records. Tt was signed hv M. T\•o dd's father, three brothers and two brothers -in. -law. Tim saloonkeeper has a little property, hut it is said that it will not exceed $3,000 in value, and a more accurate estimate is $2.00#.The Sand ford saloonkeeper had threatened ?!iv life of Judge Piety, his grade against him being due to issuing a search warrant under the blind tiger lav to enable officers to search his Sand ford sale in. McDonald also made an nffv' ivit that Judge Piotv was prejudiced against him fa get a trial s*-q before n special judge, the third criminal case since Judge Piety took his seat on the bench twelve years ngo to be venued from his court because of an affidavit expressing doubt about getting a fair trial before him.judge Piety was attending the state convention in Indianapolis at the time of the tragedy. Tim first news was conveyed to him by a Spectator representative in Indianapolis. He was visibly affected, tears springing to his eyes as he asked for details after the first shock of the news.Both Mayer Lyons and City Controller Duffin were moved to tears when they learned of the fate of Detective Dwyer, They had Ijhown him for years. And these two men were not alone among the friends of the dead man in not being ashamed of wet eyes as more about the tragedy became known.# * *Civic League Welfare Clubs—A meeting will be held at the .Tames Hook school, at Fourth and Mulberry streets, next Tuesday afternoon at four o’clock, to organize the first of a series of Welfare clubs, under the auspices of the Civic league. Officers of the league, who will hold a board meeting at the same place at three o’clock, will be in attendance, and parents of the pupils in that district. and all others Interested in the work are invited to be present , %
Newspaper Details
Terre Haute Saturday Spectator
Terre Haute, Indiana, US
Sat, Apr 04, 1908
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Bj C.
NA, 07 Oct 2023
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