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THE MURDER CASE.DefendantHancock Takes the Witness Stand.Ills VERSION OF THE SHOOTING.A Large Number of Witnesses Testify to Mr. Hancock’s Good Character—Other TcstinioQ}'.XI1U1WPAY AI TEKNOON.Court was called to ordtr at 2 o’clock.An order ot‘ attachment for Ik P. ilopkfns, Edward Spencer, Wm. Gieen-well, ii. V. Shiirtliir, Clias. Woodman-see, Win. and U. Swan, from the northern part of the district,was issued. They will be wauto.t by the 24th, for the Mc-Farlatie cafe.The time for the plea to be entered in the Muhlestein U. C.case wag continued [ until Saturday.Mr. Urown opened the defense bv a bricl speech to tho jury: Wo expect to show that at the time of this killing, the country was in a precaiious condition. Desperadoes abounded and it was necessary that guards should be placed aTouud the town. This Henry Jones had enlisted the aid of a number of young men .or the purpose of stealing liorseo._ One of tlieso young men became sick oi the thing ana gave the it away. Jones got wind of the fact that his confederates were being arrested. He concluded tho game was up and he tried to escape. IIo was halted by the guard but instead of halting he tired at them; the shot was returned and this is where he got his wound in the arm. He then tried to escape the other way but was pursued and captured. While he was being conducted back to Pay son fcomeone tired and killed him trom behind. We claim that George Hancock did not fire either of those shots nor make use of the remark “now slip it to him boys,” or auyjsimilai remark, and on this turns the whole ease. As far as the killing of Mrs. Wilson is concerned this jury has nothing to do. Another jury will be called for that*S. Tv, Thurman was called:—I have practiced law for twelve years; I know Prank Wilson slightly; he came to nlc oue afternoon in court here; he told me that he wanted to speak to me._ Mr. Brown:—Wliet was the conversation between you and Mr. Wilson?I did not say to him that his evidence would convict; I wanted him to stay and gave reasons.^ To Mr. Evans: I considered his testimony important but did not want him to go away.Alvin Crockett: I lived in Pavsou in 1S5S; I was there when Henry Jones was shot; I was on guard the first part of the night; it was understood that some one was going to try to steal some horses; when 1 got to the corral, some arrests were being made; I was placed on guard over some young men; I tlunk one of them was Nelson and the other I think was Mikesell or young Jones; we had a public corral on account of Indians; we kept this corral guarded.To Mr. Evans:—I donTt reinember who turned these men over to me; I don’t know whether George Hancock was there or*not; I don’t remember where I took these prisoners; after 1 turned these men over, I stayed around town awhile ;I heard shots fired; I don’t know where Hancock was that night; I went down to the cabin the next morning; 1 think I saw Mrs- Jones there; 1 forgot whether Henry Jones was there;I saw him. after he was brought in; I did not see Henry Jones on the night of tho killing; I have talked some with Geo. and Ghas. Hancock on this matter.Thomas H. Wilson was called andtestified; I live at Payson; I was there on the 24th of April, 185S; I was en-gagedin driving team; I got into town sometime in the afternoon; I batbtwo span of horses; myself and others put our horses together to be guarded; Geo. Hancock came and said that they hadcaught some horse theives and* they were goincr to hear what the boys had to say: we did not want to go, as we wanted to look out for our own horses; Charles Hancock also came and asked us to go; myself, Ifyrum Curtis and Henry Schnrnway went east to guard that part of the town; Mr. Hancock went with us: HenryJones came running along; Hancock called him to halt; he stopped and called to Hancock to come to him; Hancock did not come; I had an idea that Jones would shoot so I stepped a little to one aide; Jones fired and I heard the bullet whistle past; Mr. Hancock returned the fire; Jones reeled as though lie had slipped, but he didn’t fall; he started out towards Pond town and Hancock said—‘‘Come on!” ho then started after him ; Shumsay, myself and others followed on towards Pondtown: we met Hancock and ethers on the road coming back with Jones; when we were near to them we heard two shots fired; when we came up Jones was on the ground; lie had been shot.To Mr. Evans:—We went out to guard the Jones’ wiekup; I supposo Mr. Hancock called him to stop because ho wanted to take him prinoner; Mr. Jones tired first and M r. i lancoek soon after;it wan almost as quick as possible; when Jonesian Hancock and I both started after him; Hancock-outran me; 1 didnot understand that Mr. Hancock was after Jones to kill him; as the Test ofus was going toward Pondtownwe wero met by a mad crowd returning; two shots were fired;I don’t know how many more were fired; we wero surprised by the first two shots; I don’t know ho\v long he was in dying; I suppose I was there about twenty minutes; Jones was writhing on the ground when we came up.Rediroc*:—I don’t remember that anyone shot him after he was on the ground; I heard tho two shots; there might have been more; I don’t know; we were on guard for the purpose ofguarding eiouml Jones’ wiekup; 1don’t remember what time we got backto Payson; I think it was pretty wellalong towards day light; I should judge that tii0 shouting took place from one to three o’clock.Henry Gardner:—I examined Mr. Jones pretlt;y carefully after he laid been killed; I don’t think there was u wound over the eyebrow as was stated byFrank Wilson; there was a gash back of the head; I counted six wounds; I might baveeouiited some of them twice; Iliat is where the; bullet went in and came outLvcurgus Wilson:-—My house was located inside the fort; ray brother Frank Wilson lived in a house north of my place with my mother; 1 don’t re-recollect Frank or Mr- Keel getting Jones a drink of water* I did not hear Hancock say,“now slip it-to him, boys T was the closest on« tb him of any onein the croud;! I think I would have heard it if he had said it; my hearing was pretty good; 1 did not hear hint give anv word of command at all; I don’t believe that more than two shots were fired; I don’t think that Mr. Hancock fired into the body when Mr. Jones had fallen.A. Suxey:—lam an attorney at law;I have practiced law since 1SC7; I lived at I’avson when 1 was a boy; I was living in Payson ‘when this affair occurred: Jack Jones, John Kaxey, Mikesell and Nelson were arrested for stealingborses; Jlvnrv Jones was one of tho planers ofthe affair; I heard them planing the affair a couple of nights betore; they were in tending to take the horses and go and meet the army; I received the Impression from* I ho .conversation that Jones thought something was about to h«K pen; ha seemed to fear .that his lifewould be taken if he attempted to leave openly; my cousin was about seventeenor eighteen; Mikesell was about fourteen.To --It. Evans:—Other people were getting ready to leave at about thattime; my father was getting ready to leaye; they were arrested at the beginning of the affair; I was eighteen years of age at that time; these bovs expectedto return to the Territory with the troops.The defense presented that they bad no; mo re witnesses to put on the stand ♦SfSS®1? anxi asked for a continuanceuntil Friday morning‘at 10 o’clock.. Court adjourned until Friday morning at 10 o’clock.riUDAT 2HOEXTVG.Court convened at 9:30'o’clock tinsmormng pursuant to adjournment!A motion for a new trial was arguedby Mr. Kellogg iu the case of the-People vs. Robert Caldwell, mayhem. Motion overruled, ^he defendant was brought in and sentenced to au imprisonment in the penitentiary of three months. •The Hancock case was continued. Jsseph L. Townsend testified-—I live in Payson; I am a druggist; I am a son-in-law ot defendant; I have known defendant about sixteen years; I know Frank Wilson; ho came to meat the time Hancock was trying to secure bail and offered to leave tho eountrv if I would furnish him money with which to leave; lie said that he was offered money if he would testify and ho was offered money at the D.' ' It. G. machine shops it he would stop over and vote; I fold him X had nothing to do with the case and for him to go to the'attorneys in the case.To Mr. Evans;—Ho talked, as though lie would appear on the side that furnished the most money; I don’t know that I told the attorneys that; that was the purport of tho convention; I can't recall the .exact sentence he used; he til’st ofiered to leave if- I would furnish him money and he afterwards stated tlmt lie would testify for the side that would furnish the most money; I may have told my father-in-law that; I don’t recollect that I told Mr. King or Mr. Brown that Mr. Wilson said he would testify for the side that furnished tho most money,Mr. EvansDidn’t you say that you had told this to Mr. King and Mr. Brown V 1 don’t think I did.Sir. Evans insisted that the reporter Should refer to his notes in this matter, which he did. The statement was not fouud.W. X). Iiolers: I know' George Hancock; I believe it was in the winter of ’55 and '50 when I became acquainted with him; his general character has been good during tho past thirty or thirty-five years.To Mr. EvansI recollect that one of the Hancocks was accused of this murder: I understood that it was his brother Charles.Warren N. Dusenberry: I live inProvo; I came hero in the winter of ’Cl and ’02; I held the position of probate judge for fifteen years; I am acquainted with the jieople of Payson; my wife came from Payson: I am acquainted with George Hancock.Mr. Brown:—What is the general reputation of Mr. Hancock.Objected to by Mr. Evans on the ground that the witness did not come to the Territory until Jour year after the commission of the crime.Objection sustained and exception taken.Beny Bachman Sen.: —I am marshal here; I know Mr. Geo. Hancock; I belie vel know him well.This witness became acquainted with the defendant in IStiO and his testimony was objected to on the same ground as was tiie testimony of the previous witness. Objoction sustained and exception taken, ii T. Clark: I have lived in Payson; I know Geo. Hancock; I liave known him sixteen or seventeen years; his character is good as far’as I know.To Mr. Evans1 have heard many men say that he was one of the kill era of the J ones family; I have- heard him accused of the killing to his face.-John Wesley Keel i—I have lived in Payson; I moved therein 1351 ;T became acquainted with Geo. Hancock in 1853; bis reputation prior to April 24, 185S, was good.To Mr. Evans:—I was sixteen years old in 1353; *1 haye heard my. uncles speak of him; Sam .Keel lias told me that he was a good quiet peaceable citizen.Edward Simons:—I live at Payson;! have lived there thirty-five years; I was Born at Spanish Fork; as far has I haye known Mr. Hancock; his reputatation is good.To Mr. Evans:—I have known him fifteen or twenty years; it has been reputed that he was the murderer of the Jones.Ja*. E. Daniels:—I |bave lived in Provo about thirty-live years; I lived in Payson in 1S50;I knew Geo. Hancock between 1350 and ItsoS; his reputation was good-To Mr. Evans:—The District Court was held at Provo in 1859; I don’t remember that a term of court was ever held at Ncphi in 1S59; I used to see jl uncock occasionally in 135S and 1859.T. J. Patten:—I reside on Provo Bench; 1 have known Geo. Hancock filty veins; in the earlier part of our lives we were intimate friends; his reputation was good-To Mr. Evans:—I knew him in Clay county, Missouri, also in Caldwellcounty.Geo. Honcock:—I am tho defendant in this case; I have heard the testimonyin this case; I remember the night of the killing of llciiry Jones; I remember being out on guard with Thomas Wilson that mght; we were on the lookout for horae. thieves; I remember some one coming up. while on guard ;1 hailed him; Lcried, **~(Vhocomes there,halt,;” when I cried halt he fired. J had ray hand on my pistol and returned the fire; the two shots were like spat, spat: the man turned and ran; I started after him; I saw two men jump from the the sago brush and run after him; they were between us; I did not come up to them till they reached Pondtown; when I came up I recognized the two men 8s Geo. Patten and Price Nelson; Geo- Patten, Lvcurgus Wilson, Samuel Kell and Pice Nelson had arrested ihem; there migLt have been other parties around but none othars connected with the arrest; Jones did not want to go back; Samuel Keel and Lvcurgus 'Wilton were leading him, that is the}” were side by side; as we were going back the question was asked wliat ho was arrested for; I was telling that he was theleader of a gang oi horse thieves; wehad got on about one-hundred and fifty or two-hundred yards * I wa3 at the^ leit of Mr. Wilson;*sundenly there was a commotion and two shots were fired; I did not fire cither of those two shots; I dhl not say “Slip it to him boys,” or give any other word of command; there were only two shots fired; I did not fire a ’ shot when the man was on the ground: we were mot by two men. coming from Payson; Thomas Wilson might haye been one of them; I should judge tlu.re were about fifteen or twenty men in tbe crowd; I don’t remember seeing Frank Wilson there; this shooting dc-currud before 2 o’clock; the first shot was about 12 o’clock; someone spoke up and said it won’t do to leave him here; there was a man living'near by named Tom Keel; spoke up and said: “Wo will watch the body;” His wife spoke up and said: “yes, we will watch him, I wouldn’t go to bed after such a racket as this anyhow.” I had not chased this man Jones around town before he was halted by me while onguard j I know Daniel ltosson; I never told him that I had killed Mrs..Jones'; I never was inside of the dugout; I saw' this John Jones arrested ’the next morning at about 1) o’clock; I moved to Payson on tho 27th day of March, 1S50; I was bom in Columbia, Ohio,- on tbe 14th of March,- 1820;'*! came to Utah in 1849;. I lived at Wood’s Cross, norjh of Salt Lake; I have.lived in Payson since 1S5S.To Mr. Evans:—I never knew Henry Jones until he was identified after his death; I had heard of a familv by the
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Provo Utah Enquirer
Provo, Utah, US
Tue, Mar 25, 1890
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 22 Mar 2019
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