Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1915 — LAWSON BLAMES MURDER TO BOOZE [ARTICLE]

LAWSON BLAMES MURDER TO BOOZE

Youth Who Killed Delphi Nightwatch Makes Statement —On Trial For First. Degree Murder. Charles Lawson, who has confessed that he killed night marshal Gus JScallon at Delphi, was brought from Logansport to Delphi Wednesday. On Wednesday morning in the circuit court of Carroll county Lawson was arraigned to answer a charge of first degree murder, preferred by the Carroll ounty grand jury shortly after the homicide". When seen by a newspaper man in the Cass county jail shortly before the start for Delphi, Lawson seemed very much composed and said he would ‘be glad when the case was settled. He was asked if he intended to plead guilty when arraigned, and i replied, “No, I would be foolish to plead guilty to firslt or second degree murder. I may have a chance if the lawyers take an interest in me. 1 did not intend to kail the night watchman and it was not Charlie Lawson who fired the shot. It was booze.

“I have no one to blame but myself, though. I was a good fellow with the boys. I had loafed around with the gang all evening playing pool and drinking and finally some one suggested that we go to Delphi. “Before we started, one of the gang who knew I had that gun insisted that I take it along. I told him that I did not have it with me, and he said he would go with me to get it. We went down home and got the gun, and came back to where the gang was. We then fought a quart of whiskey.” In the conversation he said he intended to ask for a change of venue. The court has appointed Charles B. Pollard to defend him, but Lawson said he had not yet had an interview with his attorney. Although there is still much feeling against Lawson at Delphi it is not believed that there will be any resort to lawlessness while he is in the custody of the Carroll county authorities. The law firm of Hanna and Hall and W. C. Smith will assist Howard ¥. Brockway, prosecuting attorney, in looking after the state’s interests.