A Mother and Baby Slain in South Seattle — and Talk of Lynching
An outraged neighborhood whispers of mob justice for Henry Cramer, but the Post-Intelligencer insists that a circumstantial case must go to an impartial trial.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
That the murder of Mrs. Miller and her baby in South Seattle was one of the most atrocious crimes ever committed in King county goes without saying. That the murderer is now in jail in the person of Henry Cramer seems strongly probable. It is not strange, therefore, that under the circumstances there should be some talk among thoughtless people of lynching the prisoner. Such talk can usually be heard when an atrocious murder has been committed. We trust and believe, however, that in this case it will be confined to the thoughtless few.
The evidence against Cramer, strong as it is, is purely circumstantial. While his guilt is probable, his innocence is possible. Guilty or innocent, however, he is entitled to an impartial trial. He is entitled to all of his rights under the law, and, if he is punished, it must be under the law and by the law, not by the lawless act of excited men.
As has been said, the talk of lynching which has been indulged in by the outraged friends and neighbors of the murdered woman is not unnatural, but it is not the less to be condemned. It can do no good. It may do infinite harm. It is safe and just and right to leave Cramer to the law, well assured that if his guilt is clearly shown, he will meet the punishment which his crime deserves.
“Guilty or innocent, however, he is entitled to an impartial trial.”
The editorial’s insistence on due process while acknowledging lynch talk is a stark reminder of how quickly fear and outrage can turn toward mob justice. South Seattle remains a recognizable district, and the case echoes modern debates over pretrial publicity, circumstantial evidence, and whether communities trust the legal system to deliver justice.
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