The Barr Murder Case Appeals
Fresh affidavits in the murder trial of Barr challenge the character of a key witness, hinting at a potential appeal for executive clemency.
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.
Affidavits in support of Attorney Dole's motion for a new trial in the Barr murder case have been filed with the clerk of the court. The affiants are G. S. Campbell, of Monte Cristo; Andrew Purson, John G. Meliquest and P. S. Johnson, of Snohomish county. The affidavits allege that Erickson was known in Snohomish county by the name of Weatherhat; that he was a thief, and not trustworthy, and had a bad reputation. A report is current that if a new trial is denied, as it doubtless will be, Barr will not appeal to the supreme court, but will appeal to the governor for pardon.
“The affidavits allege that Erickson was known in Snohomish county by the name of Weatherhat; that he was a thief, and not trustworthy.”
This report captures the raw, often unrefined nature of 19th-century frontier justice in the Pacific Northwest, where witness credibility was frequently contested through local hearsay and reputation battles.
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