Iowa
Old Press
Bellevue Leader
Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa
December 8, 1898
Quick Justice
A Tramp Convicted of Manslaughter in Clinton Within One Month
After the Crime.
The jury at Clinton in the case of the state against John Hudson
brought in a verdict of manslaughter. Hudson is the man who was
arrested about four weeks ago, charged with the murder of an
unknown man at Wheatland, 30 miles west of Clinton. He was one of
a gang of tramps, and they became involved in a quarrel with
three men, claiming to e returning from working in North Dakota.
One of the men was shot and within a week died. He said his name
was Pat Murphy and that he had a brother at Gallion, O., but the
officers have been unable to find any relatives. Hudson was
arrested a day or two after the affray. He refused to give his
antecedents, and it is not believed he is passing under his right
name. Three railway men testified to his identity and that they
saw him shoot Murphy. There is much satisfaction that justice has
come so quickly, the murder having occurred one month ago,
because this is the third murder committed by tramps near
Wheatland within a few months.
[Transcribed by K.W., September 2009]