On Trial for Murder
by Larry Derry December 1961
term paper prsented to Dr. Frank Haines in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course History of the Pacific Northwest
the murder of Lewis McDaniel, study of the murder and events leading to punishment of person accused of the crime
The Murder. The Case in Court. The Penalty
Murder occurred November 20, 1884, Ashland, Oregon, Lewis McDaniel shot; Clarence Lane heard shot and didn't realize nature of gunshot sound, Anson W. Jacobs heard gasping sound and discovered dying McDaniel. shooting NOT for robbery, but Lewis O'Neil was secretly engaging in intimate affair with wife of Lewis McDaniel. Justice Eubanks investigated the crime. Jury: H.C. Hill, Charles Wolters, T. Noonan, Heaton Fox, G.F. Myer and J.S. Eubanks, Jr. Dr. Parson and Doctor Songer performed post mortem exam. Wesley Kahler and James Neil were councils for the defense.
Trial opened February 27, 1885 with people thinking O'Neil guilty, O'Neil declared himself innocent, Judge Webster set execution of O'Neil for May 21, 1885 in courtyard adjacent the jail and court house (presently Jacksonville Museum.) O'Neil tried to raise money for an appeal. John Crimmons and Levi Grigsby also in jail, said O'Neil confessed his guilt to them and implicated Mrs. McDaniel as complicit to the murder.J.J. Fryer, her brother-inlaw, arrested for suppressing evidence, attempting to bribe possible witnesses, but there was lack of evidence of this. trying for appeal, etc. moved date up. Mrs. McDaniel tried November 16th with jury of GW Howard, JW Plymire, Rufus Cox, Mr. Turpin of Little Butte, Ralph Dean, Frank Parker, BF Miller, Tom Miller JT Layton and TJ Keaton. Mrs. McDaniel acquitted for lack of true evidence. O'Neil, informed of decision to keep ruling as stood, said "He hoped that the persons who had sworn his life away would get their reward in hell." O'Neil tried to appeal, went on hunger strike, but Judge Webster January 26 1886 sentenced O'Neil again with execution set for March 12, 1886. Visited by Father Blanchet and O'Neil took confession. Sheriff Jacobs issued around 200 tickets to be present. Father Blanchet handed O'Neil the crucifix which he kissed., followed by short prayer with O'Neil repeating priest's words. execution ensued.
Sheriff William Jacobs pulled the cord springing the trap for Lewis O'Neil's execution (scaffold build for this and used for 4 more men's executions)