The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 373

Diamond's Account of the Great Hanging

on the part of those selected by the Court to discharge their
important duties, in obedience to its orders.
The Court, being organized, proceeded at once to the inves-
tigation of the cases reported ready for trial.
[TRIAL OF HENRY CHILDS]
The first prisoner brought before the Court was Dr. Henry
Childs to whom reference has already been made.
THE PEOPLE CONSPIRACY AND
AGAINST INSURRECTION
HENRY CHILDS
THE PRESIDENT-Dr. Henry Childs, you have been brought before
this Court organized by the people of Cooke County charged with the
crimes of conspiracy and insurrection; Have you any, or do you de-
sire any counsel?
THE PRISONER-I have no counsel and deny that this court has juris-
diction in the case.
THE PRESIDENT. This Court is sustained in its jurisdiction by the
unanimous voice of the people-are you ready for trial.
THE PRISONER-Probably as ready now as I shall ever be.
PRESIDENT-Listen to the reading of the charge-:
THE STATE OF TEXAS IN CITIZENS COURT
COUNTY OF COOKE I OCT. 1ST 1862
In the name and by the authority of the people of the County of
Cook [sic] and State of Texas, the citizens Court, duly selected, organ-
ized and sworn to examine and inquire into all crimes and offenses
committed in said county and state aforesaid, on their oaths present;
That on or about the 1st of September 1862 as well as long before
and after that time, one Henry Childs, he then being a citizen of the
county and state aforesaid, did commit the crime of treason in this
that he did combine with other evil disposed persons, well knowing
the design and intent of such combination, and did engage in and
incite open and hostile opposition to the Civil Authorities of the
said State and county, and attempted and advised resistance to the
execution of the laws thereof. And that on the day and year afore-
said in the State and County aforesaid and before and after that time
the said Henry Childs did commit the crime of conspiracy; in this that
he did combine with other evil disposed persons, well knowing the
design and intent of such combination, and did engage in and incite
others to engage in and attempt to carry out the object of a certain
order or organization, counselling [sic] and advising the killing of

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