A large meeting of citizens assembled near the Criterion Hall, at ten o'clock this A. M., in response to the published call, to take steps for the trial of Patrick Waters, for the murder of Thos. R. Freeman. A temporary organization was effected, by calling Col Person to the chair, and appointing Mr. Hart secretary. The object of the meeting being stated, a motion was made and carried to organize a People's Court. On motion, Col. Person was chosen presiding Judge, and Gen. Marshall and Mr. Hart associates. E. W. Wynkoop was chosen Marshal, and Mr. Baker secretary. The Marshal was instructed to summon twenty-four jurors, from which number the prosecution and defence were each to be allowed to strike off six alternatively, and the remaining twelve were then to hear and decide the case. The Court then adjourned till two o'clock, P. M., when the trial will begin.
    We shall doubtless be able to give the result in to-morrow's issue, and until then shall indulge in no comments.

    [Owing to the recent damage to the building of J. B. Doyle and Co., the Lodge room of the Masonic order, is at present untenable, in consequence of which it has been necessary to hold informal meetings in an unusual place.]
    EDITORS NEWS:--A number of A. F. & A. Masons assembled in this city, on the 16th December, 1860, when Col. McIntyre was elected President, and Charles Mundee Secretary.
    The President stated briefly the object of the meeting, agreeably to which the following Preamble and Resolutions were offered:
    WHEREAS, It was reported that Mr. Freeman, a member of our fraternity, has been murdered some thirty miles from this place, and his body thrown in the river, buried or otherwise disposed of, and,
    WHEREAS, A man by the name of Patrick Waters has been apprehended and arrested under suspicion of being in some way connected with the murder of our brother:
    Therefore.
    Resolved, That this meeting appoint a committee of five, to ascertain how the body of our deceased brother was disposed of, for the purpose of finding and bringing him to this city for decent interment.
    Resolved, That it is not the sense of this meeting to cause the above named prisoner, Pat Waters, to compromise himself in any way that might act against him in his defence before the proper court.
    Resolved, The committee to be appointed as above provided for, are authorized to act in their judgment, as to how to procure and bring up the body of our deceased brother.
    The Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the chair appointed the following gentlemen as the committee, viz: Messsrs. [sic] Wanless, Byers, Wynkoop, Thomas and L. Pollard.
    The meeting then, on motion, adjourned to be called together again by the above committee, to present their report.
                                                                                CHAS. MUNDEE, Sec'y.

                                                                    DENVER, December 18th, 1860.
    The A. F. & A. Masons met pursuant to adjournment--Capt. R. Sopris, presiding; A. Sagendorf, Secretary.
    The committee appointed at the last meeting to take charge of Patrick Waters, and adopt such measures as they might deem expedient for the recovery of the body of the deceased brother Freeman, reported that they had succeeded in recovering and bringing the remains to this place for burial.
    On motion, Capt. R. Sopris was requested to administer on the estate of the deceased brother.
    Mr. Wanless moved that a committee of three be appointed to call a meeting of the citizens and perform such duties as they may deem necessary in prosecuting the trial of Patrick Waters. Committee, Messrs. Wanless, Jacobs and Byers.
    On motion, the thanks of the fraternity were tendered to Mr. Edward Wynkoop for his prompt and efficient action in arresting the prisoner and recovering the body of brother Freeman.
    On motion of Mr. Salomon, the city papers were requested to publish the proceedings of this and the previous meeting.
    Adjourned to meet at 1� o'clock, P. M.
    Met pursuant to adjournment. Capt. R. Sopris, presiding; A. Sagendorf, Secretary.
    Procession formed, and accompanied the remains of the deceased brother to the grave.
    On returning to the Hall, the thanks of the fraternity were tendered to the Band for their voluntary services in accompanying the procession to and from the grave, and to Mr. C. Harrison for the use of his Hall.
    Messrs. Byers, Sagendorf and Gerrish were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions of condolence. Adjourned.
                                                                                A. SAGENDORF, Sec'y.

Source:

Unknown, "The Waters Trial," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, 19 December, 1860, page 2.