Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-04-29


Mr. Guilds concluded his speech At halt
past one o'clock.
The Court granted tho Instructions prayed
for By prosecution with explanations, aud
admitted some and refused others Of tho
nrnvsts for tho defense. The strictcst at
tention was paid to this part Of the proceed
lnus. The defense renewed the proposition
70 submit the case without argument The
District Attorney coacurrsd entirely IN pro
position. At three o'clock tho jury return
Cd amid intense excitement and gave a YER
dict Of "Not Guilty"
The applause was dea(ening, the audience
huzSaing and waving their hats
The following is a graphic description of
the closing scenes in the Sickles trial;
The door is opened and the Deputy Mar
shal calls out snake way for the jury" In
they como, one by one, and proceed to take
their seats in the box There is ono gener-
al movement in the crowded courtroom to
get a look at their faces All restraint Is
forgotten. Benches and forms are mounted
bv the most excited or most venturesome.
1Hore they como" is heard hurriedly spok-
On on all sides. Then there is succession
Of cries of-Down in 'front.' Get off the
benchesl Sit down. Silence in court! Or
des! Order but it seems impossible to re-
store order till the Judge directs the clerk
TO call tho names Of the jury. The uproar
instantly subsidies, and as the clerk calls the
Jurors, and they severally respond, ono OF
the officers calls out the number. When
the twelfth name is called and responded
10, pin might be heard TO drop in the sud-
denly stilled crowd. The jury are all stand
ing. Clerk-"Daniel E. Sicklcs, stand up
and look at The jury. Sickles stood up
Clerk--"How say you, gentlemen, have
YOU agreed TO your verdictT Arnold
awe have Clerk--"Iow say you, do you
find tho prisoner at the bar guilty or not
guilty I" Arnold-"Not. guilty" As the
words fell from the lips of the foreman, there
was one loud, wild, thrilling, turnultuous
hurFa sent up by tho spectators. Cheer at.
ter cheer rcsounded in the court room, and
was taken up by the multitude on tho out
side, and repeated. Hats and handkor-
chiefs were waved, and there was one gen.
eral rush towards the dock.
In the midst of the uproar the stentorian
voice Of Stanton was heard addressing the
court in these words--"I move that Sick!es
bs discharged from custody"
Marshal Seldon--"Come TO order gentle
men. This Is place where there should be
no noise"
Mr.. Stanton, boiling over with excitement
said--aIn the name Of MIR. Sickles and o.
his counsel, desire to return thanks to the
jury"
Judge Crawford who appeared to be the
only person in Court not excited, said =
''Mr. Stanton wait until the verdict is re-
corded"
Clerk 70 iury-"Your record is, gentle
men, that YOU find Daniel E. sicklos moi
guiltyT
Jury nodded affirmatiyely.
Stanton--"I now move that Slckles be
discharged from custody"
Judge Crawford-"The court so orders =
Stanton (turning round) said-"Now go
it."
Judge said no more.
The prohibition was unheeded. Sickles,
amid the renewed cheers OF tho audience,
was taken out Of the dock by Capt. Wiley
and Mr.. Breza, the former who is one Of
Sicklss most devoted friends, kissed him at
tho moment Of his deliverance, and held
fast BY him as they tried to make their way
TO the door; it was slow work, for congratu-
lations, earnest, loud and frankly expressed,
saluted Sickles at all points. Though
strong emotion was exhibited, his eye was
calm and steady, and the effort which he
manifestly made to retain calmness and
oomposure was successful.
His expression betrayed no feeling Of JOY
but was rather that of man who felt con
scious that he had run no risk aud that the
trial through which he had passed coult
have had no other result.