The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-10-16
LAURA FAIRS ACQUITTAL.
THRILLING SCENES At THE CLOSE OF
THE TRIAL.
Waiting for the Verdfct-Brenthless
Anxiety OF the Spectators-Every Eye
o PrisOner-'Not
nuale.,, Ma naIr SxHoans In a De.

R1veted O the Prisoner-"Not
Guilty"-Mrs. fair Swoons In a De-
lirium or Joy.
from the San Francisco Chronicle, October L.
In q few moments three figures appeared In
the corridor outside the courtroom. They
were two men-sober, solemn-looking lei
and one woman, a fearful, trembling, half.
falnting woman. The group were Judge Cur
tie, Mrs. Fair and Judge Quint. Behind them
walked two deputy sheriis, and in this order
the party entered the courtroom. Ahungry,
eager, sensation-lovlng crowd followed close
upon their heels; but comparatively few were
permitted to enter the courtroom. The re-
porters and three or four lady sympathizers
were on hand as usual and took their accus-
toned seats. Mrs. Fair was placed In a chair
between her counsel, Mr.. Curtis and Judge
Quint, while District Attorney Murphy and
Judge Campbell sat to the left and next the
jury. Mr.. Murphy chewed his tobacco with a
vigor that denoted the man of deep thought.
He seemed perplexed about something. He
sat and toyed with his rubber tobacco pouch,
and looked at Mr. Campbell as though devils
Ing some plan Of action In case the jury should
disagree, as all expected.
ENTER JUDGE AND JURY.
In q few minutes the jury appeared, being
marshalled In BY the big court Oailif. They
etalked through the courtroom In double ME,
Mr.. Highlander and Mr.. Sherwood at the head.
Their faces wore q solemn, serious look, indi
catIYe oil anything but glad tidings to at least
one brsathless spectator In the room. AS soon
as the Jury were seated, Judge Reardon was
notified, and at once came from his chambers.
As he walked quietly across the room every
eye was on him, and the silence was 30 great
that 8 pin might have been heard to drop upon
the carpet. The Judge took his seat, and then
the big balllf raped with his lead pencil
upon the railing. Mrs. Fair gave a quick, ner-
vous start as her eye rested upon the Judge;
but a look from Mr.. Curtis quieted her. Then
the big bailif opened The court Hear ye,
hear We, hear We, the Honorable, the Fifteenth
District Court of the State of California Ia now
open pursuant to adjournment"
TwELy VERY WISE MEN.
:sMr. Clerk, call the jurors" raid the judge.
The clerk then called the names Of the twelve
very wise men. During the calling OF the
Jury the interest In the courtroom was in-
tenss.-LThe reporters sat toying with their
pencils, but with their eyes glued to the
womahiB face. The faces In the rear of the
conft were eagerly bent toward the jurors, In
the hope of reading in their faces the result of
their hxty-four hours elaboration. Blu every
face was as cold and as hard as marble. Mrs.
Fair turned her head; gave one sWeeplng
AOOh O. bhO bVo 4SV1 " ASS~Ss
and then, turning away With a shudder,
clelohsdher fingers In Judge Curtis's arm,
anG held on tightly for support. Mr.. Murphy
watched the jury, and Judge Q1lnt looked as
solemn az al OWL Judge Gurus devoted bis
whole attention to the trembling woman be-,
from the bench with q cold, plying look.
A THRILLING SCENE.
As the last name was called the clerk an
S&n~nAA that al fhn inrnHo fnoro nrocanf
Another dead silence then fell upon the court
room. Every eye was on the judge. For a
moment he Sat with his head resting on his
hand, and then turning to the clerk he nodded
and said something In an lnaudlble tone. The
clerk nodded to Judge Curtis, who at once
stricken her feet, and placing hls
arm close around her waist, held her with her
faco to the Jury. Judge Quint also stood up
and held one OF fMre. Fairs hands. Both
counsel on the other side also got up aud
faced the jury box. The spectators bent for
word that should now be uttered. Then the
"aentlemen Of the jury, have you asrss'
upon 8 verdict ?"
Mr.. Byington, the foreman of the Jury, arose
and passed to the Judge 9 folded slip of paper.
The Judge, without looking at 1t, passed 1t
over bis dssk to the CLERK below. Inc so clerk
rOHOhOo ~ PSP0hf vi
seconds kept bis eyes and brain busy with the
words. During this little scene Mrs. Fair
rested her eyes on the floor. She seemed to
have lost ali physical power, and fairly hung
Ike q child In. Judge Curtis's arms.
-,et A DELIR1uM OF JOY.
The clerk then read from the paper, amid
the most breathless stiffness, these words:
I'VE, the jurors In the case Of the People of
the State Of California against Laura d. Fair,
Indicted for the murder of Alexander P. Crit
tendon, do find the defendant not"
Before the word guilty" could be ntterep, q
low, thrilling moan wa8 heard, which went
through every heart In the courtroom, and In
another instant TWO thin white, chalk-like
wrists were clasped around Judge Curtis's
neck, and q wealth OF golden hair lay stream
Ing o1 his breast. The little black figure lay
in the arms Of the strong man as senseless as
q corpse. The next Instant all was confusion.
The ladies rushed up to Mrs. Fair and tender
ed their assistance. But the piping notes OF
the big bsilif soon restored order. Judge
Curtis carried his lifeless burden to q settee
and laid her gently down. Water was called
for, and In q moment she had returned to con-
the turn affairs had taken.
RECORDING THE VERDICT.
Judge Curtis, who was now completely un.
manned. started with his charge toward the
door. but was called back By Judge Reardon.
Judge Reardon. Judge Curtis, let the de-
fsndsnt remain till the verdict Is recorded.
Judge Curtis, who had reached the gate OF
the bar with his client, seated her on the long,
continued bench next the railing. She SEEM
ed too weak to sustain herself. even In q sit-