The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-25


their heads in most solemn silence. Soon
a movement in the audience was heard, and a mo-
ment later the prisoner and her daughter, accom-
panied BY Mr. and MRS. J. Crawford Nelson, were
within the bar.
MRS. WHARTON AND MISS NELLIA
took seats near Mr. Steele and &C once leaned
forward and directed to him some inquiry, mau0-
BILE to all else It is not likely, however II 1t In
relation to the matter uppermost their minds,
1t was IN the minds OF all those about them. Wnat
is the verdict to bef" Her general appearance
was but little changed since yesterday. Perhaps
the pallor always visible In her face was shade
deeper and her movements little more nervous
and excited Miss Nellie displayed q nervousness
and anxiety which she had never evinced at any
former stage OF the trial. and all those around her
were moro or less affected.
MR. STEELE CAME INTO COURT
with a lightness ana buoyancy In his manner
strangely in contrast with his haggard ana care
worn face OF previous days His eye was bright,
and he seemed to 1eel the proud consciousness OF
weIl-merited triumph. The Attorney General did
not appear, and Mr. Reven represented rne State.
SEND FOR THE JURY-PAINFUL MOMENTS.
When all were In readiness the three Judges
assembled 10 their seats, and Chief Justice Miller
broke the silence that was getting painful
'Mr. Dadds, have the jury brought In"
At this moment every eye Ia the assembage was
directed toward the door and presently the twelve
men, upon whose word hung human lie, filed into
the room, and took those seats In which they had
listened to all that was to be said for or against
the prisoner for nearly eight long weary
weeks, in her trial for the most terrible
of crimes, and upon whose life they were
now to pass. They looked fresh and smiling as If
they were approaching cheerful duty, and none
who saw them enter but knew that the verdict was
the complete vindicati0n OF the prisoner.
Alter they were seated MIR. steele leaned toward
Mrs. wharton and said ''YOu Will have to take the
prisoners box"
'sYes,n she said family, while tho bitter thought
seemed burning into her very heart Mr.. Crawford
Nelson then took her arm, and Mr. Steele the arm
OF her daughter, and escorted them back through
the crowd to the prisoners box. Mrs. wharton
took seat within the enclosure, with Mr.. Thomas
on her right and Mr. Steele her left while MI So
Nellie stood by the railing OF the prisoners box, on
the left of her mother. This was q moment in the
history of this important trial that Will never be for.
gotten by those who witnessed 1t. The great heart
OF the crowded court room beat with almost sup
pressed pulsations in the contemplation OF the
scene. Within this little circle, In which the
basest anu meanest OF criminals had found a
resting place for years. sat this lone woman, draped
| in the garb Of deepest sorrow Upon each side OF
| her stood the two men, Mr.. steele and Thomas.
exhausting their great learning and ability in de-
| monstratlng her innocence. Well had they fought
the fight, and molly mad they SAID in her defence,
| at was fitting finale to their long devotion
| that they should stand with her In
| this the hour OF her greatest bereavement
| and peril" Near her was also that
| devoted daughter whose kind and earnest atten-
ton had attracted the admiration OF the world; and
all around this little party was the gaping crow d.
upon whose hearts it must have been photographed,
II their eager stare could have gathered the I'm
press
When curiosity was at It's height Chief Justice
Miller interrupted and cautioned the audience that
there must be no manifestations Of either approval
or disapprOval at the verdict OF the Jury ana any
comment would be promptly suppressed. The
Clerk then said,
"aENTLEMEN OF THE JURY,
have you agreed upon your verdictf"
number OF voices responded, ave have.'
''who shall say for your" said the Clerk
Foreman" shouted tile jury
Said the Clerk, elizabeth G. Wharton, stand
up.n
The prisoner slowly arose, If hardly able to
compiish the task, ana the whole audience seemed
deeply affected Miss Nellie wept. Messrs. Steele
and Thomas bowed their heads, and MISS Rosa Nell
son. Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Nugent shed tears freely,
| aud there were none IN that vast audience, even
| those who had been bitterly unjust against the
prisoner, but affected by the sadness OF that
| moment
| Gentlemen OF the Jury-LoOk upon the prs-
oner ut the bar" said the Clerk in tone OF voice
| well subdued and the twelve men turned their
| eyes full upon the bowed and stricken woman.
what say your Is she guilty Of the matter where
| of she stands indicted or not guilty 2'
'NOT GUILTY'' SAID THE FOREMAN
in a clear, full voice, and Immediately stamping
| OF ieet resounded through the room and a murmur
| OF applause arose, which was promptly suppressed
| by the baillfrs.
| Gentlemen said the Clerk, ''hearken to your
verdict as the Court hath recorded 1t. Your FORE
man saith the prisoner at the bar is guilty OF
T, the matter whereof she stands indicted. And so
say you ail2'
THE JURY ALL BOWED ASSENT.
The Judge then said-'sMr. Clerk, record the YER
! dict"
rne prisoner left the prisoners box, and with her
| daughter and counsel. returned 10 their seats
within the bar, and for the first time since the be-
ginning OF the trial Mrs. wharton betrayed unequiv-
Ocal signs OF emotion. AS she walked back to her
seat within the bar her limbs almost refused to sup
| port her, and her features were OF dead, ashen
| hue, which led many to think she would swoOn
| away, and great scalding tears iricked down hel
| careworn features. Her counsel warmly congratu
lated her. and this IN a measure seemed to restore
and her. but she burst into tears, and hel
pent-up soul for once found a vent in those unerr
| ing evidences OF a common humanity.
NELLIE WAS ALL OF TREMBLE
4, when she reached her seat. like a young bird bu
lately released from It's cage and not yet fully as
assured Of its liberty. Mrs. Nugent, as well as MIS-
Rosa Nelson and her mother, and in fact, all VINO
were gathered we're more or less affected. But thu
JOY of the heart was silent aud without display
deep and sincere.
Before the Court adjourned 1t was understood
between the Court and counsel that the trial OF Mrs
Wharton on an Indictment for attempting to poison
Van Ness would come OF at the regular term OF th
Court in April. Mr. steele asked that the Court d.
the ball for her appearance that case, with du'
consideration to the circumstances OF Mrs. Whar