The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-01-14

Ash, VI "Sse 1Ao' irsis W - 80
New York City the night of the 4th
inst. The closing scenes are thus de-
scribed hy the N. Y. Tribune:
THE VERDICT.
A Juror asked the Court where MIR.
Stokes arsl saw Mr. Fisk? The Court
replied: Sac Fisk was coming i'll the
inner door" Mr. Tremnin and MIR
Fellows asked the Court to charge spe.
cificalIy certain oftheir written requests,
and MIR. Tremsin took exception to GER
tain portions of the Judges charge,
AS soon as the jury retired (at S:lO
r. m. for consultation, SO general was
the anticipation of long deliberation
that hearty all the spectators at once
left the court room in q body, until
scarcely more than 40 persons, inclu
ding the reporters, remained to wait for
the verdict. The prisoner and bis male
friends and relatives retired to the ad-
Joining courtroom, in which Stokes has
been accustomed to take his meals, and
then the hustle and stir of settling down
to wait was heard. Judge Boardman had
gone to take his lunch, and it was ru-
mored that the counsel on both sides
had accompanied him. Halt whispered
conversations sprang up all over the
room. and comments on the case we're
made, and the merits and fairness Of
the arguments and the charge were free
ly discussed The common, absorbing
topic, however, was the result of the
solemn conference at that moment hol-
ding in the upper room. where the jury,
under lock and key, were painfully de
termining the question of life or death.
Stokes, himself, as he walked to and
fro in the room, appeared sanguine in
regard TO the result, and it is reported
that this feeling existed so strong
among his friends as well, that his cous-
in, Henry Stokes, had bail tond made
out half an hour. before the return of
the jury, ready to be signed at once in
case the jury, as it seemed probable,
should disagree.
The nervousness which Stokes had
all along displayed, and particularly
while waiting for the verdict on the
other trial, had completely vanished
now, and he stepped about the room
even smiling as he met his friends and
received their words of encouragement,
and hope and the Sympathetic grasp OF
their hands. He smoked almost con-
stantly, and was watched aftectionatel,
by his young brother Horace, who ex.
hibited much more anxiety than Stokes
himself. AT 8 AS p. m. he partook of 8
light supper of oysters At 10 p m
the jury came down into the Chambers.
room, where really sumptuous repas,
had been prepared and spent 20 minutes
over the meal, after which they agair
retired.
Meantime in the Courtroom the la.
dies connected with the family of Stokes
all Of whom appeared to belong to the
higher rank of society, were sorrowfu
pictures of anxiety and dread. and theil
glances wandered continually to tbt
clock, and were turned impatiently to
ward the door through which the jury
would pass to their seats.
At IL 10 p. N. there was suddenly
observable in the courtroom that pre-.
liminary start and hustle and confused
hum of expectation which is Away,
noticeable when startling event is ex
pected. Every eye was struck by the
unexpected appearance of Mr.. Sparks
the clerk who came hastily in from al
inner room, followed by the officers ol
the court. The latter at once began te
push aside chairs and make passage
way for the jury. Then all knew tha
the moment was at hand. The wore
was passed to Stokes. aud he came N
slowly, swinging his hat mechanically
and wearing that tired ,jaded look which
has become habitual with him. Still
no visible sign of perturbation appear
ed on his face, and he took his sea
calmly with friends and relatives abou
him. His father and mother were mer
cifully absent, but his usually quiet sis
ter sat close by him, watching with ter
rible eagerness the open door. Throngl
it the jury, at l1:l5 p. M, silently pass
ed, followed by the venerable Judg,
Boardman. Only one Of the twelv,
turned his eyes upon the prisoner as h
passed in. All the rest studiously aver
ted their faces until called upon by th
clerk. Then the almost unendurabl
formality Of calling the names Of th
Jurors was gene through With.
MURDER IN THE FIRST DECREE
Judge Boardinan asked them: ''Hav
you agreed upon verdict, gentlemen !?
Foreman-We have.
| Then followed an excitement of an
ticipation which it is impossible to de
pict, and the Courtroom was so still
that one might almost have heard tn
unfolding of o pocket handkerchief
Then came the sharp, clear, impassiv
voice of the Clerk, as he uttered tn
preliminary formula:
"Gentlemen of the jury, rise. Pris
oner, stand mp. Gentlemen of the jury
look upon the prisoner. Prisoner looi
upon the jury. What say you, gentle
men of the jury2 Do you find the pris
oner at the bar. Edward S. Stokes, gui.
ty or not guilty 3'
Foreman-Guilty of murder In til,
first degree!
The words were followed by lout
scream-almost .wail-from the siste
of Stokes, who fell forward in a torrent o
! weeping on the shoulder of her brother
Horace cried convulsively, and all tn,
friends Of the unhappy man crowde,
about him, terribly affected, hut unabl
to assuage his terrible disappointment
He bore the ordeal, however, with toi
erahle calminess, considering the mo
ment and all that it meant to him. A
the request to Mr.. Townsend the jur,
were polled, and each one separately re
corded his verdict.
| COURT ROOM EPISODES.
Stokes then broke silence for the firs
time, as he turned on Mr.. Beach, am
said deliberately but with intense feel
ing: "Well, Mr.. Beach, must say yol
have done your work well, l hope yo
'have been well paid fer it." The
Stokes sat down. Mr.. Beach did no
reply; but his face was turned ava
from the prisoner.
Mr Fellows, the Acting District-Ai
| e. rN.o ooj ID tln ~, ,--