River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-02
Mrs. Beecher--The Jury--RumOred
Change OF Foreman.
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The court was TO open at 10 o'clock.
but the room was filled at 8.
MRS sEECHER CANE IN, LEANING on THE
ARM OF Ex.JUDGE PORTER,
and was apparently almost Frustrated by
anxiety and WEAKNESS. She seated her.
self languidly in the chair which she had
so persistently occupied during the trial,
took Oft her bonnet, and famed her grave,
pale face. A friend said that she had not
slept any since quitting the court, late on
the previous night, and her looks corrob-
Grated the assertion. a woman who had
come earlier, bringing large bouquet,
went TO Mrs. beecher and handed her the
flowers. Her friends seemed to be trying
to encourage her, and Mr.. Porter espec-
Tally was very earnest in his talk; but she
was very sober, smiling rarely and sadly.
At noon
THE JURY SENT 20 THE JUDGE
the following message:
To His Honor Judge Nelson:
VIII you allow us to have the part Of
your charge referring to the law Of cir
cumstantial evidence, and the part relat-
ing to Mrs. Mou on's testimony!
Yours respectfully,
CHESTER CARPENTER, Foreman.
The Judge told the officer to inform
the counsel on each side. He showed
them the note, and said that compliance
or Noncompliance rested wholly with
them. Tilton's counsel assented to fur.
nishing the jury with printed copies of
the caarge. Mr.. Beecher's counsel were
willing, provided the charge should be
accompanied by the ruling on the points
submitted by them. The parties could
not reconcile their propositions, and the
conference ended.
Judge Nelson sent to the jury telling
ing them the request could not be grant
Ell. At this time the main floor Of the
courtroom was not more than one-thlrd
filled, although the gallery was crowded,
and the idle interest Of those who waited
did not take the form Of many note
worthy happenings. Mrs. Beecher had
not stirred from her chair.
MRS. BEEcHERs ENDURANCE
was generally noticed. In speaking of it
Judge Nelson said: "She is tired out,
saw IL last NlSnL anu TINS afternoon. L
knew she could not be induced to 60
home and rest so long as the court was in
session, that was the reason why went
and announced the recess from $50 to s
clock tonight. There was no other
use oft except to give the wearicd lady
little respite"
Early in the afternoon it was rumored
thai Mr.. Carpenter had incurred the dis
appreciation of some of the jurymen, and
that Mr.. Jeffrey had been selected in his
place as foreman. IL was said that Mr..
Carpenter had endeavored to arbitrarily
influence the verdict, using his position
as chairman to override motions that did
not suit him. Not much attention was
given to this story at the time Of its circu-
lation, but later, after the jury had
changed apartments, there was found
what may have confirmed it. On the
floor of the emptied room slip of paper
was found with the name Carpenter upon
it in the handwriting of Jeffrey. The in
ference was that this was ballot used in
the election of a new foreman, and that
Jeffrey voted for his opponent. The ex.
element Of Mr. Carpenter when observed
IN discussion at the window and his grave
demoanor during the change of rooms
were accorded place as corroborative
/ circumstances.