The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-24
The Rosenfiela Murder Trial.

Ghe 6osenneld murder Trial.
The all absorbing topic of conversation
on the streets last evening was the Rosen-
field murder trial, and the difficulty in get
ting an unbiased jury. Over 400 talesmen
were summoned up to yesterday, and at 6
o'clock last evening2only ten jurors were
obtained. This morning at o'clock when
court opened the court room was crowded,
every available seat being taken, and even
the aisles were filed with men standing,
all eager to see and hear the points in the
case. W. A. Foster Esq, one of the
counsel for the defense, did not put in an
appearance, being still confined to his bed
by sickness. The examination of talesmen
began at $50 o'clock and at 1915
o'clock 65 men were disposed of
cd of and no jurors accepted, At last.
Geo. Hitler, of Coal Valley, the 18th man
this morning. was accepted by the
prosecution, and then more tales
men were refused, aud the 83rd
man T. Gardener, of Andalusia, was
accepted by the people, making the 18th
| juror.
The counsel for defense rigidly ques-
toned the two men just accepted, but
failed to cause them to antagonist their
| statements already made, and, contrary to
expectation, accepted both jurors, thus
making the jury full. The judge then dis
charged the talesmen.. who had not beer
called, and charged the jury not to con.
verse With any one about the case, and tc
express no opinions regarding the matter
He referred to the sickness of Mr.. Foster
one of the counsel for the defendants, and
in order to give him time to appear. court
adjourned the case until Monday at o
clock. FL.
Following are the names Of the juror;
who will try the case:
P. B. Moore, Buffalo Prairie; Mayhem
Stafford. Cordova; James Titterington
Buffalo Prairie; Disaway South; Rural;
j. &. Kent. Buffalo Prairie; VIM. Miller
Hampton; Leander Baker, Cordova; Will
liam Durbin, Cordova; William Mounts
| Andalusia; Orrin l.. Horton. Cordova
Geo. Hitler, Coal Valley; Timothy Gard
ner, Andalasia,
Best des the regular panel there wer
403 talesmen summoned, aud Of this mum
Der 9jurymen wezs selected and all bu
y talesmen examined. 1t has cost tn
county oyer $1,000 for jury in the cas-
and will ~probaby cost $3.50 more befo;'
the case is concluded. This sum is simpl.
for a jury-say nothing of the enormou
expense Of witness fees, etc., which wi
swell the expense of trying the murderer
to over $4,000 if it does not reach $4,000
The defense cannot set up any FLEA of dc
priyation sof rights, as every advaa
1 tage, no matter how slight, has bee
taken By the prisoners counsel that To
law allows, nor was the court IN any mar
ner stringent. OF course the cou nsel fc
defense haveI the right 10 challenge
} talasnan FOR cause, but it looks to an GU
lside observer, as if their cases would hav
been less Injured by accepting prompt.
or within reasonably fair time jury of /
solid intelligent men. The case is withot
precedent in this county and will probab
occupy att least ten days in taking test
mony, aud hearing6pleas .of the couns
for both sides. Judge Peasants is expe
ted to be in attendance at the AppelIa
C Court. Chicago, on the 9th, and shou
he leave, it will be necessary to either pos
pone the taking of testimony, or let t
: trial proceed with Judge Smith or Jud
l. Glenn on the bench. The trial is set
? Monday at o'clock at which time Il
J.! opening statement of counsel for the pc
n pie, will be made by Mr.. j. T. Kepwortt
J. Who will follow for the defendants IS q
J. yet known, or at least has not been a
h nouneed.