The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-16
Bringing in the Verdict.

II
During the time the jury was out gossip
ran high, and people who crowded the vicin-
fly were wildly excited. 1t was suspected the
jury, as constituted, would not convict, and
from lip to lip the question ran, will they
do it? Dare they acquit him?' Old men
left their seats by the spring fire and hobbled
out to add their voice to the general denun-
citation, Men of middle age and the young
men of the own walked the streets or sat
listening for the ringing of the courthouse
bell, which wonld indicate that the jury had
agreed upon a verdict. 1t had been an
nounced that if the jury agreed before 8
o'clock the bell would ring, and the whole
town waited a%nxiously for the summons
which it was hoped would announce that
justice would be done.
Immediately on retiring the jury resolved
to keep their deliberations secret. Then the
first ballot was taken-9 for acquittal and 8
for manslaughter The slow work of talking
over the evidence and taking standing votes
and votes by holding up the right hand went
on until eight ballots had been taken.
1t was now 7:45 o'clock. One of the tip
slaves on guard was told to notify Judge
Wilson the jury had agreed upon a verdict.
As he walked across to the Judges residence
on Main street, some of the watchful eyes
caught him. There was an instant surmise
what it meant, and the nearest group started
for the courthouse on a ruu. Several times
before, when the church bell rang or a clock
struck the hour, there was a false alarm, and
the more excitable ran; but this time the cry
went up: "They have agreed. The jury is
coming in"
The sound of hurrying feet passed the
word. The evening papers with the details
of the trial were flung on the floor; stores
and sbnne dasorta1 Tho Lotto p,o 70 H.
hotel supper tables infected with the excite
-ment, dropped knife and fork and ran.
Walters dropped their napkins and ran after
them.
Before the first tap of the courthouse bell
had summoned those in the remote quarters
of the town, the courthouse yard was a mass
of people. The courtroom was TANNED as
it had never been during the trial. With
one step upon the platform by his desk
Judge Wilson said. forbodingly: II am
afraid the verdict comes too quickly to be the
right one"
The jury filed in slowly, and took their
seats. In came the counse in the case. In at
length came the prisoner, his step as firm, his
face as stolid and impassive as ever. 1t is said
he has an inkling of the verdict. He sat
tilted back in his chair, with his plump
hands folded placidly on his stomach, while
the clerk called over the names of the iu-
.rors. His eyes were bent on the table in
front OF him until the clerk went through
the formula and cam to the question: How
say your Juror Mcintyre, who was Sc
lected to deliver the verdict, broke in prema-
turely, Not" The clerk said, Hold on"
Dukes glanced up at the juror who had thus
foreshadowed the verdict, while the clerk,
Searight, went on with his question: as the
prisoner guilty as he stands indicted?' Not
guilty"
AS the words fell from the lips of the iu-
ror there was a hiss or two and a few feeble
cheers. The majority seemed to doubt if
they had heard Alright, and did nothing. The
prisoner made no sign that he had heard
what was said.
Dukes sneaked off, the court adjourned, the
crowd rushed out, but waited about the halls
to see the acquitted man pass out. He started
down the back way, but remained concealed
on the stairway while his counsel passed out
the other way. The crowd seeing him 90. in
a measure dispersed.
Dukes sought the protection of the sheriff
and closeted himself in the Jail building for
the night. He was not locked up, but re-
manned in the sheriff's parlor. The jury dis
appeared in the confusion the minute they
were discharged, and, alarmed at the threats
OF tar and feathers hat greeted them as they
passed through the crowd, sought security
away from the hotels and the streets.