The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-03-21
The defense produced very little
evidence, except testimony to the
defendants previous good character.

The defense produced very little
evidence, except testimony to the
defendants previous good character.
THE VERDICT.
UNIoNTowN, March Alt would
not be possible to describe the indig-
nation that reigns in Uniontown at
this moment. Nicholas Lyman
Dukes, member-elect of the State
Legislature, has just been declared
by twelve jurors to be NOT GUILTY
of the murder of which pub
lie sentiment has convicted
him. The jury retired at 4:30
o'clock in the afternoon, after hear
ing from the Court such a charge as
seemed to render acquittal impossi-
BILE. They were out about three
hours and a half.
At nearly s o'clock Judge Wilson
was seen passing hurriedly along
the street in the direction of the
court house accompanied by a tip
stave. He was soon followed by an
excited crowd, which, when the bell
rang, was swelled almost to a great
rabble. When silence was partially
restored, the jury filed in and the
frivolous expression on some of their
faces betokened thenature of their
verdict. They marched into their
seats. Dukes entered the room in
company with his counsel, his step
father and Sheriff Hoover. his face
wore the same stolid look that has
marked his conduct throughout the
trial. He arose, faced the jury, and
to the question of the clerk, Foreman
Mcintyre answered, "Not guilty"
SHOCKED AT THE VERDICT.
The clerk bad made a little error
in putting the question, and the
foreman, seeming in haste to an
nounce the verdict, uttered the word
mot" before he noticed the mis-
take. He then paused till the clerk
put the corrected question, and then
uttered the words mot guilty" The
crowd in the courtroom were so
shocked that silence ensued for q
short time and then an effort was
made to give some kind of express
sion to their feelings, but they were,
with difficulty, restrained by the
officers. Dukes sat down with great
composure.
Judge Wilson looked amazed at
the announcement of the verdict.
He said:
Gentlemen of the jury: I suppose
the verdict hat you hove rendered
is one hat you thought you should
render under your oaths, but it is
one that gives dissatisfaction to the
Court, because we thought the cyl
dence was sufficient to justify you
in rendering a different verdict. If
you have committed an error, it is
one that we cannot avoid, but can
only express our condemnation Of it
in this mild way. The prisoner is
discharged.
After the Judges speech, and when
the crowd had scattered to the street,
the indignation grew terrific, and an
excited mob at once started toward
the Court House, where Dukes was
in charge of the Sheriff, carrying a
stuffed effigy of the late prisoner.
They also bore the jury in efigy,
and violence was for a time expect
ed. Dukes remained under guard
of Sheriff Hoover while the crowd
next proceeded to the McClellapd
House, a few doors from the scene
of the murder. Here they Joined in
singing Hang Dukes body ON o
sour apple tree" 1t seemed az
though everyone in the town was on
the street, and no one knew what an
hour would bring forth.
1t is said a motion will be made
in Court in the morning to expel
Dukes from the bar Of Fayette Coun.
ty. Miss Mutt was visited by a re-
porter this evening and it was found
that her grief was bearing heavily
upon her. The charges made by
Dukes as to her condition are utter.
ly false. The fact makes the charges
all the more infamous.
4 n LL. ~