The Portland daily press., 1883-06-15
NOT GUILTY.
Extraordinary Verdict in the Star
Route Case,
A Scene OF Tumult in the Court Room.
How the Verdict is Received in
Washington.

WASHINGTON, June l4--When the Star
route Jury came into court this morning,
Judge Wylie said, "Gentemen of the jury,
the court has sent for you foI the purpose OF
inqniring whether you have any communioa-
tion to make.'
The foreman in reply stated that tho jury
had agreed upon verdict, and painful si-
lenoe fell upon the court room.
The foreman stated that the verdict was
mot guilty.
Immediately the deoorum of a court of JUS
tce was forgotten and cheers res0unded from
all quarters of the crowded room. Mrs. s. W.
Dorsey sprang TO her feet. clapping her hands
while tears streamed down her cheeks, and
many ladies' in court were silently weeping.
Mr. Dayidgs quietly asked TO have the YER
dict recorded which was done while the
deputy marshas were vainly endeaGoring 70
queli the tumult,
S. w. Dorsey and Brady were the recipients
of many warm congratulations,and as they
left the room were greeted with renewed
cheers By crowd IN iroAt OF the city hall.
When order was somewhat restored by rea-
son OF the defendants and their friends leav-
ing the room, Judge Wylie turned to Juror
Vernon and asked, "Mr Vernon, how are you
this morning2"
Juror Vernon-First rate, SIR
The court--I believe we have nothing fur
ther for the jury to do during this term and
the court is prepared 10 discharged you finally.
You have been more than six months engaged
in the trial. Many OF you have occupations
OF your own which you have been Obliged to
neglect during that period, and though your
verdict Of course will create dissatisfaction TO
many yet you have been selected according to
:he forms of law, and having sworn TO perform
your duties faithfully the court is bound to
presume that you have faithfully perform ed
them. II you have done so, each one accord
ing to the dictates of his conscience, that viii
be satisfaction to you as long you live.
You are therefore discharged with the thanks
of the court.
La the anteroom and halls the jury were be-
set BY throng OF interested persons, promi-
nent among them being the defendants and
Mrs. s. w. Dorsey and Mrs Peck who thanked
them for the verdict with tears in their eyes.
AS the foreman reached the sidewalk a large
crowd assembled there and burst into tumul-
tuous cheers, which were renewed as each ju-
ror maze his way out OF the court house.
The foreman stated that five ballots were
taken by the jury The first ballot was upon
the question of the existence Of conspiracy
and the ballot resulted in vote of 3 for aud Q
against conspiracy. On the second ballot 8
was increased TO 10, although the vote was
then upon the innocence or guilt of the defend
ants. This vote remained unchanged until
about this morning, when acquittal was
agreed upon.
Several informal votes were taken in addi-
tion to those already reviewed. A vote on the
question of the innocence or guilt Of all the
defendants excepting Brady stood for ac-
Quttal and for conviction. In Brady's case
the jury stood 10 to in favor OF acquit,al
Juror Sheriff (who at first voted for conyic-
tion,) said that in the minds of some jurors
there was doubt as to the innocence OF the de-
PENDANTS but after long delibelation the Jurors
felt il their duty TO resolve that doubt in the
favor of the defendants. He thought that If
the government gith all its powers in six
months trial could not convict man be ought
TO be- acquitted
None OF the government counsel express any
surprise at the verdict.
Mr. Ker says he was this morning informed
by court officer that Ingersoll had said that
the jury wonld return a verdict OF acquittal.
He added that the other indictments against
Brady would be preferred.
Ex-senator kellogg aud General Brady will
Monday next be called upon to plead to the
indictments in their cases. 1t is no: probable
that the trial OF the kellogg-Brady cases will
take place before next fall.
There was large gathering of friends OF
the Star Route defendants at COL IngersolPs
tonight TO indorse the acquittal. The men
and their counsel and large number Of their
more intimate friends, many of them women,
met to exchange mutual congratulations Out
III the street crowd numbering two or three
hundred persons had gathered, partly ous Of
curiosity and partly TO express their sympathy
With the defendants. They cheered Ingersoll
and the other counsel, as well as defendants
and the jury, aud called for speeches Col
IHgersoll and Judges Wilson and Carpenter
spoke briefly, after which Ingersoll invited the
crowd into his house for refreshments.
Another Account.
There were few signs of activity about the
Court House early this morning. No one
claimed to have any reliable information as 10
the jury "Tou can ind out nothing about
il, said on old official of the court 'sThs
jury are hemmed in by three bailiffs, and no
one can get access to them; bat the Judge Is
determined to have a verdict IL possible He
says he will keep them confined all next week
IL necessary TO get verdict, and that he will
take away their beds, deprive them OF food on
Saturday, and put them under strict common
law discipline" The spectators came to the
court room earlier this morning. The first to
arrive as usual was John w. Dorsey, the
crushed tragediau OF the defence. HIS broth
er, Stephen w. Dorsey, who does not sleep
well at night, sat upohtbe pavement in front
OF the saloon which is the headquarters of the
defense, waiting as all the rest are waiting
Mrs S. w. Dorsey was the second TO arrive.
anxious, evidently. to know the best or worst
as soon as possible. and with her
came the family Of Col. IngersolI AS
the hour for reassembling approached, Stephen
Dorsey took seat ia the ante-room, where he
could hear the announcement from the Jury
Promptly at 10 the court was called to order
Brady entered. as imperturbable as ever and
at 1910 the jury entered, the sick Juror Yer
non, looking quite fresh. Judge Wylie said:
"Gentlemen, have you agreed upon your YER
dict?" Foreman Cram said: I'VE have
agreed upon verdict. The clerk pronounced
the usual formula, How say you7p The fore
said, mot guilty"
There was a scene in the court room such as
is seldom witnessed. Mira Dorsey sprang to
her feet and shouted wildly; the entire audi
encs arose; the defendants broke down In
tears. Ii was several moments before the con.
fusion ended.
HOW THE VERDICT WAS RECEIVED.
Judge Wylie said, after the tamult had sub
sided. that the jury had had q long and ardu-
Gus task before them; that many OF them had
been compelled to leave their business; that
their verdict would give good deal OF dssat'
isfAction In many quarters but that they were
under their oaths, and IL the verdict satisfied
their coDscienees il must be accepted, as IL was
in due form of law. The jury was then dis
charged. Col. Ingersoll rushed forward and
shook hands with each OF the jurors, first with
Crane, the most intelligent man upon the
jury, who Is OF Mr.. IDgersoll's own particular
faith-or want OF faith. The most affected Of
the defendants was the strong man Vale, who
bowed his head upon the desk and could not
restrain his tears. Dorsey turned a shade
paler, the pallor being the more marked In
contrast with the black goggles which he wore.
Brady, calm, imperturbaby smiled. Beyond
that there was no change In his expression.
All the defendants we're heartily congratulated
by their friends, and the leaders could not
first shook hands with Judge Wylie and
thanked him for his impartiality during the
trial and the fairness of his charge.
Outside the coort room the scene was
not less enthusiastic. The defendants
as they came out one by one were
loudly cheered, the crowd opening to allow the
ladies TO approach their carriages. when the
jury appeared there were renewed signs OF ap-
proval, and one enthusiastic person on the
sidewalk raised hts hat and shouted "Three
cheers for Crane" They were given loudly
and with apparent sincerity. Crane is the
foreman of the Jury, the most intelligent man
on ", and possibly the only member OF the jury
capable of anayzing the testimony and con-
sidering the law points of this great case. 1t
is understood that Crane from the outset and
during all the deliberations Of the jury was
strong advocate Of the theory that the charge
OF conspiracy had not bean made out The
defendants, az all events, seemed to know that
he was their friend, for Vaile and Miner
bastened through the crowd to grasp the hand
OF Crane.