Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-06-28
NOT GUILTY.

Tie Verdict in the Celebrated Star-R"ute
Trial at WashinGton-The Court-Room
Scene of Wild Excitem<nt-The Jury
Discharged and the Case Closed.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June, "A.
"You can ask the jury whether they have
any communication to make to the Court
said Judge Wylie to the crier when the
Criminal Court hearing the star-route case
reassembled this morning. Crier Donald
son soon returned with message that the
jury desired to communicate with the
Court. They filed into the courtroom, ap-
parently none the worse for their conflne-
ment. When they were seated the Judge
said: "Gentlemen of the jury, the Court
has sent for you for the purpose of lnquir-
ing whether you have any communication
to make.' The foreman stated that the
jury had agreed upon verdict, and .
painful silence fell upon the courtroom,
only to be broken by wild shouts of APP
plause, when i'll clear tone of voice the
foreman stated the verdict was
mot GUILTY"
Immediately the decorum of the court of
justice was forgotten and cheers resounded
from all quarters of the crowded floor.
Mrs. S. W. Dorsey sprang to her feet,
clapping her hands, while tears streamed
down her cheeks, and there We're many Ia
lies in the Court who were silently weep
ing. Davidge quietly asked to have the
verdict recorded, which was done, while
the Deputy Marshals were yainly endeav-
oring to quiet the tumult. S. w. Dorsey
and Brady were the recipients of warm
congratulations, and. as they left the court
room they were greeted with renewed
cheers by the crowd in front of the City
Hall. When order had been somewhat re-
stored by reason of the defendants and
their friends leaving the room, Judge Wy
lie turned to Juror Vernon and asked:
''Mr. Vernon: how are you this morn
ing"
Juror Vernon: "First-rate, SIR"
The Court: 81 believe we have nothing
further for the jury to do during the term,
and the Court is prepared to discharge you
perform in this case. You have been more
than six months engaged in this trial.
Many of you have occupations of your
own which you have been obliged to neg
lect during that period, and though your
verdict of course will create dissatisfaction
to many, yet having been selected accord
ing to the forms of law, and having sworn
to perform your duties faithfully, the
Court is bound to presume you have faith
performed your duty. If you have done
SO, each one according to the dictates of his
conscience, that will be satisfaction to
W u as long as you live. You are therefore
discharged with the thanks of the Court
LII the ante-room and the halls the jury
sons, prominent among them being the de-
PENDANTS and Mrs. S. w. Dorsey and Mrs.
Peck, who thanked them for the verdict
with tears i'll their eyes. AS the foreman
sembled there burst into tumultuous cheers,
which was renewed as each juror made his
way out of the Courthouse.
ker was the only representative Of the
prosecution in the court when the verdict
was returned, and Carpenter, Dorsey's
counsel, congratulated him as the only one
of the Government counsel having pluck
enough to show up in the hour of defeat.
ker says he was this morning informed by
the court officer that 1ngersol1 had said the
jury would return a verdict of acquittal
He added that the other indictments against
Brady would be pressed, and that, of
course, it would be necessary for the Court
to enter an order setting aside Rerdell's
plea of guilty.
Information gathered from members of
the jury discloses the fact that several in
formal votes were taken in addition to
those already recorded. A vote on the
defendants excepting Brady stood nine for
acquittal and three for conviction, the lat
ter votes being cast by Jurors Harrigan,
Sheriff and Grone. In Brady's case the
jury stood ten to two in favor of his ac-
quittal, the two negative voters being Har-
rigan and Sheriff. OF the jurors who voted
for acquittal Evans, Lowry, Gill and Re-
shaw gave as the reason for voting in that
way they failed to find any proof of the ex-
istence of a conspiracy Juror Sheriff
in the minds of some of the jurors there
was doubt as to the innocence of defend
ants, but after consultation jurors felt it to
be their duty to resolve that doubt in favor
Of defendants. He thought if the Govern
ment, with all its power, in a six months
trial could not convict a man he ought to be
acquitted. Sheriff further said that the ex-
IRENE length of the trial, the large amount
IF oral testimony and documentary evil |
1ence in the case and the long arguments !
seemed to have had the effect of befogging /
5he minds of the jury, so that they found it |
. difficult matter to reach any firm and |
liked conviction.
At the Department of Justice.
The news Of the verdict in the star-coute |
rial reached the Department of Justice |
shortly after ten O'Clock this morning, by |
telephone. AT the time the Attorney Gen
,ral was in consultation with George Bliss.
When the news was announced he said to
Bliss: 'What do you think of that:'
~ am astonished," was the reply. "I
bought some of the jurors might. get mud
He'd on the conspiracy question, but | did
lot anticipate acquittal." .-.ss-.
"Well," said the Attorney-General,'' that
ettles it. When twelve men agree the mat
er is settled. I feel satisfied the Govern
nent has presented the case in the best
possible manner"
WHAT JURORS SAY.
Juror Harrigan held alone for conviction
or a long time. He says: II finally came
0 the conclusion that eleven heads were
letter than one, especially when some of
he others were educated and smart gentle
aen. A few minutes before we came into
curt went over because I didn't feel like
pposing eleven men, so gave defendants
he benefit of the doubt, and voted for &C
Initial"
Foreman Crane says the jury voted first
n the question as to whether there was
onsp1racy. It was then proposed after
ONE discussion to vote upon the guilt OF
innocence of individuals, which of course
vould carry conspiracy with it. John W.
'orsey," said Crane. ''headed the list, and
re acquitted him the first night. Then we
anne to Vale and acquitted him. Then.
link, it stood ten to two on Stephen w.
ton, tn nd T.