The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-13
A FREE MAN.
Frank James. the Bandit. Acouitted.

ST. LOUIS, September 6.-The Post.
Dispatch'S Gallatin special says: A
large audience heard Prosecuting At
torney Wallace close for the state in
the Frank James trial to-day. Wallace
said the question was: as the arm
of the law or the arm of the bandit
stronger in Missouri" The action of
the defense in changing its course in
the face of the jury, in abandoning
the Jim Cummings theory, is strong
ly commented upon. The defense had
said a great deal about the Rock
Island railroad to excite granger
prejudice. 1t is now wounded capital
that calls upon you to redress wrongs.
1t 4 pool of blood, of labor, not capital
that cries aloud for justice. 1t is the
bleeding wounds of Mcmillan, the
stonemason, that speaks. Wallace
then aialYzed the testimony, treating
it from memory in a remarkably clear
and forclble manner. The jury was
besought to recall that the gang in all
transactions were moved by greed for
money alone, and chivalric revenge
tor wrongs committed during the
war had nothing to do with it. There
was enthusiastic applause at the close
of the speech. The jury retired at
1920.
Frank James has been acquitted.
KANSAS CITY, September 6,-The
Times Jefferson City special SAYS
The news of Frank James acquittal
was received with various comments.
Those who had watched closely the
progress of the trial said the outcome
was no surprise. Gov. Crittenden,
when asked by reporter if he had
any opinion to express regarding the
verdict, replied he hadn't. ut is the
verdict of the jury" he said, "and
it would be improper for me to COM
ment upon it. The case has been
pushed with energy. 1t has been
both prosecuted and defended
with great ability. Perhaps
more so than any other criminal case
in the history of the state. Query
What effect does this acquittal have
upon Frank James in regard to requi'
sitions from Minnesota. Are there
not other indictments here? An
swer: l believe so, for murder OF
Westfall and of Sheets and for the
Blue Cut robbery. Query: He would
still be regarded as in custody of the
state, so tar as acquisitions from other
states are concerned? Answer: Yes;
but cannot say what course will be
pursued toward him in the counties
where the indictments were found.
KANSAS CITY, september 6.-The
topic of conversation on the streets
this evening is Frank James acquit-
tai. There are many who say they eX.
pected it, but the majority looked fol
a disagreement on the part of the
jury. Public sympathy can be quoted
as strong in condemnation of the
verdict, although many are those wht
argue from strictly legal point, that
the jury was justifyable in the acquit
tai, the states evidence being made
of LiddeIl's testimony, supported only
by circumstantial evidence. Gen
eral feeling, however, is one O.
disappointment and chagrin thai
the strong chain of evidence woveI
by the state failed to stand. EXPIRES
sions of sympathy with the prisone
or satisfaction over his acquittal ar,
confined to very few, who are ant
have been James friends, and can b.
taken in no way whatever as an indi
cation of the actual public sentimen
here.
The Times Gallatin special says
Upon the announcement of the yer
dict quite a decided demonstration o
applause came from certain quarter
of the courtroom. The court, how
ever, quickly frowned it down