Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-09-13
FRANK JAMES ACQUITTED.
The Jury Find the Missouri Bandit
Not Guilty.

The Jury Find the Missouri Bandit
Not Guilty.
From Gallatin, Mo, comes the fol-
lowing dispatch of Sept. 6th:-A large
audience was in the courthouse to hear
observation-disclosures Wallace close
for the State III the Frank James trial.
He said the question before the jury
was: rs the arm of the law or the
arm of the bandit stronger in Mis-
souri?" The testimony was taken up
and the action of the defense in chang
ing its course, and, in face of the jury
abandoning the Jim Cummings the
DRY, was strongly commented upon.
The defense had said great deal about
the Rock Island Railroad to excite the
granger prejudice. 1t was not woun-
ded capital that called upon the jury
to redress its wrongs. 1t was the pool
of blood, Of labor, not capital, that
cries aloud for justice. 1t was the
bleeding wounds of Mcmillan. the
stone mason, that speaks. Mr.. Wal
lace then went into an analysis of the
testimony, treating it from memory
and in q remarkably clear and forci-
bic manner The jury was besought
to recall that in all the transactions of
the gang they were moved by a greed
for money alone, and a chivalric re-
venge for wrongs committed during
the war had nothing so do with it.
The bailiff then took charge of the
jury, which retired at 1920 o'clock
and the court adjourned until 4 p. m.
The jury were out but short time
when they agreed upon a verdict of
acquittal, the announcement Of which
was received cody by James and with
applause by the crowd.
The topic of conversation upon the
streets this evening is the acquittal
There are many who say they expect
ed it, but the majority say they looked
for a disagreement of the jury Pub
lie sentiment can be quoted as strong
IN condemnation Of the verdict, al
though there are those who argue
from strict legal stand point that the
jury was justified in acquitting, the
States evidence being made up of
LlddelPs testimony, supported only
by circumstantial evidence. The
general feeling, however, is one Of
Disappointment and chagrin that the
strong chain Of evidence woven by
the State failed to stand. Expressions
Of sympathy with the prisoner or
satisfaction over his acquital, are CON
tined to q very few who are and have
been James friends and can be taken
III no way whatever as an indication
Of actual public sentiment here. A
frequent expression is that the verdict
is an outrage and an unjust stigma
upon the State. Charges of Jury
fixing" are also banded about.
As a testimony Of regard for Prose
cutting Attorney Wallace for his able
and untiring service, a committee of
citizens presented him with a hand
some gold watch this evening. Mr..
Wallace expressed his sincere appre-
citation, but said in view Of his posi-
ton he felt constrained to decline the
gift 1t was then voted that the
value of the watch be devoted to a
fund to publish Mr. WalIace's speech
made to the jury to-day, which is
universally regarded as mastery
effort.
Gov. Crittenden, when asked if he
had any opinion to express regarding
the verdict, replied he had not. 1T is
the verdict of hejury," he said, "and
would be improper for me to com
ment upon it. The case has been push
ed with great 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"
"What effect does this acquittal have
upon Minnesota, and are there not
other indictments herc?"
Il believe so, for the murder of
Westfall AID of Sheets and for the
Blue Cut robbery
HE would still be regarded as in
custody of the state, as far as requisi-
ton from other states are concerned"
Eyes, but [ cannot say what other
course will be pursued toward him in
the counties where the indictments
werc found