, 1884-07-20

Wilbur II. Hugus Discharged by the
jury in the United states Court.

From the Denver News.
The trial of Wilbur b. Hugus on the
charge of receiving stolen cattle from the
White River Indian reservation, in Routt
county, was brought to II close yesterday,
the jury bringing in a verdict of not
guilty. The case has attracted a great
deal of attention and has been very closely
contested, both by the Government and
the defense. The jury seem to have been
all along disinclined to believe Hugus
guilty, his previous good character and the
rather complicated and unsatisfactory evil
denee that was brought against him tell
ing strongly in his favor. The Govern
ment had practically given up the idea of
that it would either result in a hung jury
or an acquittal. The court room has been
filled during the progress of the trial.
The larger part of the day yesterday was
occupied with a cross examination of Mr.,
Hugus. His statement was to the effect
that he did not know of his alleged part
ner Gordon, having anything to.do with
cattle thieves or having any dealing in
Indian cattle; hat he knew nothing about
any cattle with the brand Il. D." (Inte-
rior Department.; that he had never
bought any of them of any parties, and
that if Gordon had any dealings with cat
tie thieves it was wholly without his
knowledge. He claimed that after he
was arrested and taken to Rawlins, Wyo.,
he was persuaded by his brother, John
W. Hugus, to 90 to California, and that
he had had an understanding with the
United States authorities that the case
was not to be pushed against him. The
arguments and evidence introduced blythe
defense showed that rather too much zeal
had been displayed by United States Dep
uty marshals in making a case against
Hugus, and alleged certain doubtful trans
actions against them.
1t had been made clear during the trial
that Hugus could not be held guilty of
having stolen c%attlo, and the Government
therefore bent their efforts to endeavoring
to secure conviction on charges of receiv-
ing stolen cattle, and of Hugus having
been a fugitive from justice. The case
has been a very difficult one for the pros
ecution to handle, and involved some
rather peculiar features.
The prosecution has, however, been
quite ably conducted by District Attorney
Brace and Assistant District Attorney /.
n. Stevens.
The case was given to the jury at about
4:30 Yesterday afternoon. Judge Macon
made a remarkably strong plea for the de-
Tense, Judge Hallett charged the jury at
some length, his instructions being con
sidered as eminently fair to both sides,
but sufficiently strong to suit the prosecu-
ton. The jury were only out a short
time, and returned a verdict of acquittal.
Mr.. Hugus was greatly relieved and very
happy over this verdict, and shook hands
warmly with the jury as they passed out.
1t was a very intelligent and fair minded
jury, and was evidently very much i'm
pressed with the innocence ofthe prisoner.
Prominent citizens Of Routt County and
other parts of Colorado have been all along
impressed with the same belief.
After the trial Hugus invited the jury
men and the officers of the court to go to
the theatre with him. There are other
persons who were indicted at the same
time Hugus was, on charges ofcattle steal
ing from the reservation, and their trials,
is they come up at all, will probably come
up at the present term of court.