The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-08-07
JUSTICE METED OUT
IN "sle BILL" kiNNkY,s CASE.
Tho Murderer BtAt up for Liis-Ths MailIng VI bis
Family Heard Ia tho Colrt Houss on the IA.
nousesMsat Of tbs verdies-Thrsats
Against Counsel and Witnssses,
Special Ngntch 10 ne I,tell,oence,,

Special Dt1ulea 10 Lhe Inteu,genor.
WEST UNION, W. Va, Angus! 9Th
jury retired this morning at O'Clock t
renew their dsliberation on "Big Bill
hinney'a case. At intervals all through
the day small crowds might have been seel
vending their way to the Court House, ant
at almost any time during the day knots o
persons could be found thronglng the cor
ridor Of the Court House and con gregatet
In the hall beneath, while many lounget
listlessly in the courtroom, and all appar
emily without any special business. An in
teirogatoty directed to almost any one o.
these loungers as towhst he Was waiting
Tor would probably have ELECTED the reply
that he was waiting to hear what the Jury
might do with "Blg Bill
The dull routine Of court business wa,
gone through with until about 4 O'Clock
tais evening, when loud rap from within
on the jury room door seemed to ins!ill
life into the llstless crowd Of loungars, and
q look OF intense anxiety spread as II by
magic over the f,ces Of the waiting crowd.
The sheriff Immediately responded to the
rap and after few words in a low tone Of
voice with the foreman Of the Jury he an.
nouncedcto the Court, "The jury have
agreed"
SENT Up FOR LIFE.
The startling words rang through the
house and pasling from lip to lip; the news
reached the streets and the business por-
ton Of the town as if by electricity. The
jury was brought. into the presence OF the
court The usual questions being pro.
pounded as to whether they had agresd
upon averdic!, and being answered in the
Affirmative the prisoner was directed t.
stand up. The foreman Of the jury then
in low but firm voice, read the verdict OF
murder in the frat degree with imprison-
ment in the psnitentiary for life.
In few moments the court room ives
crowded with eager spectators, among
whom were many Of Doddridgs county's
best citizens. Thes, good people, with
Very lew exceptions, looked al though they
thanked God that justice had come at last.
The verdict was put into form by Mr..
Blair, at the direction OF Colonel Wilson,
and approved by the court. The jury was
then discharged and, upon the announce.
ment by Judge Maxwell that a motion for
a new trial woulis be made tomorrow
morning, the prisoner WAS remanded to Jail.
When the prisoner left the Court room
for tho jlil one Of his brothers followed af.
ter and freely indulgsd in angry denuncia-
tions ofthe witnesses for the State, charg.
ing that they were perjured.
GRIEF OF THE PRISONERS FAMILY.
A portion OF the prisoners immediate
family, bis vile and a grown daughter, we're
in town when the verdict was announced.
They were deeply affected, the daughters
cries being plainly heard through the
open windows OF the Court room while the
jury was being polled. ..
To appreciate the excitement and gen.
eral satisfaction in the town over the re-
suit Of this trial would require one to be
present and view the scene. 1t is expected
that the prisoners counsel will make Wig
orous fight for new trial. As announced
in my lest dispatch, no case in our COUNTY
has ever before been contested with the
ability manifeated in this case. Judge
ssealy has certainly distinguished himself
in this case in manner highly becoming
his well known reputation as fair and
impartial judge, " .
@s# SILLY THREATS. ..p
Since writing the above l learn from an
authoritative source that some OF the pris.
oner's friends have made threats Of VEN
geance against counsel and witnesses for
the State. II this be true. it is certainly
very foolish, as slight demonstration on
their part would fire public sentiment and
probably induce the free use Of rope.
Judge s!ealy recognizing the condition Of
the public mind, has ordered all the pris.
oners in the jail here to be taken to Clarks-
burg under strong guard for safe keeping
tonight. "B;g Bill" will be brought back
in the morning. .-4