Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-26
The Prisoners Returned to Jail,
and Locked Up in "Mur-
derers' Row."
The Sheriff Orders the Death watch to
Be Placed Over the Con-
demned.
An Utterance of Attorney Foster Re-
piled To by Inspector
Bonfeld.



the jury, in charge of Captain Setback and
three bailifs, filed into the Criminal Court
building and were locked up in one of the up
per rooms Friends OF the prisoners did not
occupy the seats in the center OF the court
room that they had held during the trial, here
tofore reservod for lady spectators. Tho row of
seats farthest removed from the Judge were
occupied by force of police officers.
Next below, seated i'm the order named,
were Henry Spies, Mrs. Spies. the pris-
oner's mother; Miss Spies. Chris Spies, and
young lady friend. Next below was Mrs. Martin.
Mrs. Parsons entered the courtroom with her
reticule, accompanied by a woman who has at
tended her throughout the trial. She was given
seat between two policemen Immediately in the
rear. Whether this precaution was to guard
against any extraordinary exploit in the court
room or not is OF course not known, but the seat
accorded this notorious female anarchist was
deemed significant
The ladies looked anxious. Mrs. and Miss
Spies and Mrs. Parsons looked worn out,
though the latter tried to appear unconcerned,
ana occupied her time in reading the newspa-
pers.
Mr. Foster was the first of the counsel to put
in an appearance. arriving Mt AS. He was fol-
lowed shortly afterward by Mr.. Solomon
Judge Gary arrived at 9A7 o'clock, and al
most ut the same moment Capt. Black and Mr..
Zeisier completing the quartet Of the defend
ants counsel
Captain Black remarked to his wife when he
entered: Il have just had n talk with the pris-
lRJ'gk,,qS,{4Qtlt ~i-I .i---4' -
Quite a number of attorneys were allowed to
come within the railing, which served to give
the room Il somewhat more crowded appear
ance.
The prisoners were brought into the court
room at 80 o'clock, ana were seated at the
northeast corner Of tho courtroom, on some
side benches. The court was called to order
ut 9:54.
The prisoners wero observable TO the eyes Of
of but veryfew in the court room. They pre-
sented about the usual appearance, though
Spies and Fischer looked deathly pale. The Jury
arrived ut 80 o'clock. There was impressive
silence as they filed in.
Mrs. Black, wife OF the chief counsel for the
prisoners, who has been in court daily, proceed
ed to take her former seat near the prisoners,
but was requested TO take Il seat on the opposite
side of the court room. Mrs. Black remarked
to n newspaper reporter as she laid her package
OF newspapers down: Well, they say it has oil
gone against our men. They take it very we'll,
though"
When the jury appeared Judge Gary enioined
absolute silence There was whispered con-
| sultation between the Judge and the Clerk,
when the verdict was read, rs follows:
I'VE the jury find the defendants August
Spies, Michael SchwaD, Samuel Fielden, Albert
X. Parsons, Adolph Fischer, George Engel, and
| Louis Lingg, guilty Of murder rs charged in the
Indictment, and tx the penalty ut death. We
/ find the defendant Oscar w. Neebe guilty of
murder Ia Inunner und form as charged IN the
| indictment, and fix the penalty at imprisonment
| for fifteen years.
Capt. Black asked that the Jury be polled.
The jurymen answered With firm voices. Capt
| Black said lac desired to make II motion for Il
| new trial.
| States Attorney Gripnell said IL would be i'm
| possible to dispose OF the motion during the
present term, but by agreement the motion
| could be argued ut the September term. This
was agreed to by the defense.
The Court-Let the motion be entered and
| continued until the next term and the defend
| ants taken back to jail.
| The court then arose and addressed the jury
| as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY You have finished
this long and very arduous trial which has re.
| quired a very considerable sacrifice OF time and
| some hardship. / hope that everything has
been done that could possibly be done TO make
those sacrifices and hardships as mild as might
| be permitted.
1T does not become me to say anything in re-
gard TO the case that you have tried the verdict
you have rendered, but men compulsorily serv-
| ing as jurors, as you have done, deserve some
| recognition OF the service you have performed
besides the meager compensation you have re-
| ceived."
The foreman of the jury said: "The jury have
| deputed to me the only agreeable duty that IL
is our province to perform, and that Is to thank
the court and the counsel Tor the defense and
for the prosecution for your kindly care to make
comfortable possible during our con-
fnement. We thank YOU"
The stiffness with which the finding Of the
jury was received was preserved for a few min
utes while Juror Osborn, the foreman, expressed
his thanks to the court for the courtesy OK.
tended himself and associates. These few
graceful words, spoken In a conversational tone
OF voice, were listened TO attentively by the
spectators. They had eyes for none but jury
court and counsel, and failed to notice an occur
renee which ut that moment was taking place in
another part of the room.
Two women were bent over q third, who
seemed in u state Of utter collapse. Her face
was the color Of death her limbs trembled and
no sooner had Mr.. Osborn finished speaking
than the woman uttered piercing scream and
fell back limp. She was Mrs. Schwab, Schnau
belts sister, and for several minutes the court
room rang with lamentations Mrs. Ames and
Mrs. George Schilling were by her side and tried
to console her, but in vain. Mrs. Schwab gave
utterance to plaintive cries so full Of grief and
sorrow as to move TO compassion every one In
the room. Friends fastened to her side. but
she was unable to walk. The poor woman had
TO be helped from the courtroom, and as she
was borne out her head fell forward upon hei
bosom, and it seemed as II her heart wai
broken.
For few seconds after the verdict was read
q deathlike stiffness prevailed then, with a low
moan, Mrs Schwab sank to the floor, where she
INDUCED in Mysteries Mrs Spies tainted away
and was carried through the door TO tho
ladies' waiting room as was also Mrs. Schilling
Reporters darted through the doors and by the
guard, not needing the commands of Judge
Gary for everyone to remain seated. Every
available telephone within the radius OF foul
blocks from the court building was beseget
with men who were waiting Tor the verdict anC
stood i'm readiness to spread the news.
Spies himself, who looked uncommonly jadeS
and anxious, smiled sickly smile, pulled n rec
handkerchief out OF his pocket and waved IL n
from the street. No reassuring response cam,
TO him, however, but the air was rent with tn,
cheers OF the crowd below, who seemed unani
mously rejoiced at the verict
AT the close Of the proceedings Mrs. Parson
walked up TO Mr.. Foster and warmly graspe,
his hand. No trace Of emotion was visible OF
her saturnine countenance Mr.. Foster express
cd his sorrow that he had not been able TO figh