The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-01
Defendant Msttlsr Exonsrated Of all Blame
Touching the Tally Shsst Alterations.
Remarkable Ending Of the Second Prosecution
in the Election Conspiracy Natter.
Peculiar Manner by Which the Surprising
Decision Was Reached-SOme Secrets
of the Jury-ROom Revealed,

1--WE, the Jury, find the defendants
Coy and BeTnhamer guilty, as charged
in the indictment, snd we, the Jury, ind
the defendant Mattler not guilty, as
charged in the Indictment"
The above is the verdict in the great cleo
ton conspiracy case, the trial of which has
been pending in the United States District
Court for the past twelve days. 1t
was wholly g surprise. No one expected
Ii, neither Republicans nor Democrats.
The fact that the jury had failed to reach
decision in twenty four hours had esta0'
lished the conviction firmly in the minds
OF every body that there would be dis
II was regarded simply as
question of endurance on the part OF both
the Jury and the court. Judge Woods was
for holding the Jury when there
seemed no likelihood whatever of their
agreeing upon a verdict. But nobody can
tell what jury will do, or rather what
they won't 90. in this case 1t appears
that death in jurors family, making
il essential for HIM TO get home 70 attend
the funeral, induced him to vote for con-
victlon. SIS Will be seen in another column.
At $50 o'clock Saturday evening
after having balloted unsuccessfully
for almost twsnty-sigbt hours, the
that they had sgr6ed upon verdict. 1t
was thtn the supper hour, and the Court
could not be communicated with at once
The defendants had also gone away, and 1t
became necessary to withhold the verdict
for the time being. Meanwhile the twelve
men went to the Grand Hotel, in charge OF
the bailif, for supper.
'-The Jury have agreed" This was the
word that spread about the city, and 1t was
further gwen out that the Court would be
present 10 hear the finding n 40 o'clock.
At that hour people begEo 10 flock to the
Federal building. Judge Woods and little
son were in his private chamber, but az
the time appointed he went above to Dis
trict Attorney Sellers Office. The cor
ridors were filed, but the court room had
not been unlocked. Presently the
Jurors, with BaiIii Stein at the front, as
cended the stairs and went at once into
the court roop1 and took their seats. The
foreman had a sealed envelope in his
hand, containing the verdict, which he
handled somewhat nervously. The crowd
from the corridors pressed into the court
room and the favored ones-court officials,
attorneys and reporters - were
given seats Immediately in
front of the jury, while the remainder of
the crowd, who were there simply to
crafty curiosity and without any direct
interest in the case, were required 10 stand
on the north side OF the room. Then bs.
gan a wait which lasted for one hour and
weniy minutes. Expectancy was marked
upon every feature, and whenever the
door opened there was q hurried
glance at the face of the new
conner, il having become known
that TIE delay was occasiored by the
non-appearaDce of defendant Bernhamer
MesSs. Coy and Matter were promptly
Oh The scene, butremained in the Office oil
Deputy District Attorney Bailey pending
the arrival Of Mr.. Bernhamer. Sim was
the coolest OF the cool. A recent shave gave
him Just the slightest paleness Dut
there was nothing in his demeanor to indi
este that he was not able to meet any
emergency. He wore q heavy overcoat
unbuttoned and thrown back carelessly, a.
is his custom; and from his Immaculate
shirt front shone the diamond so much
talked about in connection with the Var
Slack bond matter. His silk hat sat bach
en- his head and pleasant smile greeted
all who spoke to him. He smoked
his everyday habit, so familiar
friends end betrayed not the least nervous
ness. There was no evidence whatever Of
falling courage. He was the same Siu
Coy, jovial, stout-hearted and kindly
whose mary excellent traits OF character
have won for him such large following
the Sim Coy who "never quails."
Mr.. Matter was more deeply concerned
than his co-defendant; at least he seemed
be laboring under intense excitems en-
and hardly able to endure the strain upoI
MIN. His bearing was that of an lnnocen
man resting under terrible charge, and
VINO recognized that all he possessed was a
fak a vi hail
especially manifested in his inability Il
be quiet, or retain any position
He was continually walking abou
the corridors, going in anC
out of the Deputy District Attorney
Office, and entering the court room, onll
to remain q few moments. His brother
Frank Matter, and his friend, Henri,
Guetig, were with him and appeared equal
yinterested.
fret ly with bis counsel and friends, ant
was not agitated or disturbed. He mad
no conceaiment, however, of the fact tina
be believed the jury bad made a fndin
of guilty in his case. When Sentinel re
porter asked him what he thought of tn
situation, Sim replied:
1T looks like somebody is stuck" an
he emphasized the word somebody" 70
| the evident purpose of conveying the in
lOImhllOu tnhl tue luulNluuhl ne uhu TEL
erence to was himself. 81 was surprised
when told they had reached a verdict" b
added, "for Just an hour before one OF tn
| jurors sent telegram to his family ssyin
he would not be home before Monda
evening. But you can never tell what
| Jury will do"
Atthis juncture friend came up and sal
to Sim, jocularly: "Murdock's good fel
low, and he'll not be hard on you. We
send large delegation up to Michiga
| City to commend you to the generous cor
siderations of the Warden"
Eyes, there is already some tai
| OF chartering q special train
so that my friends can 90 alou
with me-" Sim rejoined good naturedly
While Mr.. Coy chatted pleasantly witt
| friends, and the crowd waited impatientll
| in the court room, Marshal Hawkins ant
his deputies made persistent effort to 90
| cure Mr.. Bernhamer's presence. FINAL
word was sent 5y telephone TO drug stor