The Portland daily press., 1888-03-06
HOW TWELVE MEN AGREED.
The Verdict in the Barron Case De-
cided by That Receipt.
After IL Had Seemed Impossible to
Reach an Agreement.
What People Say About the Case in
Dexter.

| BANGOR. March 5.-Talk of the Stain
| Cromwell trial is still an absorbing topic
here. When the jurors first went out it was
decided to take an informal ballot. not to
mean ANYTHING, but so that each man could
vote in one way or the other before entering
into a discussion of the case. This was
done. and it stood II to for conviction, the
only man standing out being Hon. S. G..
Hatch of Bangor. Then there was some lit
| tie talk about the evidence, and an examina-
| tion of the dispositions and other documenta-
| nv evidence introduced, and then came the
| first formal ballot TO the great surprise of
every man. neither of them knowing how
his neighbor voted on this ballot. there was
a large majority for acquittal. The exami-
nation of the evidence was then continued,
and ballots were taken throughout the day,
showing no signs of an agreement. At one
time tie vote stood 6 to 6. Early in the eve
ming it stood to 8 for conviction, and re-
mained so for some time.
At 1890 there were no prospects Of any
change, and word was sent to the Judge that
the jury could never agree.
| To this there was no response, and ar
| rangements were made to pass the night in
| the room. Coats were piled upon the floor,
| and the men were turning in"
1t was about this time that the famous re-
| ceipt of the steamer Star of the East signed
'B. c. Sanborn," came up for consideration,
| and strange to say it was this receipt that
finally decided the guilt of the two prisoners.
The jurors decided that the signature on
| this receipt was Identical with some OF the
| handwriting in Stains letters, and two OF
those outstanding came around to the con-
saff oil holl
man for acquittal, and he was Christopher
| G.. Toole of Bangor.
| At few minutes after II o'clock, he called
| for a new dallot, which was taken, the Jury
| agreed, the great suspense was over, and tne
| fate of David l.. Stain and Oliver Cromwell
| was sealed.
| The news of the agreement passed to the
deputy sheriff in waiting, and messenger at
| the same instant started on the run to notify
Chief Justice Peters. The court then came
in, and the verdict was announced.
The Chief Justice told reporter that ne
considered the verdict a just one, and rem
dered in accordance with the law ana the
evidence. He believes the men guilty, and
thinks the evidence against them remarkably
strong
Stain and Cromwell were very much disap--
pointed at the result, but they have not yet
lost all hope. They think their chance of
getting new trial is very good
The News in Dexter.
DEXTER, March 5.-The news Of the YER
dict did not reach Dexter until $50 yester-
day morning. 1t produced great sensation
and to many was a great surprise, for the
larger portion expected a disagreement of
the jury. The verdict has made wonderful
change in the sentiment of the people. Some
still have their doubts of Stain and Crom-
wells guilt, although the evidence brought
forward at Bangor has firmly convinced
them that Barron was murdered. The sui
eide theory has few supporters now. Those,
however, who have been most active in pro-
mitigating the suicide theory still believe in
it.
There is considerable speculation as to
whether the bank will be obliged to pay the
reward offered ten years ago. Believing, as
they undoubtedly do, that Barron committed
suicide, the officers will probably refuse to
pay it. 1t is claimed that this comes under
the same rule of law as any other promise or
obligation, and If so it would be outlawed
by the statute of limitation.
Many Dexter people did not learn the re-
suit of the verdict till after reaching church,
when it was told from one to another in the
Railways. Probably There was no congrega-
tion of people in the whole State who re-
ceived the news with more qualification than
the Congregational church, or the Barron
Memorial Church." so called in memory Of
the murdered cashier.