Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-05
CONVICTED.
Stain and Cromwell, Muir
dererS Of Cashier
Barron,
Pronounced by the Jury, Guilty
in The Second Degree.
The Court is Assembled and the
Verdict is Rendered at
Midnight.
A Journal Reporter Remains on the Ground
and Describes the Scenes at the
Court House.
How the Decision Of the Jury is Received
in the Queen City, and Com
mentS Thereon.
Special to the kennebec journal.

BANGOR, March 4.
The verdict has been rendered Both of
the prisoners have been declared guilty of
imputation that has SO mercilessly been hur-
ed at the fair name of the murdered Cashier,
has been hurled as violently back into the
faces of the of the officials of the Dexter
Savings Institution. The cloud that for ten
long years has hung over the life of Mrs
Barron, has been lifted and that ray of sun
shine afforded by Il knowledge that at last
the truth is known, has been let into the
life so long unhappy.
As His Honor closed his charge Yesterday
noon, he said This court will be in session
until a verdict is returned. Little did the
spectators who watched the retiring jury
imagine that SO many hours would be spent
by the twelve in their deliberation. Some
thought an acquittal would soon be returned !;
others disagreement; still others convic-
ton. Those holding to the disagreement
took more courage as the hours passed on.
The clock chimed one not the least indica-
ton. Two o'clock came. The sheriff arriv-
ing, in charge of the dinner for the jury,
was mistaken for the end of their delibera-
tious This soon passed and the afternoon,
onous and the crowd gradually dispersed
Some thought to get an early tea and return
in season; others still waited till past tea hour
aud then went home disguised. But the
more hours consumed by the jury gave all
the stronger faith in disagreement. The
sun had sunk in the west and the lights were
being turned on in the court room, when the
deputy sheriff passed into the library, where
Chief Justice Peters was sitting. In an in
slant it was called from one to another The
jury have informed the judge Not SO how
ever The jury had sent in for further in
structions. He refused to give them and
the deputy sheriff returned and so informed
the jury. Supper was sent into the room
and the hungry jurors ate heartily. In the
those who were the most deeply interested
The rustic of the evening papers and the
subdued conversation gave one the idea of a
political caucus waiting for the report of a
committee. But as the hours advanced the
noise grew less with the departure of the
tired ones. Finally all had gone away think
ing probably that the jury would not report
till morning, with the exception perhaps of
about fifty persons, most of whom were press
representatives and lawyers. The ante
rooms were the most frequented and the
time whiled away by discussion and story.
LAWYER Barker and Mr.. Gillen were togeth-
er and many were the surmises regarding
what they were up to. Eleven o'clock came
and more departed, saying that the news
would keep till morning. But these last
discouraged ones had not gone far before the
court bell sounded. The tones had truly
startling effect upon the ear of the listener !:
not that of fire bell but rather, "A solemn eff
feet.
The court room is fully lighted. Soon
come pouring into the room men and boys,
and even women. faces, all that have been
familiar during the progress of the trial.
Soon the court comes in and the at
torneys The officers hasten to their places.
Now the door opens and in the brilliant light
advance Stain and Cromwell securely
ironed and guarded by officers Allen and
Hall As the four come into the room,
Stain mods and smiles to those he knows and
even Cromwell appears more at ease than
ever before. The room is soon packed. The
crier rises and the customary call is made.
The jury enters its box. The clerk reads
the roll and as each juror responds, his voice
sounds louder than ever a voice in this room.
The verdict is rendered Both prisoners are
convicted of murder in the second degree.
Stain hears but he moves not a muscle.
with a red handkerchief, while his whole
frame shakes with emotion. The prisoners
are ordered TO Jail to await sentence, and as
they are led back to Jail, their counsel, Law
yers Barker and Gillen approach them and
offer consolation.
Such is the scene that the court room at
midnight presented. Such scene it never
presented before. No, and such trial i,
never had before. As the crowd poured
forth into the starlit night, the surprise that
the verdict had given was very apparent. No
one seemed in haste to go home, but all
rather linger and discuss the unlooked-for
verdict. There was not disappointment in
its true sense, but simple surprise, that con
yiction should follow such weak evidence as
has been given on either side. 1t must have
been thought by many, matter OF cifneui
dicision to determine the preponderance OF
the evidence.
Today nothing else has been discussed any
where. 1t is town talk. Even the church
vestibules resound with the words: Yer