The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-30

The Jurors Are Asked TO Sign n Petition to
Judge Woods Recommending Ciemency.
A number of the leading Democratic politi-
clans of the city were in consultation early yes
terday morning as to what they should do to as
. sst the convicted men, and it was the general
expression that everything within their power
that would assist in obtaining clemency should
be DONE The first move agreed procur-
ing the signatures of the jurors remaining in the
city to petition to Judge Woods, asking for elem
ency. John j. Cooper, former Treasurer of
State, volunteered to take the petition and see
the jurors. He went to the Enterprise Hotel,
where the six jurors were stopping, at 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, and after having secured a
room the second floor went down to the Office
and invited juror Dickinson in first. He intro
duced himself TO the juror, and stated the OBJ
ject of his business. In the beginning Mr..
Dickinson told Mr.. Cooper that it would be un-
necessary for him to give any reasons why pc
tition should be signed. because he would not
sign it. Mr.. Dickinson then left the room
and refused to return again to hear
Mr.. Cooper's plea for his sigma
ture. II told him 1 though he was
unwise in coming to and asking us to sign
such petition said Mr.. Dickinson to Jour
nal reporter II told him that for us to sign such
a petition would look like we were going back
do it. further told him that such a petition
would have effect Judge Woods, for he
was the sole judge as TO the punishment the
men should receive, and would impose such
sentence as he thought they deserved. / said to
Mr.. Cooper that if he would circulate petition
among the Jurors after jndgment had been
passed it might be considered, but not before"
After Mr. Dickinson had retired from the
room. juror Curtis the Oldest man the jury,
was awakened from sleep and called in He
was asked to sign the petition because Coy and
Bernhamer were both men of families, who had
always stood we'll in the city, and even if guilty
of some wrong-doing: were not men who were
accustomed to committing crimes Mr. Curtis
was slightly moved by the appeal for clemency.
and asked TO be excused a few minutes
snt he thought ont s"ta the sson mat
where Mr.. Dickinson and journal
reporter were. and asked Mr.. Dickinson what
he should do about the matter. Mr. Dickinson
said it would never do in the world to sign such
a petition. 81 believe that myself" said Mr..
Curtis. Il am willing to show as much sym
patty as any msn. but the men are guilty. and
we ought not to do anything that will look like
we are undong what we have done. halfway
promised the man I would sign the petition, but
i will go back and tell him wasn't just at my
self when l woke up. and won't sign 1t" Mr.,
Curtis did as he said he would.
While Mr. Curtis was talking with Mr.. Dick
inson, Juror Gardener was called in and signed
the petition. Juror Schroeder was next called
in but ne said at once that he had helped return
q verdict. and would not listen to any appeal TO
undo what he had done. Juror Buneer was
urged TO sign tho peCltlOn OUT ne refused 20 con-
slider the matter at ALL and left the room
before any appeal was made to him. Mr. Brum-
back the last juror called in. and after
much persuasion signed the paper. With refer
ence to their actions, Messrs. Gardener and
Brumback said that. of course, they believed
the men were guilty, but were willing to show
that they had some sympathy with the con-
victed. They thought there was nothing wrong
In their asking the Judge to show leniency IN
passing sentence.
prominent Democrat said last night that
"A CALI IA n~A tnl hoe
defense to exert his influence with the judge in
behalf of elemency. but Mr.. Sellers positively
refused TO have anything to do with the matter.
The limit Of sentence - three years in the
penitentiary and fine of SIC, 600