New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-20
MRS. HAMILTON CONVICTED
FOUND GUILTY OF ATROCIOUS ASSAULT
ON THE NURSE.
SHE is SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IMPIIsoN.
hENT BY JUDGE REED-UNMoVED BY
THE VERDICT.
IBr TELEGRAPH 10 THE rnIBuSE.l

mays Landing, N j., Sept. l9.-The opening OF
the court at Nays Landing was delayed for an
hour to-day, owing TO the non-arriva of the train
from Atlantic City, which was delayed by the
wreck OF freight train. When the train finally
arrived Captain Perry, the attorney Of Mrs.
Hamilton, hurried into the court room. Not see
ing his client he asked where she was. and was
informed by Judge Reed that she did not desire
TO appear. He then requested the Court TO allow
MN The privilege Of seeing her. Judge Reed at
once commanded the sheriff TO bring the prisoner
INTO court That Official again repeated that Mrs.
hamilton did not desire 10 come into court until
she was compelled TO do so. Counsellor Perry
then turned to the Judge and said: My client
valves an appearance" and began his appeal to
the Jury. 1t fine effort though, as the re-
suit showed. it made no i'm preston upon the stony
hearted Jurors. He pleaded for acquitnl on the
ground that the cutting was done in self-defence,
Mrs. Hamilton believing her life to be in
danger at the hands of drunken nurse.
lie was followed by Prosecutor Thompson
who in a brief but forcible manner reviewed
the facts.
Upon the conclusion Of Mr.. Thompson's remarks
the jury were charged by Judge Reed. The
doctrine of self-defence was dwelt upon at great
length, and according to his Interpretation of the
no excuse for using a deadly weapon
until they had been placed at the door of death
The charge strongly against the accused
woman. Upon the conclusion of the Judges re-
marks the jury retired under the charge of
constable They had been out about two hours
when they filed back into the courtroom The
august court was then engaged in the trial Of
dog case, and upon its conclusion Clerk Evans
turned, under direction Of Judge Reed, to the
jury and said:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon
a verdct?'
One Of the jurors said: I'VE have"
The Clerk then said How do you find
guilty or not guilty."
The foreman replied: ave find her guilty as
charged in the Indictment
A hum of Indignation went around the court
room. The prisoner, who in the meanwhile had
been led into court, looked dazed and confused.
but not muscle of her face quivered and no sign
did she give of her feelings. The Judge and his
lay associate, retired TO a room in the rear. They
were followed by the sheriff. After an absence
Of five or ten minutes they returned Judge Reed
knitted his brows and in few moments said:
Evangeline Hamilton, stand up
Mrs Hamilton did not understand him, and
had TO be prompted by her counsel to do So
At last she arose ana gaZed aI the Judge. Inc
Judge then said
Evangclinc Hamilton, you have been convicted
OF th. crime OF atrOciOus assault the penalty Tor
which in this State is seven years confinement IN the
States Prison and 81 900 fine. But the court has
taken into consideration the conduct OF the woman
DOnuelly, and the mitigating circumstances OF the
case has decided 10 impose upon you sentence
which under other circumstances would be most
cncnt. The sentence OF this court Is that you
serve two years I'm the States Prison, and that you
stand committed untl the costs Of the prosecution
arc paid.
Not shudder shook the frame of Mrs. Hamll-
ton. In fact, she did not seem to realize matters
She was led back to her attic prison by the Sheriff.
Or the way Mrs. Hamilton was accosted by re
porters. She appeared willing and, in fact, anxious
u talk but the Sheriff i'm an excited manner loudly
demanded that the newspaper men move away.
lie seized Mrs Hamilton by the arm and hurried
her away In the short time the reporters were
with her they were told by Mrs. Hamilton that
her husband was to blame for the whole trouble
She declared that she was innocent of the crime
for which she stands under Indictment In New
York.
Atlantic City, n. j., Sept. 19.-Nlrs Elizabeth
Rupp, propretress Of Noll cottage, where the
Hamilton affair occurred, said tonight that she
was caring for the baby B,atrice, under 1nstruc-
tions from Robert Ray Hamilton, who said he
would decide within a day or two what dis
position 10 make of the innocent cause OF all the
trouble MIR Hamilton said to Mrs. Rupp that
he would never set foot in Atlantic City again.
as il would recall many incidents that were pain
full TO him and which he wished to blot from hlS
memory