The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-06-21

was a forcible resume of all the testimony
and an earnest appeal to the jurymen not to
be led astray by any idea that the defendant
was not in his right mind
"Why," he said, ''is it that wealthy man
should deliberately refuse to employ coun-
sci in his defense, whose whole course has
been contrary to what would be taken by
most sensible men! Why has he done so!
Because the weight If evidence is so tre-
mendous that he knows there is no escape
from it, but his only onance for life, which
he, as all men, holds dear, is to convey the
impression that he is insane; but up to this
time there has been nothing in the career OF
the defendant which has led any one to sup
pose that his mind was not as well balanced
as that of any other member of this COM
munity."
The Jury finally retired about four o'clock
in the afternoon. What were the circum-
stances that had most weight upon their
minds, and what was the course of their de-
alterations it would be manifestly improper
and, as a fact, impossible to say. The
secrets of the jury-room are kept profound
ly sacred in almost all cases. 1t was GER
tainly so IN this. The audience in the court
room remained for nearly two hours with
out stirring except to indulge in converse
ton. When it was nearly six o'clock word
was sent in from the jury-room to request
instruction from the court upon point rela-
tive to the value of clrcumstantial evidence
and the evidence of the relatives of the de-
ceased. When the instruction that had
been asked for had been given there was
another wait, and after the room had grown
dark and the janitor had lighted the gas,
many of the spectators went out, one after
another, believing that the verdict would
not be reached that night. The more they
waited the more certain it seemed that a
disagreement would be the result. And
yet when the jury first went out it was the
universal opinion that verdict of guilty
would be recorded. At half past eight a
few loungers in the courtroom were
startled from their ennui by the appearance
of the court crier, who came in to announce
that the jury were ready to return The
judge, who had been chatting in the con-
sultlng room with several lawyers, returned
to his place on the bench, and in three min
utes the courtroom was crowded again to
its utmost capacity. Not many of the fash
ionable people who had been there during
the trial were present, but their absence
was more than made up by others who had
struggled in vain for an opportunity to hear
the testimony. The defendant was brought
in from room down stairs where he had
been waiting alone and was placed again at
the bar. The Jurymen filed in, led BY N
officer of the court, and took their places up.
on the bench.
Mr.. Brownlow looked at their faces in
tentfy as they passed, but in none of them
could he discern hint Of what was to come.
When all had been seated and the roll had
been called, the clerk proceeded to put the
formal questions: "Gentlemen, have you
agreed apon a verdict in the case of the de.
PENDANT at the bar?''
"We have" answered the foreman.
"Gentlemen, what say you, is the de.
PENDANT guilty or net gullty?''
The foreman's face was grave and steady
as he responded: "Guilty, as charged in
the Indictment"
There was a slight rustic in the court
room as all eyes were turned upon Mr.
Brownlow He did not move = muscle, but
looked curiously from one face to the other
in the jury box, as if wondering what class
and manner of men they could be who could
arrive at such a decision upon the facts as
presented in the trial. There was slight
pause before the proceedings were resumed.
When they were the clerk said: "Gustave
BrOwnlOw, stand up"
When the prisoner had risen to his feet
these questions followed:
"What is your age!"
"Thirty-one'
"Your place of residenoep'
"No.- Fifth avenue
"What Is your occupation?"
Mr. Brownlow paused for moment,
then he responded: 81 have no business"
After that he was permltted to sit down
again, but in moment more the Judge,
who had been sitting with his eyes upon the
ceiling and a NEST distracted expression
upon his face, ordered him once more to
stand.
Prisoner" said the court, "you have
been accused of the most heinous of crimes
of which it is possible to accuse any citizen
You have had every opportunity to present
| your side OF the case in its most favorable
light That you have deliberately refused
to do so can have no weight with this court
in passing sentence for the crime of which
you have just been convicted. 1t is not for
US to act IS your defender, or to extenuate
the circumstances of the crime. It is our
part only to execute the orders of the law,
and iE so doing 1 am obliged to consider
that this jury before whom you have been
tried is fully competent as believe it was,
to determine with accuracy and justice the
truth at this terrible matter. The crime of
which yup have been convicted is one that
can - BE- palliated by any circumstances,
and ! cas not therefore permit either mercy
or any other consideration to modify in any
degree the penalty which the law provides
for murder. Nevertheless, give you one
more opportunity to say if you have any
reason to offer whysenrence of death should
not be passed upon YOU"
Mr.. Brownlow looked at the court for 8
moment steadily and then said: 81 have
only this to say, that the result of this tria
Is the most severe condemnation that could
possibly be made of the jury SYSTEM
Prisoner said the Judge, sternly
when he saw that Mr.. Brownlow had moth
ing further to offer, "you have persistently
aggravated your situation from beginning
TO end 1t would be impossible now, if il
ever had been, to exercise any discretion in
: the matter OF regulating your sentence
The sentence of the court is, therefore, tina,
you be taken to the county Jail, confined
there until Friday, the 21st of January, and
that you be then taken from your cell ani
hung by the neck until you are dead, anG
may God have mercy upon your soul Gen
tiemen of the jury, you are discharged"
Mr. Brownlow received the sentence as b,
had the verdict without finching, and to al
ehcrts OF either friends or reporters to in.
tercede In his behalf, or enter into CONVEX
satlon with him, he simply asserted that hi
sad said what he had to say. But his friends
did not let the matter rest. As the do
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