St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-24
4 Verdict of Not Guilty Rem
dered at Nine O'Clock
Last Night.
Horton Receives His Deliver
ance Like a Man in a
Bad Dream.
Graphic Scenes In and About
the Court House During
the Day.
How the Jury Wrestled With
the Last Man Who
Held Out.
mot guilty"

NOl SUlllN
These two words, falling from the
lips of Walter Scott, ended the most
sensational criminal case known to the
annals of Ramsey county, and sent
Walter T. Horton back to the world a
free man.
Not guiltyw
The words were preceded by hush
over the crowded court room so still
that one could almost hear the sluggish
hands of the great clock as they pointed
to the time-S:15. Horton sat with his
hands clasped in his lap, the fierce,
nervous strain showing in that hard
grip, in his white face and in the deep
lines drawn on his face. The words
seemed to unlock his tense nerves, and
as they gave way he half fell upon the
stalwart form of his attorney. Then he
recovered, and in few moments the
closing act of the tragedy of Aug. IA
was over.
There was great interest manifested
all day yesterday in the outcome of the
famous trial by the curious people.
Hundreds of people gathered in the cor
ridors of the court house awaiting the
news of the verdict. Among these were
a number Of attorneys, who occasionally
dropped in TO make an inquiry.
The case has been one of the most
notable ever tried in Ramsey county,
and was of interest to lawyers as well
as TO the general public. 1t was con-
ceded by the legal fraternity pretty
generally that the jury was an able one.
and they expected an acquittal. as it
seemed to them that the man had not
been proven guilty.
1t was expected by great many that
verdict would be reported at the open
ing of court at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning, and there was large assem-
blage of people at the entrance to the
time, awaiting the announcement of
the verdict. The jury, however, sent
word into court that no verdict had
been reached. Judge Kelly then an
Iounced that recess would be taken
until noon. At that time DO
verdict was reached and the court took
recess until 5 o'clock last evening.
At about SIS p. m. Judge Kelly took
his seat on the bench and sent Deputy
Sheriff Webber to ascertain if the jury
was ready to report. Capt. Webber
reported that the jury asked for more
time. Judge Kelly then directed court
to be adjourned for the day, but after
leaving the bench stated to the sheriff
that if a verdict was reached before 10
p. m. he would be sent Tor.
Reaching the Verdict.
The jurors went to supper shortly
D,alx l. 10,
shortly after Z. They then got down to
solid work, even before removing their
Overcoats. 1t seems that at this time
only one man held out. The eleven
surrounded this one and poured hot shot
n the way of argument upon him and
esticulated with clinched fists. The stub
Orn juror finally yielded his point, and
he rest of the jurors began to scramble
about the room and to gather up the
Sapers used as evidence. A vote was
taken and the twelve jurors voted mot
guilty." The blank verdict was filled
ap and signed by Edward Scott, as fore
man. A deputy sheriff was dispatched
to summon Judge Kelly at 7:45, and
Dther deputies were sent to notify cOun-
sci, the clerk and the newspapers.
In an Incredibly short time the news
that the jury had agreed spread and
crowd assembled on the upper floor of
the court room.
Judge Kelly arrived very soon after
lO'clock, and sent for the prisoner.
Horton came into court looking hag-
sard, pale and anxious.
In the Court.
Judge Kelly took his seat upon the
bench at $40. and directed the sheriff
to open court. Capt. Weber declared
court open, and at the request of the
court conducted the jurors from their
room to the jury box. John w. Fal-
lihee lead the solemn procession of
jurors, all of whom looked care
worn and weary. The prisoner,
who was seated at table close
to Mr.. Martin. one of his attorneys,
glanced at the faces of the jurors as if
to read their verdict in their eyes, but
evidently he saw 10 hope, for he be-
came rigid and looked downward, while
his hands were clasped firmly above his
knees.
Call the jury; Mr.. Clerk" said
Judge Kelly. Clerk Baz Armstrong
called the roll and the jurors responded
to their names in clear voices.
Gentlemen of the jury, have you
agreed upon a yerdict!' asked Mr.
Armstrong.
NIr. Scott answered in the affirmative,
dllu. dI lSlllS, ullUuttOltu Ills COdJ ana
drew out the verdict from an inside
pocket and handed it to the clerk. and
in turn it was handed to Judge Kelly
who. III moment, announced that he
had corrected the verdict by interim
ing the words "whose true name IS
Walter T. Horton"
A Verdict Reached.
The verdict was then read, and as re-
corded is in the following form:
We, the jury in the case of the state against
Walter II. Horton. whose true name is Wal
ter F. Horton, find the defendant is not
guilty as charged in the Indictment.
EDWARD ScoTT, Foreman.
AS soon as the words Not Guilty
were read, Horton was shaken with
convulsive shiver that wrenched his
whole frame, and he leaned over upon
the shoulder of Mr.. Martin for a mo-
ment. Mr.. Martin grasped his hand
ana held it until Horton became steady.
The prisoner then arose as if to go and
shake hands with the jurors, but was
interrupted by Judge Kelly, who told
him TO wait a moment, and motioned
him to seat.
Judge Kelly then thanked the jurors
fort heir services, and said that the trial
had been in many particulars trying to
them, and he believed their verdict to
be in accordance with the desires of the
general public. He then discharged the
jury, who filed out of the court room to
the jury room to secure their overcoatS
and hats.
Judge Kelly then said: "Mr. County