Arizona republican., 1890-05-30
FOUND GUILTY. Wilson Convicted of Flem- ming's Murder. He Takes the Result Very
 Bravely. The Jury Deliberated for Six Hours Before They Were Able to
 Agree on Verdict.

The agony is over, and the death pen alty hangs over Jefferson Wilson, col ored, private in Troop K, Tenth Cavalry, U. S. A.
 Testimony in the trial of Wilson for murdering William Fleming, last August, at San Carlos, closed in the District Court this morning, and coun- sel immediately began their summing up.
 It should be remarked just here that United States District Attorney Jefford's case nearly collapsed under the exami- nation of one of his main witnesses. But the District Attorney had, ap- parently, strong case. So, when Private Varnum went upon the stand and denied all knowledge, practically, of Fleming's murder, the trained lawyer showed no sign of chagrin or discom- fiture. He had Varnum's testimony on former occasion, signed in his own handwriting, to the effect that he was an eye witness to the decoying of Flem- ing, and actually saw his head cracked with the deadly iron bar. It required nerve to encounter the dissipation of such vital evidence, in the very crisis of she case. Not the shade of faintest shadow stole across the prosecutors inn movable countenance as Varnum delib- erately swallowed his previous deposi- tion and swore to total ignorance of the affair. Cooly and carefully the case went on, as though no ripple had dis turbed its agitated surface.
 Counsellors Rouse and Lowell plead long and earnestly for their client.
 Counsellor Jetfords' speech was gen erally commended for it's force of argu- ment and delivery, it's fairness and the completeness with which every circum- stance, name and date was presented.
 About ? :45 p. m., Judge kibby began his charge, explaining at length the law governing such cases and dwelling upon the rules of evidence to be followed in arriving at a verdict.
 The clock pointed to 3:2O when the jury retired. The crowds, which since Tuesday morning have eagerly crowded the Court room, dispersed some scatter ing about town, others in little groups about the railways and Hobbies, specu- lating with that nervous excitement which ever surrounds q human life in jeopardy.
 As 5 o'clock struck an onimous knock on the jurors door was heard. They filed into the court room again. The instructions bothered some of them and Judge Kibby patiently repeated them. When 6 30 rolled by without verdict, the arbiters of Wilson's destiny were taken down to the Mills House and fortified for further duty by a substantial dinner. It seemed to aid them for, at S:l5 p. m., a second knock announced the reaching of unanimity, as required by law.
 Gentlemen, have you agreed upon your verdict?" solemnly asked Judge kibby. The foreman nodded and then these fatal words were pronounced: "Guilty as charged in the Indictment"
 The jury were discharged, and one week from Wednesday next, June llth. was fixed as the day for sentence.
 It is hinted that there were from fourteen to sixteen ballots taken, and that the first count showed nine to three for conviction. Of course, such reports cannot be verified, as the secrets of the jury room were carefully guarded.
 As in many another great case, the turning point, probably, was simple one. Two shirts figured largely in the trial Gray shirts they were, worn and unadorned. After the murder, some thing induced Uncle Sam's officers to tear down the hut or shack where Wilson slept, six days after the murder. 1 There, between the rude wainscotting ot wood and outer canvas covering, was found gray flannel shirt, tightly wedged in, with tell-tale blotch of ! blood on one side.
 Did Jefferson Wilson watch this damning discovery? If not, why did he | so promptly offer another gray shirt, | very similar, and insist it was the one | he wore when Win. Fleming was SO brutally brained? Possibly this very readiness to thrust proof upon his trailers, while as yet they had not faced him with the charge now established in the decisive tribunal. He who excuses himself, accuses, the French say. Per haps Jefferson Wilson was his own most dangerous accuser. At all events, when the verdict was given, he assumed look of surly defiance, as though he'd brave hundred yer diets without tremor. It was plain, though, that behind all this bravado, a crushed and broken hope sank down into the depths of fathomless despair.
 The other cases for murder and con spiracy against Edwards, Douglass, Logan and Narnum go over till next November. The large array of officers and soldiers from San Carlos will proba- ply return on Saturday.
 TRIALS SET.
 The case of the Territory vs. Pool, , was set for the second Monday in June. Territory vs. Govro, second Wednes- day in June.
 Territory vs. Salazar and Jaras, second Thursday in June. Defendants all plead not guilty.
 The court thereupon adjourned until the second Monday in June.