Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-28
THE WRECKERS' FATE.
A Verdict of Guilty Found Against
DUNCAN, Work and Pfeiffer.
THE PRISONERS STUNNED BY 1T.
Their Wives, Crushed by the Blow, Create
Scenesin Court.
AN APPEAL FOR NEW TRIALS MADE.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.i
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27.-The trial of
the wreckers of the Bank of America result
ed to-day in verdict of guilty against
George f. Work aud James S. DUNCAN, and
Louis E. Pfeiffer. the President of the
wrecked bank, is guilty according to his own
confession and plea. Sentence has not yet
been passed upon the convicted men, by
reason of an application made by counsel for
Work and DUNCAN for new trial.
Only MacFarlane. of the quartet of men
who conspired to defraud the depositors in
the bank and the policy holders OF the
American Life Insurance Company, is at
present at large. He is a fugitive. The
trial has been one OF the most remarkable
ever witnessed in this State, and has devel-
oped the most startling revelations as to the
manner in which the financial affairs of one
class of the commercial institutions of this
country are carried on. Sensation after SEN
sation has startled the court, and every
hour seemed to bring with it some new
phase Of surprising nature.
The Scene in Court.
The bar was crowded with lawyers at the
opening of to-day's proceedings. Mrs. Work
and Mrs. Pfeiffer sat in the court, pale,
nervous and trembling, weeping silently.
Around Mrs. Pfei1er sat a number of
friends who now and then spoke words of
comfort to her, but the only response she
made was a shake of the head and fresh
outburst Of weeping. Work was pale as
usual, but all his sang froid had gone. He
was evidently i'll at ease, and showed it in
every movement.
While Furman Sheppard was arguing
his case, he sat erect and apparently as
motonless as statue. Only once did he
move, and that was when he whispered to
Lawyer Moon some point for Mr.. Sheppard
to use. DUNCAN covered in his seat, as if
ashamed to meet the sunlight which
streamed in at the windows. Pfeiffer was
fustered and anxious. Eevry now and
then he looked at his wife and then tapped
his knee with his fingers in his nervous
agitation. All three OF the accused men
listened to the speeches of counsel intensely,
and both DUNCAN and Pteiffer moved back
ward and forward as the statements affected
them.
District Attorney Graham's eloquence
seemed to melt and freeze alternately
Now they paled and again they flushed.
DUNCAN would at times bury his face in his
hands and then place his hand on the neck
of a young man, who has sat near him dur
ing the whole trial.
A Throng of People.
The fact that the evidence was all in and
that council would begin their argument
had the effect of thronging the Court
House. On the stairway the tipstaves were
stationed, with orders to limit the number
of people, who entered the court room as
much as possible. But the string of people
poured in until the aisles were crowded aud
packed up to the iron gate which leads to
the enclosure.
The argument of counsel and the Judges
charge lasted until o'clock The Jury
then retired, and the court took recess un-
til 4:15. At 4:3O Judge Arnold took his
seat on the bench, and a moment later the
alsles were cleared to allow the jury to
pass into the court room. A hush
fell upon the crowd as the IL men walked
slowly down the aisle. Work and Pfeiffer
eagerly scanned their faces, as if to CLEAN
some intelligence from them, but Dungan's s
head fell on his breast and he folded his
arms tightly. Work turned to the table as
the jury took their seats and began writing
hurriedly.
Stunned by the Verdict.
The usual formalities were quickly gone
his hand the bill of Indictment, and, ad-
dressing the jury, asked if they had agreed
upon a verdict. The foreman answered in
the affirmative.
"How say you. gentlemen of the jury,
guilty, or not guilty?'
"Guilty."
AS the word "guilty" fell from the FORE
mans lips, Works face became livid, his
tigers twitched convulsively and he leaned
forward over the table. Dungan's head
dropped back and he gasped for breath,
then throwing his right arm around the
neck of his friend, he leaned over
and rested motionless. Pfeiffer sat bolt
upright in his chair. giving no sign of any
emotion. Lawyer Moon, for the defense
requested that the jury be polled, and it was
found that every man was in favor of the
verdict as rendered. Lawyer Moon, on be-
gan, at once gave notice Of their intention to
move for a new trial.
Sensational Scenes In Court.
When the jury had been dismissed most
sensational scene followed Pale and
Trembling, II Mrs. Work was led BY her
daughter within the bar inclosure and there
greeted her husband. She kissed him re-
peatedly, and as he turned to 90 she fell back
in chair IN fainting condition. The
poor woman was led from the room by her
daughter just as Mrs. DUNCAN said good
by to her husband at the gate. Mrs. Dun
gan was perfectly calm, but as she passed
down the aisle her tottering form showed
how much she felt the burden under which
she was laboring.
A number of Works friends crowded
round him after the adjournment, and for
few momente he held an impromptu recep-
ton. Pfeifer's wife hurried from the room
Immediately after the verdict was rendered,
and Pfeiffer passed:down to the van. after
taking leave of his counsel. The
three men were taken down the Judges
private entrance, in order to escape the
crowd awaiting them at the front door, and,
in charge Of court officers, Lews and Tibber-
ton were conveyed TO Moyamensing.
A WELL known and very able writer, now
OF Now Orleans has sent THE DTSP ATCEJ O