The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-20
GAINS BRAND WIPED OUT.
The Murder Trial at Columbus Ends
in AcQuittsL

in AcquittsL
COLUMBUS, GA, Nov. 19.-An the specu-
lation was rife as to what the verdict would
be in the ACKNOWLEDGMENT case. Early
this morning it was reported on the streets
that the jury stood eleven for acquittal and
one for conviction. a little later on rumor
had it that all twelve jurors had
agreed to acquit Richard Howard
and James Bickerstaff. and that ten favored
acquitting Robert Howard, while two
thought be should be found guilty OF vol
untary manslaughter. At o'clock In the
afternoon a report gained circulation that
/ eight jurors were for acquitual and four
for conviction. At 5:l5 O'Clock intelligence
flashed over the city that the jury had
reached a verdict
CROWD IN COURT.
Judge Gamble, Solicitor Carson and the
attorneys for the defense were sent for and
hastened 10 the court house, whers large
crowd had already assembled. Two of the
defendants, Robert Howard and James
Bickerstaff. were in court. At 5:45 o'clock
Richard Howard entered the court room
and five minutes later the jury filed in and
took their places in the box. Polling OF the
jury was ordered by Judge Gamble Clerk
Cook called out the names and each man
responded.
Receive the verdict. Mr.. Solicitor" or
dered the judge.
Solicitor Carson stepped to the front and
Foreman George Chaffin handed him the
verdict, which read: 1--WE, the jury, find
the defendants not guilty"
NO DEMONSTRATION IN COURT.
These words fell from the lips of the
solicitor in clear, distinct tones Not a
sound was heard when the verdict was read,
fhGa inrfer kar rfv.n, Al.
there must be no demonstration under
penalty Of heavy fine.
The court then ordered a recess, after
which the frieDds and relatives of the three
men who had just been INDICATED by the
jury crowded around them. Strong men
fell upon each others necks and wept. The
scene was a pathetic one, and some time
elapsed before the men could get away
from their friends and 60 to their families.
STORY OF THE KILLING.
The trial just closed was one of the most
interesting in the history of the city. The
men acquitted are Robert and Richard How
ard. brothers, and James BIckerst af,
their brother-in-law, all we'll known citi-
zens. The homicide occurred Nov. IL, 1890,
during the progress of the Chattanooche
| Valley exposition. The'tragedy took place
near the judges stand before the eyes Of a
crowd Of people, estimated at
10000. The gentleman roadsters
race had just been finished and
| 7. 9. Dawson, a Unknown citizen of Ala
| bama. who was one of the drivers, dis
mounted and approached the judges stand.
He was approached by Robert How
ard, who plunged a bowie-knife into him.
Dawson reeed away in a circle and
with difficulty drew his pistol, and at the
same time Robert Howard ana his brother
Richard followed him, firing on him, Bick-
erstaff also Joined in the shooting. Dawson
fred two shots at random, sank to the
ground, and in few minutes was dead
The prisoners asserted that Dawson had
seduced their sister, and while he had mar
ried her at their instance, he had
afterward abandoned her. They set up the
plea also of self-defense that Dawson come
70 the exposition to have a difficulty and
that he made the first attack on Robert
Howard. There has been intense interest
in the trial, in which many of the ablest
lawyers in Georgia and Alabama were en-
gagged.