The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-05-07
THE OFFICERS AND MANY
MEMBERS OF THE So
CIETY KNOWN.
THE TRA4EDY FULLY REVIEWED.
Bat titc Grand Jury Decline to Indict any
Cf the Lynchers, Leaders or
Otherwise,

NEw ORLEANS, La, May 5.-After six
weeks investigation the Grand Jury com
pleted s labors in the Hennessy case and
the killing of Italians at the Parish prison
by pre- anting the following special repolt
1t $50 o'clock this afternoon:
GRAND JURY Room, May 5.
10 the Honorable Robert IL. MARI, Judge
of the Criminal District Court Of the
Parish of New Orleans, Section a:
when this grand jury entered upon its
Term of service there was pending in Sec
lion Of the tribunal the trial of nine men
indicted for participation in the assassina-
ton Of The late Superintendent of Police, d.
G. Hennessy, on the night OF Dec. 10,
1880. The enormity of that crime,
executed at the midnight hour, created
uu1sual interested throughout the whole
country while in our own city vitality con-
csrneo n the administration of justice as
deep'y affecting her social, political ana
material welfare, the sentiment OF the pop
uao, had crystalized into concrete form
of expression that justice be rendered
through the recognized channels of crimi-
pa. jurisprudence that the guilty perpetra'
tors, whoever they were, be tried by an
impartial Jury of American citizens and
meet With righteous conviction.
ONE FACT STOOD OUT
IN awful prominence above and beyond dis
pu,s Or question by any man. The fact
that crime of unparalleled atrccity had
hesu committed, evidenced by five terrible
death Iealing weapons, numerous slugs and
l-iiyts fred on their errapd OF human de
strpc,i IN and found i'll fences and houses
at the scenes besides those that struck down
the .olttary man who would not have been
marked as a victim had he not filled the re-
suorslole position of a chief officer of the
sw.
Ir is not to be wondered that attention
;horis be directed 20 the trial during the
MANY 1aGs of its progress, in the selection
of lurors. the evidence of witnesses, the
sreur ents of counsel, the charge OF the
ipdge and finally concentrated on the
twelve men, who by virtue OF their solemn
oath at in awful judgment on their fellow
men The verdict now is of official record,
bearing date March 13, 1891. We cannot be
mistae en- in the assertion that the verdict
was ,trikingly amazing bitter dlsappoint-
nrent, shocking to public opinion, provoking
renplted accusations that some OF the jury
mad been unfaithtul to their high office.
THE TESTIMONY CONVINCING
We feel that we do not transcend the
limits of our duty as grand lnquest 10
refer 10 the strong presentation OF the case
ss Glade by the state through counsel asSo-
oiated in the prosecution, Clear, contin
,,ous complete, convincing in direct
4sstipony and material circumstances
. it, aopeared more than sufficient to con-
vince the most unwilling listener with its
truth and convey the full measure of its
oower TO those who ventured to doubt AS
ihe trial neared its termination, it was not
possible for any observer to iali TO reallze
Tho comments made on every SIDE touch
ing the action of some members OF the jury
ryLsn ne case should be submitted. Charges
aud sueculation abounded, coupled with
the ge 1 known connection OF certain par
tia, Of Inenviable notjriety as shown by
their presence day by day i'll the court room
aUJ building, arouslng the suspicion lhat
fhe most subtle, dangerous and powerful
influences known to the practice of the
rrimjpHl law were being exercised IL behalf
,of ths Iefense. These considerations have
led t9 lyestigale the subject, embracing all
its afeadant conditions and incidents me
inquiry has been conducted with the ut
most i ligence, devoid OF fear ol partlality,
with ne single purpose of fastening the
1i.t ON the proper persons and presenting
under Indictment to this tribunal.
STATEMENT OF THE JURORS.
Zach one of the twelve jurors at the trial
wa .U,1moned and asked TO make state
mspj None objected, but all rather wei
soired he opportunity. 1t was d notable
feature Of their sworn statements that they
n,r,IgIi v sought TO justify their verdict by
auacking the line of evidence presented by
The statt, and attaching much weight to the
aTrpma ats of the defense. 1t was freely
Sd11i.if / by the jurors that remarks had
beer m de in the jury room as early as the
frsf tlsv when testimony was offered and
reoesteI a number of times afterward
III tle state was making bad case, "
and va positively repeated at the close OF
tLe stg,.fs evidence. One quarrel at least
was fg rted arising from the accusation
by ors iuror to anotherwith the expression
i,YVu ak like you were fixed before you
came They formed no conception OF
the tension to which the public mind was
strung though impressed with deep interest
as SHOWN each day by the crowd OF spec
telCrs IN the court room
Careful observers testify with special ref
ererce % the ra,cl irattention OF ne
Jury Es he witnesses submitted their erI-