Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-08-07
AN ABIDING MYSTERY.


what the CoKitatians "t Fetit s"fs "th
1855 hiring Forth.
Any man who should attempt to
amuse his bearers nowadays by telling
story OF u jury who brought In q
verdict Not guilty, but il he does i
again he will get the full penalty"
would be greeted with cries of Chest
nut, chestnut, and would be assured
that thing was credited years ago 10
the far west, was immortalized by
Mark Twain in one of his book, and
that nobody believed that II ever did
happen anyway. Yet the newspapers
reported, and what the newspapers say
must be true, that only week ago
Jury at Newark, n. j., trying case at
quarter sessions, brought in verdict
OF Mot guilty, but we don't want him
to do il again, and the verdict was ae-
copied.
In the court of general sessions in
this city last month, jury, after
spending an unusually long time in
considering their verdict, came into
court and the clerk asked:
Are you agreed upon your verdict1"
1--WE have agreed" replied the in
teIligent foreman.
What is your verdict, thenf SAID
the clerk.
I'VE lind, !" said the foreman, sagely
and with elaboration, that we stand
seven for acquittal and five for conyic-
ton"
Then you have not agreed at all, "
said the clerk testify.
Il guess you have agreed TO disa'
gree, said the judge, but you had bet
ter try it again.
A poor fellow who was on trial for
his life in the same court not long ago
got terrible shock by the sudden
change from keemly anxious hope
to glad certainty OF release, and then
back again 10 black despair in the
course OF one minute, brought about
by the precise and exact pomposity Of
the jury which was trying him. They
too had taken a long time to consider
their verdict and the prisoner des-
perat6 and hardened william, who had
a poor case and had looked for moth
ing but the worst. began TO think that
they might. after al, disagree. The
anxiety apparent on his face told how
the suspense had racked him when he
:. again. faced the jury as they filed into
courtSssd-took their seats.
In murder cases, ms a rule. more for
fmality is used than Tor ordinary
cffnes; and SO the clerk said: Gen
tlefssem ef the jury. do you find the
prisoner guilty Of murder in the first
degree, US charged in the Indictment"
, Now, the foreman was young
lawyer himself, aud he felt that he
, ought to show his legal and fine JUDI
cial mind. go he paused moment,
evidently repeating the question TO
himself, and finally said complacently,
'"NorsuAlts"
There was stir OF surprise all over
thu court. and the prisoner almost
tainted with JOY as he heard the words.
I But the jurymen began 10 demonstrate
3 with their foreman. and he condo
J. scended 10 explain.
> II mean. OF course" he said, THAT
we fluid the prisoner not guilty Of muir
7 der in the first degree, as charged in
the indictment. That was the question
/. asked me-. But we do find him guilty
Of murder in the second degree"
$ The prisoner burst into tears over
4 the disappointment, though he at on,
+ time contemplated q worse result will
5 stolidity, but the legal gentleman haC
, properly upheld the reputation of hi
+ profession forexactitude and verbosity
n The recognized locality at presen
i for story tellers TO lay the scenes o
!. jury dramas is in the new south
. where the 'darkies" furnish ampl
81 material to draw from. In Florida
d Jury in the Indian river country no
/, hong ago found that 1.-The diseased die
! by the will of God or some other dis
| ease. unknown to this jury" Anothe
:. dusky panel, bound 20 show that the,
y were rot going To shield one of thei
y own color found n negro prisone
flxuiltS with considerable doubt a
4 To whether he is the man."
= A man. had shot his neighbor's no
" and the owner had him prosecuted 70
a malicious injury to property an
S i.wwrtesl him fined heavily, but tie jur
W fonnd- 1.-the defendant guilty in ia
II sum OF 81. 80 in favor OF the hog"
2, we find the man who stole th
> tnule not guilty is another verde
ID +.scshlIndrfor on good authority. and
.. weary. Judge in despair over the tard
g mess OF his colored jurymen, who d.
II light 10 spend hours and hours IA
q gnefyihgn among themselves over til
'e 7.ihoss 1fiitng points and often endin
1t them. by tossing q penny, Is said
p have .blurted out in his wrath: q
ls you can't find verdict of your owl
! |. take the one the last jury used
10 Whether these clear instructions wei
y followed explicitly or not. the recorC
=. do'nol siow.-New York Tribune.
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