Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-04-24
a SCAFFOLD GRIM
Lg(ms Up Before the Eyes Of Mur-
derer Maisr.
MOOSE, HANGMAN AND BLACK CAP,
VIII Speedily Be In Demand In OHIO County for
the First lime in Nearly Thirty Years-Ihs
Murderer Hears the Verdict Of the Jury
Without Enohon-A New Trial
Asked For

4udl was tue fClAtSt VI VIZ j VA -
the murder case, at three p. m. yester-
terday.
It gives the Court no discretion, but
requires that Maier be sentenced to be
hanged by the neck until he is dead.
A motion was made to set aside the
verdict and grant new trial, and this
will be argued at future time.
The prisoner heard the finding Of the
jury without emotion, just as he had sat
through the damning evidence, and the
scathing addresses Of the Prosecuting
Attorney. Yesterday tears came to all
eyes but his; but William Maier seems
as incapable Of weeping as he was deaf
20 the prayers for mercy from his young
wife. The verdict gave general salts
faction IN all parts Of the city.
THE OPENING SCENES.
When the Court House bell rang at
nine o'clock, yesterday morning, to
usher in the final scenes OF the muir
der trial, the corridors Of the Pub
lie Building aud the sidewalks in the
vicinity were lined with people anxious
to obtain front seats for the closing ar
guments Of Messrs. Conif and Howard.
The doors being unlocked at twenty
minutes Of nine, there was rush for
places, and in about five minutes
the seating capacity Of the room was
all taken and many persons were stand
ing in the aisles. Several ladies we're
present early, and more came in during
the morning, the crowd gradually in
creasing until the proportions Of pre-
vious days we're reached.
The defendant was brought into
Court ia the custody Of the Sheriff, the
jury sled IN, and after the formal open
ing OF she session, and the brief read
ing OF the entry upon the docket by
Clerk Mitchell, Mr.. Conitf, whS had not
yet arrived, was sent for. After a
brief wait, the attorney appeared, and
after a short conference with the Court
and Mr.. Howard about instructions, be-
gan his address TO the gentlemen OF the
jury.
Mr.. CONIFF'S ADDRESS.
In his opening sentences Mr.. Conif
referred TO the difficulties with which
the defense had been confronted, from
the very inception OF the case, 10 OBJ
tanning evidence and getting at the
facts surrounding the defendant They
had been disappointed in many OF these
efforts; that must be apparent TO all.
The cOmmUnity's sympathies were
against the accused, and no man seemed
Inclined 70 voluntarily open his mouth
IN behalf Of the prisoner. The response
blllty upon the counsel for the
defense had been an awful one,
and the speaker hoped he would
never again be placed in such
a position as that he occupied at that
moment Think Of this large cOmmu- /
nifty" be said; 'think Of forty thOus-
and people i'm this city OF Wheeling, and
no one to 60 upon that stand and say |
one word favorable TO that unfortunate |
man who now sits before you Eighteen |
hundred years ago 10 was stamped upon !
8 tablet Of stone, Thou shalt not kill,
and ] want 20 say 20 those who know |
facts favorable TO the defendant, and /
who have not come forward, that |
they have violated that Divine injunC- |
ton. Ii that man goes to his grave be- !
cause of this silence, then his fate will |
be upon their heads"
He reminded the jury that. they had |
sworn 70 be impartial, and said he was
or the opinion they would ind that
AMUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK
than they may have imagined, and went |
on to say that the Prosecuting Attorney |
would demand that the majesty Of the !
law be enforced, and pointed out TO the |
jury that they were surrounded by a /
large crowd and a large community |
which was demanding an eye for an eye !
and a tooth for a tooth. keep these !
things 10 mind, aud keeping them In
mind, j say to you beware" He re- |
minded the Jury OF the Divine precept, |
Thou shalt not kill, and said: IF, in |
your consideration Of this case, brutal |
as it is-horrble as itiS-you fail to give |
TO this man every consideration, doubt !
and mitigating circumstance, you will |
have violated that preCept"
Il am not that mans lawyer What I
do expect from him? All, there are /
times when we talk TO the populace. /
We seek fame, perhaps; we seek APP /
use, perhaps; we seek nOtOriety, per-
&, but this is not an occasion of that |
81 i0 the face OF that man who has /
sat Trough this trial, StOlid and uncOn-
sciOlls of his position, as dumb as an
oyste It's shell, 1 stand here, not as
his Ia yer, but as the lawyer OF human |
ity. lmetimes the lawyer is found /
upon q te side of the largest purse, but
here there is no such incentive, and were
it not for the. fact that I firmly
believe be committed that awful /
crime while not accountable for his (
acts. I would not be forced would 1
not dare-t0 thus appeal TO your mercy
and your clemency." Referring to the
murderer as irresponsible, he said;
tHs s brute, and be is brute be-
cause be has but
TIE MIND OF A BRUTE.
He walks, and eats, and sleeps like a
nan. but that is an. He is not an intel
ligent. responsible being, and should not
be beld accountable as person in pos
session OF al his faculties should.
IA referred 20 Mr.. Towards claim
.hot Naier was fully intelligent as
-, nv his detailed answers, and said
I !, ,,onld move TO the satisfaction Of the
go. +bat AR. Howard was mistaken.
~ No. snes Ter then took up the salient
points Of e eeIoenee' a '",, 80 49, 49,
them in Iy oi9S iI- 1uS $500 "nd
per, POI ous aI,j', &c vsrv hest
iiScrep auu o - ~ tb,s a{Fos5.
use course OF this review, he |