The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-27
The TRIAL Of RAvACHOL.
Threats Of Vengeance Have Per-
ceptible Effect on Judge
and Jury.
The Reds Pose as Martyrs, But
They Are Only Wretched
Murderers.
Full Confession OF the Chief-He Coolly
Details Plots DevIlish in Their
Awful Consequences.

the girl Rosaiie Soubere began to-day. So
many threats were made by friends of the
prisoners that they would attempt some
desperate act that admission to the court
was severely restricted. Tho most desper-
any attempt to interfere with the course Of
justice. Guards about the palace dc Justice
were redoubled and every part of the ap-
proaehes to the building were closely
watched. When the judge entered he at
once summoned tho jury. who presented q
greatly disturbed appearance. The threats
of friends of the prisoners had evidently
greatly frightened the jurors and journal
lists present expressed the opinion that il
would require very strong evidence to force
them to render verdict of guilty in the
face Of the threats of death made against
them if they decide against the prisoners.
The explosion last night had much to do
with the very apparent unwillingness OF
Jurors to serve in the case. for that was
taken to prove that the police will not bs
able to protect the jurors after the trial is
finished.
After the jurors had taken their places,
the prisoners. headed by Ravachol, were
brought in, guarded by an immense num-
Der Of police. Proceedings at once com
menced by reading /the Indictment which
occupied considerable time. Everybody in
the court room stared at the prisoners as
they stood listening to the reading of the
indictment They boro the scrutiny COM
posodly and appeared more disposed to
pose as heress than to pay attention to tho
clerk Of the court as he read the history of
their crimes as set forth in the indictment.
In the center of tho court room was table
covered with bombs, the apparatus with
which they are made, and everything the
police captured. m @
When the reading of the indictment was
concluded Judge Guese examined Rava-
chol concerning the murders which it was
charged he colnnitted and also concerning
the explosions. Ravaehol in nonchalant
manner admitted his guilt, took Upon him
self tho entire responsibility for the boule-
ward 81. Gsrmain and rue Chiefly explo-
sons. Questioned as to his motives for
II felt a feeling of unfeignsd anger at the
conviction of Lsvallois ana Psrrot. do
not think Bsnoit and Bulot should have
demanded the death of fathers Of families.
Then again, the brutality of the polios
when they arrested my eomrades revolted
my conscience and determined upon re-
vengs.
I'm regard to the St. GERMAN explosion,
/ loaded a bomb that contained sixty ca T.
ridgeB. I dressed myself in broxdoloth,
went to Benoit's house without attracting
any attention. After depositing the ma
chine and lighting the fuse, ran down
stairs and reached the pavement just as the
explosion occurred.
".Ihe operation in rue Clichy was much
the same, only carried the bomb in bag
portion of the powder became displaced
This rendered it extremely dangerous to
light the bomb, as IL might explode any
instant. Yet I did not hesitate to take the
risk"
Ravachol concluded his remarks with an
exposition of his theories. He said: II
wish to see anarchy established. and the
whole people us one great family, each
member rendy to share what he has with
his brethren. | committed theso outrages
in order to draw tho attention of the public
to the needs of the anarchists" Simon
was next examined, but no new revelations
were obtained from him. He admitted
complicity in the outraaes. Chaumartin
said, when questioned, that Ravachol stole
from Soissy the cartridges which he in
tended to use in blowing up the palace Of
iustice. The other two prisoners tried to
exculpate themselves. Witnesses wers then
called and their testimony co,roborated all
tho details of the Grimes as set forth in the
indictment.
When Judge Cues questioned Ravacho
he adiaitted in an insolent manner his Grim
inal history so far AZ it is known to the
police, but added that if he were questioned
concerning orinss of which he is suspected
The judge asked him if the sum of 5000
francs found in his room when arrested,
of an old man at Chambles.
"Precisely." answered Ravachol, glanoinQ
around as though enjoying the effect the
answer produced, Ravaohol also admitted
that he intended to kill policeman sta
toned in front of the police station at
Cliehy, but was prevented by friends. In
his address the public prosecutor declared
the prisonera assassins, not anarchists and
that the trial, therefore, was merely a ma t.
ter of common law. He caused sensa-
from t'en vhfn He,e,.a h' maestrat. seaa nts sstsr
ing him that anarchists were sending
cartridges to Paris. Ho concluded by call
ing on the jury to return verdict against
Ravachol and Simeon without any recon-
msndation Of mercy and to return seve Q
verdict against Bealx. The other two
prisoners were left to the discretion of the
jury.
A force of municipal guards were
kept under arms at tho prefsc-
ture all Gay, while tho palRis de
Justice fairly swarmed with republican
guards. ready to crush any attempt at
demonstration or to blow up the place with
dynamite. At nine p. nj. tho court rsaa-
sembled after reoeus. Laeasso began his
address for Ravachol. He insisted
that the prisoners offsnaes ware
political aud not common law crimes.
Ravachol only wanted to assist the
poverty stricken class. to which he himself
belonged. He appealed to the jury to i'm
agine themselves in the world of misery
with which Ravnohol was acquainted. and
said one must be of great strength of mind
to resist becoming an anarchist In the face
of suoh scenes of misery and acts of in
Justice.
Ravachol WAS permitted to address the
court. He declared himself full Of conf
dencs that his actions would bear fruit,
adding: May my unintended victims
understand and pardon my acts" Tho
Judge summed up briefly and the jury re-
tired. Their verdict found Ravachol aud
Simon guilty and sentenced them TO penal
servitude for life. The other prisoners were
acquitted.
--------.---------------
Henry schalls, an aged and wealthy
AAass akxH~ AA-H ii n