The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09
End of One of the Most Sensational and
Longest Trials in the Criminal
Annals of Chicago.
JURY OUT BUT FOUR HOURS
The Defendant Congratulated by
the COURTROOM Crowd.
His Wife and Father Almost Overcome
with JOy-Daniel Himself One of
the Happiest Men on Earth.

CHICAGO, March S.-Daniel Coughlin is
a free man tonight His second trial on
the charge of being one of the conspirators
in the death of Dr. Cronin resulted in
acquittal. This morning Judge Tuthill
charged the jury, and at ABS a verdict was
returned. When the clerk read out the
words, I'VE, the jury, find the defendant,
Daniel Coughlin, not guilty." a warm flush
went over the prisoners face, which, be-
FORE had been of deadly white He half
rose in his chair, and was the next instant
pushed back by attorney David, the law
partner of Mr.. Donahoe, who has so stout
ly defended him throughout the long trial.
Then it was a push that almost swept the
happy off his feet. Newspaper men,
old-time friends of the prisoner before his
troubles, came upon hin. in a body and
nearly wrung his hand off.
ITS all right, boys: all right" gasped
Coughl;n, as he reached for four or five
hands at once. IT'S all right, boys; 1
won't forget you. You treated me all
right"
Then the prisoner worked his way up to
the jury box and shook hands with as
many of the men as he could reach, but
the crowd was too much for him, and yell
ing and cheering to show its delight, it
pushed him away from the box. He gave
up the effort to greet the men who have
given him freedom, and, in company with
the bailiffs started to leave the room, pass
ing behind Judge Tuthills chair. Just as
he was directly behind the Judge a cry of
Make way there; open up passage; make
way" was heard, and two stalwart bailiffs
pushed through the crowd, and close behind
them, her hat awry. her veil half up, and
gasping with sobs that choked her, came
Mrs. Coughlin. Dan striding to lib
erty as though he wore seven-league boots
Dan, come back, here's your wife,"
called fifty voices. and Coughlin retraced
his steps Just at the foot of the little
flight of stairs leading up TO the judges ros-
trum he met his wife The woman gave
an incoherent cry, her arms went up, fast
ened themselves around her husbands neck,
and then she gave way utterly. She only
said: Dan, oh, Dan," but nowhere, not
even in Daniel Coughlns heart was such
joy as in the bosom of the little woman
who clasped tight against her husbands
heart and felt him hers again. Cougnlin
bent his big blonde head until his mustache
swept her cheek, and then the two rocked
to and fro until the woman was able to
stife her emotion, and then she was led
away by Cougnlin's father, who was happy
enough to dance jig, but gave his entire
attention TO his hat, which he kept put
I ting on and taking off with marvellous
rapidly. In a few minutes he. with Mrs.
Coughlin, who, by this time, was radiant
left the room.
Attorney Daniel Donahoe who had with
eX-Judge Wing, defended the prisoner, was
the recipient of a shower of congratulate
tions from friends and fellow-attorneys
1T is just as ! expected he said. The
verdict could not have been otherwise
will acknowledge that it was an agreea BILE
surprise to me, however, to get a verdict
this afternoon. 1 would not have been sur
prlSed If the jurors had remained out
eighteen or twenty hours. But it is just as
well that they decided when they did, for
they could have reached no other conclusion
II they had been out week"
Neither Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Bottum nor Associate Prosecutor Seaman
would express an opinion as to the verdict
1t was a surprise" they both asserted
but further than that they declined TO talk
TO interviewers.
An attempt to interview the Jury in the
court room was not productive of good re-
suits :! can't tell a thing" said Juror
Sharp, pleasantly. 1--WE agreed not to talk
or give any names, and 1 cannot say any
thing '
That's right broke in foreman Hols-
man. I'VE have agreed we would not saw
a word to the papers. 1t would not be a
fair thing. L will say one thing, though /"
SAID the foreman, with a broad grin. III
am just as happy to get away from this
thing as Daniel Coughlin ever was"
THAT'S what" said Sharp, emphaticallv
Inc jury was at once taken into the Of
nee OF the county clerk, where warrants
Tor their pay were given them, and the
Sronln trial was out of court and into
history for good. $500