The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-09
DAN COUGHLN ACQUITTED.
The Jury Five and a Half Hours
Reaching Its Verdict.

E0uE1llu w AA6 as-A0 On44uIGn IN
Tears When the Jurors Went to
Their Room-A Pandemonium Of
cheers Follows the Announcement
of the Jury's Finding.
chicago. March SIN the presence of a
tbrlng that tested the capacity of the
cogrt room to its utmost, Judge Tuthiu
This morning delivered the instruc-
lions to guide the deliberations of the
-rrr that for a few months has listened to
-re evidence and argument for and
AGAINST Daniel Coughlin. The entire
county building was guarded by police
oHcsrs and detectives in plain clothes
min lied with the crowd. No one not sup
rlfat with the necessary credentials was
admitted to the court.
Al 1875 o'clock this morning Judge
Tgrhfll finished reading his charge and
the jury left the court room to deliberate
and prepare the verdict. For few mo-
rreufs after the jury returned, the pris-
onar was surrounded by his family-a
fearful group. His wife had burst into
tears as the ypassed out, and the little
children, not realizing the situation of
their father in sympa'thizing with the
veeDiug mother, cried plteOusly. Cough
lin himself could scarcely keep back the
te.rs as he strove to comfort them
Then. in accordance with the practice of
the court the prisoner was taken back to
7au Dv his bailitfs to await the verdict in
his cell
VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL.
This afternoon the jury brought in a
verdict of acq Initial. The jury retired at
II o'clock and returned at 4:25. For a
moment after the verdict of mot guilty
was rendered, not a soul stirred. Then
from the rear of the room came a cheer
A hundred throats Joined in and pandemo-
nium prevailed. The cheers were taken up
bv the crowd outside and soon were re-
ecnoiug through the vaulted corridors of
the big structure. Men slid down the
baunisteIs or went down the steps in
Jumps, shouting as they reached the open
air "Coughlin not guilty. In the court
room the enthusiasm continued, no effort
being made by the court or attaches to
maintain deCorum. Some of the specta-
tors threw their hats in the air and fairly
climbed over each other in their eager
ness to get within sight of the acquitted
man.
COUGHLIN STUNNED.
Coughlin himself seemed stunned as
the words fell from the clerk S lips Then,
br an effort. he arose from his seat.
pushed back the crowd and exclaimed, in
triumphant tones: Boys, Justice has
come at last" The crowd gave an an
sweriug cheer. Pausing for a moment,
to wiring the hand of his father Coughlin
jumped into the jury box and thanked
every man in turn, while the tears
strelmed down his face. Each man
shook his hand, and more than enc of the
twelve wiped a very suspicious moisture
from his eyes. Judge Tuthils Jhanked the
twelve collectively and dismissed
them from duty. In the meantime,
COughin's faithful wife, who had sat by
Gid hot 41,1, L,J
heard the news and hurried to the court
room. Coughlin was about to pass out
through the Judges chamber when the
cry was raised by a hundred voices,
Dan, Dan, come back; here's your wife"
The eX-detectiye turned Just in time to
catch his helpmeet. Sobbing and half
faintiug, she fell into his arms.
CROWD ON THE OUTSIDE.
The couple with Coughlin's father and
few friends, remained in the judges
chamber Tor some time, in the expecta-
ton that the thrOng in the corridor
would dlsperse, but the crowd would not
Il bulge. Finally recourse was had to a
q side exit, but this too had its sentinels
8 and has appearance was the si2nal for a
81 yell, II hree cheers for Coughin," which
were given with vim. With hundreds at
4 his heels, C0Ughlin endeavored to get TO
the carriage IN waiting, but his enthusi-
asllc trends pressed so closely about him
that he was forced to take refuge in the
sheriff office, where his wife and father
joined him. The crowd remained out
4 side but by a flank movement the trio
reached the open air and were driven to
JAe home that the eX-detective had left
four Years ago.
HIS FATHER ELATED.
Coughlin's father was so overcome that
ne could scarcely find words to express
himself. It's Gods Justice; it's Gods
justice, he managed to articulate. My
boy never committed that crime. He
could not have done it,
One and all Of the jurors maintained a
stHct reucence concerning the delbera-
lions ana the number of ballots that were
la&ea before the result was reached.
inns was Coughlin's second trial on the
charge OF participation in the murder of
dr. b. II. Cronin. The chief evidence
4 against the eZ-detective was the admitted
!aoJ mat he hired the white horse and
IAe buggy IN which the doctor was
4 supposed TO have driven TO the
larson cottage. Coughlin did not take the
Slau0 lh MS own defense in either trial,
uoJ ms counsel, while admitting the hir-
"e' canned thaG the rig had been pro-
TI4utu Tor friend of Coughlin's from
hancock, Mich, who was in the city on
d N5iL Coughlin and Cronin were men,
o'I9 OF The same camp of the Clan-Na-
Gde! ana 1t was charged that the eX-de-
yec.IEe had frequently limited that the
0oc0OF would meet with a traitors death.