The record-union., 1894-12-08
Special to the REcoRD-UN1ox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WOODLAND, Dec. melvin Hatch is a
free man, and nobody is more surprised
at the result than his own father and
mother. The elder Hatch expected moth
ing better than a disagreement OF the
jury. The prevailing opinion was in ac-
cord with him. There were a number,
and among them lawyer. who believed
there would be verdict of guilty. Mr..
Cooks mastery closing argument made
a very marked impression upon the
spectators, and even Hatch's most ardent
friends seemed to lose hope as the chain
OF evidence link by link was forged as
only a man who is skilled in the law and
who has made a patient and diligent
study of every phase Of the case can forge
it.
There was a great deal of speculation
among people as to which of the jurors
could be depended upon to hang out for
acquittal. Some said there would be
three, others two, and a number counted
upon but one. The verdict, therefore,
was in the nature OF a surprise. and is the
absorbing topic of conversation tonight.
Such a verdict at the end of three or TOUR
days would probably not have excited
mucn talk, but it is considered eXtraordi
nary that an agreement should have been
reached in such short time.
The jury was locked up at l o'clock.
They discussed the matter fifteen min
utes before taking a ballot. The first
ballot resulted in ten for acquittal and
two for conviction. on the second ballot
only one man stood out for conviction.
On the third the vote for acquitLal was
unanimous.
When the result was reached there was
courtroom was almost deserted, but this
cheering attracted attention and the
crowd came III with a rush. a moment
later Juror y ork came to The door and
announced that verdict had been
reached. The jury was brought into the
courtroom without any delay. \ Noung
Hatch was pale and nervous and kept
his eyes riveted upon the jurors. His
wife was deeply agltated. Other mem
bers of the family gave no indication OF
any violent emotion. Judge Grant
warned the audience not to make any
demonstration.
Gentlemen of the jury" said the
court, "have you arrived at a verdict ?"
1--WE have" came back in chorus
Arise and announce your verdict"
said the court.
Twelve men, instead of the foreman,
arose and in one voice exclaimed, IN OF
guilty"
The verdict was handed to the Clerk,
who read it aloud.
Gentlemen OF the jury" qUeried the
court, lis that your verdict ,"
"It is," they all answered in one voice.
~ on are discharged from further con-
sideratlon IN this case," announced the
court.
General Hart was not present, but Mr..
Gaddls, the junior counsel Tor the de-
tense, was as much affected as any MEM
ber OF the Hatch family.
Mr.. Cook, counsel tor the prosecution,
congratulated the defendant and his fam
lily. As the jury filed out of court each
OF them shook hands with Hatch and his
family. The elder Mrs. Hatch and
daughter, as well as the elder Hatch, were
profoundly agitated. The defendants
Wife was almost hystercal with ioy.
Tears streamed copiously down her
cheeks, and IN ecstasy with delight, she
declared: II have not been so happy
since the day l was married"
The courtroom was filled with friends
and sympathlzers Of the defendant, and
there is no doubt the verdict met with the
approval OF the majority of those pres
ent. The Hatch family left for Washing
ton on a late freight train.
There is rumoI that a warrant is ont
Tor the rearrest OF Hatch on charge of
obstructIng the mails, but it cannot be
traced to any reliable source. Attorneys
here who represent the railroad company
said they have heard nothing of such a
move.
The crowd that watched the closing
scenes OF the Hatch trial had scarcely left
the courtroom before the Appleman case
was called. and the work of impaneling
the jury was commenced az once. This
work Is lntrusted to Nh. Gladdis for the
defense, and Messrs Armstrong and
Clark. who assist the District Attorney,
Whenever new witnesses are introduced
Mr.. Cook for the prosecution ana General
Hart for the defense will be present.
Only thirteen names remain on the
venlre, and when these were exhausted
only two jurors had been obtained. The
court ordered a venre to issue for forty
additional jurors, returnable Tuesday
morning at 2 O'clock,