The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-17
As VIEWED By THE PROSECUTION.
Attorneys Well Satisfied and Thoma
Expresses the Same Feeling.

ZattofueyS "eli Sat1Snca anu InOmaS
Expresses the Same Feeling.
Charles Wiltsie, the county prosecutor, is
satisfied with the verdict, although he an
ticipated a finding of twenty-one years, the
limit of the penalty for manslaughter He
says that the State will be amply prepared
for a new trial, if thore should be a re-
versal of judgment in the higher court.
John b. Elan had no comment to offer,
and Charles L. Henry was not present when
the verdict was read. LanGon Thomas, a
brother of the murdered man, expressed his
satisfaction over the work done by the
State.
are satisfied with the verdict" he
SAID last night. "Of course, we hoped that
the highest, penalty would be the result of
the jury's delibera tons. but l suppose 1T is
well enough as it is. We have no criticism
to make. We are sure the State did the
very best work that was possible" Mr..
He will go to his mother, who lives at
F'rankfort, KY. and who is almost pros
and has one never e h escayye seaet from effhbs The o aff ass
of the tragedy in which her son was the
victim. The Thomas family consisted of
The two daughters reside in Frankfort with
their mother. Western B.. Thomas was the
years of age when he met his death at
Brighton Beach. His brother is thirty-three
Years years o ha l; me latter lives J., IN IN h hu = Ga.
mess. He is a typical Southerner in APP
pearance and accent OF speech.
Think the Verdict Too Severe.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MUNCIE, Ind, Jan. 16.-News of the re-
suit of the Smith murder trial from In
dianapolis was received in Muncie, the
home of the murdered mans wife, this
evening. The detailed reports of the trial
as published in The journal ADDED greatly
to the interest here, and nearly every per-
son had formed an opinion as to the result.
Intimate friends of the murdered man are
overjoyed at the verdict, as few had be-
lieved it would be so severe, while a great
majority of those who were impartial, be-
lieved Smith would be acquitted. The gem
eral opinion is that Smith will never serve
the time, as many awyers say that the
verdict is ridiculously severe according to
York State with her mother, Mrs. Little.
Her health is very poor since the murder.
Trials Of the Man with News.
Times like last evening. when the public
is anxious to hear from a jury, a reporter
has the tables turned, and he gets a taste
of what it is to be questioned, and to have
others do the quizzing. After the verdict
had been received a Journal reporter left
the court room and started home. In the
corridor of the courthouse was a crowd,
from which a score of voices arose, asking:
what did he get?'
Eighteen years" was the concise answer,
and all that was necessary.
On the west steps of the courthouse stood
a half-dozen citizens, and again the con-
certed question arose:
What did he get?'
Eighteen years. was the answer.
On Delaware street, fn front of q saloon,
stood several loungers seemingly too tired
to go to the court room and learn the re-
result. and they asked the same question.
Eighteen years" was again the answer.
Rut "A few wards AWAY a woman was
met, and she stopped to ask;
Would you tell me what the jury did
with Mr.. Smith,
Eighteen years.
A lawyer thrust his head from his Office
window and cried:
What did they do with Winnie"
Eighteen years"
Turning the corner at Market street the
| reporter was caught by three men, who
demanded to know the verdict.
Eighteen years. was the gasping an
swer.
| "A few feet further on two young women
smiled and asked, without stopping: Has
the Winnie Smith jury come in YETI"
Eighteen years was the faint answer.
A hackman, two newsboys, a doctor, a
merchant, a notorman' q and
before the reporter had reached Pennsyl-
vania street.
| years" was the answer. 1t seemed sur
prising how fast had spread the news that
seemed waiting to catch the first person
coming from the direction of the court
house. and, seemingly. the reporter was the
( first one. The questions kept coming and
| pouring in, and as the reporter entered the
office door he was shouting at the top of
his voice:
Eighteen years, eighteen years, eighteen
| years!'
But peace was not to be found in the
| office, for the telephone bell kept ringing,
| and the answers:
Eighteen years, eighteen years" continued
| until late in the night, when the entire
reportorial force. started home, all keeping
| time to the words:
Eighteen years. eighteen years, eighteen