Milford chronicle., 1895-09-27
They Were Not Guilty

"Nor guilty" was the verdict by the
I iurv in the case of the Cuhans who have
been on trial in the United States Court
at Wilmington. Never was a verdict re-
ceived with such enthusiasm by the peo-
pie OF the whole State. The tremendous
cheering which greeted the verdict n the
court house found its echo in the hearts
Of practically all of the people of the
State. and there was an almost universal
Il am glad OF it." 1t was about II IS
when Judge Wales began to read his
charge and il was II o'clock when Bail
| if o Neil, with his deep bass voice said
I Gentlemen, follow me-" and led the
way to the jury room. Vie charge was
favorable TO an acquittal, and there was
some dissatisfaction expressed that the
Jury was not polled before leaving the
box When they did retire few bets
were made as to the time they would be
out, and the longest time given was an
hour and the greatest number were be-
levers in FIVE minutes When the jury
was ont ten minutes Senator Gray re-
marked 10 a man who was near him: Il
think they are out a long time, don't
you
As the moments went by the crowd
fingered. The defendants looked little
more anxious than at any time during the
trial, aud their women friends who have
been so faithful in their attendance at all
the sessions also appeared to lose little
Of those good spirits which has been the
subject Of comment during the entire
trial
Soon the people in the court room be-
gan to make excuses for the delay OF the
Jury. They do not wish to show un-
seenly haste, some said Others gave
it as their belief that there was some OBJ
slinate man who wanted TO be argued
with. No one would think that con-
viction was possible, and none would adj
nit that there was more than one man
for conviction. twas - As and the jury
had been out forty-five minutes, when
stir was seen about the doors aud men
who had been talking or smoking ID the
corridor came rushing 10
Then Baiiff O'Neul, from the rear OF
the room addressed The court aud said
"Your Honor, the Jury has agreed upon
a virdicl" Bring them into court,
said the Judge The jury fledin the
court room while the people rose to their
feet amid an almost breathless silence
Every eve was on the jury
The prisouess and their friends scanned
each face with the keeuest scrutiny No
one could tell from the men what the
verdict was. Everybody but the prison.
ers felt sure that it was acvuutal. In an
swer 10 Clerk Mahahey's question the
foreman of the jury said they bad agreed
upon a verdict. Who shall answer for
you ?" said the clerk. 'The foreman,
was the answer
What is the verdict p Mr.. Foreman
mot guilty" was the answer.
If Cuba had been declared free aud the
audience was composed Of Cubans there
might have been such a demonstration
but It could not have been greater. Cheer
after cheer rent the air.
Finally Marshal Lannan succeeded III
restoring quiet but the enthusiasm broke
out again and there was more applause
which was stopped With difficulty Sena
tor GRAY called the courts attention TO
the fact that some papers belonging to
The court were in keeping Of the court
and asked to have them returned Judge
Wales asked Mr. Vandegrift il he wished
to make any motion, which intention the
district attorney disclaimed.
Weanwhiie the people 10 the audlsncs
had made for the defendants aud me
hands of the Cubans We're shaken astney
were never shaken before. The women
friends. with tears in their eyes. congratu-
lated and thanked those who bad taken
part in the defence of the prisoners.