The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-09-15
IT IS ALL OVER NOW
The End Of the Greatest Mystery Of
the Northwest.
TWAS A GENERAL SURPRISE
Edward and Anna Clark Are Found
by Jury of Their Peers
Guilty of Murder In the
Second Degree.
Special Dispatch to the standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Missoula. Sept. E.-If ever a verdict
gave surprise TO the general public, Il
was the one brought in tonight by the
jury In the Clark murder case. and
when the clerk OF the court read that
the jury found Edward and Anna
Clark guilty OF murder in the second
degree. amazement was depicted upon
every face In the court room. except
the jury and Judge. IL was generally
believed that the jury must. under the
law. find the defendants either guilty
Of murder in the first degree or inno-
cent. as the case had been such as 10
create the opinion that the death OF
Stewart was either deliberately
planned murder or else suicide.
When the court opened this morning
/. @. Denny continued the argument
for the defendants. He spoke for an
hour and half and made an eloquent
and able plea for his clients. He re-
viewed all the evidence in the case and
argued that all led TO substantiate the
theory OF suicide. 3. @. Murray fol-
lowed with the closing argument for
the state. and his discussion OF the
case was devoted to the breaking down
OF the suicide theory and to the estab-
fishing Of fhc motive on the part OF the
Clarks for killing Stewart. Mr.. Muir
ray made n clean. close argument and
his speech created favorable impress
sion. Judge Woody gave the jury In
structlons and declared n recess soon
after noon.
All the afternoon speculation was
rife regarding the verdict. and the gen.
eral opinion was that the state had
made a weak case. and that a convic-
tion OF murder In the first degree was
impossible. The evidence was entirely
circumstantial, and although the uni
versal opinion In the nelghborhood OF
the scene OF Stewards death was that
the Clarks were guilty there was no.
thing In the evidence That seemed TO
connect them with the crime.
1t was 1852 o'clock when Sheriff Me-
Laughlin and Deputy Corbett brough,
Edward and Anna Clark into the couri
room. where the jury and officers OF
the court were assembled. There was
only a scattering audience. as the fact
was not generally known that the Jury
had agreed. At 755 Clerk of the Court
Mcconnell received the verdict from
the hands of Judge Woody. There was
a minute OF breathless silence. and
then the clerk read the verdict which,
pronounced Edward and Anna Clark
guilty OF murder In the second degree,
No sound disturbed the deathly silence
save the violent weeping of Mrs. Clark
and the low tones OF her husband as he
endeavored to comfort her. Ii was an
affecting scene. Then the attorneys for
the defense asked that the jury be
polled. One by one the Jurors answer
ed to their names until 1s had assented
TO the verdict. Then all was over
Judge Woody set Tuesday. at 1 O'Clock
.. m. as the time for sentence. and the
| jury was excused.
Mrs. Clark was borne weeping from
the court room and the audience filed
solemnly after. This was the closing
scene In one Of the most sensational
trials ever held in this country. As
stated above. the whole community Is
surprised at the verdict. No matter
what the opinion was as to the guilt
OF the accused, IL was generally con-
ceded that the state had failed &C
prove the charge.
Several hundred people are trying &c
figure out how there could be any com.
promise verdict. The Jurors made ar
agreement before leaving the jury
room Ito divulge nothing OF the pro.
ceedings. II Is known, however. thai
several ballots were taken and ont
juror held out till the last ballot fol
acquittal.