The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1895-08-08
BOTH ARE MURDERERS.
Taylor Boys Found Guilty of
killing the MeekS Family.
All Look Upon the Result as a
NindicatiOn of Justice.

Carrollton, Mo, Aug. 2-This
morning at o'clock the court room
was full Of people. Col. John B.
Hale was made to make the closing
address for the defense and Tom
Bresnehan was to follow in behalf of
the State. Col. Hale, in speech of
nearly two hours, presented his side
of the case in most able manner,
aud many were listners who thought
it would surely secure q hung jury
for the defense, but Bresnehan, the
able prosecutor of Linn county, who
knew the evidence in the case better
than anyone, followed Colonel Hale
in two hours speech. and then the
people did not know what to expect
At high noon the jury were given
their instructions, and by consent of
both sides allowed to have their
dinner. They were then shown to
their room, where, after deliber-
ating on the case for an hour and a
half, they sent word to Judge Ruck-
or that they had reached a verdict.
Judge Rucker and the attorneys
went to the court room one at time
in order not to attract any attention
from the crowd. However, it was
known very soon that the jury had
decided the case and then a rush
followed. A thousand people tried
to get where only SEQ could be &C.
commodated. The court officers
tried to break the rush, but they
were hardly noticed.
The jury, during their delibera-
tion, had occupied the court room,
and when the door was opened by
Judge Rucker glance into the
room showed that the jnry had con-
c!uded their labors. They were all
in their seats and ready to hand up
their verdict. Judge Rucker first
turned his attention to the crowd,
and after making threat to have all
excluded from the room he finally
secured quiet, The defendants were
then brought into the court. One
Of the deputy sheritfs preceded them
tanning his arms like wind mill
and bowling at the top Of his voice,
'Clear the aisle" George Taylor
followed the perspiring deputy He
was as cool and collected as on any
other occasion. Tne color in his
face was all gone and the two pink
spots that are so much admired
were .,early white. Bill Taylor fol-
lowed. His expression and color
were just as usual, and enc would
have thought he was going to hear
q verdict OF acquittal.
As soon as the defendants were
seated the court asked the jury if il
had reached verdict. "We have,
said Foreman Craig. The circuit
, s.srk then called the jury and al
J answered present. The court ther
, asked for the verdict. G. W. Craig
the foreman, took it to the clerk. II
: is a venerable old man, and as hon
est as the day is long. It Was th.
first time that his hand held such {,
document, and it shook as if palsy
S The clerk read the verdict: "We
1 the Jury, find the defendants, VIII
P. and George E. Taylor, guilty il
the manner and form charged in th'
, indictment.
! G. W. CRAIe, Foreman.
t A cheer went up from the crowd
: ed court room. The court ordsre,
the room cleared or the noise step
$ ped and quiet reigned again. at
n torney Conkling asked that the jur,
+ be polled and it was done. each juro
e answering in firm voice that th
verdict was his own The jury wa
then discharged and the defendant
$ given in charge of the sheriff.
The verdict was at once taken e
: the families of the defendants. Mrs
! W. P. Taylor on hearing the new
!, tainted. She was restored to cor
sciousness after an hours work
o Sheriff Stanley took occasion t,
search the Jail this afternoon Will
the Taylors were listening to th