The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-26
A JURORS PLUCK.
Julius Clayton, a former Cecil COuntian,
Refuses to Find Verdict against
Conscience.

Mr.. julius Clayton formerly of Pivot
Bridge, this county, now resident of Chicago
recently figured in the following incident
which places him on record us being Il man
who will fight TO the end for what he CON
siders the right.
Never has IA Unite States court in Chicago
been the witness Of such II scene as occurred
in Judge Seaman's court on Wednesday of
last week. An entire jury rebelled against
the order of the judge, and though II of the
jurors aiterward submitted to the directions
of the court, ,one juror, julius Clayton, refused
even under protest, to obey the court
With long Imprisonment staring him in
the face for contempt OF court, he was firm,
and at the close Of the day scored virtual
victory over the Judge.
Juror Clayton was sitting on the damage
suit OF Marie CahilI against the Chicago,
Milwaukee and st. Paul Railroad. which
began Monday, January 8. Miss Canill used
the crossing at Forty-secOnd street and
Packers alley TO reach her place Of employ
ment. On the morning of November 25 1893,
she was struck by Il switching engine of the
''i'iIAdlIb lo'ii INilf WIS 'IuSS'il uIl'I'I
the engine, one foot being severed. The crew
OF the train saw the accident. The engine
came to Il stop.
The breakmen Of the train believing that
the engine could be backed oil the Young
woman signalled the engineer. In backing
away, the wheels again caught the girl and
her other foot was served and one leg and Il
shoulder broken. In the evidence before the
court the breakman and engineer admitted
the facts as stated The attorney represent
ing the road made II motion. after al the
evidence was in. that II non-suit he entered
on the the ground that there was no RESPONSE
biity attached to the road; that the action Of
the switch engine crew was not wanton nor
wlfu
The jury was requested to retire ami the
motion was argued. Judge Seaman said he
would grant the mOtion and ordered IA non
suit. After Il hot wranGle between the
attorneys, Judge Seamon delivered his charge
to the jury. He had, he said, nothing but
sympathy for the woman, but under the
circumstances, there was nothing for the
jury to do but to render a verdict for the
defendants. "This, he continued, "must be
your verdict. So say you alp addressing
the jury.
Not man Of the twelve moved. nor made IA
motion of assent, On, the faces OF the jurors
was seen IA dogged determination. Juror
Claton rose.and in aquiverng voice said to
the court; Judge, those are not my sent-
ments. | cannot agree to render such a
verdict
Two other jurors followed Clayton's ex-
ample. Judge Seamen's face flashed deep
crimson, and then, one after another nearly
every juror made similar statement
Judge Seaman explained to the jury that
they were not Judges Of law and that the re-
sponsibility for the verdict was on him alone.
Finally all the jurors except Clayton agreed
to render the verdict ordered by the court
The matter was argued at length by the Judge
and juror each maintaining his position in a
vigorous but manly and dignied manner.
The case was finally dismissed on the stipu-
lation that the order for dismissal should be
equivalent to the rendering of verdict by the
jury, upon order OF the court, and under the
protest Of the jury. The jury was anxious to
render Il verdict of S24 900 for the woman