, 1896-07-13
CROKER IS ACQUITTED.
ONLY ONE BALLOT WAS TAKEN
BY THE JURY. WHICH WAS
OUT 20 MINUTES.
Mr.. Croker Is Remanded to the Gus
tody OF the Sheriff OF Uinta County
to Await Trial Upon an Indictment
for the Murder of Crawford-Sen-
sational Affidavit.

At half past 8 Saturday evening, a y
the Cheyenne Tribune, the trial of the
case Of Edwin S. Croker, which has
been in progress since June %, came to
an end. and by the verdict Of the jury
Croker was pronounced mot guilty
OF the murder of Harvey Booth.
When Mr.. Stoll closed his argument
for the prosecution few of the immense
crowd which had listened attentively
to him for six hours, imagined that a
speedy verdict would be reached. Con-
viction seemed probable. but with the
many doubts surrounding the case. a
long discussion by the jury seemed in
evitable. When at s O'Clock it vas
whispered around that a verdict had
been reached the surprise was general.
While the officers Of the court were
hunting for the attorneys in the case,
the court room filed rapidly with peo-
case. The attorneys for the defense,
Judge Lacey. Judge Corn and Mr.. Don
zelmann, were the first of the counsel
to reach the court room. Mr.. Hamm
and Mr.. Stoll came in shortly after
ward. Among the members of the bar
present were Judge Gibson Clark. At
torney Fowler, Mr.. Burke and Joseph
G. Pratt.
Mrs. Croker and daughter and sew
eral of Crocker's friends sat within the
railing. The defendant was brought in
shortly after 8 O'Clock. He was watch
ed intently by the spectators, but if he
felt any unusual emotion, his face and
name did not disclose it.
About $50 the jury filed into court.
The foreman. Mr.. O. F. Cowhick. carry
ing in his hand a rolled paper upon
which vas recorded the portentious
message to the defendant. The jury
was polled by Clerk of the Court Swan
and Judge Scott asked, Gentlemen of
the jury, have you agreed upon a YER
dict?" The foreman answered I'VE
have and Judge Scott directed that
the verdict be handed to the clerk. Bail
if Robb took the document from Mr..
Cowhick and handed it to Mr.. Swan. In
a low voice, but which could be heard
in all parts of the room, so intense was
the silence, the clerk read: State of
Wyoming VS.. Edwin S. Croker. We,
the jury in the above entitled case, duly
empaneled and sworn, do find the de-
PENDANT, Edwin S. Croker, not guilty"
When the last words were pronounc-
ed there was a slight %outburst of ap-
plause in the audience. Crocker's
daughter and wife were overcome by
their emotions and both wept. His
daughter threw her arms around her
fathers neck and kissed him. For a
moment Crocker seemed carried away
by his emotions and passed his Hand
over his face, with a quick motion, as
though brushing away a tear. He re-
covered himself quickly and as his
counsel and friends crowded around
him to congratulate him, he seemed the
least excited and most unconcerned
person in the court room. Several
ladies in the audience were moved to
tears.
Judge Scott directed that the verdict
be recorded and then stated that de-
PENDANT would not be discharged. and,
after consulting a moment with Sheriff
Ward of Uinta county, remanded the
defendant to the custody OF the sheriff,
The jury was then discharged and
the court declared in recess AS the
jury came from the box Croker, Mrs
Crocker and their daughter shook
hands with each juror and thanked him
for his verdict. From members of the
jury it was learned that the verdict was
reached within a few minutes after the
case was placed in their charge, and
that the verdict was reached in the first
ballot.
1t is supposed that the defendant was
removed to the care of the sheriff on
account of an Indictment found against
him by a Evanston grand jury. a short
time ago for the supposed murder OF
Crawford, a former partner Of Craw-
ford. Thompson & Co. Mr.. Crocker
will probably be taken back to Evans
ton in a short time.