The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15
After Taken Back to Jail He wept and
Declared the Finding Was Unjust
and Not Proven.
WALLING'S BRUTAL REMARK
TOLD PEARLS FATHER JACKSON
WAS GUILTY AND SHOULD HANG.
Sheriff P1ummer Feared q Lynching
I'm Case Of fAcquittal-Motion for
New Trial.
Special to the 1ndlanapolI, journal.


NEWPORT, KY, May H-As was pre-
dicted when court adjourned Wednesday
night, the Jurors in the Scott Jackson case
returned a verdict at noon to-day. The case
was given into their hands at 9:54 o'clock
this morning and when they returned they
took with them a copy of Judge Helms in
structions. Pearl Bryan's bloody clothes,
taken from the body found at Fort Thomas
on Feb. 1, together with letters Of Will
Wood and Scott Jackson and all the other
articles that were shown in evidence, includ-
ing Pearls blood-stained valise In just two
hours and eleven minutes. at 1905 o'clock.
the jury returned with the verdict, which
read:
I'VE. the jury, find the defendant, Scott
Jackson. guilty of the murder of Pearl
Bryan, and fix the punishment at death"
From all outward appearances Scott Jack
son was the most composed man in court.
He neither trembled nor changed his position
in the chair where he had been sitting during
the time the jury was out. When the men,
bers filed in he leaned slightly forward.
When the clerk read the verdict his eyes
were directed toward the floor. The only
thing to indicate that he suffered was a
change of color that lasted few seconds
only. Then he leaned back in his chair and
seemed to sigh, as man very tired.
AT $50 o'clock, the time set for the open
ing of court, the spectators seats were only
scantily occupied and few more came In
when court was finally called to order at $50
o'clock. Judge Helm entered. the court room
at this time and Sheriff Plummer at once
called court to order. Judge Helm then Or
dered the jury and the prisoner brought In,
and when they had taken their seats Judge
Helm said. addressing the jurymen:
Gentlemen of the jury. have heard
the evidence in this case, you have heard
my instructions and the arguments of the
counsel. and you now will retire and consider
In your room this case"
Judge Helm then handed the jury q type
written copy Of the courts instructions. and
under the care of Sheriff Plummer the jury
solemny filed out Of the court room at just
94 O'Clock. jackson, flushed with suppressed
excitement, watched them closely as they
made their way to the jury room.
THE JURY RETIRES.
He kept his eye on them until the last man
disappeared in the hallway. Then he settled
down in his seat with Colonel Crawford and
relapsed into silence. Court at this juncture
took recess until the jury may be ready
to bring in verdict. jackson, now thor
seat in the court room to await the decision
of the jury. while few. if any. persons in
the audience left the court room.
After the retirement of the jury and the
recess taken there began an incessant hum
of conversation in the court room. At
torneys, police. newspaper men and the spec
tators talked together in half excited
tone. asking and answering questions in
rapid succession:
''How long will they be outT
what will the verdict be?''
'Will they return a death punishment?"
were some of the questions asked and re-
asked. All sorts and kinds Of answers were
made. Some looked for verdict inside of
twenty minutes, some half hour, others a
day, and a few predicted that the jury
would be out a week. Then there was talk
of disagreement, and the theory was ad-
vanced that If the jury did not bring in a
verdict inside OF three-quarters of an hour
there would be a disagreement or at least
a long-drawn-out discussion, that would keep
the jury out possibly for two or three days.
The murdered girls father and brothers
awaited the jury's return with anxious faces.
but Jackson laughed and chatted with the
corps of newspaper men es If oblivious OF
his impending fate. With death staring him
in the face he was, apparently, the most
unconcerned man in the court room, smiling,
talking or cooliy reading the papers.
Acting under direct orders from Judge
Helm, an extra force of policemen in citi-
zens' clothes was stationed about the court
house early. and forty deputy sheriffs armed
to the teeth. were inside the court room
mixing with the crowd. Everybody was in
readiness II any trori ie should occur. The
whole territory about the courthouse was
really under heavy guard. These precau-
Tic pocy in oase he Verdict Of the jury did
not quite suit the fancy OF some who are re-
lentless in their hatred Of the prisoner.
The audience consisted mainly of stern
faced, resolute men, whose presence there
could not be regarded other than significant.
At IL o'clock there were but two solitary
they had known the armed condition of the
men who sat about them they would have
quickly left While no trouble was expected
safe side. knowing too well the state OF pub
lie feeling against the prisoner.
ONLY A FALSE ALARM.
At 11:35. in a twnkling of an eye. there
was the greatest excitement. score or
more OF men lounging about the corridors
rushed into the court room. Those sitting in
the jury's chairs jumped to their feet, re-
porters fell over each other In their frantic
efforts to get to their tables. and the whole
room was in an uproar They're coming!
They're comingr' was the cry. and for fully
a minute the excitement was Intense but
the rumor proved to be unfounded. Fore
man Shea, by leaving the jury room to 60 TO
the wash room, had started the panic, for IL
was virtually q panic. Jackson, who was
sitting talking 10 Jailor Bitter, turned white
as a sheet: a crowd rushed in from the
clerks office. but II was soon learned that IL
was all false alarm. The Jury did not
come in. and a moment later Mr.. Shay, with
a solemn look on his face. returned to the
jury room. II was learned afterwards that
at that time the jury had just decided on its
verdict. When II became known what had
happened, the laughter could be heard out
side the courthouse.
In the excitement Jackson was sur