Evening journal., 1897-11-09
DID NOT TAKE LONG.
The Jury to Try Martin Thorn
Selected In Short Order.
THE PRISONER SEEMS UNCONCERNED.
Small Courtroom In Long Island City
Crowded with Spectators, Among
whom Was tho Italian
Girl, Maria Barberi.

LONG ISLAND CITY. Nov. 9.-Yes-
terday the first day OF the trial OF the
barber Martin Thorn for the murder Of
William Guldensuppe, a bath rubber,
was entirely taken up in securing a
jury and much TO the surprise of all
those interested the efforts of the law
yers for the prosecution and defense
were well rewarded, as u good men and
true had been sworn to try the case
when the hour for adjournment was
reached.
The trial began shortly after half
past o'clock in the Queens county
courthouse, this city, before Judge VII
mot M. Smith. District Attorney w. ].
Youngs assisted by Judge A. N. Weller
and Assistant District Attorney George
w. Davidson, appeared for the prose-
cution. and Lawyers William f. Howe
and Joseph Moss OF the firm Of Howe
& Hummel had charge of the defense
of Thorn, to which they had been as
signed by the authorities of New York
and Queens counties.
Although Thorn was jointly indicted
with Mrs. Augusta Mack for the muir
der ii was decided to try them sep
arately and District Attorney Youngs
made up his mind to try Thorn first, as
the circumstantial evidence on which
the people depend for a conviction is
stronger against the man than the wo-
man. In case the prosecution fails to
convict Thorn. it is not likely that
Mrs. Mack will ever be brought to
trial. At an early hour the courthouse
on Jackson avenue, the rear of which is
the county jail, was besieged with peo-
pie anxious to gain admission to the
courtroom. This room at the utmost
could hardly accommodate 300 people
comfortably but long before 8 o'clock
every seat and available point of van
tage were occupied.
The main body OF the courthouse
within the inclosure was reserved for
the lawyers In the case and the news
paper reporters and artists, of whom
there were over threescore in attend
ance. The side galleries were also filled
with an anxious crowd. one of the most
prominent onlookers there being Maria
Barberi, the italian girl who. after be-
ing sentenced to death for the murder
of her once lover was acquitted on a
second trial. which was granted by the
court of appeals This young woman
was married a few days ago. Her
husband sat beside her, and both of
them evinced a very keen interest In
everything that transpired during the
| six hours which were consumed in the
selecting of the y jurymen. District
Attorney Youngs did not expect to fill
the jurybox before Wednesday. but
both he and the lawyers for the de-
fense worked hard and earnestly, with
out quibbling or wasting a moment,
and both sides were satisfied that they
had procured an intelligent and trust
worthy jury.
After the names on the special jury
panel had been called off, Sheriff Doht
was directed to go down TO the prison
for Thorn. Two minutes afterward the
prisoner appeared with his right hand
handcuffed to Police Captain Meth
vens left, while on Thorn's left dep
uty sheriff walked, with the sheriff
bringing up the rear. Thorn walked
into the courtroom with an elastic ster
and undaunted air. with his head erect
He was hatless. but his hair was
brushed up from his forehead and his
face was cleanly shaven. He looked
better than at any time since his in.
generation. and his face showed M
sign OF that prison pallor which is 8,
common among men who are closely
confined. In fact, his face had a sligh
/
counsel table beside his lawyers
When Captain Methven undid tn
handouts, Thorn shook hands will
his lawyers, and after few whis
pered words he glanced furtivel,
around the courtroom and his bluisl
gray eyes, which are the only veal
points in his features. took in the en-
tire situation almost at a glance
Throughout the day Thorn was yer.
cool and at times looked to be tn
most unconcerned person in the court
A smile frequently overspread his fea
lures when Lawyer Howe would ge
rid of a dangerous looking talesman
While all the time there was a quie
grin lurking around his mouth. Tn
prisoner showed no signs of nervous
ness beyond an occasional twisting o
, the hands and fingers. and il wa
learned that he ate a hearty meal dur
ing the MONDAY recess. The lawyer
, think that all the evidence will not b
in for at least two weeks.
The names of the jurors who were &C
? cepted are as follows: Jacob Brumsteat
an oyster planter of oyster Bay: Mi
, chael MulgannOn. a farmer, of Hemp
= stead n. Y: John Kinsey. a farmer, c
, Springfield, n. Y; Frank r. Marsh, Jr
, a hotel keeper. Of Jamaica, N. Y
Charles ]. Nichols. an oysterman, {
Freeport, n. z; Andrew Larson. cit
contractor, of Newtown, N. Y; John I
Conklin. mechanic. Of Roslyn; David !
/, Wheeler a floor waxer of Corona, \
Y. John Conrad. janitor of town ha
: at Hampstead; Peter Waters, grocers
oyster Bay; 7. d. Bellows, real estai
, dealer in Flushing; Joseph L. Towr
/. rend, farmer, of Old Westbury.