Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-10-25
the time he shot the deceased. he was in
sune, and We further lind that he has re-
covered from such insanity.

who apparently had been stunned by the
springins to his feet. threw his white Stet
son hat high into the air and shouted like
enc Possessed Men who have known Ma
1or Woodsop for years say they never be-
fore saw him exhibit such unbounded Joy
over the result of a case. His eyes flashed.
cheeks glowed with the deep sense of Joy
which peryaded his whole being.
Let me shake hands ., with you John"
out of his way to reach Schlegel;,
When the words not guilty fell upon the
stupefied. and then. as the full import OF
the jury's finding came over him. he arose
TO his feet and stretched his arms out wide
by some terrible fear which had suddenly
been dispelled. The hands of men We're
his coat. some patted him on the back. but
above the noise and the confusion sounded
tie words: You are free, John. you are
And he is not insane. either, said one
man who patted Schlegel on the back with
affection.
Talk With the Foreman.
All the while the jury was standing in a
they had declared were not stained with
human understanding like soldiers await
ing a command Several of the jurymen
felt the excitement OF the moment and
trcmbled visibly. One of the jurymen asked
a reporter:
Probably you had better ask him, re-
piled the newspaper man:
SchlegeI next directed his attention. 10 the
juryInen. He passed along the line OF
men. shaking hands with each of the jury
men. God bless you ALL he exclaimed
II feel that you have done your ahty as
brave men-as noble men. thank you. L
can hardly express my JOY. am SO nap
AS fast as the jurymen shook hands with
box fei n,If line and soon
lost in the throng When Schlegel told
Foreman Steele that he believed the jury
men had done their duty. MI Steele re-
so do !. and believe that ninety out Of
every hundred people in Jackson county VIII
say the same. l believe ii will be u popular
There is no question about that replied
Major Woodson, who had recovered ms
equanimty and had been busy telling the
jurors how well they had performed their
duty. Why" continued the major, when
= j walked along the streets; when I rode 81 IN
the cars. everywhere. people asked me this
morning what the verdict would be. and
when told them that Thought II would be
acquittaI they all said they hoped so.
pleased look came over Foreman
Steele's features.
How many ballots were taken? re-
porter for The Journal asked Mr.. Steele
Really. could not say, fifteen OF six
teen" ,,,,. -.
II don't care 10 say how We stood on the
informal ballot, but will say he oontin-
ued. that on the first regular ballot We
stood seven 10 five Tor acquittaf. s.F
who were the jurors that. favored con-
viction?"
What evidence was it that caused the
jurymen to conclude that Schiegel was in
sane when he killed DR.. Berger?'
Il don't know that can answer that:
We felt that the sanctity of the home ought
to be preserved. We did not believe that
st was for us to establish the precedent that
doctors could violate their patients in
That was the real question that was
tried in the juryroom. was 1t not, whether
or not physician could invade the sanctity
Eyes. that's true ta,
DO you think schlegel has fully re-
covered his faculties?"
"oh. yes. He was sane right after. the
killing. He was only insane on the subject
Of & killing the doctor who ;s had I Wrongsd nn him.
that man Berger had an awful reputation.
Mr.. Dixon, one of the jurors. knew of his
had at least forty garters of women
patients. He was bad man.
do you believe that your verdict was In
accordance with the law and the evil
I'VE believed that the verdict would be
tc saw tat Mtn Doctors Gould invade the
for it"
instead of eight months before committing
the murder. what then? Would he have
been justified just the same.
But Mr.. Steele did not answer. other
jurymen said the letter in which Schlegel
had asked the prosecutor how much he
taken into consideration. In fact, the jury
men declared that the only question con-
sidered was whether Schlegei was lustined
in doing as he did. and the jury finally con-
cluded that he was
Attorney Silverman. who had beaten
Major Woodson son., to the side Of SfhiessliI' Ss sslI
where he gathered UP his few belongings
and left the jail. As Schlegel left the jail
Bill Adler Frank Crowley and several
other murderers crowded to the bars and
shouted and cheered quite Justify.
We win be wi, with you you & before Re, long, ,p -eC o,d
ord of two graves on the hillside to his
credit.
Attorney silverman went with Schlegel
toward his home. while Major Woodson
remained behind and. stationing himself III
front of the saloon opposite the JAIL told
the crowd of admirers that gathered how
the law had yindicated a man who had
protected his home and his honor with
his trusty revolver.
The names of the jurors. their ages and
occupations are follows: Edward I'm
brook, so. laborer. Kansas City: Lewis
Antoine "a. farmer. near Raytown; c. Nj.
Winfrey, q, farmer, near Sibley: Isaiah
johnson, 10. farmer. near Sibey: Robert
Dehonev. p. farmer. near Raytown;
James V. Cline. %, farmer. near Sni Mills;
David Owings. IL, farmer. near Oak Grove;
Edward Ritchey. q, farmer. near Inde-
pendence: Vas Perkins. rs. merchant. In
dependence: a. w. Steele. 81 poultry,
,Westport: r. T. Aker. AZ, bookkeeper. In
dependence.
SchIcgeI mt Home.
The news of Schlegel's acquittal had
reached his home few minutes before
"the little German and Attorney Silver
man arrived there. About a dozen men
ard women had gathered about the wood
en- gate leading TO the stairs on the west
side of the store 10 congratulate SchIegel
on his acquittal They shook his hands
warmly and talked excitedly in German
as they crowded around him. Schlegel
laughed heartily and pressed through the
little crowd and mp the stairs 20 where
his family was awaiting him. Mrs. Schle-
gel wore plain, loose fitting gingham
dress in which she had been doing the
morning housework.
II knew all the time that ii was COM
ing ont all right cried Mrs. Schlcgel as
she shook the hands of Mr.. Silverman
SchleEel was unmoved His two little
boys crowded around him and he fondly
kissed their foreheutis. Several German
women followed into the family sitting
room where the SchivEels and their at
torney were talking. After few min
utes' talk Mr.. Silverpran left the house
and Schleeel talked and shook hands with
the neighborS who came in. He seemed
trifie worried the women began TO
go over the events of the past few months
Mrs. Schlegel Joined in the talk enthus
iastically.
Il didn't expect anything else" said
Mrs. Schlegel, referring to the verdict which
set her husband free from the clutches
of the law: Schlesel got up from his seat