The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-15
SHELDON CONVICTED
Auburn Man Found Guilty
of the Murder Of
His Wife.
LONG HESITATION OF THE JURY
Two Members Held Out for Ac-
quittal Stoical Demeanor Of
the Unfortunate Man.
LONG HESITATION OF THE JURY

AUBURN, N. ", March Is, 1897.-Noth-
ing was heard from the Sheldon jury dur
ing the night, but at 7:30 this morning
Judge Dunwell received word that the
jury was again ready to report An hour
later Court reassembled. At 8 49, just 84l1a
hours after the jury first retired for de-
liberation, the tired members filed into
court Sheldon sat by the side Of his
counsel, Mr.. Drummond. The attorney
closely scanned the drawn features Of the
tagged out jurors and then said some
thing to Sheldon, which caused him to
smile. This was the defendants last
smile in the trial.
How do you feel this morning?'' said
Mr.. Drummond.
oh, fair" was Sheldon's reply The
roll call was ordered and Deputy Clerk
Westfall read the list of names of jurors
and of the defendant. Gentlemen of the
jury, have you agreed upon verdict?'
foreman Holden made reply in such low
tones that it could not be heard distinct
ly. Clerk Westfall reported that the
jury had not agreed Crier Mcdonald
corrected him and said the jury had
agreed. Again the query was put TO the
Jury and the reply came back this time
with startling distinctness
We have said the foreman, soIemnly
we lind the prisoner guilty as charged" I"
For a moment nothing was said or
gone; 3 everybody in the court room look
ed the amazement they must have felt
attorney Drummond appeared to be dunn
founded. Sheldon was unmoved. He did
not finch and the only indication he gave
rapid movement of his eyelids No one
spoke. to him. Even Guy, the ever faith
full one. who sat by his fathers side,
was rendered speechless. Assemblyman
nd ,1l7 ~
brothers of the murderer, were not pres
ent to hear the awful words of condem-
nation. but fifteen minutes later they
learned OF the jury's action and they hur-
rled to the court room.
They took seats just behind the con-
victed murderer. but they did not offer
words Of comfort or consultation They
looked Disconnected by the turn ir affairs
from what they had confidently expected
A disbursement was the worst outcome
that they could imagine. conviction
was was not thought of and the blow came
with crushing force. The silence which
followed the. declaration of foreman
Holden was broken by Justice Dunweli:-
Let the verdict be entered. . said he.
extremely. satisfied that a verdict had
been reached. Let the jury be polled .
was the Courts next command. Then the
clerk, calling each juryman by name
asked What is your verdict?" fGuilty'
said each of the twelve men in turn; and
as the word of terrible import fell from
the lips OF the Jurors, Sheldon never
3 changed expression, or made a move that
would indicate nervousness His wonder
full stoicism was maintained to the last
The Court then turned to the Jury and
thanked the members for having per-
formed their arduous duties so Faithfully
In conclusion he ordered that each Of
them be paid $50, as extra compensation
for services under Section 3,3fS of the
code of civil procedure Mr. Drummond
moved for an arrest of Judgment and for
new trial. which were denied Counsel
consented to immediate sentence and
Sheldon was ordered to stand up. He
gave his age as forty-six, occupation
farmer and live stock buyer When
asked If he had anything to say he falter-
fngly replied
I'm innocent of the crime charged
sentence was pronounced in few
words naming the week of April 25 for
his electrocution
The murder was committed April 30.
1885, Sheldon received the sentence witt,
scarcely visible emotion. George Sheldon.
brother. was bowed in grief, and AS
semblyman Sheldon, a younger brother.
covered his face with his handk erchief.
Adelbert Sheldon's eyes filed with tears.
Guy sat bolt upright with puzzled look
in his face. During the long deliberations
of the jury the vote had stood for the
most part ten for conviction and two for
acquittal.