The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-31
MRS. BOTKIN IS GUILTY
Imprisonment for Life the Fate
of the Murderess.
AN UNEXPECTED VERDICT
A Disagreement Looked For by the
Prosecution and Acquittai Conf
IDENTIFY Expected by the Defense.
Were Out Four Hours.

1
general surprise of these who have fol-
lowed the Botkin trial and to the entire
dismay of the defendant and her attor-
neys, Mrs. Cordelia Botkin was tonight
found guilty of murder I'm the first de-
gree for causing the death of Mrs. John
p. Dunning by sending a box of poi
soned candy to her in Dover. Del. The
condemned murderess will be spared an
ignominious death on the gallows, how
ever, the jury that found her guilty i'm
! posing also the penalty of life impris-
onment
The verdict was unexpected. An ac-
| quittal was confidently awaited by the
defense, while the prosecution feared a
disagreement. Rumors had been in cir
culation to the effect that several OF the
jurors strongly favored the defense and
that their opinions were too firmly
grounded to be capable of change AL
though the jury was onlv out four
hours. more than one of which was de-
voted to dinner. IL is currently reported
tonight that the verdict was the result
or compromise. The sex of the pris-
oner made such a conclusion satisfac-
tory to the Jurors. Considering the un-
=.
kin kept herself well in hand when her
fate was announced. Not until the
Jurymen and most of the spectators
had left the court room did she give
evidences of collapse. Then she sank
back half fainting, but speedily revived
when given glass of water.
The jury retired at 5:15 ID. m. but
soon after was taken out TO dinner in
charge of a deputy from the sheriff's
Office. During the meal hour no refer
ence was made to the case by any Of
the men in whose hands lay the fate of
Mrs Botkin. On returning to the jury
room the evidence was carefully re-
viewed and a prolonged discussion fol-
lowed. IL is not known how many bal
lots were taken before a final agree
ment was reached, but there are ru-
mors that at first the opinions of the L.
jurymen were not in accord and that
before unanimity was arrived at a COM
promise was effected.
AT about O'Clock word was sent that
the jury was prepared to make report
Court was Immediately convened, and
at 9:15 O'Clock. just four hours after
the case had been placed in its hands,
the jury stated, through its foreman,
that an agreement had been reached
the verdict being that Mrs. Botkin. ac-
cused of killing Mrs John =. Dunning
by means of poisoned candy sent
through the mails, was guilty of mur-
der in the first degree. In accordance
with the laws of California, which en-
power the jury TO decide between hang
ing and Imprisonment in such cases, the
penalty was fixed at Imprisonment for
life. While at no time during the trial
had Mrs. Botkin expressed herself as
anticipating such a verdict. she received
IL with remarkable calmness, exhibit
ing no trace of emotion, though she sat
close to her sister, Mrs. Roberts. and
seemed to look TO her for sympathy.
After the jury had been polled i'm the
usual manner Judge Cook announced
that sentence would be pronounced on
Saturday. Jan. :. He then remanded
the prisoner to the custody of the sher-
1T. TO be imprisoned in the Branch
county Jail until called to receive final
judgment. when she will be transferred
to the state -penitentiary.
The court room was cleared. when.
just after Mrs. Botkin had announced
to the deputy sheriff, in a clear voice.
that she was ready to go with him
TO prison. occurred the only sensational
incident of the evening. The con-
demned woman was about to rise when
her highly strung nerves seemed TO
relax and suddenly she fell back into
the arms of Mrs. Roberts. 1t was
thought she had tainted. but i'm a mo-
ment glass of water revived her and
she resumed her usual appearance.
though the tense nervous strain was
still apparent In the twitching of her
facial muscles and the quick movement
of her hands as her fingers drummed
on the table. In a few minutes she ap-
parently shook off all signs Of excite |
ment and quietly accompanied the dep |
uty sheriff from the court room.
Late this afternoon. District At |
torney Hosmer completed his argument |
and Judge Carroll Cook read his charge |
to the jury, after which il retired for |
deliberation. The argument for the /
closed with District Attor- /
ney Hosmer on the stand. Mr.. Hos |
mer's method OF summing up the case
for the prosecution was i'm great var 1
lance to the threatening, cajoling ef- |
forts OF Attorneys knight and Nc /
Gowan for the defense. Mr. Hosmer
was cool and collected throughout He /
modulated his voice 10 nicely. and /
seldom spoke passionately. The cur
ious crowd that gathered in the court 1
room expecting to hear Mrs. Botkin |
were In a measure satisfied, |
but Ii was Mrs. Botkn's attorneys and /
their methods in the conduct of the /
case that Mr.. Hosmer made the prlnci-
pal point of his attack.
Mr.. Hosmer commenced his argu-
ments with the incidents attending the
arrival of the package of candy at the
Dover. Del, postoffice. He condemned
the defense for insnuating that the
package might have been placed in the
mail bag by any one connected with the
postoffice. He accused the attorneys
n going behind the facts He traced
he package to the Pennington home and
is delivery to unsuspecting Mrs. Dun
ming. and the passing of the bon bOns
20 the gathered guests. their sickness
md the death of Mrs. Dunning and her
sister. Mr. Hosmer deftly pictured the
grief OF the parents and friends OF the
and Dunning family, and
with a scathing attack upon
he poisoner. He took up the analysis
" the candy made by Chemist Wolff of
Delaware. and Professor Price OF this
'ity. He ridiculed the defense for its
that members OF the pO-
ice department OF this city or even the
.hemists themselves. might have in