The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-02-18
araS a,,ri.a,,s u.ora told Il l.een off

to the big court room, and the inquisitive
and curious were told to keep off.
Instead of slowly emptying the court
room began to fill. and from six o,cioea
until long past midnight there was a
steady stream. of people coming IN 70
take the place of those departing wen
known politicians. lawyers and business
men dropped in to chat and speculate as
to the verdict, and the big room wore, a
lively air. You could barely see for the
dense clouds of tobacco smoke. Every
one had cigar in his mouth and puHeu
away for dear life.
The slightest sound at the door leading
to the rear court room where the Jury
was caused rush to that place, and a
hundred and one questions We're instant
ly fired al the officers on guard.
How do they stand?" cried one.
ION their feet, you jay" replied the ofn-
Ger, and there was laugh at the expense
of the other fellow.
About midnight the door was opened a
few. inches and voice from within
Bring us something to eat and me
two bottles of beer"
An officer was sent to Laws hash rae,
tory opposite. and soon after returned
with a big tray containing sandwiches,
and coffee, but no beer.
Say, where's my beer?'
Sorry, sir, against the law to give you
beer replied the guard, politely.
Then give me whiskey' exclaimed the
Cant do that either" cried the officer,
and the incident and the door closed.
The big crowd then thinned out. many
going to neighboring restaurants to get
something to eat.
At twelve O'Clock the neighborhood was
startled by the ringing of the big Court
House bell, and in twinkling out from
saloons and restaurants, cigar stores ana
any old place poured a swarm of men
who flew across Newark avenue. ascend
ed the Court House steps in bound and
poured into the court room:
Have they agreed?' yelled everybody,
and the greatest of excitement prevailed.
Men crowded up the aisles, over chairs
and tables to get comfortable seats, and
GERS were quietly grinning. John Zeller,
chief of the squad, had naughty LITTLE
twinkle in his eye when he innocently-
John is SO innocent childike and bland
asked
Whats the matter. boys?'
Didn't the bell ring, for. the jury had
agreed?' shouted half dozen.
''The bell rang because some one pulled
the rope" was the provoking reply, and
the crowd was informed that gentleman
in a spirit of fun and fund of spirit had
pulled the rope dangling in the corridor
simply for the fun of fooling the crowd.
The hours dragged on and towards two
o'clock one of the guards breathlessly an
nounced that the jury stood to 8 for
who would hold on until Hades froze
over. This piece of news was quickly
spread and fresh reinforcements began 70
| arrive. At three o'clock it became plain
that there would be no coming into court
until morning, and the crowd went home
to bed leaving the court room in the
possession of the officers and newspaper
men, who arranged the chairs and made
prepa arations for a snooze.
-Four, five. six, seven, eight O'Clock
came and the sleepers were aroused by
the squad of prisoners from the Jail ready
to sweep up and clear away the debris of
papers, cigar and cigarette stubs and 9TH
er refuse. Breakfast for the jury was
ordered and the guards took in a liberal
supply of coffee rolls, steaks and chops
and newspapers.
Have you comb?" whispered a juror
to the man at the door, .'or a bath
handy? Oh, for. a decent bed and good
Sleep and SO saying banged to the door
and rushed to his breakfast.