Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-05-18
End of the Beilstein Ca sc.

With the same strange calmneSS tnat
mas always characterized her demeanor,
Bertha A. Beilstein faced the jury which
had tried her case. last Saturday morn
ing. and heard them declare her not
guilty by reason of insanity She was
absolutely unmoved by the words OF
Foreman Graham, when he formally
rendered the verdict with more agita-
ton than Bertha has ever shown.
Every eve in the court room was concen-
trated on the prisoner, yet no one could
detect the slightest emotion, or sat1sfac-
ton. She walked back to Jail mo-
ment latter with an expression Of utter
indifference.
When court convened at $50 the yer
dict was ready. In fact, it had been
settled upon before the jurors retired
the night before When the first few
ballots were taken after retirement Fri
day night, there was some division ON
the question of insanity. Three jury
men did not believe that the defense
had raised a reasonable doubt as TO
Bertha's saneness The minority weak
ened gradually, however, and before go
ing to bed it was unanimously decided
10 find the prisoner not guilty by reason
Of insanity.
Tt was understood shortly after 8
o'clock that the verdict would be rece1y-
ed in the larger court room. TINS ca1s-
ed a terrific rush at the lower end or the
Quarter Sessions corridor. Men even
invaded the Clerk of Courts quarters IN
this room. and every inch Of space, oc-
cupied by the attorneys and witnesses
on other occasions, was filled. Sudden
Iy the news became nOised about that
this was but a ruse TO keep the Oyer
and Terminer Court comfortably clear
and the mob rushed wildly across.
When the jurymen filed grayely down
the stairway, spectators were packed
like sardines in the court room, and ev-
en- stood on chairs.
Bertha walked into court a moment
before the Jury arrived, accompanied
by deputy sheriff. She looked paier
than usual. She had been prepared for
the worst. Friends had warned her
that she should expect an adverse yer
dict, doing this TO nerve her against a
possible collapse. There was a trace OF
defiance in her manner as she walked to
the chair pointed ont by the deputy.
She opened her fan with snap and set
it in motion after one prolonged stare
around the court rOOm-
When the jury appeared, Bertha was
studying the pattern OF the carpet with
intense interest. She stared AT il few
feet from her chair and then let her
eyes follow the floor clear to the edge
of the crowd Then she polished her
finger nails industriously with lace
embroidered handkerchief, and just as
the Jury was seated she put one white
hand up to her hair. and endeavored to
pull curl just behind the scar ON her
temple.
Gentlemen Of the jury will please
answer to your names, said Clerk
James E. Finn. and then he called the
roll. IT. w. Graham, Elizabeth, fore
man; Michael Haggarty. Pittsburg
David F. Kiskaddeu, Pittsburg; Charles
H. Lowe, Pittsburg; Robert ID. Meteor
mick, Pittsburg; Martin Nicholas,
Pittsburg; Cornelius ScullY, Pittsburg;
Thomas Anderson. Pittsburg; Sigmund
Bender, Pittsburg; John A Cunning
ham, PittsbuTg; Joseph Elliott, Home
stead
Each one answered here The
foreman held a slip of white paper IN
his hands. He turned it around ner-
vously and kept his eyes fixed on the
clerk, as though anxious to get rid OF 1t.
Several of the juryman were watching
Bertha. She never returned their gaze,
however. until Clerk Finn turned to-
ward her with official solemnity.
Prisoner at the bar, stand up, he
said
Bertha rose and, with her hands
clasped behind her back, turned to-
ward the jurymen and looked over their
heads A little group of sparrows hut-
tered about outside the window sill.
She watched them with some show of
interest.
Jurors, look upon the prisoner;
prisoner, look upon the jurors" com
manded the Clerk.
Bertha glanced along the two rows Of
men. She noted the foreman, with his
little slip Of white paper.
Gentlemen of the jury, have You
agreed upon a verdictF' asked Mr..
Finn.
owe have, came from the jury box
"And who shall answer for youl'
continued the Clerk.
Our foreman.
For a moment no one stirred. The
stiffness in the courtroom was almost
painful. Many a man could hear his
heart throbbing in the silence. Bertha
stood motionless, with her hands still
clasped behind her Then Mr.. Graham
rose slowly He spoke still more slow
ly.
I'VE find the prisoner not guilty, he
said There was a seconds s pause: by
reason of insanity" he added, and then
sat down.
The hum of many voices rose in the
courtroom. Order! Orderr shouted
the tipataves. sternly, rapping on the
desks
Bertha glanced at the Clerk question
ingly, and then sat down. in response to
his gesture. There was neither sTsT-
prise nor Joy depicted on her cOunte-
nance. She did not seem to hear the
whispered congratulations Of her rela-
tiyes near her. She did not ask per
mission TO thank the jurors or to shake
hands with them. She did not even
indicate that she thought they ought TO
be thanked
Let the prisoner be remanded, said
Judge Fraser.
Bertha arose, and for the last time
was led back to Jail On reaching that
building. she observed that she was glad
Of the verdict because il ended the trial.
She did not pass any opinion on the yer
dict itself, however.
lyon are to be congratulated. Miss
Bertha, said one Of the Jail attaches,
as she walked into the rotunda.
Miss Beilstein smiled slightly, but
gave no other evidence that she heard
him. Then she was locked mp.
Cgt.. ...sII I,o IA 10 Diw
mont. Her stay there depends on the
examination Of the medical authorities.
If they find she is sane now. she may be
released soon Berthas relatives evinc-
ed great satisfaction Mt the verdict. 1t
was no more than they expected, they
declared
Bertha did not sleep well Friday
night. She was restless and wakeful.
and the suspense told on her Meyer.
theless. DR. A V. Chessrown, the Jail
physician, declared that her physica,
condition was az good az could be ex-
pected. He visited her after she had
been remanded. SO did Warden Me
Aleese. She talked very little 10 either
Of them Bertha has reason to be
thankful that her case will net be dis
posed of as was that Of John Swanson,
who was found not guilty Of an offense
by reason Of insanity, but committed to
the penitentiary, just the same.
Strange as it may seem, many people
DO not know that Bertha is still n ward
Of the law, and many yet be committed
TO the penitentiary for the rest Of her
natural life, or until such time as she
becomes Of sound mind.
This question was eifectually settled
few years ago by Judgein the courts
Of Elk county. In spite Of the protests
of Warden Wright he was compelled tc
admit prisoner to the penitentiary