Evening journal., 1899-07-11
A CELEBRATED CASE
tcOntlnuod From First Pare.l


his friend in the days of his prosper
ity caused him to stand by him in his
hour of trouble. Governor Tunnell
ex-Governors Stockley, REYNOLDS and
Watson, Chancellor Nicholson, and
former Congressman John w. Causey
testified to the reputation of Colonel
Cooper for honesty and integrity. This
was admitted by the government.
The arguments were made on Thurs
day and Friday, May IL and 13. Judge
Bradford delivered the charge to the
jury on Saturday afternoon. The jury
men retired TO their rooms about $50
O'Clock. and at II o'clock on Sunday
morning they came into court and
reported that they had not and could
not agree. and asked to be discharged.
The judge refused to discharge them.
The request to be discharged was re-
peated time and again. on Monday and
Tuesday, with the like refusal. 1t is
said that the jury stood seven to FIVE,
or six to six in favor of the defendant
Finally, about o'clock on Tuesday
evening the jury came in with COM
promise verdict of conspiracy with a
unanimous recommendation of mercy.
The maximum penalty under the con-
viction is two years Imprisonment
Cooper had left Wilmington on the
APT train for Milford, but received a
telegram at Clayton to return to
Wilmington There was no train back
until morning He stopped off at Do
yer, and there heard the definite con-
clusion Of the jury. He spent the
night at Dover and returned next
morning, and at once surrendered
himself to the court. He went over
to New Castle with Deputy Marshal
Clark, and had a room in the sheriff's
residence until the following Monday.
On Monday afternoon the grand jury
room was filled with his friends to
discuss whether a writ of error should
be taken or whether he should take a
sentence. Mr.. Bird and Senator
Gray offered to appear in behalf Of
the defendant before the United
States Court in Philadelphia free of
charge, and friends offered at once to
pay the amount necessary in the way
of costs, If it were decided to
take out the writ. 1t was left to Cooper
to decide. He finally said that while
he greatly appreciated the kindness of
sounsel and friends, at the same time
he had no confidence that another
court would reverse the rulings and
charge of Judge Bradford; though in
his opinion, and in the opinion of
others, in many particulars, very un-
fair, and that he would rather COM
mence the Imprisonment then than to
90 through the suspense and uncer-
tainty OF further efforts.
The sentence Of eighteen months in
the New Jersey State Penitentiary
was then imposed. Accompanied by
Marshal Short and Deputy Marshal
Clark, Cooper, after taking leave OF
many friends, took the 3 o'clock train
for Trenton Arriving at the prison
between z and o'clock, he imme-
diately went to bed and slept without
waking until morning. He was dress,
ed in the usual uniform, and his nous
tache and hair cut close After this
first time, however, he was allowed to
wear his hair as long as he liked.
WON FRIENDS IN PRISON.
II was not long before the officials
began to receive letters speaking good
/ words for Colonel Cooper, which, to-
gether with his quiet and uncomplain-
ing acceptance of the rules and regu-
lations, soon gained him friends there
He was placed in one of the very
best cells in the prison, with a large
window in view of the street. He was
assigned to the store room, where the
clothing and supplies for the prisoners
are kept. This is in a large, airy room
and there Cooper had ample oppor-
tunity to read books and magazines
He was always fond of reading, and he
availed himself of the opportunity al
most incessantly.
There has not been a week since his
arrival there that he has not had visit
ors. and receives a considerable mai
from all parts of the country. Last
( July, accompanied by Keeper JohT
| Fitzgerald and in December accom-.