The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-25

Fritz Simmons says he is very wen sat
asf1ed- with that verdict
He was visited in his cell yesterday al
4ernoon by reporter for the Eagle, and
he said candidly that he expected a YER
dict in the first degree, not because he
deserved such a fate. but because he
thought the odds were against him.
II amt got no money to put up" he
said. "and no friends that would tell the
right thing about that shootin'."
Fritz simmons claims that there were
some. persons w.no knew something which
they would not give up"
.Then you are glad it is no worse with
you?"
..Weu. yes; guess I am You see,
am too far away from my people for them
TO come and see me and do me any good,
an I doan see how I could expected any
better verdict. My lawyers done all they
could fur me, an guess IN have 10 take
the best I kin get" not knowing what his
sentence would be.
The verdict as given above was render
ed at o'clock after the jury had been out
four hours.
STANLEY. & Stanley took one hour and
half in which to make their argument to
the Jury. and Prosecuting Attorney Sam
Arnidon used only little time in his clos
ing argument The court room was crowd
ed. Many of the spectators did not leave
the court room from morning until the
Jury read its verdict and was discharged
Ed Stewart, the defendant. received the
verdict with the utmost Indifference. The
Jury was composed of the following per-
sons: John Davidson, foreman; Lafe
Simpson, G. H. Harrington, G. NJ Dick
son. r. c. Israel. Murray Myers, /. w.
Butterfeld. H r Butler, George Charl-
ton, John Fisher, A. c. Husey, George R
Locke.
The verdict Of the jury means for Fritz
Simmons a term in the penitentary Of
from ten years to ninety-nine years, or
life Imprisonment, in the discretion Of
Judge Dale. The sentence will not be
BASED until the close of the term Of court
Edward Stewart, alias FitZ Simmons, is
tn. some respects an interesting negro, and
one of ordinary intelligence As told in
his testimony, he was born in Washing
ton. D. c. He says his parents are dead,
but he has a. younger brother who con-
Ducts an employment bureau in the Capt.
tol City, and he showed the Eagle report
PIT letter from him. He is moderately
RelI-to-5o.
Fritz Simmons has seen some Of the
great events IN Washington and he has
been at the feet OF some of the greatest
men in the nations history. He shined
shoes when a boy. He has been errand
boy In the largest hotels in Washington,
and he says he knew by sight and con-
tact In his limited capacity at these hotels
such men as Blaine, Garfield, Edmonds,
Hill, Breckinridge and many others. Jerry
Simpson came after his time.
Stewart says he was never in trouble
before, and he did not know how to act
when finally he did get in so seriously.
The crime for which Fritz Simmons will
have to lay out at least the pest part of
his life in prison. was the murder of Tom
Miller. another Colored man, on the even
Ing of December Is, last. 1t is alleged that
Fritz Simmons was trying to modest the
happiness of AIillers home and the latter
administered a severe beating to Fritz
Simmons and warned him to keep away
from him and his home Fritz Simmons
then secured revolver and while Miller
was on his way home day or two after
yards, Fritz Simmons shot Hmm, killing
him almost instantly