Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-15
MR.. P|LK|NTON FREED
The Jury Returns a Verdict
Of Not Guilty.
THIS RESULT NOT A SURPRISE
II Vas Generally Conceded That That
Conclusion Vas Unavoidable.
ACCUSED wEEPs VERY copIousLY.
The Scene a Very Affecting One
Thanks To and From the Jury-Pn-
hinton I'm Richmond, But VIII Con-
tinue to Live in Powhatan.
ACCUSED wEEPs VERY copI0UsLY.

POWHATAN COURTHOUSE October
A-(SreciaL )-Willlam G. PiliSinton "a q
free man.
A jury Of his peers has said that he
Is not guilty Of numbering State Senator
William NJ Flanagan. This verdict was
rendered this morning at O'clock. and
Immediately thereafter. Powhatan Court
house, the scene Of tho tragedy which
deprived Mr.. Flanagan OF his life and
Mr.. Pilkinton temporarily of his liberty.
was the theatre OF a most affecting
scene.
The prisoner. with his mother. wife.
and little children, had just taken their
seats. when Judge Miller raped the
court TO Order and they scanned with
anxious eyes the faces Of the Jurymen
as they fled in one by one 10 their seats.
IL was an anxious moment for all. par
ticularly as the jurymen showed on their
faces serious. expectant look.
THE VERDICT.
As soon as Sheriff Baugh had called the
roll Of the jury and all had answered to
their names Clerk Tillman arose, and in
: solemn tone asked:
Gentlemen Of the jury have you agreed
on your verdict?"
I'VE have" replied Foreman Durphy.
arising with the indictment in his hand.
Mr.. Pilkinton then was commanded to
stand %. but before the verdict was an
nounced. Judge Miller said. There must
be perfect order I'm this COURTROOM I
will punish severely any attempt at
demonstration"
Look upon the prisoner and say Is he
siity or not guilty" SAID the Clerk.
So deep hush pervaded the COURTROOM
that you might have heard the falling
OF a pin when Mr.. Durphy, in clear voice.
said tho words Not guilty."
TEARS FROM MANY.
Mr.. Pnkinton took his seat when no
heard the verdict and wept copiously.
his mother and wife doing likewise.
The scene so affected the jurymen that
they. too, wcpt and many Of them crowd
ed about the acquitted man. and his rel
| atiyes, and exchanged frequent God
bless yous."
The spectators pushed forward 20 con-
gratulate Mr. Pllkinton, and 10 thank
the jurymcn for their verdict, and for "A
time there was considerable excitement
Ia the courtroom.
THE JURY.
When however. order had been re-
stored. Judge Miller addressed the jury,
saying: Gentlemen. In my thirty years
experience at the bar have never seen
n more courteous set of gentlemen, nor
a more attentive intelligent and capable
jury. / thank you sincerely for the part
you have performed 81 this trial.
The jury bowed their acknowledgments
OF this compliment and handed the
Judge the following letter. which his
Honor has ordered 20 be framed:
Powhatan. Va, October IA. 1879.
The Undersigned, comprising the jury
ln the case OF the Commonwealth vs..
pilkington, desire through this medium,
to thank his Honor, Judge Thomas NJ.
Miller. Of the County Court OF Powhatan;
his court ofiicers-sherin J.. A. Baugh.
and Deputies Davis and MlchauX-for
continued cOurtesies during the pro-
gross Of the above trial. We also de-
sire TO thank Judge Miller and counsel,
both for the prosecution and defence. for
the ability and eaeerncss that they dis
played in having the full facts connected
with the case, so that our duties, ex-
tremely painful at best. were rendered
the more easy.
K W. Anderson, r. Hubert Fox, w. w.
Oglesby. j. h. Burgess, d. T.. Slaughter.
J. Lee Davis c. w. WhitmOre. J. NJ.
Durphy l.. ". Baughan, II. J. Berndt,
r. l.. Dillon. H. c. FOCUS.
MR.. PILKINrON.
Mr.. PnkntCn. being discharged from
custody, left the courtroom surrounded
by friends, and as soon as a team could
be procured be drove 20 his home. ten
miles distant From there he went TO
Richmond this afternoon. The jurymen
scattered some going 70 Richmond and
others 70 their homes. IN. Lyuchburg. but
before train time tho Court, officers.
fury counsel and reporters were photo-
graphed on the courthouse steps.
no SURPRISE.
The verdict was no surprise 20 any
one, and excepting very few friends %
the dead Senator. gives general satsfac-
ton.
Mr.. Pnknton. I'm an interview with the
Dispatch correspondent. announces II as
his purpose 10 continue his residence In
Povhatan, though. ne says. he will never
aspire to another political offic,.