The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-11
When the Convicted Man Passed to
His Prison the Crowd I'm the Corri-
dOrs Cheered Him Heartily.
HISTORY OF A NOTED CASE
MURDER OF MRS. KATE ADAMS AND
ITS PROBABLE CAUSES.
Popularity of Alleged Murderer Was
Unsurpassed In New YOrk-His Life
and Athletic Record.

NEW YORK. Feb. 1o.-After celebrating
seven and a half hours the jury returned
verdict of guilty of murder in the first de-
gree against Roland B. Molineux, charged
with the murder of Mrs. Katherine ].
Adams, by poison, Dec. 2S 1898.
Barlow 8. Weeks, counsel for the de-
fense. made the usual motion, and Recorder
Gofr adjourned court until Feb. 16, when
he said he would hear the motion and SEN
tence the defendant.
From the time the jury went out, at 3:15
p. m, the crowd In the courtroom watched
the door through which they had left the
court in silent expectancy. 1t was almost
two hours before there. was any noise. The
solemnity Of the occasion had affected
court officers and visitors alike.
The jury came in shortly after o'clock
to ask for exhibits of handwriting and
again at 1890 they came in for instruc-
tions.
Fifteen minutes later there was no doubt
that the jury had agreed. Court officers
shouted for silence. Doors were locked.
and the gray-haired clerk of the court took
his seat below the recorders bench. Gen.
Molineux sat straight in his chair. CLASSY
look in his eyes and his hands folded on the
table in front of him. trembling little in
spite Of himself. Then there was a hush.
The jurors walked to their chairs between
a double file of court officers. There was
no sign of cheer in any of their faces. AS
soon as they had taken their seats a deputy
sheriff brought Molineux from the prison.
There was no sign of apprehension on his
face. His step was light, and he smiled as
| If he had not a care in the world. Then
he sat down, looked for a moment straight
to Weeks, who was showing signs of ner-
vousness. moment later the recorder
entered The names of the jury were read
and the clerk said:
Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed
upon a verdict?''
eve have" replied the foreman.
'"The jurors will please rise. The defend
ant will rise.
General Molineux sat with his hands
clasped in front Of him on the table. His
face never fiinched as the clerk asked
again:
What is your verdict?''
eve find the defendant guilty of murder
in the first degree
AS the words were spoken the bell in the
frehouse near by struck II o'clock. 1t
sounded like the tolling of a bell for the
dead.
MOLINEUX KEPT HIS NERVE.
| Molineux hardly moved. His neck stiff
fened little and he Strengthened his back.
| General Molineux reached his hand to his
sons shoulder and pressed 1t hard. Mol
| ineux put his own hand his fathers
| shoulder and stood without further move
rnent, while his counsel asked that the
jury be polled. Each jurymen agreed with
| the verdict rendered by the foreman, and
the recorder asked If counsel had any
request to make.
'It will be necessary to make some
| formal notion" said Mr.. Weeks.
1.-THE term has already been extended"
| said the recorder, 'and we can extend 1t
! further for the purpose. I will hear the
motion and sentence the prisoner Fri
day next. The court is adjourned until Feb.
| 16 Remove the defendant"
| Molineux shook hands with his father
and his brother Leslie. and started to fol-
low the deputy sheriff to the prison. AS he
| left his seat General Molineux said to him.
| in tones loud enough to be heard by all:
Keep up your nerve" and the prisoner
| replied with a smile, Yes, don't be afraid" :"
| Molineux's mother and his wife, unable
| to bear the strain of long waiting for the
verdict. had left the court soon after the
jury went out.
| Mr. Weeks asked on behalf of General
Molineux that the latter be permitted to
| visit his son, and the recorder made an
exception in this case and granted per-
mission.
Foreman Martin stated that the jury had
| agreed among themselves to absolutely re-
| frain from the discussion of any Of the pro-
| ceedings in the jury room.
| A tremendous crowd waited In the corri-
| doris Of the courtroom and about the build
| ing unit. after the return of the verdict.
| and when Molineux was brought out by the
| deputy sheriff somebody called for Three
| cheers for Molineux.' and remarkable
| demonstration. with great cheering. fol-
lowed. Many women were in the crowd
| and took part in the demonstration. It
seemed to please Molineaux. for he smiled
| and bowed and all the way through the
| great crowd that pressed around him he
had occasion 70 smile and bow npmow
of times. for he cheers weco x>v<e161