Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-12
No VERDICT REACHED IN
JESSIE MORRISON CASE.
THE JURY SENT TO A HOTEL, WITH
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESUME
DELIBERATIONS
AT 8 80 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
BRIEF REVIEW OF ONE OF THE
MOST NOTABLE CASES IN RE-
CENT CRIMINAL HISTORY.

ELDORADO, haS., december IL
When Judge Shinn's court was called
to order to-day there was a large
crowd on hand to witness the closing
scenes in the trial of Miss Jessie Nor
rison, charged with killing Mrs. DIN
Castle, bride Of the prisoners former
sweetheart.
As the closing arguments were not
finished until 10 o'clock last evening,
Judge Shinn ordered the jury to a
hotel for the night. After the roll was
called this morning the court ordered
the jurors to retire and they were soon
celebrating over the evidence in the
case.
Miss Morrison was apparently hope
full OF a favorable verdict. After the
jury retired she was taken back TO
her cell but the spectators still remain
ed in large numbers about the court
house.
The case has been one of the most
interesting in the annals of Kansas
crimes. the principals were Jessie Nor
Ilson, daughter OF N. H Morrison, for
merly probate judge; Mrs. Clara Wiley
Castle, and Gin Castle, the latter's nus
band. All came OF prominent families,
VINO had lived in the county for the past
quarter OF q century. Miss Morrison
and Castle were clerks in a "Racket"
store, and before he married Clara
Wiley, Castle paid attention 10 the pris-
oLer. Il wds shown in the trial that
much jealousy existed between tne
TWO women. Miss Wiley and Castle
were married in June last. On June p
the women fought with a razor in
Mrs. Castles home, and the latter
died OF her wounds eighteen days
later. In q deathbed statement made
by Mrs. Castle, she charged Miss Nor
ris0n with entering her house on pre-
tense OF showing her letter, OF talk
ing in threatening manner, and then
siashing her with razor, which, the
defense tried to show, she had ab-
slTacted from a showcase IN the
Racket" store. Miss Morrison's plea
was self defense, and on the stand she
declared that Mrs. Castle had called her
into The house and attacked her and
made il necessary for the defendant 10
cut back 10 save ner own life.
Miss Morrison was last July indicted
for murder in the first degree and has
since been refused bail. II took five
days 10 secure a jury. over four hun
dred men having been subpOenaed.
Each side presented about forty wit
uesses and eight lawyers were retained.
The taking Of testimony consumed
eleven days time and the arguments
were begun Saturday morning. The
defendant tainted in her cell Wednes-
day night after a fit OF sobbing, and
cried much in the court room. II
was feared that she would break down
before her testimony was heard, but
on the day the prisoner took the stand
she displayed remarkable nerve and
coOlness. She recited the details Of
the terrible death struggle without
hesitation and underwent the rigid
cross-eXaminati0n OF the States attor-
neys without show OF fear Since
then she has grown brighter and
stronger as her hopes OF acQuattal
arose. Former Judge Morrison has
been at his daughters side constantly
during the trial. which has daily at
tracted great crowds Of people. Sun
day. surrounded by her relatives, Miss
Morrison spent the time in her cell
singing and praying. while Olin Castle
Joined a party Of hunters. Castle was
NOS in the court room during the clos
ing argument Jessie Morrison is -
years O. age; Mrs. Castle was IS. ami
Castle is %.
At 10 o'clock tonight Judge Shinn
sent the Jessie Morrison jury TO q
hotel directing them 10 resume their
deliberations at $50 o'clock tomorrow
morning The jury was closeted for
nearly fourteen hours. One OF the
jurors, Gregory. is slightly i'll tonight
and needs medical attention. The
opinion generally obtains that the jury
may take two or three days in reach
ing a verdict. and that ultimately 1t
Will be unable to agree.
Jessie Morrison was fatigued to-
night. after the social laOors OF the
day. there having been constant
stream OF callers since early in the
morning. Besides. she had grown a
little restless and naturally impatient
at the delay Of the jury in reaching 4
verdict