Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-22
GUILTY OF MURDER.
Murderers of Jennie Bochissieter
Hear Their Doom Last Night.

Hear Their Doom Last Night.
WILL PROBABLY GET THIRTY YEARS.
Verdict erousht After Short Discus
sion-Defendants Thankful That
GalIows Is Not to Be Their Fate
Paterson Divided over Verdict.
Paterson, N. j., Jan. 19.-walter
McAllister. Andrew Campbell and
william Death last night were found
guilty OF murder in the second de-
gree on the charge of killing Jennie
Bosschleter, a mill girl, who was
drugged and assaulted by the trio.
me verdict was given in the dimly
iighted courtroom at sos o'clock
three months to the day, the hour and
the minute from the time when the
victim in the case left her home to
so or an errand for her mother. She
was lured to a saloon, where knock
out drops" We're given her in drink.
In the end the men who tonight are
condemned felons, after trying in vain
with surgeons hep to resuscitate
their victim, abandoned her lifeless
body in lonely road. Such in brief
is the testimony that sent the men to
felon's cells.
Sentence May Be Thirty Years.
The verdict, which carries with it
a maximum sentence of thirty years
In the penitentiary for each of the de-
PENDANTS, was reached as compro-
mise after four hours spent in the
jury room. Acquittal was never con-
sidered. The Jurors quickly agreed
to discuss only the first and second
degree penalties.
The longest discussion was over
whether all should be treated alike.
When that point was settled in the af-
firmative, there were several ballots
on returning verdict in the first de-
gree. There was DIVISION to Z,
most OF the statements make it-and
the men who opposed death could not
get the consent of their conscience
to anything more than second degree.
Thus it stood until the men in favor
of the first degree were won over, and
at 7:10 o'clock the jury announced
that it's verdict was ready. Messen-
gers were sent for Judge Dixon and
the prisoners. 1t was nearly an hour
before the court was ready to receive
the verdict.
The Defendants Thankful.
The three defendants, ashed-faced,
stood to receive their doom, and
Chairman Brett for himself and elev.
en- colleague said: I'VE find the de,
PENDANTS guilty of murder in the sec
ond degree"
The manacled prisoners received
the verdict with quiet thankfulness
The gallows were not to be their/fate
and the color slowly came back TIC
their white faces. There was nc
great demonstration. Like flashing
fire the news spread from the court
room to the dense crowds about the
building, and here the verdict was re
ceived with curses, groans, and every
indication of disapproval
Judge Dixon thanked the jury and
said he believed the verdict just
one. He then dismissed the jurors
until Monday morning. The court
then arose and the prisoners were TAX
en- back to Jail.
Paterson is divided over the verdict
1t cannot be said that it is satisfac
tory, tho the prosecutor and the state
officers generally think the verdict is
acceptable. Attorney Dun, who rep
resented the prisoners thruout the
trial said:
We must be satisfied" but his
smile meant more than his words. He
was more than satisfied. He would
not discuss the question of an applica
ton for new trial or appeal in case
the demand for a second trial is re
fused.
Dixon viii Be Severe.
Judge Dixon, according to those
who know the man best, will sentence
the men to the full limit of the law
thirty years each. The day for sen
tence was not fixed, but will probably
be next week.
When Death, McAllister and Camp
bell started back to their cells hand
cuffed together, there was more o
the hopefulness in their step and bear
ing than since their incarceration
The shadow of the moose had been re
moved, and comparatively they wer,
content.
In little cottage not many square:
from the courthouse broken-heartet
Mrs. Bosschieter, the mother of thu
victim, soon heard the verdict of tn,
law, and thru her tears acknowledged
that the verdict had brought meet
of justice.
When the prisoners entered the jai
the first thing they did was all t.
make rush for the cell of Kerr, TIL,
fourth defendant, but who was grant
ed a separate trial. McAllister wa
the first to speak.
Second degree" he said.
my God!" said Kerr; that's tougl
too. wonder will get the same?
Death broke down utterly after tn
excitement.
1t is now settled that Kerr will b.
tried this term. Prosecutor Emile
says he will call his case just as sool
as he can.
RANkRtIpTCY DIScHARGE