The Washington times., 1901-12-14
Mr.. DOUGLASS ELOQUENT PLEA.
Profound Impression Made by Mrs.
Boninc's Attorney.


Boninc's Attorney.
As early as O'Clock yesterday morning
every approach to the court room was
congested with throng of men and wcm-
en- clamoring for admission, and when the
bailiffs started to admit them. at $50, the
crowd rushed past pell nell. number
OF Senator's and Representatives availed
! themselves of the special courtesies pro-
vided for them.
when Justice Anderson entered few
minutes after 10 o'clock. he gazed curl
/ ously at the multitude before him. all
waiting eagerly for the appearance of the
woman on trial fer her life. When Mrs.
! B0nine made, her entrance, accompanied
/ by Guard springmann, a buzz resounded
| through the throng.
| She was as composed as ever. She was
| greeted warmly by all OF her lawyers. and
seated herself in the centre OF the little
| group made up of her husband, two sons,
/ sisters. and brother. Not far away. his
handsome face. stoical as an Indians, sat
/ the brother Of the dead man. Once during
( a pause in Mr. Douglass argument Mrs.
Bonine met his gaze. As she looked at
1 him kindly this mouth set in n hard line
and his brows knit in frown.
Mir. douglass resumed his
which lasted until 1890. After recess
District Attorney Gould made the closing
speech. He finished at $3.50, at which hour
the court charged the jury.
Justice Anderson. after reading the
PRAYERS submitted by the defence and
prosecution. explained to the jury the
value of circumstantial evidence. saying
in this regard the burden Of proof rested
on the Government He then explained
J Il .,ff a., nd in
charging the jury cautioned them not to
allow their sympathy for the defendant to
initiate against the evidence submitted
You are not to consider the defendant
in reaching a conclusion, he warned
them and after expressing his belief in
their intelligence and fidelity to the oath
they had taken, ordered them TO be con-
Quoted to their room.
Mr.. Douglass Plea.
''she wase placed on the rack by the po-
lice in as searching and relentless an en-
quiry as ever Tomas Torquemsda held
in iuquisition- -burdened Spain.
Gentlemen. ! have not much more to
say. the curtain . about to fall in this
thrilling drama.
Thus Mr.. Douglass, senior counsel for
Mrs. Bonine, brought lis passionate ap-
peal to the jury 10 close.
Gentlemen Mr.. Douglass voice
was very low and tender-"think of that
poor old mother in the far West, stricken
with disease. praying to God for this
daughters safety. imploring heaven not
TO close her eyes in death until her Ida
enjoys the sweets OF freedom,
Here Il was that the frail creature who
has been characterized as the most re-
markable voman IN the century gave way
TO the food of emotion overpCwerinE her.
Swept away was the veil OF composure
that has ever shrouded her face in i'm
penetrabIe reserve.
Asks Only for Justice.
a know you viii DO your duty don't
ask for your sympathy; l ask only for
justice. There is pathos in plenty in this
case no matter how you take it. Here
was a young man in the full Of life. In
the very dawn OF ambition; life spread out
before him in a glorious panorama. His
aged father expected TO lean on him IN his
old age, but alas, the son has gone to that
home from which no traveller ere re-
turns. We would not place one feather
weight OF grief on his fathers grief-bur-
dened form. Life is full OF tragedy.
AyTes is gone, sealed in the awful abyss
of eternity; none but God can illume
the Promethean fire.
Here is the other side of the picture.
A little woman, nursing the sick, old snd
young white and black caring for her
two manly boys. tender and loving. with
the man whose name she bears. Tou see
her now surrounded with the devotion of |
that family who trust her; those sisters. |
and that brother. who believe their |
mothers child is guiltless Of this fright |
ml charge"
Wept for First Time.
She had listened for four weeks to the
details OF the tragedy, had Ayres' bloody |
image as ho died ever thrust before her |
eyes by the prosecution. and remained as |
the snow on the mountain top, cool, un-
melted; but when her lawyer spoke the |
one little word she gave way to the deep |
est emotion the NJ nan heart is heir to
the love OF mother
Down her pale cheeks The teas crys-
tailed. ard for the first time since snc has /
been public property did Ida Lola Henry
Bonine show her woman's heart.
Her brother sobbed aloud. as did her |
sisters, and the faces of her two boys |
we're wet With signs Of grief like their
fathers Several OF the jury made much |
ado in coughing and using their pocket
handkerchiefs, while distress was visible
on the face OF nearly everyone in the
court room
"Gentlemen." resumed Mr. Douglass
after he had managed to control his feel
ipgs. conviction under any circumstances
damns her reputation and soils the name
Of those hoys clinRing TO her skirts.
Give her. In Gods name, the best you
have. Don't desert her in the hour of
emergency. but say cheerfully We find the
defendant not guilty.
Mr.. Douglass. bowling profoundly. made
his way to his chair. tears plainly visible
on his cheeks and in his eyes.
Court then took a recess and the elo-
.auent advocate was almost mobbed with
Congratulations and as Mrs. Bonine
thanked him the scarlet thread OF her
lips auivered pitlfuily.