Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-11-20
FOR ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.
Edward Butler, the Well-Known
St. Louis Politician, Con-
yicted at Columbia. Mo.
GWEN A SENTENCE OF THREE YEARS.
The Verdict Was Reached On the
E;r., RaIot-ConSresxman-Elect
James Butler Declares the Ner-
dict an Outrage, and mates
That the Jury Was Fixed.


Columbia, NO., Nov. 15.-Edward
Butler was pronounced guilty of at
tempted bribery by a Boone county
Jury Friday morning, with an accom-
panying penalty of three years m
prisonment in the penitentiary.
Butler, his two sons, James j. and
Edward, Jr., his wife and Mrs. James
]. Butler were in the courtroom when
the verdict was received. None OF
Buffers lawyers, except Judge Wal
ter, had arrived.
Prosecuting Attorney Jere hurry
was the only representative of the
state present in the courtroom.
II was s:12 when Judge Hockaday
assembled the courthouse stairs. A
scattered group of spectators was IN
the courtroom. "Oyez, oyez," shouted
Sheriff Bradford, and hats were re-
moved. Call the jury, Mr.. Sheriff.
said the Judge.
A minute later a file of men fol-
lowed Mr.. Bradford up the winding
stairs and through the narrow door
of the circuit court room.
Guilty as Charged.
The IL men lined up back of the
press table. T. H. Hickman stood at
the head of the line and held a folded
sheet of yellow paper.
Have you decided upon a verdletT
Judge Hockaday asked.
I'VE have, your honor" said Hick
man, speaking so low that his assen
was seen by those on the other side o
the room only in a nod.
4 The Judge extended his hand owe
his desk. Sheriff Bradford took tn
paper from Hickman and passed it t
the Judge. Judge Hockaday unfolde
the paper carefully and gazed at tn
written sentence. For a minute h
kept silence 1t seemed an hour t
. those waiting within the railing.
Then he adjusted his glasses ane'
and read:
1--WE, the jury, find the defendan
Edward Butler, guilty as charge
and assess his punishment at imprisol
ment in the penitentiary for a ter
of three years.
iSigned. .
"T. Fl. HICKMAN, Foreman"
Al, Eyes Turned TO Butler.
All eyes were turned toward Butte
\ defiant glance came to his rae
then his features subsidized into t
expression of half-disgust which
wore while listening to the testimo1
and arguments of the state and of
own side.
AS the jury was being polled, Jam
Butler arose and crossed the room
speak to his father.
Mike Bright, oh, w. H. Cochr'
oh, Tilford Murrah, oh" went
roll call of the sheriff:
ais this your judgmentT" each W
asked.
1T is was the repeated reply.
4. moments pause; then the cou1
order discharging the jury. They ii
downstairs, glad to escape from tn
four days confinement.
Butler Had Little to Say.
Gov. Johnson entered at this POI
lie was informed of the verdict in
hallway, and at once entered into C
sultation with Butler. who seemed
have little to say, even to his coun
Mr.. Folk, who had been notified OF
verdict by telephone, came a few Il
utes later. As he passed between
courthouse pillars Juror Cochr
greeted him.
You have indicated Boone &C
tv.' said the circuit attorney, as
stopped to shake hands.
I'VE have tried to do our duty
the reply of the stalwart stockrai
When Mr.. Folk reached the co
room it was agreed to adjourn L
II, when the question of But
bond, together with a motion IL
new trial, was taken up.
Butler was allowed to leave
courtroom and went to his hotel.
If was announced that w. T. An
son, of Columbia, would furnish
bond.
Judge H0ckaday's Sentence.
The motion for a new trial was
ruled by Judge H~ockaday, who Il
upon proceeded to pronounce
tence, saying: In accordance
the verdict l sentence you to i'm
onment in the state penitentiarJ
a term of three years."
Notice of appeal was immedi
filed, and Mr.. Butler was release
$4,000 bond.
The sentence of Butler makes
possible for the Fulton trial, Sc
December Is, to proceed unti
present verdict has been passed
the supreme court or until Butte
served his three years term.
As soon as he was sentenced,
was legally dead. He could n
tried for any other offense
meantime.