The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-07-18
,GREATEsT SURPRISE IN THE
CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THE
COUNTRY. 81
CAUSES A GREAT SENSATION
VERDICT OF THE JURY COMES
LIKE rHuNDER FROM A
CLEAR Sky. 2@

4 1850
of accepting s25 from Lincoln
g. Crossman. financial man of gang
of swindlers who have operated ex-
tensively in Minneapolis practically all
the time since the defendants brother
was inaugurated as mayor Of Minneap-
oils for the fourth time eighteen months
ago. The decree of the jury in this
sensational case has perpetrated the
greatest surprise in the criminal history
of the county.
Considering all the facts and circum.
stances the finding Is singular one.
The jury's determination may be the
result of absolutely honest and con-
:scientious effort. Nevertheless this is
the way it is received:
Judge David F. Simpson, who pre-
sided at the trial. and whose impair
tiality throughout was a very noticea-
BILE thing,
% Was Surprised.
The public generally, or at least
those intelligent and discriminating
citizens who had given the case any
81 ecial thought. receive the verdict
with manifestations Of surprise and dis
appointment.
The grand Jury, composed largely of
well known, fair minded and intelr gent
men. is simply Disguised.
When it, was learned at the opening
of court yesterday morning that the
jury was not ready to report there was
a feeling in the business section of the
city that the Jury had disagreed.
There was much surprise, however,
when about o'clock yesterday after
noon a deputy sheriff was given the
interesting information that the jury
was ready to report. This intelligence
spread very rapidly, ard on all sides
the statement was heard: "That means
conviction crowd more than suf-
ficient to
Fill the Court Room
half dozen times quickly gathered at
the court house. Supt. Ames' face was
almost colorless. It was the judgment
of close and intelligent observers that
the defendant had nerved himself up
to hear an unfavorable verdict.
A moment Of painful silence, and the
brief and significant message from the.
Jury to the world was read. That little
sentence, however, came like thunder
from: clear sky. In a way 1t was
paralyzing in its effect. For moment
most of those present could not COM
prehend it. A moment later and the
faithful wife Of the accused police Of
fetal comprehended its import, and
with cry of joy she threw herself
over upon her husbands shoulder. The
superintendent then received the con-
CALCULATIONS of his attorneys, and with
the latter
Followed the Jury
into Judge Simpsons chambers and
there heartily congratulated them for
the very great service they had rem
dered him and his family.
= Capt John Fritchette ("Coffee joint,
himself not a very great friend of Supt.
Anes, was at the court house when the
verdict was announced. The captain
rushed down to the mayors office and
informed Mayor Ames. The rlatter was
greatly pleased, and soon afterward
went up Nicollet avenue, smiling as he
has not smiled for many weeks, and so
light hearted that he was virtually
stepping on air. e
The surprise of the outcome of the
trial is, so general in the community as
to penetrate even police headquarters.
A majority Of Supt. Ames' subordin-
opinion q week or two weeks ago, would
have advised their chief to have.
pleaded guilty.