Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-10-23

interrogatory of the County Clerk
was made, and there came the fore
mans fatal word, Guilty in the
first. -
When the jury retired last night
after hearing the charge of the Court,
1t was a few minutes past nine.
There were few who felt that the
twelve men would remain longer than
an hour. Judge Hendrickson with
Judge Trenohard remained about the
Court House for two hours Eleven
O'Clock came and the people wonder
ingly began leaving the Court room.
The Judges retired, leaving word
that it verdict was reached before
twelve O'Clock to send for them. If
the decision was not agreed upon
until after that hour, the verdict
would be taken at six O'Clock to-day.
County Clerk Betchner soon after left
the building, and Prosecutor Fithian
followed. He went directly home
completely worn out after the long
strain, and said he die not want to be
called
Few remained in the Court room
with the Sheriff and his constables.
The ill-lighted place presented an
uncanny appearance. The minutes
sped on. Promptly at half past
eleven O'Clock a constable came up
from downstairs and announced that
verdict had been reached. In an
other moment the bell in the clock
tower pealed forth. Again it rang.
1t was calling the Court and the
Court officers. These gentlemen were
not long in putting in an appearance,
but great crowd from all over the
city preceded thera. There were
many ladies present, and the big
room was packed and the doors
choked
All of the principals in the trial
with the exception of Prosecutor
Fithian were in their places. Law
yer Iredell quietly asked the Court
for permission to have the accused
brought in from jail before the jury
appeared. The lawyer easily under
stood what the verdict would be and
he desired to forewarn the prisoner.
A few moments later Constable
Frank Lore bl uag Williams from
the Jail. The big fellow came trip
ping up the rear steps and his face
wore that peculiar smirk that seems
almost smile. He had, apparently,
dressed quickly, and was without his
collar. He nodded to Mr.. Iredell as
he sat beside him, and turned to talk
to his father-in-law for moment.
To Coroner Mcpherson, who sat near,
Williams said he had been asleep and
had hurriedly gotten up.
For five minutes the prisoner lis
tened to the whispers of his counsel.
He was being told to expect the
worse. A slight pallor came over his
oountenance, shown plainly about the
cheek bones. He listened very at
tentively to Mr.. Iredell and nodded
his head in assent to what was being
said. There was an attempt to smile
but it was lost before it fully devel
oped, and the compression of his lips
showed the mental strain Williams
was under.
Judge Hendrickson directed the
jury to be brought from the lower
floor, and moment later the twelve
men filed solemnly in the room.
Williams slid down in his chair as
he looked over the jurors and straight
ening out his legs seemed to be en-
deavoring to dig his heels in the floor
as if preparing himself to resist a
shock.
When Williams was directed to look
upon the jurors, he almost sprang
from his chair to position in front
of the men. Both hands went to his
trousers pockets, and they were ap-
parently tightly olenohed. He threw
the weight of his body upon the right
leg, pushing the left one forward as
in the act of resistance, and with
head erect, awaited
The verdict was given. Williams
shifted his weight to the left foot.
His lips we're compressed His eyes
wandered over the men in the jury
box. Lawyer Iredell was upon his
! n
feet in an instant, and demanded
poll of the jury. Each man responded
to the call of his name by repeating
Guilty of murder in the first de-
gree" The accused was standing
alone through it all. There was a
more distinct pallor spreading over
the face, but he held his nerve.
Mr.. Iredell motioned him to his
chair and he quickly sat down.
TnoIoll xx~skl. l.