The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-18
WOmes Cried During the Closing Ar
gument OF III. ID. RuIison for the
Terre Haute Man.
NO TIME SET FOR NEW TRIAL
OUTCOME REGARDED As FAVORA-
BILE FOR DEFENDANTS.
Government Has Disclosed It's Case,
and No More Surprise. Can he
sprung-BOnds Renewed.

CINCINNATI, Oct. 1.-THE jury in the
eph NJ Johns, on trial in the Federal
Court here all week on the charge of an
alleged conspiracy to extort a bribe, re-
ported shortly before midnight that it was
unable to agree and was discharged by
Judge Thompson.
The trial attracted unusual attention, az
cent indictments for alleged frauds in
the Postofice Department. Four days
we're devoted to the taking of evidence
and the fifth day to the very vigorous
arguments OF District Attorney Sherman
Mcpherson and Assistant Thomas III. Dar-
BY for the government and Hiram d.
Rulison and Charles W. Baker for the
defendants. General Robb and many
clerks from the department at Washing
ton, Chief Cochran and many other post
Office inspectors and others from Wash
ington were here assisting in the pros
ecution and the charge to the jury was
an unusually strong one.
There were dramatic scenes during the
closing day, when the wives of the de-
fendants and others wept. especially dur
ing the argument of Attorney Rulison.
The scenes in the courtroom at midnight
members Of the families OF the defend
ants and their friends from Terre Haute
and Rockville and other parts of Indiana
gathered around them.
The disagreement of the jury was gen.
orally regarded as somewhat favorable
20 the defendants. as the government had
shown its hand fully in this trial that
counsel for the defense could not be sur
pr.sed as much in the next trial was
the case this week, especially in the tes-
timony OF Watson, the secretary of Gen
Cral Bristow, and IN the production of
copies Of letters and kilograms
The jury considered the case for six
hours and half. 1t was undisturbed from
.. m. until n10. when Judge Thompson
sent for it and the jury asked for further
instructions. Judge Thompson then told
the jurors that he would instruct them
about any matter of law, but that they
AilSL Sttlle matters VI ldClS dlLiOuS lIlclil-
selves. He directed the jury to retire again
and submit its request for further instruc-
tions in writing.
At l1:35 p. m. the jury came in again and
IN writing reported as follows: I'VE find
that are unable to agree upon a matter
al fact" Judge Thompson then questioned
the jury to the probability of reaching
IN agreement and on being advised that
there was no such probability without ad-
oiti0nal instructions he discharged the jury
from further consideration of the case.
While there were unconfirmed reports
that the jury stood seven TO five for convie-
tol II was generally understood in the
courtroom that the jury was unable tC
sgree on the matter of fact TO whether
Miller had any connection with the deal
tngs between Ryan and Johns, or as tC
whether there was any conspiracy between
eefendants.
The defendants renewed their bonds fol
new trial and District Attorney McPher'
Son Was unable to state whether there
would be another hearing of the case SCI
for the present term of court. While mel
ther side indicated any qualification Over
the result II was evident that the many
employees OF the government who were
present were disappointed