Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-01-22
f Bigamy at Port Glib
son Yesterday.
Jury RETURNED A VERDICT
bf "Guilty as Charged, After
Being Out Twelve Minutes.
INSANITY PLEA FAILED OF EFFECT.
The 4Case Will Be Appealed to the
Supreme Court.

Port Gibson, Jan. 81. AT the
hour set for the argument IN the
Ekyles bigamy trial this morning
Ehere was somewhere III the neigh
borhood of 800 people in the court
house.
1t was shortly after o'clock when
he attorneys for the defense made
their appearance, followed by the ac-
|used, "Rev." Jean Skies. The pris-
bner was neatly atrired and looked
omewhat unconcerned He wore n
black suit and black shirt, and sat
1t the side Of his attorneys. At
lines he became nervous, especially
uring the time Hon. James D.
thames, the district attorney, was ad-
ressing jury.
The defense asked the court for an
struction to find for the defendant,
the ground that the marriage be
Rosa Pitts Of Russellville,
nd the defendant, Skyles, be-
uulhN lul Ludl1 4ttSCs iiAS AN0e'I
being alive at the time of the
lFriage in Arkansas, and married
D according to the laws of Texas, the
Mississippi marriage was not biga-
\nous marriage.
tThe court, without comment, over
ruled the motion Of the defendant
Ind the argument Of the case was be-
gun.
In presenting the motion for the de-
fendant, counsel stated that he ac-
knowledged Miss Milestone had been
imposed upon, and if the court should
rant the instructions, that he would
|sk that the defendant be not dis
|harged, but incarcerated in one of
ssylums of the state that he might
Id, if possible, of his malady.
Ras 1910 a. m, when the argu-
began. Hon. James D. Thames,
was looking after the interests
be state, was the first to speak,
bwed by W. A. Mcdonald in be-
If of the defense, and j. McMartin
lso for the defense.
The argument was concluded by
r. Thames and the csae was given
b the Jury at IL 80. The court house
as packed to its utmost capacity,
Eerybody desiring to hear the argu-
nsts and they were not at all dissp-
ed, for they heard excellent ad-
n was Just twelve minutes later
when q wrap was heard on the door
of the jury room, and it was the fore
man who spoke up: 1--WE are ready" "
They were admitted into the court
room and delivered their verdict,
which read:
''We, the jury, find the accused
guilty, as charged. >
The majority of listeners expected
a verdict of insanity. Consequently,
there was some Disappointment. Skyles
did not show any signs Of emotion.
There was not sound to be heard.
He arose slowly, donned his overcoat
and hat, picked up his umbrella and
walked out by the side of Jailor Ma
gee. Every person had their eyes on
the celebrated bigamist until he was
out of sight into the county bastile.
He was asked by the Picayune's cor
respondent if he had any desire to
make statement for the press, but
he replied no. Skyles was haggard
and worn, having been confined in the
county Jail since last August. His at
torneys made strong plea in his be-
half, and they did all in their power
to have him sent to the asylum. The
iurv was discharged at o'clock, after
having been locked up all night.
They were ont in this case just twelve
minutes.
Captain Martin, when seen by the
reporter. said;
"I think we will win out wher
this case is appealed.
1t is rumored here that Skyles viii
receive the full penalty of the law
which is ten years in the state peni
tentiary.
MuITEICtD rANnInATE