The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-15
SPECULATION RIFE.


After the jury had retired speculation
as to how it stood was rife. 1t was said
that after the jurors left the room they were
disconnected at being compelled to return to
the close jury room for another night. 1t
is understood that one of them said he
did not believe further baloting would
avail anything and he favored waiting until
the jury was dismissed from attendance
on the court. Last night little sound was
heard from the jury room and it is be-
lieved the jurors settled themselves to
reading and card playing and all retired
early-shortly after 10 o'clock
When the jury had retired the prevail.
ing opinion that but one juror stood
for conviction and the others were voting
to acquit DR.. Alexander. Theising was
the only man who wanted additional In
to be capable of being influenced TO change
his mind and the only juror who did not
seem dissatisfied at having to go back TO
the jury room. The others seemed TO agree
with Gimble that instruction would not
change their minds and all of them looked
as though there was no further need OF
deliberation. The jurors who were thought
to be convinced of Alexander's guilt when
the trial was concluded were Harry A. Eick-
man. Robert Lingenfelter, Joseph Theis-
ing and Harry L. Davis. Inc others we5e
er and from the indications at present IL
seems that all of the jurors. with the ex-
ception of Theising. have been convinced
of a doubt of Alexandcr's guilt, and un-
der the instructions of reasonable doubt In
criminal cases have concluded TO acqult him.
1t is thought that Theising, who Is Ger
man farmer living in Decatur township and
one of the class of men believed TO think
more strongly of the ghoul charges than
the residents of the city, does not thorough
ly understand the latitude or a jury wnen
there is a reasonable doubt and he wants
to be enlightened on this point.
MAY BE DISCHARGED TO-DAY.
1t is expected that this morning the jury
will be discharged If it does not reach an
agreement in the meantime. Little hope
for agreement is entertained. and the
possibility of the jury returning a verdict
is remote. Judge Bailey will probably dis
miss the men from attendance on the court
this morning for many reasons. Several of
the jurors are complaining of the conf1ne-
ment, and Whites condition. it is said. will
not permit of much more jury service
Bailiff Mendenhall Is another man on
whom the arduous works. telling. Menden-
hall has been kept as close to the Criminal
Court room as the jurors. Yesterday he
near Valley Mills that his little boy is seri-
ously ILL., He was unable to go to his sick
childs bedside but believes that the condi-
ton is not so serious as he expected when
first informed.
To guard against the threatened violence
should Alexander be acquitted. sheriff
Metzger had several deputies in the court
room yesterday. Two bicyclemen from the
police force were also on hand and the
crowd was kept out of the courtroom. Hen
ry N. Spaan, attorney for Alexander, and
Martin Hugg, an associate, said when they
saw the preparations made by Metzger that
they believed them unnecessary. They said
Alexander has no fear of his safety, and
they thought the precautions taken were
more alarming to the sheriff than to DIR.
Alexander. 1t was said yesterday that all
of the talk of violence was ridiculous, but
that if it did not cease some weak-minded
person might be led to do something that
would be regretted by the community.
There were no crying relatives or indignant
citizens in the corridors yesterday, as was
reported to the sheriff to be the case Friday
afternoon.