Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-27
TRAGIC ENDING
Of Trial Of Promoter Whitaker
Wright at London.
Convicted, Sentenced and Still in
Death Nlthia n. Houf,
Heart Disease Say Some, While Others
Hint at Poison.

London, Jan. 26.-At 3 o'clock this
afternoon, Whitaker Wright was sem
fenced to seven years penal servitude.
At o'clock he lay dead on the floor of
small room in the law court. Wheth-
err he took his own life by poison, or
| whether death in it's natural course
robbed the law of its fulfilment, will not
be known until Il post norton exami-
| nation is held. The Indications, howev-
er, point to poisoning.
| The career of this man, who was
known on three continents for his stu
| pendous financial operations, closed in
startling tragedy. Even in his life.
which with it's rise from poverty to
| enormous wealth was full of dramatic
incidents, there was nothing that could
compare with the manner of his death.
All London, tonight, is thrilled with the
news of it. No such human tragedy
has been enacted in England for many
a year.
Until nearly o'clock tonight, the
body OF the man who formerly had
controlled many of the worlds mar
kets and who had been courted by
royalty, remained upon the floor of the
room where he fell, for, as convicted
fe1on, Wright's person had become the
property of the Crown. Later the home
office gave permission for its removal
and the body was given over to the ju-
riSIictiOn of the coroner. 1t now lies
in Westminster mortuary. where al
most all the bodies taken from the
Thames are laid out. The inquest
probably will be held, Thursday.
Mrs. Wright is an American. She
now lies i'll at the magnificent country
home which Wright made in Surrey.
The feeling that Justice Bigham's
conduct of the case was not very judi
ciai appears to grow in legal circles OF
London and the sentence imposed upon
Wright would in itself have furnished
England with q sensation.
Until counsel commenced pleading
the actual trial scarcely aroused that
keen public interest which was exhibit
ed when Wright was in the United
States or when Parliament decided he
did not come within the pale of law
breakers.
When Messrs. Isaacks and Walton
started to make their appeal to the jul
~ the people woke up to the gravity
of the issues concerned. Even the gov
eminent was involved, for it had taken
prosecuted. Furthermore, it was an
open secret that many great and even
royal names were indirectly involved in
the proceedings. Friends Of Wright
had said that if driven into a corner he
would tell who had proflted by his
transactions. Suspense reigned in
many quarters while counsel for the
defence made their appeal. but when
fI,a, G,,;- s,~,,
breathed easier and public curiosity re-
manned unsatisfied. st~a
Justice Bigham began summing up.
today. and the court room was crowd
ed Wright had adhered to his con-
viction that he could not possibly be
found guilty, and ii was upon this con-
viction that against the advice of his
lawyers he insisted upon returning
from the United States to stand trial.
AS Justice Bigham emphasized the
points against Wright the prisoner
showed intense interest: yet when the
jury retired Wright still retained con-
fidcnce in his acquittal. For an hour
Wright awaited the verdict. meanwhile
talking cheerfully with his counsel.
When the jury filed in at o'clock.
Wright showed his first signs of nerv-
BUSINESS. At the word guilty" which
broke the intense silence, Wright did
not even finch. but sticking his hands
deep into his pockets and gazing rather
grimly at his judge. he stood up to re-
ceive sentence. To the cry of q. woman
that came from the back of the court
and to the realization that his, career
as u man of business and honor was
ended, Wright seemed utterly oblivi-
Gus. He sat down mechanically while
Mr.. Walton made plea for mercy.
AS Justice Bigham, in sharp and re-
morseless tones answered, Wright was
peremptorily ordered to stand up.
Whitaker Wright said Justice
Continued on page 81