The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-02-07
BUTLER THANKS JURORS WHO GIVE HIM LIBERTY
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Fulton, No. Feb. C. Edward Butler, ac
Quilted of bribing the ST. Louis Hous,
combine to pass the city lighting ordi
nance, is a free man again. with no briber!
charges hanging over him. A verdict O
not guilty. rendered this morning by tn,
jury. which had deliberated upon the cas-,
for long hours. disposes OF the States las
indictment against him. the Supreme
our having discharged him of the gar
bage contract case. in which he was con
victed.
The second indictment of the garbage
charge is still upon the docket in tht
Boom County Court. but this will be
stricken off Tomorrow. when the term o.
court opens.
BUTLER THANKS
JURORS AND JUDGE.
When Judge Graves read the verdict thi:
morning a smile of relief and of victor,
lighted the defendants face. He rose
walked to the foreman of the jury, T. w
Rosser. gripped him by the hand and, ir
his deep, sutteral tones. expressed his
thanks.
Thank you,' was the simple greeting to
every n In turn. Having come to The
last Of the twelve. he turned and faced
Judge Graves. The latter was standing
at his bench.
Il want to thank you. Judge Graves
he said. for your fair trial of this case.
l want to thank you and the jury. too
BY that time Jim Cronin. former Sen
ator Dick Lancaster. John J. Burke and
several other of Buffers friends had
reached him. The crowd pressed in upon
him, and he was well-nigh carried down
the stairs from the Circuit Court.
Grit has been shown by him at every
stage. Whether he be believed guilty or in
nocent. it is admitted that he is aifghter
Of fighters. This quality shone in his pro-
nounced features as he walked into court
to hear the jury's decision His lips were
tightly compressed, but otherwise he gave
no sign of anxiety. He faced the Judge
and faced the jury without 50 much as
the culver of ar eye lash.
SONS PUBLICLY
KISS THEIR FATHER.
Eddie and Congressman James ].
Butler. both men of by no means small
stature. publicly kissed their father when
his release was announced. In court
Eddie" rose and threw his arms around
his parent. Jim" was not in court at the
time, but soon after the elder Butler left
the Courthouse he met his other son, and
his congratulations were not a whit less
demonstrative than those by his younger
brother.
Lack of corroboration of the States wit
nesses. the confessedly corrupt and per-
tured men, moved the jury to its verdict.
We could not send a man to the Peni-
tertiary upo stories told By them" said
one of the Jurors. IF there had been a
single reputable witness to uphold them in
n way the outcome might have been
different. But there WIS none. And then
there were witnesses to swear that But
Ter was not at the House of Delegates nor
at his Office at the times the alleged
bribery was committed.
Another point which had weight with
US was the fact that neither Kelly MOI
Bersch, the men who got the money, were
brought here to testify. Then We consid-
cred that all of the testimony by the COM
bine members was circumstantial at best.
we were convinced that We ought to
acquit."
JURY WAS NOT EXPECTED
TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.
At $3.50 Judge Graves had called the jury
Into court. only to receive a report that an
court, only to receive a report tina an
Agreement had not been reached.
rs there any likelihood of an early |
agreement?' asked Judge Graves.
A to that 1 canno say" replied Fore
nan Roseer.
The Jurors were then returned to their
DOM. 1t being understood that they would
called again at 1890,
At exactly 10 o'clock Sheriff Moore was1
to the jury-room by q knocks3
at the door. He was informed thatsSsf
was ready. The Sheriff dispatched
deputy post haste to the Palace Hotel,
where the majority of the participants of
he trial were waiting.
Judge Graves wa standing in the lobby
lie Immediately started for court. fol-
owed by newspaper men. friends o. But
er. Prosecuting Attorneys and half the
Of the town.
The news reached Butler on the streets
4 the town. Quite a hunt was necessary
o find him and he did not enter court
lntil hogs. The Jurors. being called. illed
n and stood lined up. facing the Judge.
Have you reached a verdict, gentle
nen?'
We have. O Honor" answered Ros-
er.
The small bit of writing containing the
news was then read.
buffers friends did not at first express
heir sentiments in a loud manner. In
ne courtroom was only a slight hum. in
n both to surprise and In some quar-
ers by approval.
Mrs. Buffers nephew. Doctor Jeff. ]
'rendergast, rushed from court to carry
he news to her and to the other ladies'
I the Butler party. Mrs. James ]. But
n, Mrs Harry M. Walsh and the stenog-
apher.
Mrs. Butler, usually very collected, be-
anne visibly nervous as she saw Prender-
asst coming on q run.
Acquitted" he cried.
The thanksgiving of Mrs. Butler, to
HON the trials ave been a tremendous
ressiveness and extreme joy.
DIX SAYS "TELL THEM THAT
~ CONSCIENCE Is CLEAR"
The Circuit Attorney exhibited his usual
.lf-possession upon the decision. which
him was entirely unexpected. He quiet
left the courtroom. chatting with Jerry
furry of Boone County.
When he arrived at the hotel and was
'ked what he thought of the outcome, he
smil!ngly:.
Tell them that my conscience is clear
The courtroom was jammed. and 1t re-
,ired some ten minute before Butler
ou'd shake hands with all who rowde
to congratulate him. Then. among
lie last to leave. he walked down SUI
by his friends. They trampe.i
ross the street TO Alexander's dru.
ore. where q temporary telegraph office