The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-27
Machen, Lorenz and the Two GroRs DumbfOunded at
 the Jury's Action
FAMOUS POSTAL TRIALS
 LASTED OVER SIX WEEKS
Defendants Are Released on Bond and Their Cases Will Be Appealed to the Highest Courts In
 the Land.

Washington. February 26.-"Guilty as indicted" was the verdict announced by Carl Petersen, the foreman or the jury in the now famous postoffice conspiracy trial, shortly after 8 o'clock tonight, stating at the same time that this was the verdict as to all four defendants, August w. Machen, late general superin- tendent of the rural free delivery divis- ion; George E. Lorenz of Toledo, O., and Samuel A. and Diller B. Groff of this city.
 The jury had been out nine hours, al- though the verdict was reached in eight hours and twenty-five minutes. Justice to await any summons from the jury, and when at 7:25 o'clock the jury an- nounced to the deputy marchal outside the jury room that a verdict had been reached, the justice was sent for and arrived at the court house shortly before o'clock.
 Each Wore an Anxious Look.
 In the dmly lighted room sat the four defendants. who after the case was given to the jury, had been placed in the cus- tody of the United States marshal and confined to the limits of the city hall. Each wore an anxious look and death- like silence fell upon the small crowd which had been permitted to enter the room IS the clerk inquired of the fore man If a versnet had been reached.
 With impressive dignity the jury, to man. rose and as the words guilty as indicted" fell from the foremans lips, the defendants and their counsel seemed appalled, During the time the jury was out, the four defendants had paced up and down the hallway outside the court room and had given expression to the belief that each hour the jury spent in discussing the case brought them nearer to an acquittal.
 Very General Astonishment.
 There was very general astomnishment when the jury and included in the con viction Samuel A. Groff, the Washington policeman and inventor of the Groff fast ener as to whom Holmes Conrad. special counsel for the government, informed the jury he did not expect a conviction, and that he personally did not believe in his guilt.
 Five ballots in all were taken. On the first ballot the vote stood to for con viction, on the second 8 to 1, on the third to B. on the fourth 10 to ?, and one the fifth the vote was unanimous.
 Immediately after the verdict was rem dered Charles A. Douglass, on behalf of all four defendants, filed motions for a new trial, for an arrest of judgment and also for an appeal for the purpose of having the defendants admitted to bail. Bail was then fixed at s20,000 each, the bond of Lorenz and the Groffs being in- creased from $i0.000 to that sum- When MT Maddox on behalf of the Groffs in- quired as to the amount of ball to be required of them, Justice Pritchard said:
 Knows of No Differences.
 'I know of no differences between these defendants. The jury has said they are guilty, and I cannot discriminate but will treat all alike"
 Next to Samuel A. Groff, the most sur prised man was Machen, who said he was thunderstruck al the verdict.
 Intense interest was taken in the events of today about the courthouse. The court room was packed when Justice Pritchard immediately after converting, charged the jury and about II o'clock sent it's members out to deliberate on the evidence.
 Throughout the day Machen's father, mother. two brothers, sister and uncle re- mained In the courthouse, as also did MT Lorenz and Diller Croft son of Diller B. Croft but with the exception of Machen's uncle and one brother, none of the mem- bers were present when the verdict was announced.
 Foreman Makes Statement.
 Foreman Peterson after the jury had been discharged consented to make a brief statement regarding their dellbera- tions. He said that many points were taken up and discussed The now famous s25.000 note of Lorenz to Machen, he said had been discounted by the jury The fact that they were out so long. he said was because on the part of some matters of Sentiment. But" he added, i've oyer come that by hard work
 The four defendants will appear before Justice Pritchard tomorrow to receive their sentence which acton Is necessary upon which to base a motion for a new trial, and an appeal.
 The trial lacking two days, lasted seven weeks.
 When seen tonight, MT. Charles A. Douglas said:
 T have tried many cases, but the most fearless and impartial judge I ever tried case before Is Judge Prtchard. We will make motion In arrest of Judgment, and motion for a new trial involving the misleading question of law.
 Goes to the Very Root,
 Tt goes to the very root of this case. and these matters will be heard on their merit before Judge Pritcha,d, and if not successful. will be carried on appeal to the court of appeals and from there. if necessary. by certorari to the supreme court of the United States. The fight on behalf of Machen and his co-defendants has just begun. Samuel A Groff said:
 ''I was just as certain of acquittal as anything in the world
 Machen after the verdict had nothing to say, and seemed utterly crushed.
 Bail was furnished tonight for each of the four convicted men, the suretes be- Ing the same as of the bonds for the amounts fixed prior to conviction. and the defendants were released from GUS tody.