Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-09-20


county or some member of Mrs. Walsh's
family will swear out a warrant for the
arrest of James A. Walsh, charging him
with the responsibility for his wife's
DEATH it is probable that the celebrated
case is ended. The unique verdict of
the. jury, which has formed the sole
topic of conversation here ever since it
was rendered at 6 o'clock Saturday
night, is not sufficient for the state to
proceed on, and any further steps must
be taken by private citizens.
Holds Walsh Responsible.
Much comment has been caused by
the verdict of the jury. Disregarding
the forms of verdict suggested by Assist
ant Attorney General Titus at the close
of the testimony Saturday afternoon, a
verdict was rendered to the effect that
Walsh and his wife were alone in their
room at the time the fatal shot was fred
and that the said James A. Walsh is
responsible for the shooting, either in
person or by unkind treatment, toward
the said Frances Walsh"
A peculiar impression prevailed in
Crandon and in the minds of some of the
Jurymen, that verdict of this kind was
Sufhclent to cause the state to hold
Walsh on charge of manslaughter at
least, and statements to this effect were
freel ymade until those better informed
were consulted.
Assistant Attorney General Titus left
Brandon for Madison at $40 o'clock, as
the capitaI, SO that he was not in the
city when the verdict was rendered He
SAID, however, in talking over the prob
Abilities with acquaintance here, that
unless verdict were rendered declaring
unequivocally that Walsh was directly
responsible for the death of his wife. the
state would take no further steps.
If the verdict should be to that eff
lect, l should consider it my duty to
swear out a warrant against him, but
not otherwise" said Mr.. Titus.
May Never Solve Mystery.
:, From the attitude of the Slatterv. fam
ily regarding the inquest, it IS not
thought likely that they will press the
ease Gas any any tturther, and it would seem that
enshrouded in mystery forever. Public
opinion is strongly divided here. Walsh
mas many partisans, who insist strongly
5hat he could not have caused his wife's
usatn and that the entire investigation
mas been brought about by his enemias
who desired to ruin his standing in tb;s
community. II is friends are MANY and
tney form strong faction in the town
y brandon as well as in other parts of
Forest county. " "a
mana, who are not friendly to Walsh
VINO, It seems, has incurred their enm;ty
oy MS reserved manner, more than hv
any PARTICULAR actions, none can be foun1
az yet who are willing to say that thev
~, - 80 70 me length OF swearing out a
warrant against the district attorney
The verdict is looked upon genera lIv
as unsatisfactory and much disappoint-
Went mas Deen expressed that it was inn
possible TO clear up the mystery. The
jury was out from 2:4O o'clock until
nearny % o clock IN the afternoon, and
oeen gone over carefully. The verdict
IS believed to have been arrived at AFT
er considerable argument, it is said
Inc scenes about the courthouse while
the jury was locked up in the consider
ing OF ITS verdict, We're dramatic. The
netov ram winch had marked the early
afternoon ceased soon after 3 o'clock
ana the small audience which witnessed
the closing scenes of the INQUEST was
Increased until the circuit courtroom was
crowded as at the previous sessions.
w hen the jury retired the crowd did not
olsp . put waited patiently in the
courtroom while others congregated in
the courthouse square. until it seemed as
II nearly every one in Crandon was in
that vicinity, anXiously waiting for the
result to be announced.
Ihe only topic OF converse ton was the
inquest and the probable verdict of the
jury. Every scrap of the testimony was
discussed and viewed from every nos
sible standpoint.
AS time Wore on and the jury did not
report the excitement became more in
tense. When at last the six men did
tile into the courtroom and handed their
verdict to Justice Riggs the tension was
great. Before the last words of the
verdict had been read, those at the TOP
of the stairs near the courtroom had
spread the news to those below, and five
minutes after the whole town was buzz
zing with comment and conjecture as to
what would be done. Many friends of
Walsh declared that they would have
preferred a direct charge against him so
that he might have a chance for thor
ough vindication in the courts, and some
of them declared angrily that the verdict
was cut and dried for the purpose of
injuring him.