Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-10-20

Toms River, N. J.-After trial be-
ginning Oct 8, DR.. Frank J.. Brouwer,
indicted for numbering his wife, Car
rle Brouwer, by the use of poison was
acquitted Oct, II. The evidence was
ments were followed by the judges
charge. The jury retired at 4.25
o'clock in the afternoon and brought
in verdict of not guilty just one
hour later.
The courtroom was crowded when
Judge Hendrickson ascended the bench
| to hear the verdict of the jury. DR..
Brouwer was brought in locking a
trife pale but showing little signs of
nervousness.
When the finding was announced the
courtroom was in an uproar. Men and
women cheered and applauded in spite
of the rapping for order and the court
constabes had all they could do to
suppress the noise. Finally when quiet
was restored, Dr.. Brouwer was formal
ly discharged He was so overcome he
could scarcely speak.
The applause was renewed and wom-
en- waved their handkerchiefs while
scores of Dr. Brouwer's friends crowd
ed about him and offered their congrat
ulations. When the excitement had
died down somewhat DR.. Brouwer
shook hands with his counsel and turn
ing to Judge Hendrickson thanked him
for the impartiality of his charge to
the jury.
Brouwer then asked permission to
address the jury and when it was
granted said:
II am thankful, very thankful, for
the way you have treated me, and |
hope none of you will never be placed
in such position as have been"
The doctor then shook hands with
each Juror. AS he turned from the
jurymen, men, women and children
again pressed about the acquitted man,
who finally backed up to wall Of the
courtroom and grasped each extended
hand as the crowd shouting its con-
gratulations fled past him. Once free
of The courtroom crowd, DR.. Brouw
er was hurried by his counsel to the
street where another crowd that had
been waiting cheered and followed him
as he walked rapidly toward his home.
Passing the postoffice, DR.. Brouwer
saw Miss Stella McJIenuudH unn --er-
ped to receive her congratulations.
AS Dr. Brouwer came within sight
cf his home his aged mother and his
little boys appeared in the doorway.
The boys quickly ran into the arms OF
their father, who, catching them up,
one on each arm, assembled the steps
| to the house. AS his head reached
her level his mother threw her arms
about the three.
A moment later DIR. Brouwer turned
to- the crowd that had remained at his
heels throughout the affecting scene
and briefly expressed his thanks Tor the
evidence of good will.
In summing up for the state, Frank
McDermont insisted death had been
caused by arsenical poisoning admins
tered by Dr. Brouwer. For the latter
Mr. Wilson contended the state had
made out no case.
| In closing ne pleaueu ChdC lhe PllS-
oner be given his liberty and permit
ted to go home to his children. When
he ended two of the jurors and many
of the spectators in the courtroom were
in tears. During Mr.. Wilson's plea to
the Jury DR.. Brouwer broke down and
sobbed convulsively. Mr.. Wilson was
followed by special counsel Aaron
Johnson for the state.
Judge Hendrickson said that If the
Jury should agree that murder had
been committed it was net required by
the law that the instrument of death
should have been mentioned. He de-
fined the degrees of murder and then
counseled the jury that it must care
fully consider the probabilities invol-
in Mrs. Brouwer's death; whether she
was deliberately killed or died from
some natural causes. For the jury to
reach verdict Of conviction from cir
cumstantial evidence, he said, it must
regard that evidence as being as strong
as direct evidence.