Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-11-02
Jury Acquits Man Charged With
Conspiracy That Caused Death
Of Irene Blydenburgh
People Who Followed the Evidence
Expected Conviction or a Disagree
ment - Only Three Jurymen Voted
for Conviction on Any RaIIot-ver-
diet Surprises Prosecution.
Special to Times-Republlcan.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Nov. HI. b. Dickinson
is a free man. The twelve men serv-
ing as jury have acquitted him OF the
charge Of murder by entering into a
conspiracy to procure a criminal oper-
alton on Irene Blydenburgh-an oper-
alton that resulted in the death of the
pretty Eldora girl. The verdict was
announced in court at 3 o'clock last
night.
announced in court at 9 o'clock last
many and is generally unpopular thru
out Des Moines. The jurys verdict,
however, frees Dickinson from guilt
in connection with the death Of the
motherless girl and Immediately after
Il had been rendered he announced
his intention of remaining in Des
Moines. DR.. Gadd, whose name has
appeared prominently in the case, is
vet to be tried for alleged conspiracy,
resulting; in the death of the unfortun-
ate young girl.
The verdict was reached after the
jury had been out for nearly seven
hours. Shortly before o'clock the
Jurors called Bailiff De Ford to the
door and announced that they had
come to an agreement. Judge Bren-
nan and County Attorney De Graft
were already on hand. The bailif no.
titled Dickinson, who was standing
across the street, and he rushed away
to summon his attorney But Mr.. Nc
Henry was not In his Office and tele-
phone calls to his home and the homes
Of several Of his friends failed to To-
cate him. In about half an hour
Dickinson walked into Judge Brennan's
office and announced that he was will
ing to hear the verdict without his
attorney.
Dickinson Anxious to Hear Verdict.
..We would have a chance to file a
motion for a new trial tomorrow II it
was against me-" wouldn't we?" he
asked
y "No, Mr.. McHenry must be here"
Judge Brennan told him. I'VE will
wait here for him until midnight, If
necessary"
Dickinson left the court house and
returned in half an hour with Mr..
McHenry, who had been automobile
riding with a friend. In the meantime
the court room had become nearly
filled with spectators.
The clock was striking o'clock as
the Jurors filed into the court room
and took their places in the jury
box.
"Have you reached q verdict, gem
tlemen?" asked Deputy Clerk j. p.
Maller.
Eve have" responded Foreman R..
p. Harris.
Amid intense silence Bailiff DeFord
took the verdict and handed it to the
clerk.
1--WE. the jury. find the defendant
not guilty." read Mr.. Maher solemnly.i
Surprise was depicted on many faces.
there was a moments silence. Then
some of Dickinson's friends cheered.
Dickinson's face relaxed into broad
smile as he wrung the hand Of his at
torney. Then he rushed across to the
jury box and hurried down into the
sheriff's Office and telephoned the
news to his wife, and, locking arms
with several boon companions, started
north across the street.
II never expected anything else.
but still I feel better now than i did
this afternoon" he said later.
Attorney Walter McHenry appeared
almost as much pleased as his client
Views Of Attorneys.
II was always confident Of an ac-
quittal," he said. '"rhe attorneys for
the state put up strong fight but
they did not have the evidence. In
the first place they failed to prove
that murder was committed, and in
the second place they did not show
Dickinson's connection with any oper-
alton. feel that Dickinson is inno-
cent and Of course am pleased with
the verdict"
The verdict was decided shock to
County Attorney DeGraff. He went
into the case with q feeling that Dick
inson was guilty and worked desper-
ately to secure his conviction
L am unable to understand it," he
said. 1t was as strong case of Cir
cumstantial evidence as have ever.
seen. never was more confidnet Of q
conviction in my life"
Mr.. De Graf refused to say last
night whether Dickinson's acquittal
would affect the case of DIR. E. e.
Gadd, who was indicted with him. II
the jury based its verdict on the
ground that no criminal operation was
performed 1t IL more than probable
that the indictment against Gadd will
be dropped.
Il never criticise the verdict OF q
jury" said Attorney r. O. Brennan,
who assisted in the prosecution,
Naturally expected conviction and
the verdict was q big surprise to me.
will say, however. that we fought
every inch Of the ground and we pre-.
sented every scrap of evidence that
could be secured
Only Three for Conviction.
Only three jurors believed Dickinson.
guilty when they entered the jury.
room. On the first ballot the vote
stood nine to three for acquittal. Sew
eral other ballots were taken with the
same result. A lengthy argument fol-
lowed and another ballot was taken
just before going to supper, when the
vote stood ten to two. One Of the
jurors changed his vote to acquittal
on the first vote after supper, and the
last man of the three who originally
voted for conviction came over to the
other side on the next ballot Nine
ballots were taken altogether and the
w.. remained unchanged until the
sixth.
- intimation Of what the verdict