The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1907-02-22
MUCH BETTING ON THAw TRIAL
Death Sentence Put at SO to I by Chi.
oaqo Gamblers.

Death Sentence Put at SO to by Chi.
cago Gamblers.
Chicago, Feb. 20.-With Harry X.
Thaw's life hanging in the balance of
justice, the pointer dipping up and
down with the winning or losing of
point by the young millionaire's attor.
neys, Chicago gamblers have seized
the chance to make books on the out
, come of the sensational murder case.
From South Chicago, where the City
Of Traverse makes its headquarters,
to the northern limit OF Evanston, bets
are being made on the question as to
whether Harry Thaw will be sent to
the electric chair or be given his free
dom by the twelve men who hold his
life in their hands.
Thousands of dollars have been
placed in individual personal bets, but
the bulk Of the money has been wa.
gered with some Of the big Chicago
gamblers, who have opened books.
Before Mrs. Thaw took the stand,
maker laid to 1 that Thaw would
not go to the electric chair. He took
| in a few thousand dollars at these
odds. Since Mrs. Thaw's testimony
he has raised the odds to to /, but
finds no takers.
! Inquiry at the resorts where big
bettors are wont to congregate devel-
oped that on conviction and execution
of Thaw about the logical laying of
odds would be to so. In other words,
it was considered that Thaw has not
one chance in half hundred of going
to the electric chair. mot guilty" was
esteemed a good to shot. Disa-
greement of the jury is believed to be
a very fair even money bet by some
chronic bettors.
| The following odds were posted in a
well known south side handbook re-
sort, the bookmaker, as usual, taking
the negative on each proposition and
offering the prices appearing in the
| first column:
Death sentence, electric chair. so to 1
Penitentiary, life sentence. 10 to l
Penitentiary, 20-year sentence. to 1
Penitentiary, manslaughter. -. to 1
Insanity, criminal. ............ 5 to l
| insanity. ........ even money
Disagreement. ................ l TO 3
| Acqulttal. ................. TO
! Branch books are being operated in
scores of barber shops, saloons and
cigar stores. Betting has been brisk,
and it is declared by the local gam
blers that a huge sum will have been
wagered by the time the jury goes out
Pittsburg, Feb. 20.-There has been
a world of betting in and about Pitts
burg on the outcome of the Thaw trial
at New York, so the information that
Lloys in London had opened book
on Thaw's chances did not cause as
much interest as it would have done
otherwise. The making of handbooks
at Pittsburg hotels has been stopped
by the police, as betting is against the
laws of Pennsylvania, but the gam
blers cannot be stopped from making
quiet bets on the outcome of the trial.
i 1t has been estimated that $4,000
has been wagered on the outcome
here. The gamblers will not allow
their wagers to be uncovered for fear
of the police and the humane society,
which under the laws of Pennsylvania
can appropriate stake money when
ever found.
When the trial opened a Pittsburg
gambler announced that he would take
the Thaw end, betting l to that Thaw
would be acquitted, and matters looked
so bad for the young millionaire that
there were many who rushed to take
"a bet against Thaw. The odds against
Thaw heightened to ! to 5 after the
first day of the trial, in which DR.. c.
c. Wiley made such easy picking for
Jerome.
Since Mrs. Harry X. Thaw was on
the stand however, there has been a
shift in sentiment here and the pro
fessed belief now among the gamblers
is that Thaw has an even chance OF
acquittal and they are betting that
way.