The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-08-01
VdN Cane "a SURPRISE Disagreement Was Expected First Ballot Stood
Eight for AQdtd and Two for Conviction Juror Dedods
for Twelve HoWs--HlyWOd Goes Forth / free Nan.

Boise, Idaho. July 2s.-Into the
bright sunlight OF beautiful Sunday
morning William ID. Haywood, the
defendant In one OF the most noted
trials involving conspiracy and mur.
der that the country has ever known,
walked today a free man, acquitted
of the murder OF former Gov. Frank
SteunenbeIg.
The probability OF verdict of ac-
quittal In the case OF the secretary
treasurer and acknowledged leader OF
the Western Federation OF Miners,
had been freely predicted since yes
terday, when Judge Fremont Wood
read his charge which was regarded
as strongly favoring the defense in
bis Interpretation of the law. Ii
was also freely predicted that In the
event Of Haywood's acquittal the
state would abandon the prosecution
Of his associates, Charles II. Meyer,
the president OF the federation, and
George A. Pettibone, Of Denver
Statements from counsel and from
Gov. Gooding issued today dispel
this view OF the situation. Gov.
Gooding said:
1.-THE verdict Is great surprise to
me and l believe to all citizens OF
Idaho who have heard or read the
evidence In the case. / have done
my duty. ] have no regret as to any
action ! have taken and INV con.
science is clear. AS long as God gives
me strength shall continue my ef-
fonts for government by law and for
organized society.
"The state will continue q vigorous
prosecution OF Meyer and Pettibone,
and Adams and Simpkins when ap.
pretended. There will be neither
hesitation nor retreat
Application will be made to Judge
Wood tomorrow to admit Meyer aud
Pettibone to bail, and 1t was said to-.
night that In the case OF Meyer,
against whom the state Is admitted
to have its weakest case, a favorable
consideration would not be unex-
pected.
Not the least interesting OF the
comments made on the verdict today
was that OF Harry Orchard, the self.
confessed murderer Of Gov. Steunen-
berg, and the witness on whom the
state chiefly relied TO prove It's claim
OF sinister conspiracy on the part
of the Western Federation. When
told at the state penitentiary that
Haywood had been acquitted. Or
cnard said: well, / have done my
duty; have told the truth; ! could
do no more. am ready to take any
punishment that may be meted out
to me for my crime, and the sooner
II comes the better"
1t was after being out twenty -one
hours that the jury, which at first
had been divided eight to four, and
then seemed deadlocked at ten TO
two, finally came to an agreement
shortly after the first faint streaks OF
the con Ing dawn showed gray above
the giant bills which wall Boise TO
the north and east The weary,
snow bearded old bailiff, who had
kept an ali-night vigil before the
door OF the jury room, was startled
into action by an imperative knock
from within. Events moved rapidly
enough after this. and when at last
the principal actors in the trial had
been gathered into the courtroom at
a few moments before eight O'Clock.
the white envelope handed by the
foreman to the judge was torn open
and the verdict read.
Ii came as an electric thrill 10 the
prisoner, to his counsel. 10 the at
torneys for the state and 10 the small
group OF beavy-eyed newspaper men
and court officials who had been sun.
moned from beds but lately sought.
or from Offices where sleepless wait
ing had marked the night. Tears
swelled to the eyes Of the msn wbo
during the eighty days OF bis trial
had sat with stolid indifference writ
ten on bis every feature-at last the
icy armour he had thrown about him
self with the first day OF jury seIec-
tion had been pierced. and whatever
Of pent-up feeling had been con-
tanned within vas ioosed Haywood
attorneys were fairly lifted from their
seats. and Judge Wood made no ef-
fort TO restrain them as they sur.
rounded him to shake bis hands and
shout aloud their congratulations.
James II. Bawiey. leading counsel
for the state, and o. N. Van Dnyn.
prosecuting attorney Of the county In
which former Gov. Sfeunenberg was
assassinated. sat gloomy AID un-
speaking In their places. Senator
Borah, who made the closing plea for
conviction, IVES not present on the
prisoners counsel those In the court
room we're Clarence DarroS. OF
Chicago, T.. y. Richardson, Of Den
yer and John r. Nugeut. Of Boise.