The state herald., 1907-08-02
IN OF C U UILTY'
WILLIAM D. HAYWOOD, ACCUSED
MURDERER, A FREE MAN.
= THE FAMOUS TRIAL CLOSES
Judge Wood Gave straightforward In.
structions to the Jury and Begged
Careful Deliberations.


ness of city drowsy with the lazy
slumber of summer day. William d.
Haywood, defendant IN one Of the most
noted trials involving conspiracy and
murder that the country has ever
known, walked, q free man, ac-
quilted of the murder OF former Gov
ernor Frank Steunenberg.
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 when Judge
Fremont Woods charge was regarded
as strongly favoring the defense in its
Interpretation of the laws of con
spiracy, circumstantial evidence and
the corroboration of an accomplice
who confesses.
1t was also freely predicted that in
the event OF Haywoed's acquittal the
state would abandoa the prosecution
Of his associates, Charles II. Meyer,
the president of the federation, and
George A Pettibone of Denver.
:, Statements from counsel and from
Governor Gooding dispel this view of
the situation. Governor Gooding said:
"The verdict is a great surprise to
me and, believe, 20 all citizens of
Idaho who have heard or read the eyi-
dence in the case.
Il have done my duty and my con
science is clear As long as God gives
strength shall continue my effort for
government by law and for organized
society.
THE state will continue a vigorous
prosecution of Meyer and Pettibone
and Adams and Of Simpkins when ap-
pretended. There will be neither hes
itation nor retraction."
To Ask Bail for Others.
Application will be made to Judge
Wood to admit Mover and Pettibone
10 bail, and IL is said that in the case
of Meyer. against whom the state Is
admitted to have it's weakest case, a
favorable consideration would not be
unexpected.
Not the least interesting of the com
ments made upon the verdict was that
OF Harry Orchard. the selfconfessed
murdered OF Governor Steunenberg
and the witness upon whom the state
chiefly relied to prove its claim OF a
sinister conspiracy against the West
ern Federation OF Miners. When told
at the State Penitentiary that Hay
wood had been acquitted. Orchard
said:
"Well, have done my duty. / have
told the truth. | could do no more.
] am ready 10 take any punishment
that may be meted out to me for the
crime, and the sooner the better"
It was after the jury had been out
twenty.one hours that the jury
which at first had been divided eight
10 four and then seemed deadlocked at
ten TO two. finally came TO an agree
ment shortly after the first faint
streaks Of the coming day showed
gray above the giant hills which wall
Boise TO tine north and east. The
weary. snow.bearded old bailiff. who
had kept an all.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 court room at
few moments before S o'clock the
white envelope handed by the foreman
10 the Judge was torn open and the
verdict read.
Electric Thrill TO Prisoner.
II came as an electric thrill TO the
prisoner, to his counsel. TO the attor.
neys for the state and TO the small
group OF heayy-eyed newspaper men
and court officials who had been sum.
moncd from beds but lately sought. or
from Offices where sleeplcss waiting
had marked the night.
Tears wellod 10 the eyes Of the man
who. during the eighty days of his
trial, had set with stolid Indifference
written upon his every fenture-at last
the ley nrmor he had thrown about
himself with the first day OF Jury SO.
lcctoi nhad been pierced and whatever
Of pentup feeling had been contained
within was looHod, IIaywood'a attor.
noys were fairly lifted from their seats
md Judge Wood made no croJt 10 re,
strain them ms they surrounded him TO
shake his hand shout aolud their
congratulations, James II. llawley.
leading counsel for the state. and q. NJ,
vanduyn. tho prosecuting attorney of
the county IN which former Governor
stounenbcrR was assaaSinaicd. sat.
gloomy and unspeaking In their places,
Senator Borah. who made tho closing
plea for conviction, was not present.
OF the prisoners counsel, those IN the
courtroom were Clarence Darfow Of
Chicago. r. =. Richardson OF Denver
and John y. Nuscnt OF Boise. The hb'
sontceH from the defendants table In.
cluded Edgar Wilson. the former law
partner OF Judge Wood. who presided
at III. trial.
Family Not Present,
No members OF the prisoners 4 family
nor amy Of his friends among the so.
cialist writer's and the ao.eallod labor
jury" who have been attending the
trial. wah N the courtroom ut tho early
hour the verdict was returned. The
spectators benches were empty but
in the doorway stood Governor Frank
GoodlnE. who has taken mn active pnft
In pressing the prosecution II Hay.
wood and hiH associates, There was
no demonstration other than that made
by the attorneys for the defense. and
the court proceedings were over. the