Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1907-08-01

BOISE, Idaho, July %. Into the
bright sunlight of a beautiful Sabbath
morning, into the stiffness of city
drowsy with with the lazy slumbers of
summer Sunday, William D. Hay
wood, defendant in one of the most
noted trials, involving conspiracy and
murder, that the country has ever
known, walked free man, acquitted
of the murder of ex-Gov Frank Steu-
nenberg.
The probability of verdict of ac-
quittal in the case of the secretary
treasurer and acknowledged leader of
the Western Federation of Miners has
been freely predicted since Judge Fre-
mont Wood read his charge, which was
regarded as strongly favoring the de-
fense in its Interpretation of the laws
of conspiracy, circumstantial evidence
and the corroboration Of an accomplice
who confesses.
The verdict came as an electric thrill
to the prisoner, to his counsel, to the
group of newspaper men and court
officials who had been summoned from
beds but lately sought, or from offices
where sleepless waiting had marked
the night.
Tears welled to the eyes of the man
who during the eighty days of his trial
had sat with stolid indifference writ
ten upon his every featureat last the
icy armor he had thrown about him
self with the first day ofthe jury selec-
tiou had been pierced, and whatever of
pentup feelings had been contained
within, was loosed. Haywood sattorn-
eys were fairly lifted from their seats,
and Judge Wood made no effort ta re-
strain them as they surrounded him to
shake his hand and shout aloud their
congratulations. James H. Hawley,
leading counsel for the state, and O..
N. Vanduyn, the prosecuting attorney
of the county in which former Gov
Steunenberg was assassinated, sat
gloomy and unspeaking in their places.
Senator Borha, who made the closing
plea for conviction, was not present.
OF the prisoners counsel, those in the
court room were Clarence Darrow, OF
Chicago, E. F. Richardson, of Den.
yer and John F., Nougent, Of Boise.
Upon hearing the verdict Gov, Good
ing said The verdict is great sur
prise to me and, believe to all citi
zens of Idaho, who have heard or reat
the evidence in the case. l have dont
my duty. | have no regret as to any
action l have taken and my conscience
is clear As long as God gives mt
strength | shall continue my efforts fol
government by law and for organized
society.
THE state will continue a vigorous
prosecution of Meyer, Pettibone ant
Adams, and of Simpkins, when appre
hended. There will be neither hesita
tion nor retreat.
Not the least interesting of the com
ments made upon the verdict was tina
of Harry Orchard When told at th
state penitentiary that Haywood ha'
been acquitted Orchard said: well
| have done my duty. l have told tn
truth. | could do no more. | am read
to take any punishment that may b
meted out to me for my crime, and th
sooner it, comes the better.
In special to the Chicago Tribun
from Peoria, H., w. J. Bryan is quo
ted on the verdict mt Boise, Idaho, a
follows: Il am glad to learn of th
verdict and that it was not guilty.
watched the trial and did not see hoy
anyone could be found guilty on Oh
chards testimony. Every crime h
charged was one he himself suggested
and it was shown he was in communi
cation with the mine owners and al
tempting to induce the defendants
engage in crime
The manner in which the prisoner
were taken from Colorado was hardl
in kteling with fair trial.