The Washington herald., 1907-03-08

structions. and three Of the letters In
troduced as evidence aud Immediately re-
tired 10 deliberate
Delay Causes WORRY.
As the moments passed a slight unessi-
ness was manifested by some Of the
srother sympathizers. It was feared
that the jurors were at a deadlock over
the question Of "a verdict, and eveii canr
sci for the defense began 20 whisper the
unpleasant words cf hung jury and
conviction" James Strother sat beside
his wife. whose haggard face grew paler
and paler as the moments fed and the
jury gave no sign OF reaching an agree
ment Tier husband showed little cno-
ton. but the flxity Of his gaze reflected
the workings Of mis- mind. Philip Stro-
ther. the younger brother. lay back IN tho
invalid chair provided for him since his
Illness but kept his nerve wonderfully.
As il turned out. there need have been
no disquieting doubts. The jury was not
debating the verdict They selected n.
a. Price. formerly an attorney. foreman,
and proceeded 90 read carefully the in
structions given them by Judge Harri-
son At the twenty-ffth instruction.
which told them to return O verdict OF
aCquittaI II they believed that the events
leading up TO the shooting had deranged
the minds Of the defendants. W G. LantZ.
one of the only two unmarried men on the
jury. balked a little. until the exact mean
ing of the instruction could be explained
to him.
As Clerk Reads Verdict.
Then Foreman Price called upoD an
those in favor of acquittal to stand and,
as the twelve men rose simultaneously
from their chairs. each turned To lis
neighbor and grasped his hand. Word
was sent to Deputy Sheriff Bowersett
that they were ready.
When the deputy sheriff - called by
the jury, those in the courtT6om settled
into their chairs and waited in absolute
silence. The jury filed into the room.
Keen observers detected a certain CLEAN
in the eyes OF several Of the jurors and
their general air of suppressed relief. and
the whisper shot about the room that the
Strother boys We're acquitted.
At the request of Clerk Coons. Foreman
Price handed over the written form Of the
verdict. There was "a moment when
respiration ceased as Clerk Coous read
slowly the opening phrases Of the verdict
At the words Eve find the defendants not
guilty" Mrs. James Strother gave a lit
tie cry and fell forward from her chair
across the knees Of her husband. who.
with tears streaming down his checks.
gently stroked her hair. as she sobbed in
hysterical JOY.
Judge Speaks Out His Sentiments.
What would have swelled into a shout
of acclamation was queIIed by the sharp
rarping Of the judges gavel He leaned
over the rail above the jury box and
gazed into the faces of the jurors as they
looked upward with brinming eyes to
catch his words 1t was then that Judge
HaTrison's cOmpOsure gave way and he
told the jury what had been in his heart
throughout the trial. but what ne had
/ kept under lock and key as he dealt out
the written law without bias and without
hesitation.
Those who remembered the statement the
! judge made few days ago during this
trial, when he cautioned counsel for de-
fense that he would not recognize an un-
written law plea. words inspired by a
conscientious regard tor his magisterial
duties, were stirred to the depth of their
hearts by Judge Harrison's emotion. and
1 he wac the recipient OF almost as many
! cOngratulatory handclasps as the defend
ants themselves
StrOtherS Arc Gratified.
| Tears had been shed by several of the
jurors during the pathetic recitals heard
/ from the witness stand but there was a
/ unanimity about the outburst of emotion
/ by the twelve men from Shenandoah
/ County to-day as they shook hands with
the defendants and Mrs. Strother that
sanctifed that bare little courtroom
with sentiment and sweetness.
! Accompanied by little band of friends.
James and Phillip Strother walked out
/ CONTINUED on SECOND PAGE
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