The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-28
ROONEY GOES FREEj NUT THE RIGHT MAN Jury Decides He is Not New
 York Harry WILL REMAIN IN THE CITY Gives Sketch of Life After Announce. ment of Verdict-Many Interested
 Spectators In Room When
 the Jury Filed In.
WILL REMAIN IN THE CITY

James Rooney. who has for nearly week been on trial for his liberty, was not disturbed in his slumbers last night by the loud changing of the big steel door at the county jail admitting some midnight wanderer who had i'm bibed too freely. He was given his liberty late yesterday afternoon upon an acquittal by jury of twelve sound minded men who were selected to mete out justice in his case, and so after twenty longs months of Imprisonment he walked out of the temple of justice with his attorneys and went on his way rejoicing.
 I've, the jury find the defendant not guilty as charged in the indict ment," was the way the verdict was read to him by Judge C. C. Nesmith. who tried the case, and when this was done he arose and said to the jury men: "Gentlemen, l am very grateful to you.' He then shook hands with the twelve men. The court room was one of excitement in a twinkling.
 Quite number of the men in the court room soon gath cred around the acquitted defendant, and he received their congratulations. Upon shaking hands around Rooney's face was coy cred with jubilant smile. He simply replied, This is what l have expected all along from so intelligent q jury"
 The jury brought in their verdict of not guilty yesterday morning shortly after II o'clock, after being hung up for twenty-four hours. Rooney was told by the judge that he had been indicted under two names. and that before he could be discharged the solicitor would have to nolle pross the second indictment. The defendant was given assurance that this would be done at the o'clock SC sison of court and he went back to the big rock" and enjoyed d hearty dinner.
 When he was brought back into the court room. q great crowd had gatT< <red to get a glimpse of him. He took a seat before the judges bench. and was soon surrounded by circle of nquir- ing faces waiting for him to say some thing.
 Rooney was twirling his mustache with his fingers. and finally. to humor him. some one remarked. "I thought you had lost that mustache. sure. l thought the jury would surely have it cut off to examine your lip.' Rooney smiled and said. No, they knew didn't have anything the matter with my lip"
 well, Jim. what are you going to do with yourself?" ventured a man who had visited him several times at the jail
 "I had d job as rekeeper in the jail, but 1 guess I'm fired now, so I'll have to hunt another' was his good humored reply
 What are your future intentions?" was another question propounded by an inquiring one.
 "I guess I'll stay here for awhile any way" he said. i've seen the worst of the town now, and 1 guess I'll stay here and see what you've got that's good.'
 Jim. you can make good money here in Birmingham remarked Attorney Glib son. You ought to get you lip a class and teach them how to blow open Stan dard oil safes You could make good money at it
 How are you going to vote on prohibit ton. Mr Rooney?" asked a newspaper reporter.
 Well, whiskys a bad thing, I'll tell you" he said. While 1 don't have any thing to do with it. l guess l cant say how I'd vote. even if I could. I've been here in Alabama long enough to be en- titled to a vote. though, haven't I?'
 Rooney gave little autobiography of himself while waiting to be declared d free man.
 Il was born in County Kerry. Ireland, thirty-seven years ago last March, on the 18th of the month.' he said, and when l was D years old l came to Amer ica with my father and mother. Father was sailor fisherman and 1 followed the same occupation during the early part of my life. l soon got tired of the hard life on ahe water in the winter, however. and learned to be polsher. In the sum- meq l could make fro 8 to s6 day on the fishing boats but when it got cold l worked in the polishing shops. polishing all sorts of metal. It was hard work, but 1t paid good money"
 Rooney says he followed the metal pol