New-York tribune., 1908-01-19
| JOHN R. WALSH GUILTY.
Dramatic Scenes an Court When
Verdict Is Returned.

Chicago, Jan. 1s.-John r Walsh former
president OF the Chicago National Bank, which
closed its doors in December. 1905. found
guilty to-day ffty-four counts of the indict-
ment against him charging misapplicatiOn of
the banks funds. The verdict returned by
a jury in the federal District Court here Walsh
was permitted TO remain at liberty under the
bond furnished by him after the indictment had
been returned against him year ago TO a
day, pending the hearing of arguments jan
uary 2S motion by his counsel for new
trial.
The penalty fixed by the statutes for the of
fence of which the aged financier was convicted
is imprisonment for not less than five years OF
more than ten for each count upon which his
guilt was established
The reading Of the verdict was followed by
scene intensely dramatic When the jury was
polled at the request of John S Miller. counsel
for the defendant, Ebert Palmer a juryman
from Harvard. Ill, overcome by emotion
and wept he signified his acquiescence in the
finding He sat with head bowed upon his
hands during the preliminary proceedings and
failed to rise to his feet the others had done
TO reply TO the Interrogation by the clerk WAS
this and is this your verdict?" A bailifY
touched his arm when his turn to answer came
He apparently had not heard the question. and
it was repeated. Palmer rose and stood un-
StSoiUHS WIFI eyes OOWnCdSI, ana muCrered
something uninteIIgbIa TO the court and attor-
neys Under prompting by Judge Anderson the
juror then replied, with apparent effort at self
control and while the tears coursed down his
cheeks: Yes. under the instructions as
understand them"
When the poll completed Palmer was
questioned further by the court at the request
Of Mr. Miller, and in answer to the question
previously put TO him. replied: II have to say
yes"
1t developed later that Palmer was largely
responsible for the long deliberation of the jury.
So nsistent he that Walsh should be ac-
quilted that he forced his fellow jurors TO take
separate ballots on every one of the $50 counts
in the Indictment
He is such old man-over seventy years.
is said to have been the constant plea Of Pal
mer- He was technically guilty. but none Of
his depositors lost. and what is the use Of send
ing old to prison?" he is quoted as hav-
ing urged upon the other jurors time after time.
He is said TO have wept at times in the jury
room as he begged the others to consider the age
of the defendant and have compassion
Walsh the subject of his compassion. who sat
a table surrounded by his attorneys ap-
peared less moved by the result of the long trial
than almost anybody else concerned He
Immediately surrounded by a score Of personal
friends who pressed forward to offer words Of
sympathy and encouragement To these he
made brief replies. smiling family he shook
the proffered hands.
Appealed TO for an expression OF opinion as 10
the finding. he said: THE fight has just begun
have nothing further 10 say" Almost imme-
diately he left the courtroom
The verdict the result of nearly thirty
six hours deliberation the part of the jurors
After having retired o'clock on Thursday
there was no indication that a decision was
near until about o'clock this morning. when
request for pen and paper followed by
the announcement that a verdict had been
reached. This. however. was all that was posi-
lively known until the announcement was made
in court.
The reading was followed by motion by At
torney Miller for new trial. Judge Anderson
granted permission for the filing Of the motion.
and said that the attorney would be permitted
to make the formal application later. and that
he would listen TO arguments on the same on
January 2S.