The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-04
PETTIBONE FREE
The Jury After IA Hours Spent
in De Iteration
Returns Verdict of Not Guilty
of Murder Charge.

Boise, Idaho, Jan. AFTER la
hours elaboration verdict Of not
guilty. was rendered today by the jury
trying George A. Pettibone, charged
with completely in the murder of ex-
Governor Frank A. Steunenberg
The verdict was brought into court
at 11:15 this morning. No demonstra-
ton of any kind marked the reading
of the verdict which made Pettibone
a free man after two years imprison-
ment, awaiting trial. The defendant.
pale and emaciated because of his
long illness, merely smiled as he heard
of his freedom and a moment later he
was surrounded by his attorneys and
friends. His wife, who has been by
his side at every session of court dur
ing the trial, wept for joy.
All night the ballotting of the jury
stood 10 for acQuittal and two for con-
viction There was no change until
the final ballot was reached, both of
the men who had been holding out
giving way at the same time. Express
sions from members of the jury "-ter
their discharge, showed that from the
start 10 of the jurors maintained
that the state had failed to prove the
defendant guilty of the crime charged.
The verdict caused little surprise in
Boise in view of the verdict in the Hay
wood case. The defense introduced
practically no evidence and did not ar
que the case, simply maintaining that
the state had entirely failed to connect
the defendant with the killing of
Steunenberg.
No action was taken in the Meyer
case this morning, but attorneys for the
state admit that the prosecution of the
Western Federation of Miners leaders
for the Stuenenberg murder is at an
end. Meyer will be released on bail
probably this afternoon.
The indictment against Jack Simp-
kins who is a fugitive will stand. Pet
tibone will return at once to Denver.
His health is in a very precarious state
and his physicians fear that his malady
is of such a nature that he will never
recover.
Mitchell Expected 1t.
Kansas City, Mo, Jan. John
Mitchell, president of the United Mine
Workers of America. who is at Tx
celsior Springs, Mo, taking the
Press representative over the long dis
lance telephone of the Pettibone ver-
dict. Mr.. Mitchell said:
II fully expected the verdict of not
have been possible to have convicted
Mr.. Pettibone upon the evidence OF
Harry Orchard
Mr.. Mitchell said he did not care to
discuss the verdict further at this
time.
Think This Ends 1t.
Denver, Jan. 4.-There were but
few persons in the office of the West
ern Federation of Miners in this city
today when news of Petitioners ac-
quittal was received and no demon
stratfon save expressions Of satisfac-
ton was made.
Ernest Mills acting secretary, is the
only officer of the federation in the city
I'VE have been confident that Pettibone
would be found not guilty. said Mr.. Mills.
There was not, particle of evidence to
connect him either with a conspiracy to
kill Governor SteuenberG or with a gen
eral conspiracy against the foes of the
Miners union.
I'VE feel certain that this will end the
conspiracy cases in Idaho and that Chas
H. Meyer, president of the federation, will
never be brought to trial. Now, We shall
see what will be done with Harry Orch
ard. on whose unsupported word the case
against Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone
rested -