The Washington herald., 1908-02-02

West Chester Pa, Feb. L-Irwin A.
Lewis was declared guilty Of murder in
the first degree for the Staying Of little
Mary Newlin. his dve-year-old step
daughter, to-day The jury returned the
verdict ar 1919 O'Clock
The young farmer received the iury's
verdict without a sign Of emotion. seem
ingly failing 20 realize its terrible inn
port Unless a new trial, for which au-
plicati0n will be made reverses tie de-
cision, he will forfeit bis life on the gal
lows for his crime.
For eighteen hours following their re-
tirement last evening no word came from
the twelve men who had Lewis fate in
their hands At 10 o'clock this morn
ing, when court convened to receive their
decision. it was announced that they had
not agreed.
Two hours elapsed, during which the
prisoner waited in suspense in n cell in
the courthouse. His parents. who had
been with him. at the opening OF the
court were in their hotel square from
the courthouse. when AT ten minutes after
the hour Of noon they learned the ver-
dict there.
Crowd Filled Room.
Unknown TO them. the jury had seut
word TO the court that they had agreed
and had filed into the courtroom ana
delivered their verdict Lewis. accord
ingly, was alone. so far as his relatives
We're concerned. when he heard his fate.
but big crowd Of spectators, which
had been waiting in the corridors, filed
the courtroom
john 7. Dorian, foreman Of the jury.
announced the verdict in response TO tile
usual inquiry by the court crier
Guilty Of murder in the first degree
said he in solemn voice without looking
al The prisoner. Lewis was staring fixed
iy at him, but at the words his eyes
dropped 10 the floor
There was no demonstration from the
audience, only death-Ike silence.
Thomas ". Pierce and William s. Win
die the convicted mans attorneys. rs-
quested that the jury bee polI-d. This
was done and each man IN turn repeat
ed the words. Guilty OF murder iu the
first degree.
Judge HemphiH then thanked tile twelve
men for their faithful attention 10 the
testimony during the long week OF the
trial and discharged them from further
duty.
Wife Is Frustrated.
The news of the verdict was brought 70
Mrs. Edna Lewis by Wesley Graham.
with whom she IS staying at Malvern,
When she heard the verdict. although eN-
pected. she broke down completely and
refused 20 see any one The verdict was
not unexpected by ber, but the nervous
strain of the past few days proved too
much for her 10 bear
No. Mrs Lewis cannot he seen. said
sir. Graham. she has broken down and
is completely prostrated in her room
can say that the verdict was expected by
her but the strain has proved too much
Hardly had Lewis been led away 10 the
van which took him back to the jail than
his parents came hurTying from the hotel
20 the courthouse To have the dreadful
news confirmed.
This is terrible" was all that Mr..
Lewis would say as be RELAXED that his
son was convicted
Robert : Gawthrop, the young attorney
who conducted the Comm9nwealtn's case
in place Of of District Attorney MacEIroy.
was as much affected as any one who
took part in Ihe trlai 'Tgars showed in his
eyes as he heard the verdict and looked
at the youthful farmer.
After the jury had been discharged he
hurried ont Of the courtroom.
This is my frst conviction Of a man
for murder, he said, "and il isn'u "a
pleasant thought From the bottom Of my
soul l pity these poor people