The Hartford republican., 1909-01-15

night RIDERS CON-
VICTED OF MURDER.
Eight Must Pay the Penalty
For Killing Rankins.
Convicted Ones Wanted a New
Trial But the Judge Over
ruled Their Motion:


been predicted lime and time again
that no twelve men in ObJon ooun-
ty WHO wefe competent 10. secve on
a jury could lie found VINO would ie-
turn a verdict against toe alleged night
riders, the jury, altnOugh one uf
its members was SO sick tnat ne
had 10 be carried from Ils bed 70 Tie
court room in chair, to answer TO
his name, found the eight defendants
charged with the murder of Capt Ran
kin, guilty. After they had been charge
this aftemoondhe court instructed that
Juror Rosson be allowed absoMte rest
and quiet unkal $3.50 O'Clock, when the
others were TO go into the sick mans
room and confer with Inn. They re-
mained in tine room from that time un
til O'Clock wthuot result. Tue judge
had announced that he would open
court again at 1880 O'Clock tonight TO
bear a report from the jury, and long
before he arrived the court room was
crowded to It's capacity with an ex-
pectant crowd waiting for the result.
At $3.50 O'Clock Deputy Sheriff Peel
er, one of the officers in chrage of
the jury, addressed the court saying
that they woud. report IN a few min
utes. Instantly all was quite and all
eyes were turned toward the wit
ness room where Juror Rosson was
comforting with his fellow jurors.
A few minutes later the twelve men
who have heard one of the most
remarkable trials that the country has
ever known filled into the court room,
two deputy sherihs in the rear carry
ing a huge arm chair in which was
seated Juror Rosson. ~
''Genthemen, have you reached de-
cision?" asked Judge Jones.
I'VE have" answered Juror Hopper.
do you all agree?"
1--WE do"
"Then, gentlemen, the court will
receive your verdict"
HOPPER READ VERDICT.
Juror Hopper read from slip of
paper:
I'VE. the jury, find the Defendants,
Garrett johnson, Fred Ptnion, Ar
thur Cloar, Sam Applewhite, It'd
Burton and Roy Ransom, guilty of
murder in the first degree, with miu-
eating circumstances, and the defend
ants, Bob Hoffman and Bud Morris,
guilty of murder in the second de
gree, fixing their punishment at TWEEN
ty>seras in the penitentiary."
Not a sign was visible among the
prisoners except slight twitching of
the muscles in the face of Garrett John
son. They came into the court room
with a detected air, wfdoh was so no.
ticeable that 1t was commented on
by several people in the court room.
The jury was discharged, but as
several members live in tine country
and culod not get home to-nightIthey
are spending tine night at their old
quarters rather than leave each other.
They will disbaEd in tine morning.
A squad of soldiers were on duty
in the court room TO prevent any dis
order, but this was unnecessary as It
was not generally believed that ver-
, dice would be reached before morning,
and all Of tine lake people. with a few
exceptions, had Left the city, Never
theless a double guard is being kept
at the barracks and at the Jail to-
night, and every precaution will be
taken to prevent any attempt to es-
cape or rescue on the part of their
friends. This is deemed very unlikely
at the present time.
Attorney r. A. Pierce, as soon as
the verdict was rendered, made a mo-
the motion. The State objected, ask
Court set Monday as the date TO hear
hte motion. The State objected, ask
ing that the date be set for Saturday,
whcih was 80 ordered by Judge Jones.
This verdict on the part of the ju-
ry, while a surprise TO many who
considered shat others than the ones
mentioned wuold be found guilty of
murder In the second degree, is salts
factory to the majority of the citi-
zens of Union City, who feel thad
Obion cuonty has been redeemed.
os3 Il Is left 10 the discretion OF the
; court as to whether or not. when he
goes to pass sentence on the men con
victed,the recommendation OF the Jury
in regard 70 mitdgating circumstances
wdll be considered. He has the right
under the law to give the death PEN
atty II he sees proper.
Thds Is done, however, only In un'
usual cases. but this trial has beer
very unsual case. e
just what effect this verdict will
have ON the ohters indicted men con-
fined at the barracks and at ths
Z Jail, can not be foretoida II was con,