Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-03-25

NSNn IL SOOpSA ehuu LIS SOu5 uOUAn
Cooper, charged with the murder OF
ex-senator E. w. Carmack The jury
acquitted John D. Sharp, a co-defend-
ant. Immediately the defense moved
to set aside the verdict because OF
the verdict of disagreement yester-
day, and asked the court to declare
mistrial. Judge Hart said he would
listen to arguments On this motion
later.
Bail Fixed at $25, 1000 Each.
The court fixed the defendants bail
at $4,000 each, which was acceptable
to both sides. The verdict following
as it did Foreman Burks declaration
yesterday, that We are hopelessly
tied up as to the Coopers," was a de-
cided surprise. The defendants took
it cOolly-almost without emotion.
Mrs. Burch and Mrs. Wilson, the
young daughters of Colonel Cooper,
also restrained their emotion. Mrs.
Burch sat with her arm around her
brother Robins shoulder and Mrs.
Wilson was at her fathers right. The
suspense for the two young women
had been severe and any verdict how
ever unfavorable, was a relief.
Jurors Hurry from Courtroom.
The jurors were tired and DISNEY
eled and when the court remarked,
81 thank you, gentlemen, for your pa
thence and devotion to the state and
dismiss you to your homes and your
personal aVOcatiOns,' the II men
sprang from their seats as one man
and hurriedly left the courtroom. The
defendants and their counsel re-
manned to complete the bond prelim-
iraries and motions for a new trial.
Insistent rumors that the jury had
agreed were responsible for a crowd
ed courtroom yesterday morning, and
for the presence of attorneys on both
sides long before the usual hour for
converting. AS soon as Judge Hart
entered the courtroom and even be-
fore he removed his coat, he ordered
the jury and the defendants brought
into court
Jurors Assess the Punishment
At 1925 a. m. the y men entered the
the room and took the same seats
they have occupied for nearly three
weeks. In reply to the courts ques-
ton, E. M. Burke, the foreman, said
a verdict had been reached and then
he read it as follows:
eve, the jury, find the defendants,
n
er, guilty of murder in the second de-
gree and assess their punishment at
confinement in the state penitentiary
for period of 20 years"
The jury was dismissed. The case
had been given to the IL men at 11:35
a. m. Wednesday.
The defendants signed their bonds
and returned with their relatives and
friends to the room they have Occu-
pied in the Jail building. Mrs. Burch,
who stood bravely and even smiled in
the courtroom, collapsed as she
reached the narrow corridor leading
to the jail and had to be supported by
her husband Mrs. Wilson was weep
ing.
Sharp Free on First Ballot.
One of the jurors said:
con the first ballot we acquitted
John Sharp and disregarded the con
spiracy theory On this same ballot
we stood six for guilty of murder in
the first degree, with mitigating cir
cumstances, five for murder in the
second degree, with 90 years, the
maximum penalty, and one for acquit-
tai. The ballots all day Wednesday
and Thursday showed the same re-
suit. Friday the man who voted for
acquittal, went over to murder in the
second, but demanded that only 10
years be assessed. The rest Of US did
not deem 10 years as anything like
adequate, so We disagreed again. or
course. all this refers to the Coopers,
not Sharp, whom we had acquitted.
Early yesterday morning the men
who was holding out for 10 years
agreed to 20 years and the six who
were voting for first degree verdict |
agreed to this verdict"
While the jurors would not say who |
held out for acquittal. it is known, |
from remarks overh card BY deputies, |
that he was S. J. Hyde.
Sharp Confers With Others.
John Sharp hurried to the court
house when he heard of the verdict
and soon was closeted with the de-
PENDANTS and their counsel. Mrs.
Sharp was in the courtroom when the
Jury reported and comforted the two
daughters of Colonel Cooper.
Bonds Signed for $4,000.
Several other faithful girl friends
we're with Colonel Cooper's daughters
during the ordeal and accompanied
hem to the room of the defendants,
where they awaited the arrival Of
}ondsmen. The first to arrive was
John J. Greener, who signed for
10000 on each bond. Several 9TH
,rs mad beer sent for and telephoned
hat they would come as quickly as
automobiles would bring them. In a
ew minutes Walter o. Farmer ar
lived and signed for the rest. Il will
ign for million for these men," he
emarked. James E. Caldwell later
igned for s25 900 on each bond and
/. B. Chadburn and G. w. Anderson
or $4,000 each on each bond. This
made the total bonds $4,000, al
hough only $4,000 was asked.