The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-13
AUGUSTUS HEINZE
FOUND NOT GUILTY
Verdict After Trial of Two
Weeks Is Cheered.
JURY IS OUT TWO HOURS
Court Room Is Crowded with
Friends and Relatives, Many of
Whom Went All the Way from
Butte, Mont, 10 New York 10 At
tend the Final Session.

New York. May 12-"Not guilty was
the verdict brought in by the jury this
evening in the case Of Fritz Augustus
Heinze. who has been on trial in the
United States Circuit Court for over
certiication and the misappIlcation OF
the funds Of the Mercantile National
Bank Of which he was president in 1897.
Heinzes friends. many OF whom had
journeyed here all the way from Butte,
gave a great cheer in the court room
when the jury announced its verdict at
9:45 o'clock tonight
The jury, which had been listening to
the evidence in the case for over two
weeks. took less than two hours 10 reach
verdict part Of the time, the jury was
out, being taken up with getting dinner.
Waits with CaImness.
Heinze remained in the custody of a
marshal during the deliberations. He
wiches Then he took a stroll I'D and
down the corridor. smoking one OF his
long. black cigars. He seemed TO take
matters coolly.
1t was $3.50 o'clock when word was
brought by Marshal Henkel that the Jury
was ready 70 report. Instantly there was
a scramble for seats. Heinze's sister. his
two brothers. Arthur and Otto. and their
wives. and his brother-in-law, Max
Schultze. gathered close behind him as he
awaited the verdict He was the coolest
one Of the group When the jury filed
into their seats and the verdict was read
there was tense silence. Then up from
the benches in the back sprang the men
from Butte. They gave a cheer that
could be heard away down on the street
below. Some Of them threw their broad
Erimmed hats clear up to the ceiling
Judge Hough quickly adjourned court.
and the court room belonged TO Heinze.
Eyes Fiji with Tears.
He stood up, with the tears trickling
down his cheeks. The crowd cheered
again. Tho men from the mining re-
gions fell on his neck. hugged him, and
thumped him on the back. In a solid
phalanx the crowd moved along the cor
ridor. Heinze in the center. Scouts had
been sent out to get all the taxlcabs
they could find. When they secured
enough they all piled in and went uptown
to the Waldorf to continue the celebra-
tion.
To the reporters, with whom he in
sisted upon shaking hands. Heinze made
this statement:
Not Surprised Mt Verdict.
Il am naturally pleased with the YER
dict. but not at all surprised. The thing
! most regret is the long delay in bring
ing the case to trial. have been ready
for trial every day since the first indict-
ment was returned two years and a half
ago. This delay has cost me between
Si0O0.OOO and 5000 900. Possibly some per-
sons. who were very anxious TO see me
convicted. Will be almost as we'll salts
red with this as though had been found
guilty. as the ruinatiOn of my credit
seems TO have been one of the objects
most viciously aimed at.
Il still have. however, as has been
brought out in the evidence, some OF the
best copper properties in the world. and I
now intend to devote my whole attention
to them. which I have not been able to do
for two years and a half. I appreciate
the loyalty OF my friends. who have
stuck TO me through 1t all, and regret |
the temporary loss which !
they have suffered in the depreciation in
the price of the securities I'm which I am