The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-12
FARMER JUROR
TAKES A SN00zE
Beef Barons' Attorneys Hold
Him Doubly Guilty AS
Participant
BELIEF IN BRYAN
SCARES DEFENSE
Meat Men Have Panic When
Juror Mentions Word "Jall-
er"and Jail Laugh
ter Follows

CHICAGO, Dec. 11.--After peremp-
torily challenging one talesman be-
cause he agreed with William Jen-
nings Bryan on public questions. two
others apparently because they were
farmers. and cattle raisers. and a
fourth for the double sin OF being a
farmer and asleep. the defense pre-
pared to-day to tender back to the
government twelve men suitable to try
the Chicago millionaire beef packers.
II the defense makes good its evi-
dent intention Of rendering the twelve
men now in the box. a former jailer
may sit In Judgment over the case OF
the packers A special venire OF nifty
men was summoned tonight.
The Introduction Of the jailer into
the plot was rather dramatic for an
instant. William J. Thomas. a grocery
clerk Of Ottawa. was being examined
When asked for his former occupa-
tons, he drawled:
We'll. l used to be lookup keeper
in Ottawa and before that was the
village marshal down In Seneca"
Millionaire row was complete at the
L.
carelessly out of his chair and con-
suitinR about the jury. The words
"jail" and taller brought the pack
ers to attention with a snap. J. Ogden
Armours Jaw dropped two degrees
and Thomas Common dropped his feet
TO the floor with crash.
Relief In Laughter.
Everyone In the court room took
q deep breath and then q ripple of
laughter relieved the tension. But
Thomas acquitted himself so well that
1t seemed evident that the defense
would accept him.. AZ the tAlesmen
now sit In the box there are but
three farmers left. The defense has
made good Its apparent intention Of
putting business men on the jury.
Throughout the day the packers
took an unusual interest In the selec-
ton of the jury and real arguments
among them were frequent. There was
more friction among the defendants
and their counsel than has been shown
before
|, William Rump, a red faced and be-
whtskered old German. possessor Of
Ten children and big farm. furnish
ed the amusement for the day. His
saliies were SO original and genuinely
funny that Judge Carpenter allowed
several roars Of laughter to pass un-
rebuked. He was excused when he
said that he agreed with William
Jennings Bryan In many things. He
looked like q pocket edition OF DR..
Theophilus Noel.
Germans Wise Answers.
II you were on trial would you
be willing to be tried by twelve men
Of the same frame Of mind a. you r.
he was asked.
well. that depends. II was In
nocant l would like It pretty good: but
II down In my heart / knew l was
guilty l would get somebody else
The defense showed the corner Of
another card It Will play In the big
trial. Several jurors were asked II
the fact that the government might
prove thai restraint OF trade con-
trary TO the law existed three years
ago and before (outeide the pale OF
tho statute Of limitations) II would
affect their decision a. to whether the
defendants were guilty Of onenses
within the past three years.
Should the defense tender the men
now In the box. the government will
challenge peremptorily. II necessary.
at least Ave. OF the twelve but four
are of the original twelve rendered by
the government.