South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-30

LNMOUTH, Mass, oct. 3O-MrS.
Jennie NJ. Eaton was acquitted Thurs
day OF the murder of her husband Ad-
miral Eaton. after the jury had delib-
Grated for eleven hours.
The verdict was returned at sos
o'clock, after a crowd Of lawyers. rela-
tives. friends and curious persons had
kept an all night vigil in the court
room.
a remarkable scene took place in
the court room when the foreman Of
the jury announced the words that
cleared Mrs. Eaton.
The acquitted widow rose to her
feet and, gripping the hands Of her
lawyers exclaimed in a shaken voice:
Thank God. L have the best
lawyers in Massachusetts"
About 200 persons were in the court
room when the verdict was announc-
ed. In spite Of a previous warning
from Judge Aiken, the spectators rose
in their seats and started 70 cheer
when the defendant was acquitted.
Sheriff Porter leaped TO his feet and
ordered the noise TO cease.
Almost Immediately Mrs. Eaton ac-
companied by her lawyers left the
court house and started for Assinippi
to rejOin her aged mother, Mrs. Nir-
ginia Harrison and her daughter Dor
Othy Eaton.
Expected Early Verdict
1t has been expected by friends OF
the accused woman that very few
ballots Of the jury would be necessary
to acquit Mrs. Eaton but when the
hours began TO drag the less sanguine
began to predict a disagreement. Fin
ally about o'clock unwonted activity
in the jury room indicated that a de
cisionn had been reached.
The sleepy watchers sat up in their
seats, Judge Aiken hurried from his
home and took his place upon the
bench. Mrs. Eaton who had spent
the night tossing upon a pallet in the
executive chamber, was aroused and
pale she showed great composure. Her
paleness was accentuated by her
black dress but she showed no out
ward agitation.
Absolute quiet prevailed while the
court put the question as to whether
or not the Jurors had agreed upon a
verdict and as to its nature.
The foreman Of the jury replied:
Not guilty" and then sat down.
The stiffness for a few moments re-
mained unbrOken. In the dim light
of the lamps, for dawn had not vet
broken. the figures in the room sat
motiOnless. Then the OVerstrained
feelings gave way in noise.
to , For AcqulttaI
The first ballot in the jury was in
formal and stood T 10 for acquittal
it was learned Thursday. Il was
nearly three hours before the Jury
voted again. This ballot stood 10 (
for acquittal. The vital points in the
jury's discussion were the failure o.
the state 10 prove a sale OF arsenic
and the jury's conviction that Mrs.
Eaton from the evidence and her aD-
pearance was not insane.
After the second ballot the Jurors
deliberated until paft four o'clock this
morning. Then the third and decis-
i've ballot was taken When June
Keyes, daughter Of Mrs. Eaton. heard
the news Of her mothers acouittal
she exclaimed:
Thank God. Ny prayers have been
answered. I have not slept for three
nights thinking OF the outcome. 7 want
TO be with mother as soon as I can.
NV mother is the best mother that
ever lived. / knew too. no other re
suit was possible She is a good wO-
man. I think the plea OF Mr. Morse
was the best and most magnificent I
ever heard at a murder trial"
As Mrs. Eaton left the court house
she said:
ren's sake. II for nothing else"
She gave each OF the jurors hear
y handshake.
Isn't the sun Just lovely. she said
1T is the dawn OF a beautiful morn
ing especially beautiful for me for r
IL new era in my life"
PLYMOUTH. Mass. oct es.-The
case OF Jenie MAY Eaton, charged
with the murder OF her husband.
Rear Admiral Joseph g. Eaton. was
given 20 the jury shortly after
O'Clock wednesday night.
Various exhibits, including bottles
OF arsenic. and letters written by Mrs.
Eaton, were taken 10 the jury room
10 be considered by the jury. in ac-
cordance with the instructions OF the
chief justice.
Almost the entire day was taken up
with the arguments of counsel the
charge OF Judge Aiken occupying on
ly half an hour at the end.
William 4 Morse counsel for MS.