The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-08-03
VERDICT POPULAR
WITH COURT CROWD
One Juror Expresses Sur,
prise at Prosecutions
Weak Case


Cincinnati, a jury last night having
found them not guilty on the first
ballot.
The verdict, freeing Buck Weaver
Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jack
son, Claude Williams, Swede Risberg
and Eddie Cicotte-the former players
and Carl Fork of st. Louis and Da-
vid Zelzer of Des Moines, was returned
shortly before midnight, amidst a
scene of wild cheering, whistling and
yelling from 500 spectators which
would have seemed more natural in
the bleachers of baseball park than
in the dignifed court room of Judge
Hugo Friend.
Judge Friends bailifs vsinly tried
to establish order out of the pandemo-
mum which broke loose despite the
judges previous request The Judge
finally motioned to let the demonstra-
ton go and Joined in by congratulate.
ing the defendants and telling the jury
it had returned a just verdict.
While only nine of the eighteen per.
sons indicted in the baseball inyestiga
tion were defendants when the case
ended, it is believed that the baseball
scandal has been forever swept from
the boards so far as the courts of
Cook county are concerned
return for his evidence for the state
and during the trial the cases Of Ben
and Louis Levi of Kokomo, Ind, were
dropped. Abe Attell, Hal Chase, Fred
Mcmillan, Rachel Brown Of New
York, j. J. Sullivan of Boston and
Ben Franklin of st. Louis still are
under indictment, but it was reported
at the states attorney Office to-day
that their cases would be allowed to
lapse.
The attorneys for the prosecution to-
day had little to say of the case, but
the defense pointed to the fact that
only one ballot was taken by the jury
as an absolute vindication of the de-
PENDANTS.
To-day the jurors expressed surprise
that the case had been allowed TO drag
through five weeks. Every juror de.
clared that the defense would have re-
ceived the same verdict had it sent the
case to the jury without presenting
any witnesses
1--WE thought the state had present
ed a weak case" said one Juror. "It
depended entirely on Bill Burns, and
Burns did not make a favorable i'm
preston with any of us"
The jurors refused to say whether,
in reaching their verdict they were of
the opinion that there was no attempt
to throw games in the 1919 world Sc
ries or chether it uas based on the
contention that the state had failed to
prove its charge that there was intent !
to defrsud the public and various in
dividends through the throwing of the
series.
Ex-Sox Jubilant.
The seven former players were jubi-
liant over their acquittal Joe Jackson, /
former star outfelder, was the only /
one who declared he was through with |
organized baseball" The Others said |
they would leave their baseball future
in the hands of the officials of organ
lied baseball.
"The jury could not have returned
fairer verdict said Jackson. But
] don't want to go back to organized
baseball. / am through with it"
Everybody knew | had nothing to
do with this so-called conspiracy" said
Buck" Weaver, once the third base
man of the White Sox. Il believe
that should be given nv old position
hack. cannot express my contempt
for Bill Burns
Il ann entirely innocent and the Jury
has proven that said Charles Bisberg.
former shortstop. ~ leave my future
in organized baseball in the hands of
the officials"
How could the verdict have been
anything else! 2" asked Claude Williams.
pitcher. I'm going to stick in semi
professional baseball"
All | want to do Is TO get 10 De-
troit." said Eddie Cicotte. once the
leading pitcher of the American league.
while be shook hands with the jurors
" Talk, did you saw Never again; I
talked in this building; never again. :
The jury has said all that ! can
say.' said Oscar Happy Felseh. for
ner outfielder. Il am not guilty and
never had anything to do with any so
,slled conspiracy.
i never had any doubt about the
rerdict," said Chick" Gandil, former
frs; bsseman. who did not return TO
he White SoI in the 1920 season. IF
! had not been for those two liars,
Bill Burns and Billy Msharg. would
rave not been here We are going 10
'orm a emi-professional team in Chi
ago and play q few games for the
,eneft Of the wounded soldiersr
David Zelcer Of Des Moines. alleged
lrst Lieutenant II Arnold Ro;hstein in
he conspiracy. declared that be never
new Rofhstein and had nothing to do
With any conspiracy
Il don't know why they brought me
- here said Carl Fork az 81. Louis Il
mother defendant n never knew ans
4 the other defendants until I met
hem in court
Fred McMullin former utility in
elder. named in the scandal but Who
rss not On trial vas the victim Of
ard luck IN the baseball trial. IL hs
szs known today
After his Indictment in the first ~
stiEstion. McMuIlin came here from
'slifornia 81 his oWn expense q stand
raj
Aftsr tuo seeks he case vas
r1EPsd and MeNuIin. broke, Dor l