The Glenwood post. (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 1897-current, 1921-04-16
MURDER IN THE
FIRST S DEGREE.
Juty 50 Finds and Fixes Life
Imprisonment as Pen.
atty For Bershenyi
MANY IN ATTENDANCE

owe, the jury duly empaneled and
sworn in the above entitled cause, do
on our oaths find the defendant guilty
of murder in the first degree, and Ax
tho penalty to be suffered by said de-
PENDANT at imprisonment for life at
hard labor in the penitentiary.
"R. F. MAJOR, Foreman. ("
The above is the verdict of the jury in
the case Of the People versus Josef
Bershenyi, charged with the murder on
February of Walter Page, on one Of
the streets Of Glenwood. The jury ar
rived at its verdict Tuesday morning,
after celebrating on the case from
$3.50 Monday evening. AS soon as the
verdict was announced Judge shumate
ordered poll of the jury, and then,
after thanking the jurors for their care
full interest in the case, and for render
ing their verdict in accordance with
their convictions of duty, regardless
Oh Iu0 UNNECESSARILY LdSh luNOlNcuy uc GA
cused the men from further service.
Throughout the reading of the YER
dict by the clerk, and the remarks of
Judge Shumate in dismissing the jury,
Joef Bershenyi, the defendant, sat
with head erect, wearing an expression
of stolid indifference, as he listenede to
the findings Of the jury which soundes
his fate, and the words of Judge Shu-
mate, complimenting them for their
good citizenship and the care and pa
thence with which they had listened to
every detail of the case from the be-
ginning.
But the prisoner was by no means as
Indifferent as was indicated by his
facial expression, and when taken to
his cell in the county jail, and the com
plete realization of what had happened
dawned fully upon him, and he began
to speculate upon what it all meant to
him and his family, he was completely
undonc The shock was almost more
than he could bear. Apparently the
nan, not any too quick in intellectual
attainment and perception, was tempo
rarily surprised and stunned, and did
not fully comprehend the real meaning
and effect of what had happened until
alone in the solitude of his cell, when
a little reflection brought much Of an
guish and disappointment into his life.
History Of the Case.
Walter Page had been employed Oh
two or three different occasions rs
farm hand for Joe Bershenyi, the last
period of such employment being last
fall and winter, helping Mr.. Bershenyi
with his dairy and farm work and at
salary of 500 per month. When, near
the end of January, Bershenyi decided
that from the first of the following
month he could only pay Page salary
of SIS, the latter decided to look else
where for employment. Mr.. Bershenyi
paid his employee promptly at the end
of January for the months service,
but Page continued on the job until
the evening of February first.
Mr.. and Mrs. Page came to Glenwood
and took up their abode in the rear of
the McGuirk home on Cooper avenue.
The morning of February eighth, when
Mr.. Bershenyi drove his Ford truck
through tho streets pcddling milk and
stopped in front of the McGuirk home,
Mr.. Page went out and accosted him
with a request for three dollars for
the one days work in February. Mr..
Bershenyi paid the amount and then
reminded Page that he had another dol
lar coming for an auto casing, and
paid that also. Mr.. Page took the
money and put the same in the right
hand pocket of his overalls.
AS to just what happened from this
time on reports are somewhat conflict
ing. Mrs. Pansy Wightman passed by
and heard Page say to Bcrshenyi,
"Well, | just thought would ask you
and see what you would do about it. y
She says that Page did not seem to be
espec ally angry or excited, but spoke
in n natural tone of voice. Mrs. Wight
man passed on down the street and soon
observed that Bcrshenyi was beating
Page with club.
1t is generally believed that there is
a suggestive connection between the
words Of Page to Bsrshenyi and the ~