Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-06-01
~ IZZARD ACQUITTED.


- -. returned a verdict of not guilty
~ ~ "a .5se came here from Logan coun
:, +, will he recalled, Blizzard and
%r,,.rAsr Of other coal miners and union
"sisis mr. members having been in
.;.'s4 I'm logan county for treason,
-,,,,5sr and other crimes in connection
"i,l the march Of the armed miners
:, that section last year.
The r-i9I of Blizzard began on April
,-,t and ended on May 9th. The
o,osecution and the defense were both
!, ica3l earnest, and every step in the
o,se was fought desperately. Scores
~ Witnesses we're examined, includ-
inc Governor Morgan of West Vir-
oiSia The taking of evidence was con-
Guided last Thursday.
Prosecuting Attorney Chain, of Lo-,
car county, started the argument for
the prosecution on Friday morning,
ami was followed BY James M. Mason,
r. Of Charles Town, for the defense.
A,t.-neys Van Fleet, Montgomery and
Houston followed for the defense, and
Geo NJ. Bcltzhoover, Jr., and Col,
Forrest ". Brown, of Charles Town,
fo, the State On Saturday Attorney
townsend argued for the defense and
Attorneys BclCher and OSenton for the
State. The arraignment of Blizzard
by the two latter attorneys was severe,
and reduced his wife to tears. The
ordeal had a visible effect upon the ac-
,uset. who up to this time had main
tanned a iaunty and unconcerned atti-
tude There was about thirteen solid
hours of argument and oratory, and
the courtroom was crowded with spec
tors during most of this time.
The case was given to the jury at
$50 Saturday afternoon, and the men
who had the fate of the accused in
their hands retired to their room. At
$50 the Jury announced that it was
ready 10 render its verdict, and the
vast crowd that packed the courtroom.
was all but breathless when the jury
men took their seats. D. B. Shoe
maker. who had been elected foreman
Of the Jury. in response to a question
from Clerk Conrad, announced that
verdict had been agreed upon. Clerk
Conrad then read the verdict that had
been handed to him. 1t said:
I've, the jury, find for the defend
ant"
Attorney Townsend, for the defense,
questioned the form of the verdict, ana
he was permitted by the court to re-
write it. as follows:
I'VE, the jury, find the defendant
not guilty as charged in the within
Indictment"
This correction was signed by Fore
man Shoemaker, and Judge Woods at
once ordered the sheriff to adjourn
court until Monday morning. AS the
Judge left the courtroom the miners
and their supporters began a mighty
cheering and yelling for Blizzard and
he was hailed as a hero and applaud
cd and congratulated. After he left
the courthouse the cheering continued
on the streets, and the colored popu-
Iation of Charles Town, among whom
mere hat been effective propaganda
Work during the past month, took a
prominent part in the proceedings.
While the demonstration in favor
o' h.l2zart was hearty and enthusias-
uS' thcrc was an under current of dis
APPOINTMENT among the conservative
PeoH.e oi Charles Town, and they we're
JIN2i"u, aHout the effect of the verdict.
IL was admitted that a conviction for
treason G. lifficult thing, but a good
."'", persons wondered if it were wise
10 -.-ar me men accused of these of
,'"'-'. o0e man expressed himself
SAVING. Well, they are licensed
--. ..-.J with another invasiorl
7G'. Us soon is they feel like it,"
mere was considerable reaction in
'-'.- .. -~.utnstT.ron when sober
--.- '...r g asserted itself.
u .I 'at on the first ballot the
.. .. .a fen 10 two in favor Of ac-
Ter considerable discussion
- man was induced to change
ana finally the twelfth re-
OH. creed 10 the verdict of not
.. .-A rumored that no more
r,.. cases would be tried until
&C.. . Hmmer, but when court
am. "0 Monday the prosecution
~. '.f II would push the trials
,~,.... men in Jail who have been
BE- '' murder. The first man t.
arer..i -. j. +. Wii0urn, who is
Tn. t'Il'ng Deputy Sheriff Gore.
rrr. .- for this trial was set for
I, nv Judge Woods and counsel.
o.. .l'Hcr announced by Attorney
,r. 'r the prosecution that when
..... ltr cases are disposed OF
w.r-. rank Keeney or Fred Mooney
c.. nut on trial for treason.
,-. . tor the defense asked that
-l'... 70 Jail on murder charges be
b. . on bail. This was opposed
-,...... N-0secution, who stated that
,Aa. men had fed the State after
a.. ,.at been indicted and had been
-.,'.-ei only after great difficulty.
Still Headed Westward.
aa' " Hoffman is still making his
- " r eastward on his automobile trip
ca-i ~fs!.'oTnia. We have received a
low. ron him written at Iowa CITY,
J. 4