Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-08-14
FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST IA, 1926.
Ferguson and
His "Beat"
By F. b. BENNETT
tCopyright.)

FVERY eye In the courtroom was
- fixed upon Richard Ferguson, re-
porter for the Morning Post The
young journalist stood facing the Judge
In silence.
1t was the second time In a single
day that Ferguson had emerged con-
spicuously from the ranks Of his pro-
fession. The first occasion was In
the morning when he scored a beat"
for his paper on the conviction Of an
accused millionaire. His report was
so accurate that 1t made the reading
Of the real verdict farce. The Judge
looked sternly at the reporter, whom
he had known for years.
ibid you write that artlclef" asked
the court
Il did, your honor"
II shall demand full explanation
of you. and perhaps of other persons
Do you object to replying to my ques-
tions?"
mot In the least" replied Ferguson.
"Mr Ferguson" the Judge began, II
know That you did not guess at this
verdlctT
Il did not"
"Will you read the marked portions
Of this newspaper clipping and tell
us If these are the words you wroteT
Ferguson picked up the paper and
read: 1.-THE first ballot was eight
for conviction and four for acquittal
the second ballot was ten for convic-
ton and two for acquittal the third
was the same, and at the fourth Juror
Stephenson alone held out against cap
ltal punishment. Not until the fifth
ballot did the Jury agree to send the
accused millionaire to the gallows."
did you write that% demanded the
Judge, leaning far over the bench
until he could look squarely into Fer
guson's face.
II did"
When did you learn these factsT
"About 2:25 this morning"
Ibid any of the jurymen tell you
what had TRANSFERRED in their room"
II did not learn 1t that way"
'"Dld bailihfs give you informatlonf"
mo, SIR"
odd you tamper with the enve-
lopez"
'T did not"
"Who told you, thenT
"No one"
The judge was perplexed. He knew
that Ferguson told the truth, and that
he was endeavoring to keep the source
Of his information a secret. Suddenly
an inspiration came to him and he
smiled because he had not thought
Of It before.
did somebody write you the infor-
mationT The court was sure that this
would bring the desired result.
mo one wrote 1t for me-" replied
Ferguson, "and no human being gave
me the Information"
A stir went through the courtroom
at this announcement and the Judge
seemed completely baffled.
would you 80 state under oathT"
Under oath, yes, sir" echoed Fer
guson. mo one knew those details at
that hour but the jurymen and myself,
and may add that I have not ex-
changed a word, letter or signal with
any Of these twelve gentlemen"
The foreman of the jury was called
before the bar.
"Mr Tillotson," said the Judge, point
ing at Ferguson, "Have you seen this
man beforeT
Eyes, your honor during the trial"
Did you speak or communicate with
him since the verdict was agreed upon
or sealedT
81 did not, and l can safely vouch
for my colleagues, also"
"Well, then, Mr.. Ferguson" said the
Judge, turning to the reporter, "wlll
you kindly explain how you came into
possession Of this lnformatlonf'
II could refuse to answer on con-
stltutional grounds-on the plea that
I might lncrlminate myself" replied
Ferguson. II will not do that, but
have favor to ask. May put to the
janltor Of the courthouse three ques-
tions"
Certainly" assented the astonlshed
Judge, and he called the janitor before
him.
when did you clean out the jury
room?" asked Ferguson.
"As soon as the jury left lt-about
2:20 this morning." was the response.
"Where did you empty the waste bas-
ket containing the Jury's ballot slips?"
"In the alley, sir" The janltor looked
apprehenslve, as II he feared that he