Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1883 — ACQUITTED. [ARTICLE]

ACQUITTED.

The Result of the Gallatin (Mo.) Trial. Frank James Declared by a Jury Not Guilty. [Telegram from Gallatin, Ma] Frank James has been acquitted. Upon the announcement of the verdict quite a decided demonstration of applause camo from certain quarters of the court-room. The court, however, quickly frowned it down, and singling out a young man who had made a movement to throw up his hat called him to 'the bar and administered a severe reprimand. The youth proved to be Luther James, of Kansas City, cousin of the defendant The question of the disposition of the remaining indictments, complicity in the killing of Westfall at Winston, and the robbery and murder of Sheets at the Gallatin bank robbery in 1868, come up. and after.consideration the case was continued until the October term, and the prisoner was remanded to await further trial. It is announced that he will not attempt to give ball, but will remain in jail tiH next term. The prisoner received the verdict with perfect composure, as did also his wife, but Mrs. Samuels was much affected. In order to guard against any disturbance which might follow, the single saloon of the place was closed. It can truthfully te said that .the verdict was a genuine surprise to the community, and much indignation la expressed. A member of the jury stated that the first ballot stood eleven for acquittal and one for conviction, and that one, after hearing aja explanation of the others' views, voted to acquit A conversation with the foreman of the jury corroborated the statement of this juryman ’As indicating public sentiment a subscription paper was circulated and signed by over 100 citizens. Including the foremost men and most of the business men of the place, for the purpose of presenting to Prosecutor Wallace, of Kansas City, a testimonial of their indorsement of his conduct of the case and appreciation of his efforts in behalf of the State Public Feeling in Missouri. A dispatch from Kansas City siys, the topic of conversation there is Frank James’ acquittal “There are many who say they expected lt.but the majority sav they looked for a disagreement of the jury. Public sentiment can be quoted as strongly in condemnation of the verdict, although there are those who argue from a strict legal standpoint that the jury was justifiable in acquitting, the State’s evidence being made up of Liddell's testimony supported only by circumstantial evidence. The general feeling howevef, is one of disappointmentana chagrin that the strong chain of evidence woven by the State failed te stand. Expressions of sympathy with the prisoner or satisfaction over the acquittal are confined to a few who are and have been James’ friends, and can be taken in no way whatever as an indication of the actiial public sentiment here. A frequent expression is, ‘the verdict is an outrage and an unjuststigma upon the State.’ Charges of juryfixing also are bandied about ” An Independence dispatch says: “There are a few of the people, friends of Frank here, who of couAe are jubilant, but the majority of the people here are very indignant and pronounce the verdict an outrage on justice.” What the Governor of Missouri Says. » Gov. Crittenden was naked by a reporter at Jefferson City if he had anything to say regarding the acquittal of the noted bandit He replied that he had not “It is the verdict of a jury,” he said, “it would be improper for ine to comment on it ” “What do you think of the manner inwhich the case has been prosecuted. ” , “It has been prosecuted with great ability by Mr. Wallace, whom I regard as one of the best Prosecuting Attorneys in the State. ” “You think, then, that an honest effort has been made to convict Frank James*” “I certainly do. The case has been well managed ana pushed with great energy.” “You think the case has been ably defended, do you not?” “Indeed it haa It has been both prosecuted and defended with great ability. Perhaps no criminal case in the history of the State has had engaged upon it more legal ability. It is not only one of the most remarkable criminal cases in the State s history, but will take its place as one of the leading criminal cases of the country. ” “What effect does this acquittal have upon Frank James in regard to a requisition from Minnesota* There are other indictments against him, axe there not*” ' “Yes, I believe so. There is one for the murder of Westphall and for the Blue Cut robbery; and, I think, but I am not ceitain of it, one for the murder of Sheets.” “He would still be regarded as in the custody of the State, so far as requisitions from other States axe concerned?" “Yes; but I cannot say what course will be pursued toward him in the ceunties where the indictments were found.” • St. Ixhilb Preus Comment. [The Republican.] The trial of Frank James, the noted trainrobber and desperado, resulted, contrary to general expectations, in a verdict of acquittal The explanation doubtless is that the defense managed to impress the minds of the jury with a doubt as to the actual presence of the prisoner at the time < f the commission of the particular crime for which he was arraigned. Whatever difference there may be as to whether the case of the State was fully made out according to the strict requirements of the cr.minal law, with its presumption of innocence, acquittal carries with it no vindication of the desperate and infamous character of the accused, which was shown or admitted at almost every stage of the trial [The Globe-Democrat.] The public were rto more prepared for a verdict of acquittal in Frank James’ triaj than they were in the star-route case A disagreement was thought probable by those acquainted with the section from which the jury were secured, but thas twelve men, even in that locality,would be a unit against conviction in the face of the evidence produced, was a possibi ity which was seriouslyentertained b v very few. The outcome is a misfortune to the Commonwealth of Missouri It cannot do otherwise than create an unfavorable impression abroad. It is a practical revelation that there exists a public sentiment in a not inconsiderable portion of the State which regards with complacency such a career as that of Frank James and in some incomprehensible manner connect it with the cause of the South in the War of the Rebellion. One of the telling points of the’defense was the attempt to estaßlish this very connection. The conduct of Cen Shelby in emotionally ex pre sing an affection for the accused was a representation of the feelings of many beside himself. The saying that coiae< most readily to the lips in this connection is, “Poor old Missouri" The accused, however, has adfficult road yet to travel before he is either a free or a convicted man. D spatches from GaHatin say the general feeling is one of great disappointment