Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1887 — TRAIN-ROBBERS SENTENCED. [ARTICLE]

TRAIN-ROBBERS SENTENCED.

Wittrock and Haight Get Seven Tears in the Penitentiary, and Wearer Gets Fire. [St. Louis telegram.]’ — The sensation of the day in tho Jrlaiinal Court was the sentence of Wittrock, alias Jim Cummings, the now famous express robber, and hi- accomplices, Haight and Weaver The apjiearance of the prisoners in court was a signal for a general tip-toeing and stretching of necks by the audience. The prisoners entered pleas of guilty to the charges against them of lar ceny fiom a railroad. The htate recommended the full extent of the law, seven years, for Wittrock and Haight, and five for Weaver. Whilo this dialogue was in progress Wittrock stood with one hand carelessly thrust in his trousers pocket, and as the suggestions of the Ciicuit Attorney dawned on him a look of disgust; spread over his features, which he made no attempt to conceal. Weaver appeared to be the most “chipper" of the party, and to all questions answered promptly “Yes, sir," as If it was a pleasant duty which he thoroughly enjoyed. Wittrock was then sentenced to seven years in the penitentiary and to pay the costs of the prosecution. Haight was the next to be disposed of, and during the ordeal he exhibited signs of a nervous collapse He turned pale and trembled, but when ordered to take a seat recovered at once. Weaver took his medicine without any outward sign of emotion, and his sentence, in accordance with the suggestion of the State, was made five years. Wittrock made several humorous references to the curiosity displayed by the spectators, but his sole desire was to get to the “ pen ” as soon as he could. A dramatic incident occurred just as the jail door closed behind the robbers. A tall, slender young man in a blue shirt was standing against the screen talking to two ladies in the "cage. ” “Tlioreis Fotheringhum," said Haight to Wittrock, as they halted near the guard’s desk. Wittrock looked intently at the young man in the blue shirt, and said : “By , I believe it is.” “Yes, it’s him.” asserted Haight. By this time the irons had been removed from Wittrock’s wrists, and walking hastily to the young man In the blue shirt, he extended his hand and said : “Fotheringham, old boy, I am glad to see you. I did you a wrong about two months ago, but I hope you don’t bear me any hard feelings." “None at all,” said Fotheringham; “although you took advantage of me when we last met.”