Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1887 — FOUND GUILTY. [ARTICLE]

FOUND GUILTY.

The Jury Believe that Schwartz, and Watt Killed Kellogg Nichols. Such Is the Termination of the Prolonged Express-Robbery Trial at Morns, 111 !Morris (Ill.) special.] After a trial lasting thirty days, Schwartz, and Watt have been declared by a jury of twelve good men and true guilty of the murder of Kellogg Nichols, aud their punishment fixed at imprisonment for life m the penitentiary. When the jury retired, ou Tuesday afternoon, it was the general opinion that there wouid be a disagreement. After a seclusion of a little more than five hours word was sent toJudge Dibell that they had reached a conclusion. A few minutes aiterward they filed into court. When Judge Dibell said:. “Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed! upon a verdict?” E. H. Robinson, ihe oldest juror on the panel, arose and handed the verdict to the Sheriff, who passed it up to the court. Judge Dibell scanned it, and then read it: “We, the jury, find Newton Watt guiitv of the murder of Kellogg Nichols in the manner and form as charged in the indictment, and fix his penalty at. imprisonment in the penitentiary for the term of his natural life.” The verdict as to Schwartz was then read. It finds him also guilty in the manner find form, charged, and fixes his penalty at imprisonment in the penitentiary for his natural life. Each juror then in turn fhtified the verdict. There was a death-like silence in the court-room. Walt was sitting near his brothor, with his arms resting on the table, still gazing steadily at the jury. Schwartz sat near his father with his hands clasped across his breast, gazing away from the jury, seemingly insensible to their presence and veredict. Neither of the men manifested the slightest emotion. Watt talked with his brother aud smiled when spoken to by his attorney. Schwartz was more serious when his counsel approached him, but a slight, reluctant smile gathered on his countenance. * The Court thanked the jury for the attention during the trial and dismissed them. The murder of Kellogg Nichols, for which Schwartz and Watt were convicted, occurred the night of March 12, 1886. Nichols was express messenger on the Rock Island train running out of Chicago. He was killed in bis car, near Morris, and the safe oponed and rifled of a package of money containing about $20,000