Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1883 — ACQUITTED. [ARTICLE]

ACQUITTED.

The Result of the Gallatin (Mo.) Trial. Frank James Declared by a Jury Hot -* Guilty. [Telegram from Gallatin, Mod Frank James has boon acquitted. Upon the announcement of the verdict quite a decided demonstration of applause came from certain quarters of the court-room. The court, however, quickly frowned it down, and singling oat 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 bail, but will remain in jail till next term. The prisoner received the verdict with perfect composure, as did also his wife, but Mrs. Samuels was'much affected. Is order to guard against any disturbance which might follow, the single saloon of the place was closed. It can truthfully he said that the verdict was a genuine surprise to the community, and much indignation is expressed. A 'member of the ’ jury stated that the first ballot stood eleven for acquittal and one for conviction, and that one, after hearing an 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 Hie 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

I‘ublic Feeling in Missouri. A dispatch from Kansas City says, the topic of conversation there is Frank James’ acquittal “There are many who say they expected it.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, however, is one of disappointment and chagrin that the strong chain evidence woven by the State failed to stand. Expressions of sympathy with the pusoner or satisfaction over the acquittal are c mfined 1 3 a few who are and have been James’ friends, and can be taken in no way wha ever as an indication of the actual public sentiment here. A frequent expression is, 'the verdict is an outrage and an unjust stigma upon the State ’ Charges of juryfixing also are bandied about,” An Jndeptndence dispatch says: “There are a few of the people, friends of Frank | here, who of course are jubilant, but the ! majority of the people here are very indignant and pronounce the verdict an outrage ! on justice.”

XVliMt the Governor of Missouri Says. Gov Crittenden was asked by a reporter I at .:c ’e.urm-i lu' ii he- had anything to say. regarding the acquittal of the noted bandit. He replied tna .. he had not “It is the verdict of a jury." he said, “it would be improper for rue to comment on it ” -What do you think of the manner in which the case has been prosecuted;” “it has lmen prosecuted with great ability by Mr. Wallace, whom 1 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 and pushed with great energy.” “Yon think the case has been ably defended, do you not?” it has. 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*, Jfcrat 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, are 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 notceitain Xtf.ilv-.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 are concerned?” “Yes; but I cannot say what course will be pursued toward him in the counties where the indictments were found.” St. Louis Press Comment. [The Republican..) The triaTof Frank James, the noted trsinrobber and desperado, resulted, contrary to general expectations, in a verdict of acquittal. The explanation doubtless is that the defense managed to impress the minds «f the jury with a doubt a** to - the actual presence of the prisoner at the time of 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 reqmrementsQ|,,th*~erffiiiiiallaw, with its presjyajitHHi fSi innocence, acquittal no vindication of the desperate an<f“‘fnfamous character of the accused, which was shown or admitted at almost every stage of the trial [The Globe-Democrat.] The public were no more prepared for a verdict of acquittal in Frank James’ trial 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 that twelve men, even in that locality,would be a unit against conviction in the face of the evidence produced, was a possibility which was seriously entertained by very few. The outcome is a i misfortune to the Commonwealth of -Mis- i soar!- 14 cannot do otherwise than create an unfavorable impression abroad. It is g giactiCfd. revelation that there exists a pnolle sentiment in a not inconsiderable j 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 establish this very connection. The induct of Gen Shelby in emotionally expre-sifig an affection for the accused was a represents- i Don of the feelings of many beside himself. The saying that come- most readily to ’he lips in this connection I*. “Foor old M‘»-i sour!” The accused, however, has adffi- ! cult road yet to travel before he is either 1 a free or a convicted man D spatches from i Gallatin say the general feefing is one of great disappointment