Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1894 — A FT. WAYNE SENSATION. [ARTICLE]

A FT. WAYNE SENSATION.

A Juror Talks too Much—The A. ~P A Casa Postponed. In the trial of Editor Bidwell of the A. P. A. paper at Ft. Wayne, on a charge of criminal libel, Wednesday, proceedings came to a sudden halt. Attorney Bell requested Judge O’Rourke to examine Juror Joseph Hood. He said that a sensation had been discovered and he wanted to air it before the trial progressed further. In answer to his request Mrs. Margaret Smith was called to the stand and the jury was sent out. She swore that Joseph Hood, one of the jurors, spent Tuesday night at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. John Hood, in Bloomingdale. While there Mrs. Smith said Hood cursed Attorney Bell for objecting to the answer to the question as to tho number of A. P. A.’s in the county. Mrs. Smith says juror Hood said: “The priests are guilty and Bidwell will go free.” Mr. Hood was heard in his own defense but failed to make a satisfactory explanation. Judge O’Rourke lectured him sharplv and then discharged the jury. Another jury will be selected and proceedings commenced again. The abrupt ending of the case created a great sensation.