CRIED ON ACQUITTAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 5 October 1907, Page 4

CRIED ON ACQUITTAL.

THE IDAHO MURDERS, MELODRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT. American papers just received give details of the conclusion of the sensational and historic trial of William D. Haywood, late secretary of the Western Federation of Miners, who, with other members of that organisation, was charged with the murder of Frank Steuenberg,a former Governor of Idaho. Haywood, it will be remembered, was acquitted by the jury after an exhaustive trial at Boise, Idaho. Never was a more melodramatic scene witnessed in the court-room than that which followed the reading of the verdict (telegraphed the representative of the New York Herald.) As the words which pronounced Haywood free fell from the lips of the clerk of the Court they proved too much for the strong man who had sat in the prisoner's dock for the last three months, Haywood cried. His powerful frame shook convulsively, and great tears rolled down his cheeks. Not onee throughout the trial had this strong-willed Labor leader given way. When his chief accuser, Orchard, told his incriminating story, Haywood sat unmoved. When lie was assailed by the prosecuting counsel lie returned a look of defiance. When Mr Darrow pleaded for the life of his client with an eloquence that moved many to tears it had no visible effect on the defendant, He appeared to b« a man of iron will, as well of icon constitution.

lint when the supreme moment came lie showed that he was human. He did not try to conceal his tears as his friends crowded round him eager to grasp his hands. For a moment he appeared stunned, as did most of the early morning spectators who appeared in the court-room. No one seemed prepared for the verdict. The most that the friends and even the attorneys for the defendant hoped for was a disagreement. Rumors came from the juryroom that the jury stood nine to three for conviction. It developed that while the battle was on in the juryroom the jury did stand nine to three, but the majority was for acquittal. The account proceeds:— As the jurors took their seats tl\ri face of Mr Darrow (one of the accused's counsel) was a study. Jle scanned each face closely, but yiw nothing to cause him to liope. lie took the hand of Haywood and whispered: "Be prepared for the worst. Nerve yourself (or a shock,"

"Haye you agreed upon n verdict?" asked Judge Wood, "We have, your Honor," announced Thomas B. Gosh, who had been chosen foreman. Ife handed the clerk of the court an envelope. The clerk handed it to Judge Wood, who slowly opened it. The spectators held their breath. ''There is a mistake," said the Court. "You must have given me the wrong envelope."

It was a blank form of verdict. Juror (less looked confused, and felt his coat pockets. Another envelope was brought out and handed the Court. • lie glanced at it, and it appeared for a moment as if a smile of satisfaction came into his eyes, but it was hardly noticeable. As tiie clerk slowly read the words:

"We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty," the tension was relieved. Before the Court had time to discharge the jury the defendant was surrounded. He shook hands with each juror individually as the tear 3 rolled down his cheeks.

As already cabled, the has announced its intention of proceeding with the prosecution of Moyer, Pettiboneand Adams, TTavwood's associates.

Not the least interesting of the comments made upon the verdict was that of Harry Orchard, the confessed murderer of Steunenberg, and the witness on whom the State chiefly relied to prove its charges of a conspiracy among certain members of the Western Federation of Miners. When otld at the Stale Penitentiary that Haywood had been acquitted, Ovchavd said: "Well, I have done my duty. 1 have told the truth. T could not do more. I am ready to take any punishment that may be meted out to me for my crime, and the sooner it comes the better."

In the first flush of extravagant de.light at the acquittal of Haywood, his friends wore disposed to indulge in some amount of hero-worship. One partisan predicted that lie might even be looked for as a probable opponent to Roosevelt for the Presidency. It seems to be recognised, however, that as a result of the disclosures made during the trial it will have the effect of making the organisation to which Haywood belongs more cautious in t,ljeir methods of handling labor troubles in the future.