Mattoon Daily Journal from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

TWO EDITIONS DAILY MATTOON DAILY JOURNAL. Established 1874 Established 1865 MATTOON, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 30 1903 LIFE SENTENCE Clifford Gilbert Will Expiate the Crime of Murder in Cell JURY SHOWS MERCY By Not Condemning Him to the Hangman's Noose -Verdict Reached After Deliberation Last. Ing for Some Time -Scene in and About Court Room- -Defense Claims Victory, Charleston, Oct. the gloomy walls of the Illinois state penitentiary at Chester Clifford GIlbert will explate his act of that fateful' Sunday morning, on August 2, When he, mistaking Thomas' Woods, Jr. an inoftensive citizen for the notorious Elmer Fields, fired a shot gun fair at him and Thomas Woods tell with a hole torn through his heart, sent to his Maker in the twinkling of an eye lash.

Verdict Reached in 'Night. The verdict was reached In the night time and it found Gilbert guit. ty of murder as charged in the Indictment and sentenced him to the state penitentiary for life. When Judge Craig, ordered Sheriff Baird to call the court to- order this morning at 8 o'clock there was sparse half dozen people in the court room. In a few moments, Bailiff Cal W.

Roberta, who had charge of the Jury, stepped into the court room and In a low volce told Judge Craig that the decision had been reached in the Gilbert case. The People Swarmed. By some strange, telepathic means, the informtaion spread over the city that a verdict in the murder trial had bean reached and was about to be brought into court. How the people got into the court room is a mystery hit they simply swarmed in and when at eight minutes past 8 o'clock the jurymen fled in and took their places before the judge the court room was packed and jammed with mass of humanity, which had hurriedly run to the temple of justice to see the outcome of the came, "Have you reached a verdict, gentlemen?" asked Judge Craig, when the shuffling of feet had subsided. "We have," replied the foreman.

A Life Term. The fateful bit of paper in its enfolded recesses the life or denth of Clifford Gilbert was handed to Judge Craig by Bailiff C. W. Rop. erts.

Judge Craig slowly unfolded the paper, adjusted his classes and read: "We, the jury, And Clifford Gilbertguilty as charged in the indictment and find that he should be confined in the penitentiary for the remainder of his natural life. "So say you all, gentlemen?" querter the court. Sentence is Passed. The answer being in the affirmative Judge Craig said: "Clifford Gilbert, stand up for sentence." The prisoner, showing the Indinterence that has characterized him all through the hearing in court, rose to his feet and directed his gaze at the foor. "You will be taken," said the court, "by the sheriff of this county or by' come lawfully constituted deputy to the state prison, where you shall reniamn the rest of natural life.

rive days of each year shall be spent in solitary confinement, the remainder at hard labor." Cheezem Wanted Time. Attorney Chezem spoke to the court on the subject of solitary confinement prior to the passing of the sentence, evidently wanting that part of. the sentence cut from five to one day in each year. The court made no reply to Mr. Chezem but proceeded to pass sentence.

Gilbert Was Alone. Gilbert was alone in the court room when the verdict, was brought in and sentence passed except for his attorney, Mr. Chezem, neither his father nor mother being present. The passing of the sentence seemed to have no particular effect on him his attitude of Indifference cont nuins after as well as before the epinode. Immediately after the passing of the sentence Deputy Sheriff Troutman took Clifford Gilbert back to the county jail.

NEAR TO DEATH. Story of How the Jury Reached Conclusion- First Ballote The story of the deliberations of the fury in the -court room. le almost dramatic in details. One strons mind was pitted against all others. and in the weary hours of the night Single Copy 2 cents 1903 10 cents per eek, delivered RECEPTION Given in Honor of Bride and Groom, Mr.

and Mrs. Hagedorn. Emingham Democratt number of the schoolmates and friends of the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. August Hagedorn, wore in attendance at the reception given Tuesday evening by the parents of the bride, Mr.

and Mrs. Con T. Boos. The guests gathered promptly at o'clock and for two hours the young couple were kept busy receiving the well wishes and their numerous friends. Later on A delicious lunch was served.

and the services of the fair miss who presided at the punch bowl were in great demand. Mr. and Mrs. Hagedorn left at 2 o'clock in the morning for Chicago, where they will spend their honeymoon, but notwithstanding the lateness of the hour the majority' of the guests remained to accompany them to the depot and give them the customary shower of rice and old shoes. Mr.

and Mrs. Hagedorn will return to this city for a short visit with her parents before going to Mattoon, where they will make their future home. During the course of the evening Heeman string orchestra discoursed sweet, music. LINEN SHOWER Miss May Ritter Fentertalned For Miss Mary Rowe Thursday. Miss May Ritter entertained a number of her lady friends Thursday afternoon at her home on Western avenue at a linen shower and card party in honor.

of Miss Mary Rowe, who is to be married to Sullivan of Dixon, Wednesday, Noveraber 4, at the Catholic church in this city. The hour was 2:30 and about twenguests were Cinque wan the chief diversion of the afternoon, and at the conclusion of which three-course luncheon was served. Miss Rowe was the recipient of many fine pieces of linen. Miss Lottie Coakley of Cincinnati and Miss Helen -Ryan of Petersburg. were out of town- guests.

In the evening a like number of the men friends of the guests called and the light fantastic was indulged In until a late hour, when the gathering dispersed, all acknowledging to the hostess having passed an enjoya. ble period. stort TI TROLLEY 0 brig arente Places An order for Some of Roll ing Stock--Six Coaches. An order has been placed by the Central Illinois Traction company for six coaches to be used on its line between this city and Charleston. The order is to be filled and the cars delivered by the first of January, and the probabilities now are that the road will be in operation before the time set.

The roadbed west of Loxa 18 now ready for the laying of the rails, and that task will be begun in the very near future, white work on the line within the city 'limits of Mattoon" 1s being rapidly (pushed forward. ILL AT KANKAKEE. W. J. Burke, a switchman in the employ of the Illinois, Central in the Peoria division yards at this -point.

was called to Kankakee Thursday on the receipt of a telegram announcing the serious Illness of his wife, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital at that place. Mrs. Burke has been in poor health for several weeks, and it is feared by her friends that she may not recover. THE MARKETS Chicago Cash Market Reports as Fur nished by White Commission Co. Friday, October 30.

Wheat- -No. red No. 3 pad No. 3 'H-W No. 3 H-W No.

1 85; No. 2 H-W No. 8 spring 76082. Corn--No. 2 440 No.

2 white 440 No. 3 yellow 3 No. 3. yellow 046. Oats--No.

2 No. 2 white 374 No. 8 84: No. 3 white 86 (9 87. No.

4 white standard Chicago Live Stock. yesterday 25,580, estimated tomorrow 18.000: left over, quality fair; market slow and easier: generally lower. Light. $4.75 5.30. Rough.

$4.55 4.75. Heavy, $4.80 0 5.40. Heavy, $4.80 5.85, Cattle- market slow and weak. Sheep -9000: market. steady.

The ladies of the Congregational church gave an enjoyable tea Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. G. L. Matthews. A nice little sum waa realized.

HEROIG AGT OF JOHN HENNIGAN SAVES GIRL'S LIFE. ANOTHER VICTIM Added to the Deadly Gasoline Stove -Miss Maggie Watson Seriously Burned. brought them to his way of thinking and thus saved, the life of Cliffard Gilbert. The jury, immediately after its retirement, elected J. L.

Hart, foreman and 1 WIll Plank, secretary or clerk, then the balloting began. Near to The first ballot placed Clifford Gil. bert near to the hangman's nooses It stood eleven for conviction with the punishment placed at death with one against that and for life imprisonment. The Jurors then got into heated argument, going over the case time and time again, the question discussed being that of the mental sponsibility of Clifford Gilbert. That this discussion worked to the benefit of the prisoner the second ballot showed.

It seemed to raise A doubt as to the policy of enforcing the extreme penalty; evidently the question of the mental responsiblity of the defendant coming into the minds of some, for the second baliot showed only eight voting for. capital punishment, while the one had been: Joined by three others and four voted for lite imprisonment. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth ballots stood the same way. One More Gained. On the seventh.

ballot one mora Joined the sturdy minority, fighting to save Gilbert from the hangman. the vote standing seven for hanging and five for life imprisonment. Then began a steady gain for life imp.isonment, and on the eighth ballot the vote was a tie, six voting for hanging and six for lite Imprisonment, Then came ten or twelve ballote without change and it began to look as if the jury would not agree. There was more argument and those in favor of life Imprisonment made case so strong that sone more gained and the minority became a majority along, about the twentieth ballot, Ave only, voting for hanging, while seven stood for life imprison ment. End Was In Sight.

The gaining of the majority was the beginning of the end. On the next ballot the vote stood only two for hanging while ten voted for the penitentiary for, life. The next ballot -stood one for hanging and eleven for life imprisonment. The Final Vote. Finally at 2:45 o'clock this morning the final vote was taken and the Jury which had by degrees gone from one position to.

the other, the one for life imprisonment gaining ten others to his side, then had- the satisfaction' of seeing the eleventh man come over and the final showed all twelve votes for finding Clifford Gilbert guilty of murder and fixing his punishment at a life term in the penitentiary, The real belief of the jurors is thus shown. They believed Gilbert, to A degree, not responsible, for his doings but they considered that while he should not be hanged, he was A menace to society and should be removed from its walks. SATISFIED. Gilbert Family and the Attorneys Do Not Object to Verdict. At the first report it was mentioned that Gilbert's attorney, Mr.

Chezem, made the usual motions. That was incorrect. Mr. Chezem merely argued to have the solitary confinement part of the sentence cut from five to one day in each year. When asked further by the court if he had anything to say, Mr.

Chezem said: "I have no motions to make." He then thanked the jury for Its action. In conversation Mr. Chezem said he considered the verdict a victory for the defense, and that he was satinfled that he and Mr. Tivnen had saved their client from hanging. WilL Gilbert Satisfied.

Will Gilbert, a brother, and Etam Barney, a brother-in-law of Cliftrod Gilbert, were in the court room. They were asked as to how the verdict satistled them. They both stated that they, were satisfied and that they could find no fault with the work of the jury. They felt satisfied that Chitford had escaped the hangman's noose. Soon to the Pen.

Sheriff Baird, was deked by a representative of. The Journal: "Will you execute the sentenca of the court and take Gilbert to prison have not thought of the matter as yet. replied Sheriff Baird, will say that it won't be long." a 1 NEW YORK The Lady or the Tiger? An Alternative in New York DEDIGATION OF THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. WILL TAKE PLAGE Next? Sunday, November Prominent Ministers Will Be Preselit and Take Part. The beautiful new Presbyterian church at the corner of Western avenue and Twenty-second street will be dedicated under conditions next Sunday.

The services will lost all day, and an excellent program has been arranged. A number of prominent ministers from abroad will be present to take part in the services, among them being Rev. D. D. Parr, D.

of Chicago; Rev. J. Cummings Smith of Indianapolis, Lev, B. W. Tyler, Rev.

S. M. Morton, Rev. William P. Merrill of Chicago and Rev.

Edward Baech of Arcola. The program arranged for the occasion is as follows: Morning Service. 6:21 a. m- Sunrise Christian Endeavor---Leader, Rev. W.

W. 9:30 a. -Informal meeting. 110 a. services.

Organ Mrs. H. F. Kendall Doxology. Invocation.

Response- Congregation Scripture Reading. psalm 24. Anthem--Festival Te Deum in flat--Dudley Buck Rev. W. D.

Parr, D. D. Response Sermon. W. D.

Parr, D. D. Up Your Heads, Oh Ye Gates' Postlude. Afternoon p. -Song service.

Mrs. L. M. McNair, Directress Prayer. Anthem- the Lord Built the Boys' Choir Responsive Reading.

by H. P. McNair Anthem- There is a 46-Solo and Chorus Dudley Buck Choir Address Rev. W. D.

Parr, D. D. Solo- "The Mercy Seat" Mr. Harry Crawtord Hymn Congregation Evening Service. p.

Evening service. Organ Mrs. H. F. Kendall Lord's Prayer.

Congregation Stand 'ng Solo "Hear Ye ElijahMendelssohn. Mrs. Irma Miller Scripture Lesson, psalm $4. Solo Selecte Dedicatory Sermon Rev. J.

Cumming Smith, D. D. Anthem -Hallelujah Chorus, "Mes. -Handel. V.

Choir Address. a Rev Parr, D. Sons Coronation Congregation Benediction What came dangerously near bring a fatal mishap occurred at the home of Mrs. Margaret Hill, 2817 Champaign avenue, this morning. Mrs.

Hill, who is an aged lady and whose husband died but a few weeks ago, resides with her sixteen year old granddaughter, Miss Maggie Watson, at the above number. Mrs. Hill was confined to her -bed by illness, and this morning Miss Watson was lighting the gasoline stove for. the purpose of preparing breakfast. In some manner the liquid was ignited, and in the explosion which followed the burning oil was cast upon Miss Watson, setting fire to her clothing.

The frightened girl, not knowing what else to do, rushed into her grandmother's bed room and threw her arme around that lady while she lay in bed, screaming loudly for help all the while. John Hennigan, who happened be passing. rushed into the house: and picking up a quilt from the bad wrapped it around the burning girl The heroic act was none too soon, as the clothing on the front part of her body was completely burned away and her abdomen, chest, hands and arms were badly burned. The bed clothing on the bed on which Mrs. Hill was lying was also set on fire, and before any injury was done that lady Mr.

Hennigan had also smothered out the flames in the same manner that he followed in res cuing Miss Watson. A telephone message was sent Dr. Williams, who hastened to the scenes Upon examination the physt cian found several bad burns on Mid Watson's body, as stated above, to a Journal reporter this morning he said that he could not tell hw Perious the Injuries were all this time. The burns were what he termed "dry ones," and it required COT tain length of time to determine the extent of the harm done. Mr.

Hennigan, who certainly deserves great praise for the manner in which he subdued the fames did not come out or the without his share of troubles. His hands and wrists were severely burned and his eyebrows were singed off. Fire Chief Dick son of Mrs. stated thin morning that had it not peens for a Mr. Hennican, in all probability his mother and niece would have been burned to, death, and the house also destroyed.

an at that time no one passing but Hennigan. who had been feeling ill and was on his way to a drug store for some medicine. While the injuries to Mr. Hennigan are severely painful but not serious, yet it can not at this time be determined what the outcome of Miss Watson's Injuries will be. At noon today the young lady was resting easy, and with careful nursing it is thought she will recover, with no lasting marks or scars to bear eVe idence of her nearness to death.

SCHOOL, Report of Smyser school for the month ending October 14, Number of days taught, ber of pupils enrolled, 39; numbe: of days attended, 743; average dally attendance, 34." Those present- were, Bessie Waggoner, Ralph Boyd, Martin Edwards, Edna Fleshner, Lelah Fleshner, Mary Fleshner, Mahe) Fleshner, George Waggoner, Young, Florence Clara Young E. A. CROWL, Teacher. ca DOWN IN WAYNE. Col.

Checkley is in Wayne county buying up and cornering the broomcorn crop 'of that section. SOCIALIST Meeting at the Armory Hall Last Night Was Well Attended. John Collins, organizer in the state of Illinois for the socialist muds an address 'at Armory hall last night and was listened to with interest by A large crowd. Mr. Collins is also a member of the machinists' union, arid his talk was mainly for the "object of organizing the workingmen into socialist clubs.

He is a good talker, and handles his subject in a way to make many converts to his cause. Mr. Collins will make two more talks in this city, appearing at mory hall tonight and tomorrow night. Everyone is invited to hear him speak on the labor questions of the day. MISTAKE Was the Telegram Telling Alva Sebright His Mother Was Dead.

A telegram was received Wednes-3 day by Alya Sebright, a fireman on the Illinois Central, stating that his mother had died at her home in Newton, Mr. Sebright hastened to Newton, but found that the telegram wug a mistake, and that his mother was not dead, but was critically 111. She is an aged lady, and very little hopes are entertained for her recovery, MEETING SUNDAY. Din The German Evangelical congregation will hold services next Sunday in the Baptist church on street. The congregation has been organized with 4 good membership, and in the near future steps will ba taken for the erection of a church edifice.

TAKING EVIDENCE. TAKING EVIDENCE. Attorney Ed, C. Craig was in Toledo yesterday takins some evidence in a cano Master: in Chancery I Bussard. Postlude.

Mrs. H. F. Kendall Installation Service. 7:80 p.

November 2, Organ Mrs. H. F. Kendall Doxology Choir Invocation. to B.

W. Tster Lovely Choir Soripture. Rev. 8. M.

Morton, D. D. Hymn Congregation Prayer. Rev. Wm.

J. Merrill, D. D. Te Deum -Dudley Buck. Sermon.

Rev. Wm. P. Merrill, D. Oharge tos the: Pastor.

Edward Baech Charge to the People. Rev. W. Tyler. Hymn Congregation Benediction.

Rev. W. P. Merrill, D. Postlude.

WANT SOME INK Contemporaries Can Get a Bargain at The Journal Office. Newspapers using flat bed presses throughout this section of the state can get a bargain in news ink by callingron The Journal. When purchased our Goss press we' had a barrel of ink, almost five hundred pounds on hand. It was excellent ink for a flat bed press, but is somewhat heavy for a web press. The ink cost us six cents a pound.

We are willing to retail it out to those furnishing their own rece cles for three cents a pound, rather than take the time and trouble of thinning it down. Now is 8 good time to save some money on printer's ink. WILL QUIT Garver Kane Decide to Close Up Their Saloon in This City. Tomorrow will be the last day that the Garver Kane saloon on Wes: Broadway will be run, and at 'the closing hour the place will be locked up for keeps. It is stated that Herman.

Haskell, who owns the fixtures. will move the outfit to Terre Haute and open up a saloon in that city. C. W. Haskell, who owns the building, will move part of his livery barn into it, his present quarters being Inadequate for his business.

MARRIED AT PANA. Miss Edna Beeheimer of Pana' and Frank Padgett of this city were married at Pana Thursday at the home of the bride. The groom is an employe on the Big Four, They will make, their home in this city. SUPERINTENDENT HERE. -State Superintendent of Public Instruction Alfred Bayliss was in the city from Springfeld yesterday en Proute.

to. Robinson, where. he is to address the Crawford county farmera Institute on the subject CONTORTION ACT PERFORMED BY LIVERY. MAN TATE'S TEAM. Literally Kicked a Buggy to Pieces by Way of Recreation- -No One Hurt.

Charles Tate, the Western avenus liveryman, had a little experience this morning not down on the regular program. While driving a frisky team from his barn early this morning one of the animals cut a caper that dis pleased Mr. Tate, and in the way of a reprimand he cut it with the witp. His horseship was decidedly opposed to such treatment, and to show his displeasure began to kick the dashhoard -from -the buggy. About time his mate decided to enter the game and have some of the fun, and in an incredibly short space of time the tongue, dashboard and the entire front of the vehicle had been literally kicked to pieces.

Upon Arst beginning to show their playful tactics, the animals began to run, it is thought to demonstrate their master the superior way In which they did the business, and to also show how artiscally such a feat could be performed. Twentieth street, some one who had -Upon going past the intersection seen the affair ran from Feagan'e drug store and another from HIM Knight's saloon and each grabbed bridle. The horses continued to and kick until they reached Broadway when they were brought to a stand still. The animals did an extra One in the demolition of the buses, was literally Eleked to plec We almost forgot to mention the Mr. Tate considered sent In the buggy most too warm pine him shortly after his favorite equines began their contortion act, and Sump ed from the vehicle and to of safety.