33

PLEADING FOR A VERDICT

SIX HOURS OF EARNEST ORATORY.

The Opening Arguments for the Three Parties to the Great Sheedy-McFarland Case.

County Attorney Snell Reviews the Evidence Generally in a Masterly Manner--Judge weir's Dignified Argument for Mrs. Sheedy.

Mr. Woodward Gets Fairly Begun.

The seats in the courtroom allotted to the public were not nearly filled yesterday morning when the opening hour arrived, but the arguments were not far advanced when not only the seats, but every available nook and corner in the large room were occupied by attentive and interested listeners. There were many more ladies present than at any time in the course of the trial and court officers and janitors had obligingly brought in a large number of camp chairs, which were placed inside the enclosure for the occupancy of the ladies, it was noticed that among the latter were many prominent Lincoln ladies who had not heretofore visited the trial, Mrs. Sheedy came into court accompanied by her uncle, Mr. Biggerstaff, and her three sisters, as well as Mr. Baker of Saline county, her brother-in-law. She was robed in the heavy mourning which she was worn during the trial and which becomes her so well. Her three sisters were arrayed in more cheerful colors. They had all made their toilet with unusual care, and as they reached the first-floor corridor coming from the jail they stopped just inside the large folding north door to submit to mutual inspection and put the finishing touched to the arrangement of their garments. Mrs. Sheedy appeared to be in an unusually cheerful mood. and smilingly chatted with her escort. While they stood thus employed Monday McFarland came in at the same door in the care of Deputy Sheriff Hoagland, conversing pleasantly with his sister, and followed by two other colored ladies. They passed the sextette at the door and repaired at once to the court room. where Monday resumed his accustomed seat at the end of the attorneys table.

It was several minutes ere Mrs. Sheedy came in and immediately every feminine neck in the court room was craned to catch a glimpse of the pale, composed face that looked out from the folds of the ample mourning veil. The members of the part appeared to be totally oblivious of the attention they were receiving, and quietly took their seats in the accustomed row facing the space between the court and the jury.

All of the attorneys were present except Captain Billingsley of McFarland's counsel, who appears to have dropped completely out of the case, having been supplanted by his partner, Mr. Woodward. It was thought at first that the attorneys would not probably consume more than two hours each, but the [?] of the case are so varied and exhaustive that one can hardly do justice to each feature of the evidence in that time. The eight arguments will, therefore, probably consume three entire days this week, closing probably tomorrow evening with the state's final argument by Mr. Lambertson.

It would be impossible to attempt to reproduce the arguments and the public must be content with a condensed statement of the substance of them without any reflection of the convincing language in which they were clothed.

Mr. Snell Opens for the State.

PLEADING FOR A VERDICT

SIX HOURS OF EARNEST ORATORY.

The Opening Arguments for the Three Parties to the Great Sheedy-McFarland Case.

County Attorney Snell Reviews the Evidence Generally in a Masterly Manner--Judge weir's Dignified Argument for Mrs. Sheedy.

Mr. Woodward Gets Fairly Begun.

The seats in the courtroom allotted to the public were not nearly filled yesterday morning when the opening hour arrived, but the arguments were not far advanced when not only the seats, but every available nook and corner in the large room were occupied by attentive and interested listeners. There were many more ladies present than at any time in the course of the trial and court officers and janitors had obligingly brought in a large number of camp chairs, which were placed inside the enclosure for the occupancy of the ladies, it was noticed that among the latter were many prominent Lincoln ladies who had not heretofore visited the trial, Mrs. Sheedy came into court accompanied by her uncle, Mr. Biggerstaff, and her three sisters, as well as Mr. Baker of Saline county, her brother-in-law. She was robed in the heavy mourning which she was worn during the trial and which becomes her so well. Her three sisters were arrayed in more cheerful colors. They had all made their toilet with unusual care, and as they reached the first-floor corridor coming from the jail they stopped just inside the large folding north door to submit to mutual inspection and put the finishing touched to the arrangement of their garments. Mrs. Sheedy appeared to be in an unusually cheerful mood. and smilingly chatted with her escort. While they stood thus employed Monday McFarland came in at the same door in the care of Deputy Sheriff Hoagland, conversing pleasantly with his sister, and followed by two other colored ladies. They passed the sextette at the door and repaired at once to the court room. where Monday resumed his accustomed seat at the end of the attorneys table.

It was several minutes ere Mrs. Sheedy came in and immediately every feminine neck in the court room was craned to catch a glimpse of the pale, composed face that looked out from the folds of the ample mourning veil. The members of the part appeared to be totally oblivious of the attention they were receiving, and quietly took their seats in the accustomed row facing the space between the court and the jury.

All of the attorneys were present except Captain Billingsley of McFarland's counsel, who [?]