Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May l, l902

'Ira Hammond on Trial at Mt. Ayr for the Murder of Miss Maude Stone.'

'THE VERDICT'

At l:45 the jury notified the court they had agreed on a verdict and were brought into court. When they were asked if they had agreed on a verdict, they said they had, and there was complete silence in the court room when the judge instructed Clerk Stranahan to read the verdict which read:

"We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty."
Sherman Beck, Foreman.

Judge Towner then formally discharged the defendant and exhonerated his bond.

From another column in the newspaper:

The much talked of and sensational trial of IRA HAMMOND, charged with being an accessory of DR. J.W. CROFFORD in performing a criminal operation on MAUDE STONE, from the effects of which she died at CROFFORD's sanitarium in Lamoni on Jan. 29, l90l, was brought to a close at Mt. Ayr Saturday afternoon shortly before 2 o'clock, when the jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." The case was one of the most talked of and sensational ever tried in southern Iowa, DR. CROFFORD having been convicted at the November term of court in this county and is now serving a thirteen year sentence in the penitentiary at Ft. Madison. His attorneys have appealed the case to the Supreme Court and are confident they can acquit him if a new trial can be secured. During the trial there were a large number of spicy and disgusting letters read which were written by IRA HAMMOND and the dead girl, the like of which were never heard before, especially in regard to their illicit relations. Judge Towner said it was the strangest case he had ever heard. Public sentiment in this county was divided as to the guilt of young HAMMOND, as he was younger than the girl and his attorneys always claimed that he was but putty in the girl's hands, and it was shown by his letters he was urging the girl to marry him all the time, but she wanted to wait until he became of age, being only 20 years old at the time of her death. At Mt. Ayr, public sentiment seemed largely to favor HAMMOND's acquittal. It is said the jury stood l0 to 2 for acquittal on the first ballot and on the third ballot, all voted for acquittal.

There is still a case pending against HAMMOND's mother, MRS. ANNA HAMMOND, who was also indicted as an accessory, being under $4,000 bonds, but it is likely this case will be dismissed at the next term of court.

THE END....

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
December 24, 2002