The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago.

March 8, 1921

JURY UNABLE TO AGREE ON BANK VERDICT

Unable to agree the jury in the case of Mrs. Myrtle W. Blakeley, former county treasurer, charged with malfeasance in office, in connection with the Bank of Jacksonville failure was discharged by the court this morning, at 9:30 o’clock after an all-night session.

According to members of the jury, the count stood nine for conviction and three for acquittal on the first ballot and never changed throughout the night. After eight o’clock last night it was known a verdict was impossible, the jurors said.

Haggard and worn, the jury filed into the box, and voiced in unison their inability to agree. In response to queries from the court, B. J. Palmer, their foreman, announced that there was not a slightest chance for a verdict. This statement was corroborated by William Budge and other members of the jury.

One juror stated after his discharge from the case, that both sides early announced their stand, and stayed with it, both declaring they would never waver, which subsequent events proved.

Mrs. Blakeley was in court when the jury returned, and was the only woman present. Afterwards in the hall of the courthouse, she wept bitterly.

In discharging the jury, the court did not state what future action would be taken, but a re-trial at the next term of court is the regular procedure.

The consensus of opinion around Jacksonville and among spectators was that Mrs. Blakeley is the “goat” and was guilty only of violation of a technicality.

The evidence introduced by both sides was highly involved, and concerned technical accounting.

BIG FURNITURE SALE STARTED WITH A BANG

The big removal sale of furniture, stoves and house furnishings started off with a bang today. People were waiting when the doors were opened and the stores on South Fir street and West Main were crowded all day. The reductions of 20 to 50 percent on all goods, mixed with the liberal use of printer’s ink proved a drawing card, and the people responded. There are hundreds of bargains yet, the sale will continue but don’t put off making your visit to the stores.

SPRAYING EXHIBITION AUTO CAMP GROUNDS

The two days school in orchard culture and disease control conducted by Prof. Clayton Long, horticultural extentionist of the O. A. C., and County Agent Cate began at 10 a.m. today with a spraying demonstration at the city auto camp grounds, which continued all day, all the types of sprayers being exhibited and worked. Many orchardists, especially those contemplating purchasing sprayers, dropped in on the demonstration throughout the day.

— Alissa Corman;acorman@rosebudmedia.com