Page:The Great Harry Thaw Case.djvu/298

 The nine, it was reported, were veering most strongly to manslaughter in the first degree and the three holding out for acquittal.

At noon the crowd about the courthouse was so great that traffic was practically stopped. More than 5,000 people gathered about the building and when a rumor that any member of the Thaw family was about to leave the building they surged from one corner to another, sweeping the few policemen who were trying to preserve order almost off their feet.

A call for reserves from several nearby precinct stations was responded to by half a hundred men, who were distributed on both of the streets on all four sides of the building.

Inspector McClusky issued orders that no crowd was to be permitted to congregate. No one was allowed to stand on the sidewalks, all of the curious being obliged to keep moving.

The jury did not go out to luncheon, but had its meals sent in, and this added strength to the rumors that a verdict was near.