Bellefonte, Pa., March 1, 1329.
NOTED CRIMINAL LAWYER
SEES NO CRIME IN HEXING.
Clarence Darrow Believes “Hex”
Murder in York County a
Natural Symptom.
“A terrible outrage!”
«Clarence Darrow, noted
lawyer.
“Do you really think the State of
Pennsylvania will stand for it? Why,
a literal interpretation of the Bible
would force us to believe in witch-
craft. Is there any doubt that the
killers of Nelson Rehmeyer believed
he had an evil power he could exer-
cise at will?”
The dean of America’s criminal
lawyer, victor in 1000 court battles,
was discussing John Curry, 14-year
old pink-cheeked school-boy, who
waits in the county jail at York, Pa.,
‘while application for a new trial on
his behalf is being prepared.
Young Curry, tried with two others
for the now famous York county
“hex” murder, was found guilty and
condemned to life imprisonment. His
attorney, Walter W. Van Baman,
with whom has become associated
Harvey A. Gross, leader of-the York
County Bar, will go before the Quar-
er Sessions Court in York next month
and plead for a new trial for the boy.
If they fail there, they have announc-
ed, they will take the case to the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, a group in New York
has banded together and interested
themselves in young Curry, who
with John H. Blymer, 33, and Wilbur
‘G. Hess, 18—killed Rehmeyer while
in quest of a lock of their victim's
hair for use in breaking an evil spell.
This group is anxious to retain
Darrow to become associated with the
defense in the event that a new trial
should be granted to Curry. Plans to
this effect necessarily await the ap-
plication for the new trial and, while
Darrow said that he had not been ap-
proached in the matter, he clearly in-
dicated intense sympathy with the
Curry boy and willingness to help
should he be called upon.
“Belief in witchcraft,” the veteran
attorney began, settling down to the
interview he gave at the Hotel Bel-
mont here, where he is staying for a
brief visit, “cannot, in itself, he con-
sidered a crime.”
“If it were, there would be but few
of us really innocent. Not so many
years ago our best people and most
devout Christians not only believed in
witches, but guaranteed their celes-
tial happiness by murdering them.”
“We placidly admit that there are
sections of our country where people
are isolated by their own customs
and thought, or by geography, and
live quaintly a century and a half
behind our little more-enlightened
communities. But we forget that a
mere century and a half takes us al-
most back to Cotton Mather and the
stake. Then witches were hanged for
the glory of God and for the peace
of mind of those who thought they
had been or might be bewitched.
There are today groups of people who
have advanced but little in mentality
beyond the ignorant frenzy that glor-
ified in hangings.
“Even today a literal interpreta-
tion of the Bible would force us to
believe in witchcraft and sorcery.
And those simple folk, of which that
Curry boy is a product, hold strictly
to the word just as they find it.
To them the witch of Endor is very
real. The devil is real. Spells are
real. In their world, furnished by
traditions, myths and old-world lore,
handed down unchanged from one
generation to another, there are evil
spirits as certain in their destruc-
tion as a flying train bearing down.
on a motorist stalled on the tracks.
“Is there any doubt that Curry and
those others believed that Rehmeyer
had an evil power which he could ex-
ercise at will? Is there any doubt
that they thought a lock of his hair
would break the spell? Nothing new
in that belief, nothing unusual. Reach
into your own pocket for your own
personal protector against bad luck.
“Our belief in capital punishment
as a deterrent is just another form
of witchcraft. Apart from the mass
desire for revenge, there is a sub-
conscious desire to rid ourselves of
what we believe to be an evil per-
son. We look in vain for any proof
that executions have had any effect
on crime. When England punished
by death everything from bread and
sheep stealing to wholesale killing,
crime was far more general than it
is today. Education and the train-
ing of youths in trades and profes-
sions has diminished crime; never the
death penalty.
“Almost invariably a killer has no
firm anchorage in life such as a sure
vocation would give him. Go through
our jails, as I have done for many
years, and you ‘will find, as I have,
that the murderer rarely has a de-
veloped skill or trade which he can
pursue at a profit to himself and with
benefit to society.
“Furthermore although I do not
have the figures here, I would say
that 90 per cent, of our murderers are
under 35 years of age. As a man
or woman matures, the chances of
committing murder diminishes.
“Isn't there every reason to believe
that the crime of murder is a symp-
tom? In the York case it was clear-
ly a sympton of prevailing ignorance,
a condition which should never be al-
lowed to exist in the State of Penn-
sylvania.
“Every time a murder is committed
you will find a symptom of an indi-
vidual or social disease, and some-
times both, with the individual trou-
ble caused by the social neglect. A
physician who would attempt to
eliminate pox marks and ignore the
disease that caused them would be
more ridiculous than is society which,
through its courts and judges, at-
tempts to prevent crime by lopping
off its symptom members which
speak of secret and sinister diseases.”
exclaimed
criminal
DOMESTIC RELATIONS AND
PLEAS OF GUILTY COURT.
Big List of Cases Disposed of at
Regular Sitting Last Week.
Mopping up martial difficulties and
siting in judgment on numerous law
violators occupied the attention of
Judge Fleming in the regular session
of domestic relations and pleas of
guilty court, always held just prior
to the regular court session, for al-
most two full days last week. Al
told twenty-seven cases were heard
and fines levied totaled over twenty-
five hundred dollars while Sheriff
Harry Dunlap’s list of regular board-
ers was decidedly increased.
The first case called after court
convened on Thursday morning was
that of John Dullen Jr., of Philips-
burg, charged by his wife, Margaret
Dullen, with desertion and non-sup-
port. When Mrs. Dullen was called
to the witness stand she stated that
when she made the information in
the case she didn't know what she
was doing, as her husband Had not
deserted her and always provided
support for her and her children. The
case was promptly dismissed and the
costs placed upon the county.
In the case of Russell Flick, of
Sandy Ridge, charged with desertion
and non-support by his wife, Alice
Wolf Flick, evidence was presented
to show that they have three chil-
dren, one of whom is being kept by
Mrs. Flick’s father, one by Mrs. Flick
and the other adopted. The court or-
dered Mr. Flick to pay $15.00 a
month to the probation officer, one-
half of which is to go to the wife's
father and the other half to herself.
In the desertion and non-support
proceedings instituted by Mrs. Ethel
M. Kanarr against her husband, Say-
lor J. Kanarr, of State College, the
court ordered the defendant to pay
the costs and withdraw divorce pro-
ceedings instituted in Blair county,
then placed him on parole for three
months in the hope that a reconcilia-
tion may be effected.
Fred Smith, of Philipsburg, who de-
serted his wife, Mary Smith, was or-
dered to pay $15.00 a month for her
support and give bond in the sum of
$200 as asurance thereof, and to
stand committed until the sentence
is complied with.
Herbert Hollobaugh of Spring
township, who in 1926 was ordered by
Judge Keller to pay $40 a month to
the support of his wife, was granted
a rehearsing and at the conclusion of
same the order was reduced to $20 a
month and defendant required to give
bond in the sum of $300 to insure
payment.
Mart Romanik, of Rush township,
was charged by P. S. Richards with
a violation of the motor laws, the re-
sult of a collision between the prose-
cutor’s car and a truck driven by de-
fendant. As there was no evidence to
substantiate the charge the defendant
was discharged.
In the case of Bruce Reese, charged
with desertion by his wife, Agnes
Reese, an amicable settlement was
made.
Henry Sents, of Harris township,
was ordered to pay $25 per month
toward the support of his wife and
give bond in the sum of $300.
Commonwealth vs. Nathan Haugh,
charged with the illegal kill of a deer.
Prosecutor Thomas Mosier. Mr.
Haugh lives in lower Brush valley
and last fall killed a number of deer
which he claimed were damaging the
crops on his farm, but failed to re-
port the killings to a game protector
within forty-eight hours, as required
by law. Prosecution was brought be-
fore ‘Squire S. Kline Woodring, of
Bellefonte, and at the hearing defend-
ant entered into an agreement to
pay a certain fine and costs, but sub-
sequently appealed the case to court.
After hearing the testimony the case
was continued until March 15th to
give attorneys an opportunity for ar-
gument or to submit written briefs.
Comomnwealth vs. Fred B. Hicks,
violation of the motor laws. Prosecu-
tor, Cecil Gross, State highway pa-
trolman. The action was the result of
a collision on the Snow Shoe moun-
tain highway. Defendant was found
guilty and was ordered to pay the
usual fine and costs.
Commonwealth vs. A. C. Coble,
operating a motor vehicle while un-
der the influence of liquor. Prosecu-
tor, A. E. Yougel. Defendant plead
guilty and was sentenced to pay a
fine of $50 and go to jail for thirty
days.
Joseph Caparelli and Maggie Cap-
erelli, his daughter, entered pleas of
guilty to the possession of intoxicating
liquor for beverage purposes. This
case was from Coleville and Caparelli
was ordered to pay a fine of $350,
costs of prosecution and imprison-
ment in the county jail for six
months. In the case of Maggie Cap-
arelli the court told her that unfor-
tunately there is no proper accom-
modations at the county jail for a
woman so he sentenced her to pay a
fine of $50, costs of prosecution and
placed her under probation for a
period of two years.
Rufus Zerby, charged with a statu-
tory offense, was given the usual
sentence provided in such cases.
Ernest Leitch, Daniel Shay and
Carson Price, all plead guilty to the
charge of stealing chickens and oth-
er things from Centre county farm-
ers, the prosecutor in the case being
Willard Yearick. Leitch, who was
the ring leader, was ordered to pay
one dollar fine, costs of prosécution
and imprisonment in the Allegheny
county work-house for not less than
eighteen months nor more than three
years, while Shay and Price were giv-
en a dollar fine, costs and nine to
eighteen months in the work house.
The three young men were taken 10
that institution on Monday by dep-
uty sheriff Sinie H. Hoy and Harvey
Corman.
A. L. Courson, of Philipsburg, pled
guilty to possession of intoxicating
liquor and was sentenced to pay a
fine of $200 and go to jail for four
months.
John Hart, of Philipsburg, pled
guilty to possession and sale of liquor
and was sentenced to pay a fine of
$200 and imprisonment in the county
jail for three months.
Robert W. Knisely plead guilty to
two indicments charging him with
passing worthless checks. H. C. Gar-
ber, of State College, was the prose-
cutor, and the checks, $13.00 and
$12.00 respectively, were given in
payment of board. Defendant was sen-
tenced on each count to pay a fine of
one dollar, costs of prosecution and
thirty days in jail.
Harry Lindemuth and Toner Fish-
er, both of Unionville, entered pleas
of guilty to maintaining a gambling
device and each were sentenced to
pay a fine of $100, costs of prosecu-
tion and placed on probation for one
year.
Joe Crushett of Spring township,
or better known as Joe Kusas, plead
guilty to the manufacture and pos-
session of liquor and was sentenced
to pay a fine of $300, costs and four
months in jail.
Andy Capots, of Spring township,
66 years old and unable to speak or
understand English, plead guilty to
manufacture and possession and drew
a $200 fine, costs and two months in
jail.
William J. Parker and Ralph Eyer,
both of Bellefonte, plead guilfy to
transporting liquor for beverage pur-
poses. Both young men were caught
on the streets of Bellefonte driving
trucks loaded with beer. When ask-
ed by the court who they were driv-
ing for both said an Altoona man,
but they were unable to tell his name.
Looking both men in the face Judge
Fleming said: “Now what's the use
of you lying to the court. You were
not working for an Altoona man at
all, and the court knows it.” They
were each sentenced to pay a fine of
$300, costs of prosecution and placed
on probation for two years.
The case against Ambrose Piski,
charged with manufacture and illegal
possession, was continued until the
May term of court owing to the ill-
ness of his wife.
E. P. Richards, of Worth township,
plead guilty to possession and sale of
intoxicating liquor and was sentenced
to pay a fine of $200, costs and two
months imprisonment in the county
jail.
Theodore Parker, of State College,
plead guilty to possession and sale
of liquor, but because of his youth, he
being only 16 years old, and also be-
cause he confessed that he was hand-
ling the liquor for another man and
gave his name, he was sentenced to
pay the costs of prosecution and plac-
ed on probation for one year.
Lee Cowher, of Spring township,
plead guilty to possession of a quan-
tity of home brew and was sentenced
to pay a fine of $50 and placed on
probation for two years.
James Farthingham, of Philips-
burg, plead guilty to possession and
was given a fine of $25, costs of pros-
ecution and placed on probation for
three years.
e———— ete eeet
——Now is the time to buy a good
Sunbeam Heater. I have a fine heat-
er which I will put in your home for
$70.00. With pipe and board com-
plete—W. H. Miller, hardware.
74-9-1t
st ss A
——Omicron Eta, local sorority at
State College, was installed as Rho
chapter of Theta Phi Alpha, national
Catholic sorority, with special cere-
monies on Sunday. Centre county
residents who were admitted to mem-
bership include Mrs. Helen Haley and
Sarah L. Houser, of State College,
=]
and Miss Elizabeth Hazel, of Belle-!
fonte. The chapter starts out with
a membership of twenty-one.
A large Willys-Knight radiator for
$10.00. Also a good second hand
range very cheap at W. H. Miller's
hardware. T4-9-1t
————lp eee.
Students are Below Weight Standards.
Figures tabulated by the school
division of the bureau of child health
of the State Health Department show
that of 42,515 pupils recently examin-
ed in fifteen different counties
throughout the Commonwealth more
than 19 per cent. were under weight.
Ten per cent. of this number had their
condition definitely attributed to un-
der nuorishment. The remainder were
diagnosed as malnourished and over-
fatigued.
Dr. J. Bruce McCreary, deputy sec-
retary of health, commenting on this
report said that there is of course a
certain proportion of the school popu-
lation which is naturally under-
weight. This, however, represents an
exceedingly small number of the total
of children showing this condition.
“Parents must appreciate,” Dr. Mc-
Creary said “the necessity of the prop-
er type of food for their children as
well as the quantity. In all probability
improper recreations that lead direct-
ly to late hours, are more responsible
than any other one factor for the
fatigue in young people which is be-
. coming more generally pronounced.”
—Subscribe for the Watchman.
- hi
71-16-tf
LUMBER?
Oh, Yes!
W.R. Shope Lumber Co.
Lumber, Sash, Doors, Millwork and Roofing
Call Bellefonte 432
Real Estate Transfers.
Fred L. Pattee, et ux, to Joseph B.
Shaw, tract in State College; $10,000.
Mary Madara to William H. Ma-
dara, tract in Gregg Twp.; $1.
H. B. Shattuck, et ux, to Cecil A.
Walker, tract in State College; $1.
Cecil A. Walker to H. B. Shattuck,
et ux, tract in State College; $1.
J. F. Rossman, et ux, to John Rear-
ick, et ux, tract in Ferguson Twp.;
$1,100.
Phoebe E. Krebs to Atthalia Dear-
mit, tract in Ferguson Twp.; $450.
Harry V. Hile, et ux, to George C.
Hile, tract in Spring Twp.; $1.
George C. Hile to Harry V. Hile,
et ux, tract in Spring Twp.; $1.
W. J. Sheriff, et ux, to G. C. Irish,
tract in Philipsburg; 1.
G. C. Irish, et ux, to W. J. Sheriff,
et ux, tract in Philipsburg; $1.
Robert Baney to Annie E. Reichert,
tract in Bellefonte; $1.
Mary E. Casselberry, et al, to
Louise H. Rightnour, tract in How-
ard Twp.; $1.
Edward L. Orwich to W. W. Price,
tract in Taylor Twp.; $1,100.
W. F. Stover, et ux, to Wilbur H.
Decker, tract in Millheim; $270.
John F. Kimport, et ux, to Lilie B.
Womer, tract in Harris Twp.; $1.
Mary E. Morgan, et bar, to Albert
S. Lingle, tract in Gregg Twp.; $1,000.
Jacob C. Lee, et ux, to Robert W.
Neese, tract in Gregg Twp.; $1.
Vielcan Trading Co. to Woodland
Stores Inc. tract in Rush Twp.; $1.
J. W. Henszey, et ux, to Orlanda
W. Houts, tract in State College;
$773.79.
Centre County Commissioners to M.
K. Pringle, et al, tract in Rush Twp.;
$1.
Centre County Commissioners to
M. K. Pringle, et al, tract in Rush
Twp.; $1.
BE
Why Inventors Got Rumble Seat
Idea.
one vehicle for each 7.18 of popula-
tion.
Thirty-six other States have a low-
er ratio of persons per car but Penn-
sylvania stands third on the list of
total cars licensed and only 383,000
below the highest total, which is for
New York.
Henry Shoemaker Visited Ed Haupt’s
Veiled Lady Cavern.
Henry W. Shoemaker, editor, writ- |
er and member of the Pennsylvania
historical commission, visited G. Ed-
ward Haupt’s Veiled Lady cavern, in
Brush valley, on February 2nd, and
in a communication te Mr. Haupt
says:
I visited the “Veiled Lady Cavern”
today and was greatly pleased. I
have a number of ideas I would like
to convey to you when I see you.
If I bring J. M. Hoffman, State sup-
erintendent of parks, with me on
March 2nd would you be able to be
there ?
I hope you will spare the grand,
old trees around the cave. I found
much finer trees than Mr. Chatham
told me were around the cave en-
trance.
I hope you will stay your wood-
man’s axe from the remainder, as
they are the glory and the beauty of
the approach to the cave. Kzep
things natural, don’t fix up too
much, and you will have, in my es-
timation, a property second to none
in the State.”
e———— eee.
Highway Total is Now 13,330 Miles.
Pennsylvania's
under
highway mileage
State control totals 13,330
miles, 12,750 miles of authorized sys- !
tem and 580 miles of State aid, ac-
cording to official figures of the Penn-
sylvania Department of Highways.
About 8830 miles are hard-surfaced
and the remaining 4500 unimproved
or slightly improved includes 1214
added July 1, 1928, by an omnibus bill
enacted in 1927.
DISTURBED SLEEP IS
Nature’s Danger Signal
Mrs. B. F. Myers, Shirleyshurg, Pa.
, Says, “I am willing to tell or write
‘my complete experience with Lithiat-
ed Buchu (Keller Formula) How I
was bothered with bladder weakness
disturbing me 10 to 12 times each
Automobile license totals for 1928 ! night. My husband was also benefit-
indicate that Pennsylvania now has |ed.”
It acts on bladder as epsom
salts do on bowels. Drives out for-
eign deposits and lessens excessive
acidity. This relieves the irritation
that causes getting up nights. The
tablets cost 2 cents each at all drug
stores, Keller Laboratory, Mechanics-
burg, Ohio, or locally at C. M. Par-
rish’s, Druggist.
rage ©
the directory.
Kiends don’t
it for granted.
WE FIT THE FEET
SERVICE OUR SPECIALTY
ad
«See you soon ... You're in
of course >’. . . .
ask you if you
have a telephone ... they take
THE TELEPHONE BOOKS ARE
THE DIRECTORY OF THE NATION ‘
COMFORT GUARANTEED
Baney’s Shoe Store
WILBUR H. BANEY, Proprietor
30 years in the Business
BUSH ARCADE BLOCK
BELLEFONTE, PA.
SPECIAL ORDERS SOLICITED
WHO IS YOUR BUTCHER?
Your guests will want to ask this
question when they have once
tasted our delicious lamb; and
you may be sure that steaks,
veal, roasts, and other items
from our establishment are just
as good and tender.
Telephone 667
Market on the Diamond
Bellefonte, Penna.
P. L. Beezer Estate.....Meat Market
, trusteed to hiis care.
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
\ KLINE WOODRING.—Attorney-at
Law, Bellefonte, Pa. Practices im
all courts. Office, room 18 Crider’s
Exchange. 51-1y
KENNEDY JOHNSTON.—Attorney-at=
Law, Bellefonte, Pa. Prompt ate
tention given all legal business em-
Offices—No. 5, Hast
57-44
High street.
J M. KEICHLINE. — Attorney-at-Law
and Justice of the Peace. All pre=
fessional business will receive
prompt attention.
of Temple Court.
Offices on second floor
G. RUNKLE.—Attorney-at-Law, Com=
49-5-1y
sultation in English and German.
Office in Crider's Exchange, Belle-
fonte, Pa. 58-3
PHYSICIANS
R. R. L. CAPERS.
OSTEOPATH.
Bellefonte
State College
Crider’s Ex.
66-11 Holmes Bldg.
S. GLENN, M. D., Physician and
Surgeon, State College, Centre
county, Pa. Office at his Tesiaones.
D. CASEBEER, Optometrist.—Regis-
tered and licensed by the State.
Eyes examined, glasses fitted. Sat-
isfaction guaranteed. Frames replaced
and leases matched. Casebeer Bldg. High
St., Bellefonte, Pa. 71-22-t2
VA B. ROAN, Optometrist, Licensed by
the State Board. State College,
every day except Saturday,
Bellefonte, in the Garbrick building op-
posite the Court House, Wednesday after-
noons from 2 to 8 p. m. and Saturdays 9
a. m. to 4.30 p. m. Bell Phone 40
FEEDS!
We have taken on the line of
Purina Feeds
We also carry the line of
Wayne Feeds
We have purchased several car loads
of Chick Feeds for this spring deliv-
ery. We can make you the right
price on same.
Wayne Dairy, 329% - $3.00 per H.
Wayne Dairy, 249% - 2.70 per H.
Wayne Egg Mash - 3.25 per H.
Wayne Calf Meal - 4.25 per H.
Wayne All mash starter 4.00 per H.
Wayne All mash grower 3.60 per H.
Purina Dairy, 34% - 38.10 per H.
Purina Dairy 249, - - 2.80perH.
Wagner’s Dairy, 229 - 2.50 per H.
Wagner's egg mash - 2.80 per H.
Wagner's Pig Meal - 2.90 per H.
Wagner’s Dairy Mixture
of cotton seed meal,
oil meal, gluten and
bran, 30% - - 2.80 per H.
Oil Meal, 349, - - 8.30 per H.
Flax Meal, 169, - - - 240perH.
Cotton seed meal - 8.00 per H.
Fine ground Alfalfa - 2.25 per H.
Meat meal, 45% - 4.00 per H.
Tankage, 60% - = 4.25 per H.
Oyster Shell - - 1.20 per H.
Stock Salt - - 1.20 per H.
We carry at all times Scratch feeds,
mixed and pure corn chop, bran, mid-
dlings of the best quality at the right
prices.
We can make you up any kind of
a dairy mixture with your corn and
oats chop, at a much better price
than commercial feeds will cost you.
We will deliver all feeds for $2.00
per ton extra.
If You Want Good Bread or Pastry
TRY
“OUR BEST”
OR
“GOLD COIN” FLOUR
CY. Wagner & Co. nc
BELLEFONTE, PA.
———
66-11-1yr.
Caldwell & Son
Bellefonte, Pa.
Plumbing
and Heating
Vapor....Steam
By Hot Water
Pipeless Furnaces
RA a A aa A a a dia
Full Line of Pipe and Fit-
tings and Mill Supplies
All Sizes of Terra Cotta
Pipe and Fittings
ESTIMATES
Cheerfully and Promptly Furnished
06-15-t£.