MA
II II! I!
II
VOL. 36.
BLOOMSBUltG, PA. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1901.
NO. G
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FOULLY MDRDERE:
Thomas McHenry, Awakened From
Sleep, Lured From His House
and Killed.
Going: to Investigate a Noise
in the Barn he is Shot
Down in the
Darkness.
Thomas McIIenry, a prosperous
farmer and lumber dealer residing
ear what is known as the Ikeler grist
mill a short distance this side of
Rohrsburg, was lured from his house
about one o'clock Sunday morning,
and assassinated. The circumstances
as we have been able to gather them
are as follows: Between twelve and
one o'clock Sunday morning, Mr.
McIIenry was awakened from sleep
by a noise in the barn. Fearing that
the disturbance was caused by an
animal in distress, he arose, lighted a
lantern, and proceeded to the barn.
It was quite dark, but from the house
he observed that the barn door stood
w de open. This gave rise to the
suspicion that something was wrong.
He had nearly reached the barn, when
a shot rang out and r. McHenry
fell to the ground. He managed to
icgain his ftet, and statted toward the
bouse. The wound however was a
serious one, and becoming weak
lrom loss of blood he fell. The re
port of the gun attracted the attention
of Mrs. McHenry, who going out
found her husband lying in the yard.
Me was carried into the house, where
an examination was made.
The contents of the weapon had
taken effect beneath the heart. Mr.
McIIepry was unconscious for several
hours. At six o'clock he became
rational, and remained so until death
came one hour later.
A staff correspondent of the Phil
adelphia Inquirer was on the ground
on Tuesday and gives the following
leport of the affair :
'The griet of the aged father, Sam
uel McHenry, and of the family is
pitiable in the extreme. But, added
to this is a determination to avenge
the death of the son and brother.
McClellan McHenry, a brother, who
had only that afternoon come from
Hazleton to visit his parents and
brother, is particularly relentless.
With a true brother's love he proposes
to see that the murderer is run to
ground, even should the county do
nothing. The meeting of the two
brothers, the one in the throes
cl death and the other so recently
returned to the old homestead, was a
sad and affecting one. When the
7-year-old son, Harold, clad only in
his night clothes and with bare feet,
ran over the snow to his grandfathers,
a quarter of a mile away, and getting
into the house, cried out: "Oh, some
one has shot papa! Come and help
si" the brother, McClelian, ran
hastily to his brother's house. The
dying man, with the blood streaming
from the fatal wound, recognized the
brother whom he had not seen for so
long. Instinctively he held out his
hand and then hoarsely whispered,
"Clell, who do you think could have
done this?"
All this time Mrs. McHenry, clad
only in her night dress, supported the
head of her husband and ministered
to his wants. It was not long after
being taken to his house that he
breathed his last."
ly is one of the most fiendish and
cold blooded crimes that blackens
Columbia county's history, and the
perpetrator had planned it well.
Several sacks of flour and grain had
been removed from the barn to an
, adjoining building for the purpose of
averting suspicion and to convey the
impression that robbery was the in
tention, and that the murder was only
committed to prevent detection. The
assassin was followed by his tricks for
a distance of nearly two miles.
Thomas McHenry was the son of
Samuel McHenry, and for some time
past' had been operating a saw mill
near Jamison City with Lafayette
Keeler. He had come home on Sat
urday to spend Sunday with his family.
He was about forty years of age and
leaves a wife and six children.
An inquest over the body was held
Monday morning and a verdict re
turned that death was due to a bullet
from a gun in the hands of an un
known person. J. B. Harman, Esq ,
of Orangeville, acted as coroner, and
the following were members of the
jury: J. H. Bright, M. M. Appleman,
Chas. Patton, Geo. B. Pattetson,
W. P. Ikeler, Jonathan Lemons.
The inquest also brought out
the fact that the weapon used was
a smooth-bore rifle. It is expect
ed that this fact will aid in the
finding of the guilty party. If the
murderer is apprehended, he will have
little sympathy, and justice can not
do its duty any too quick. While no
arrests have been made, .he finger of
suspicion is pointing in a certain direc
tion and sensational developments are
looked for.
The funeral was held yesterday at
half past ten o'clock in the Christian
church at the lower end of Rohrsburg.
The services were conducted by Rev.
S. A. Creveling of Rohrsburg, and
Rev. Dr. Gilbert of Berwick, the latter
being a relative of Mrs. McHenry.
A very large concourse of people
gathered to witness the final scene in
this great tragedy. Many of them
were relatives, for the McHenry family
is a large one; many more came
through sympathy and friendship,
while others still, as is usual in all
cases of a sensational character, were
drawn by curiosity. The church was
net large enough to contain the
crowd.
Now that the victim of this dastard
ly and villainous deed is buried, what
is to be done about it? Such action
must be taken by the authorities as
will show to the perpetrator of this
murder, and to all of his kind, that
men cannot be called out from their
beds at midnight and shot down in
cold blood, without any danger , of
punishment for the assassin.
The county commissioners have the
power to offer a reward and to em
ploy detectives under a law passed in
1889, which reads as follows:
"Be it enacted That the county
commissioners of the sevejal counties
of '.his Commonwealth may, when they
deem the time expedient, employ
detectives and offer such reward, in
addition to that offered by law, as in
their judgment the nature of tne case
requires, for the detection or appre
hension of any person charged with,
or perpetaating any felony, or aiding
or abetting the same; and upon the
conviction of such person the county
commissioners may pay such reward
out of the county treasury."
This is certainly a case where such
power should be exercised, and the
sooner the better. Columbia county
cannot afford to permit a murder like
this to go unavenged, a second time.
About twenty two years ago John Van-
liew was found murdered, in the road
not far from his dwelling, a mile and
a halt above Light Street. A coron
er's jury discovered the fact that he
had been killed with a discharge irom
a shot gun, by a person unknown, and
from that day to this nothing has ever
been done to discover the murderer.
This ought not to happen again
The people of th's county cannot af
ford to have it happen. A reward
should be offered, detectives employ
ed and every branch of the machinery
of the law be put in motion, and kept
mnvintr unt il the euiltv parties are
hunted down and made to expiate
their crime upon the scaffold. It is
not for venpeance that this is written,
but for the safety and security of so
ciety.
In an interview with District
Continued on Page 8 4th Col. J
DOINGS IN (HIT A MIDNIGHT HE
The Regular February Term
Now In Progress.
Time of Holding Fall Term
Changed to First Monday
of September.
The ringing of the Court House
bell, at 10 o'clock Monday morning,
was the signal to assemble for all
those who had business before the
regular Quarter Sessions Court. Af
ter the Judge, Hon. R. R. Little, and
Associates, J. T. Fox and J. U.
Kurtz, had taken the'r places upon
the bench, Courtcrier J. S. Williams
made the requisite and customary lit
tle speech and Court was in progress.
Now, February 4, 1901, it is or
dered that the time for the holding of
the regular fall term of the several
courts, in and for the County of Col
umbia, be changed, and that hereaf
ter the time for the holding ot the
said term of said courts be fixed for
the firs: Monday of September of
each year. It is further ordered that
a certified copy of this order be pub
lished in the Columbia County Re
publican, The Columbian and the
Democratic Sentinel, three newspa
)ir$ in the county, at least thirty days
irom this date. Bv the Court.
Commonwealth vs. Riter Goss.
Motion for new trial. Order of Court
filed refusing new trial.
Estate of Joseph B. Knittle. Ex
ceptions to widow's appraisements.
Order of Court filed.
In re petition of Stephen Michael
for citation to Sarah J. Hossler to file
an account as trustee. Order of Court
filed.
T. H. Edgar sworn as foreman of
the Grand Jury.
J. II. Maize vs. Jeremiah Kester.
Conclusions and order of Court filed.
Wm. H. Cook's use vs. Sadie J.
Jones et al. Rule to open judgment.
Order of Court filed. Rule dis
charged. Robert McBnde sworn as constable
to wait on Grand Jury.
Estate of Wm. Giger. Auditoi s
report confirmed nisi.
Estate of Sarah Schmick. Petition
for specific performance of contract.
Col. J. G. Freeze appointed as auditor
to take testimony and report facts, etc.
Es'.ate of Peter Hartzell. Order ot
sale granted.
Estate of Daniel Fry. Report of
sale confirmed nisi.
Petition of David Mouser, guardian
of Boyd W. and W. A. Fry to invest
money at five per cent. Granted.
Estate of Henry Hetler. Petition
to invest money at five per cent, inter
est by administrator. Granted.
Estate of Caleb Girton. Order of
sale granted.
.hstate of George Eves. Order for
private sale granted.
Estate of J. B. Patton. Return of
private sale confirmed nisi.
E. P. Hons appointed guardian of
May Kisner, minor child of Stella
Kisner.
Estate of Lahman Martz. Return
to writ of partition. Confirmed nisi.
Haines Yost appointed guardian of
Richard Kreisher, minor child of
Lucy Kreisher.
Estate of Charles Whitmire. Re
turn of sale confirmed nisi.
Report of viewers in favor ot county
bridge over Musser's run in Cleveland
township. Confirmed nisi.
Estate of Susannah Hunt. Auditor's
report confirmed nisi.
Estatate of Mary E. Drake. Audi
tor's report confirmed nisi.
Estate of Wm. A. Kile. Return
of sale confirmed nisi.
Petition of E. N. Perrin, guardian
of Edwin O. Terrin, for permission
to sell at private sale. Granted. Bond
approved, etc.
Estate of E. A. Rawlings. Peti
tion for clerk to make deed, etc.
Granted.
Estate of Rebecca Smith. Audi
tor's report confirmed nisi.
Report of viewers in favor of coun
ty bridge over Susquehanna river at
Milllinville. Confirmed nisi.
Daniel Force, vs. David Charles and
M. B. Klinger. Petition of M. B.
Klinger tor subrogation as plaintiff.
Register's aecounts confirmed nisi.
Widow's appraisements confirmed
nisi. '
Prothonotarys accounts confirmed
nisi.
Report of viewers in favor of va-
Continued on Page 8 ad Col.
Geo. Anderson's Confectionery
and Tooley & Co.'s Grocery
Badly Damaged.
Only the Prompt Response of
the Fire Companies Prevent
ed a Disastrous Blaze.
What might have been a very des
tructive fire broke out in the rear part
of George Anderson's confectionery
store shortly befoie two o'clock Tues
day morning. Clark Sheep had just
returne 1 from a sleigh ride and pass
ing the building he observed smoke
issuing out of the basement window.
Hastening to box thirteen he gave the
alarm, which aroused our slumbering
residents. A hurried investigation
was made and it was found that the
back part ot the store was on fire.
The Friendship's were the first on the
scene, and connecting with a plug
near by soon had a stream of water
playing on the flames.
The other companies came later,
and connected, and had everything
ready in case the fire should spread.
Had it not been for the timely dis
covery, the whole block might have
been burned as a very high wind was
blowing. The fire had its origin near
the stove, which is used for the manu
facture of candy. The room on the
opposite side ot the partition is occu
pied by Tooley & Co., grocers. Their
stock was considerably damaged, not
so much by the water as by the
smoke. The loss sustained by them,
we understand, is covered by insur
ance, and the amount carried by Mr.
Anderson, it is said, will keep him
whole, or nearly so. Tooley & Co.'s
loss was adjusted by the insurance
companies on Wednesday morning,
and they were opened for business in
the afternoon.
Part; From Light Street.
Mr. and Mrs. William Wertman en
tertained a sleighing party from Light
Street at their home on Bloom street
Friday evening. An oyster supper
was served. Those present were: Mr.
and Mrs. Irvin Lee, Mrs. William
Robbins. Mrs. Hulsizer, Mr. and Mrs.
E. G. Wertman, Misses Mary Custer,
Bertha Welliver, Lizzie Welliver, Mar
garet Howell, Dora White, Agnes
Roup, Bessie Townrend, Elizabeth
Buckwalter, Lena Richards, Clara
Merrill, Mattie Hagenbuch, Amanda
Snyder and Sadie Ilaring; Charles,
Clyde and Earnest Merrill, Benjamin
Creveling, William Hagenbuch, James
Welliver, Samuel Kressler, R. M.
Creasy, Harry Zeigler, John Crossley,
Milroy and Roscoe Wertman. Dan
ville News.
For Sale.
Three town lots on Ninth street
above Catharine, 3j feet front each,
and running back to the canal. Will
be sold on easy terms.- Inquire at
this office. 10-4 tf.
J. G WELLS,
Successor to S. F. Peacock
& Co., Market Square.
and
sausage
T. CK "WELLS,
General IIabdware,
Skates
staffers
S
pecia! Sale
MEN'S AND BOY'S
TROUSERS!
The prices
are all cut, and the goods
all wool. The sale on these
will last
ONE
so do not delay if you need
any of these goods.
mm
Come in and see us
The Leader Department Store.
After Inventory Bargains
In goin through our inventory we found
a lot of odds and ends. Quality first-class, but
for a variety of reasons we want to turn them
into cash.
Children's Coats,
Ladies' Coats, Half Price,
Some Lower.
FLANNELETTE WR APPERS.a third off.
BLANKETS, a full half off, and the cold
weather all ahead of us.
DRESS GOODS A special lot from 25c.
to 15c. ' '
FRENCH FLANNEL SHIRTWAISTS,
from a third to a half off.
Full lines of staple goods.
f
Carpets and Furniture.
Rather early to talk of Carpets and Furni
ture months before housecleaning but our
new goods are coming in, and they are beauties.
You will think you are walking on rosebuds
when you see them. The line of wool velvets,
which we have been selling,
Made, Laid and Lined, 90 Cents,
is larger in variety than ever before. They are
equal to any velvet sold in the market for $1.15.
Durable ? They are as much so as the velvets
for which you will pay $1.25 per yard.
Give us an early call and we will store the
carpets until you' need them.
THE
LEADER
1 1 nni
FOURTH AND
OF-
of these goods
WEEK MORI.
mmmm
we'll treat you right.
Half Price,
i CO.; LTD.,
MARKET STS.,
BLOOMSBURG, PA.
STORi
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