The Centre reporter. (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, November 27, 1902, Image 1

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    VOL. LXXV.
THEY GIVE THANKS,
and Are Thankful,
Thanksgiving !
Yes, give thanks,
John :
Bill :
Johu :
ing ?
Bill: Ob,
yes. Busy
has too much work, or too
worry, or too much
John: It appears there are plenty
of people who gravely misuse Thanks-
giving Day.
Bill : Thoughtlessly.
John: Thoughtlessly and studiedly.
Bill : Do you think there is really
any heartfelt thunksgiving done any
way ; that is, outside of what the
preachers do.
John: Most assuredly. There is
this difference : The minister expresses
thanks in a public way, for the publie;
the minister's thanksgiving while on
a peculiar and particular function of
tians; his thanksgiving is of a general
character.
Bill :
made a greater day.
so much.
The day implies
Divine for his constant, innumerable
and adore and worship God.
John: You take it that Thanks-
DAYID MILLER GUILTY.
Jury After Deliberations Says
Second Degree.
INO OTHER CASES OF PARTICULAR
NOTE THIS COURT,
A Full Report of the Court Proceedings, by
W, Harrison Walker, Esq.
David Miller was found guilty of
the degree. The
7:80 o'clock
after the jury
| murder in second
verdict was rendered at
| Wednesday evening,
{ had deliberated two hours and forty-
five minutes,
{ The court house was packed to over-
[lowing in an instant after the bell
| rang which announced that the jury
| bad agreed.
| David Miller, the prisoner, received
| the verdict without particular concern.
A second degree verdict was offered
{ him before the case was tried, but the
| ofter was rejected, and manslaughter
| demanded.
The imprisonment for murder in
| the second degree isas the court de-
i cides, the maximum vpumber of years
| of imprisonment being twenty,
;
ial thanks for special gifts to the indi-
vidual, the community, the nation,
the world.
Bill : Just so.
John: Look the world over; what
do you think isthe greatest blessing
to mankind that we are enjoying. Of
course, I mean to exclude every thing
God-given.
Bill : Then I say, we have nothing
to be thankful for.
God. God is Good, Love,
John : Bill, you're getting too seri-
ous. I mean what ought we to be
most thankful for that was brought
about by mankind, as man’s work is
generally understood.
Bill : Free Government!
Joho:
A government such as ours, or, rather,
a government such as the constitution
prescribes, is a blessing such as is not
enjoyed to as full an extent by any
nation on the earth.
Bill : Great assertion,
but true.
administration of governmental af-
mine the constitution, the national
and siate laws, by greedy corporations;
some in high authority to pose as be-
ing immaculate and haviog
nitions of political events that is un-
warranted and is becoming disgusting;
there are agitators who should b
curbed, but these criticisms must
stand in the background on Thanks
giving Day.
A —
LOCALS.
ostmaster at Caldwell, Clinton couuty
J cto MecClenahan is one of the
regular hands at the Dubb's stave
| will on Nittany Mountain.
George Dietrick, a tax collector of
Williamsport, has been arrested on
the charge of converting to his own
use nearly $1,000 that belonged to
Lycoming county.
Howard Durst, who had announced
public sale for March 18, bas decided
to continue farming where he is at
present, and covsequently withdraws
his announcement,
Harvey Smith, while working on
the Richley lumber job pear Potters
Mills, bad the misfortune to have his
leg broken by a log striking him. He
was taken to his home at Penn Hall
C. Harry Gould has been appointed
postmaster at Vicksburg to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the resignation
of Howord W. Dieffenderfer, who was
elected treasurer of Union county at
the recent election.
J” Eating a portion of horse chestnut
nearly caused the death of Edith Brit
tain, aged two years, at Muoecy. The
doctor claimed if the child had eaten
1 the whole of the chestnut her life
N\ could not have been saved.
J. 8B. Bhowers, of near Tusseyville,
waa a caller Saturday. Mr. Bhowers
announces sale March 19, of his farm
stock and implements. He has not
definitely decided in what manner
his farm will bereafter be farmed.
Mrs. J. 8B. Bhowers, of Tusseyville,
spent & week or ten days near Kart-
house, with two of her aunts Coal,
pays the lady, that previous to the
rise in price sold for seventy-five cents,
no extra freight to pay.
¢. Leon GriMith and Vern Taylor,
of Scranton; Wm. Wolf, of Bermuda
Island; and J. Roy Kelley, of Reeds-
ville, all students at Pennsylvania
Penns Cave, and on their return favor-
ed the Reporter with a brief call. Mr.
Wolf, whose home islaud is but 30535
miles in dimension, is naturally struck
with the vastness of this country,
¥
The Reporter readers are indebted to
| W. Harrison Walker, Esq., of the firm
{ port. Much as he would like to, the
{editor is unable to attend these ses-
| pecially for the Reporter. Mr. Walker,
however, is as reliable a court report-
jer as he is an attorney, and will
| give an account such as the various
| cases demand,
i
{ The regular term of Novem ber court
{ convened Monday morning with Hon.
| John G. Love, P. J., on the bench, and
Prothonotary Gardner, Register Arch-
ley and official Court Stenographer
The forenoon session was largely
{consumed in the presentation of mo-
{ tions and petitions of various counsel;
| auditors appointed at last session of
| court handed ir report;
i 3
i stables of the various towoships and
1
i
in the con
boroughs in the county made their
usual quarterly returns,
Fine Court theu sppointed WW, H.
of the Graad Jury aod after some in-
struction by the Court the Grand Jury
retired to their room to
pass upon the different bills of iodiet-
ment that laid before them
by District Attorney Spaugler.
Beveral of the traverse jurors were
consider and
are to he
i discharged on account of sickness and
| other reasons,
i Tuesday morning was the time fixed
| for the calling of the case of Common.
wesnlth versus Miller who is charged
| with the shooting of his son-in-law,
i Robert Roach, of near Sandy Ridge.
The list of cases on the erimipal eal-
endar is small, and there are po cases
to be tried at this Court of any im-
portance except the Miller case,
Court adjourned at 11:30 Monday
forenoon to 2 p. m.
I'he first case called Monday after.
noon was that of Amanda Ostrander
versus The Overseers of the Poor of
snow Shoe Township.
r——
Court convened Tuesday morning at
President Judge, on the bench, and
the other court officials in their re-
spective places,
At 9:12 David Miller, who stands in-
dicted with the shooting of his son-
in-law, Robert Roach, was brought in.
to court by Deputy Sheriff Jackson.
The defendant took his seat near one
of the counsel tables while near him
were seated his attorneys, Col. Wilbur
F. Reeder and E. R. Chambers, Esq.
The Commonwealth was represented
by District Attorney Spangler and J.
C. Meyer, Esq. A true bill was found
by the grand jury at August term of
was directed to stand up. Prothono-
tary Gardner then read the indictment
to him after which he said, “Gulity
or not guilty.” Defendant replied
‘not guilty.” “How will you be tried”
to which he answered, “by God and
by my country.” The following ju-
rors were then called who were sepa
rately examined :
burg. I could render a verdict accord-
ing to the evidence in the case. Iam
not related to any of the parties; I am
not opposed to capital punishment,
Challenged by defense.
Daniel Bpittler—~Live at Bandy
Ridge; know defendant; have made up
my mind as to what I would do in the
case, Juror excused by the court,
H. W, Morris. Read sccount of the
shooting ia the papers; have vot form-
ed an opinion as to the guilt or inno
cence of defendant. Challenged by de
feuse.
John IL. Kuisely, Bellefonte, Read
; have no seru-
account of the
ples against capital punishment; would
render a verdict according to the evi-
dence in the case, Challenged by de-
fense,
fendant; have no consciencious seru-
ples against capital punishment. Ju-
ror accepied.
C. Martin—Read account
in the papers about the case; have no
scruples against capital punishment,
Juror accepted,
Luther Wirt—Never read an account
of the shooting; no scruples against
capital punishment. Challenged by
defence,
» Howard Goss—Do not know defend-
in the case; juror accepted,
William Robinson—Do not know de
fendant; could render a verdict accord-
ing to the evidence; challenged by!
Commonwealth,
Nathaniel Bierley—Justice of the
Peace, Boggs township; juror chal
lenged by Commonwealth,
James Weaver—Live at Woodward;
do not know defendant, did not read
about the shooting in any of the pa-
pers; challenged by defense,
ma Nathan Dale—Do not know defend-
{ant; bave not formed an opinion as to
{the guilt or innocence of defendant;
{ juror accepted.
ke. A. C. Williams—Read account of
{shooting in papers; not related to par-
| ties; no scruples against capital pun-
| ishment; Juror accepted.
Isaiah Woodle—~Know defendant; I
live in Rush township; juror challeng-
ied by Commonwealth.
J. H. Meyers—Live in Boalsburg: do
i not know defendant; am troubled with
{my hearing, would render & verdict
| according to the evidence; challenged
| by defense,
J. F. Heckman—Do not know de-
| fendant; read about ease, could render
{sn impartial verdict; no scruples
| against capital punishment; challeng- |
ed by defense,
James Ross, Jr.—Live at Linden
Hall; do not know prisoner, have not
discussed the case; accepted.
| Joseph Garbrick—Live in Bellefonte
{do not know prisoner; read account in
| papers; have not formed an opinion;
| challenged by defense,
| C.S. Bartges—Live in Gregg town-
| ship; formed no opinion in the case;
| do not know defendant; challenged by
| defense.
D. K. Keller—Do not know Miller:
read about the shooting; challenged by
defense,
John P. Eves—Live in Half Moon
township; do not know defendant; ju-
ror challenged by Com.
M. J. Henderson—Do not know de-
fendant; have seen him: have not
formed sn opinion in this case; juror
challenged by Com.
Wm. Kellerman—Live in Patton
{ township; have vot formed ao opinion
in this case; juror challenged by Com,
Jacob Glossner—Do not know
fendant; sm not opposed to capital
punishment; juror challenged by Com,
H. M. Krebs—Live in Pive Grove
Mills; I do pot know prisoner; chal-|
lenged by defense,
Samuel Everhart, College township; |
Would render a verdict according to |
the law and the evidence in the case: |
Juror accepted, |
J. H. Rishel—-Have not formed an!
opinion in the case; have no scruples
against capital punishment; read ac
count of shooting in Centre Hall Re
porter; challenged by defense.
i
i
i
i
i
{
de-
§
fendant; no scruples against capital
punishment; accepted,
J. B. Mayes—Live in Lemont; do
not know defendant; challenged by
Com.
D. W. Clark—Excused on account
of being hard of hearing.
Fred Kemmerer—Live in Benner
township; do not know prisoner; have
no scruples against capital punish.
ment; challenged by Com.
Jonathan E. Miller—Live in Belle
fonte; do not know prisoner; have not
formed or expressed an opinion in the
case; challenged by Com.
;
prisoner; would render a verdict ac-
cording to the evidence in the case; ac-
cepted,
Geo. Fred Musser—Excused by the
Court; witness stated that he had
formed an opinion and that the evi-
dence would not change it.
J. H. Weaver; challenged by de-
fense.,
W. C. Bmeltzer—Live in Spring
township; no scruples against capital
punishment; accepted.
John P. Bebring—Live in Half Moon
township; have not formed an opin.
fon in case; no scruples against capital
punishment; challenged by Com.
Joseph Grossman; challenged by de.
Jacob Heaverly; challenged by pris-
oner.
Adam Ertle; challenged by Com,
Chas. F. Meosch—Live in Belle
fonte; do not know defendant; have
read considerably about it and have
ex an lon; chal
Sxpremsy opinion; lenged by
Robert Kreamer; challenged by de-
fense,
Bamuel Bhoop, Centre Hall—Do not
know defendant; have not formed or
expressed an opinion; challenged by
Com.
Bamuel Spangler; challenged by
Commonwealth,
Bamuel Bykes; excused by Court,
Michael Heaton, Boggs township;
challenged by Com.
| Thomas foal, Potter
challenged by Com, |
H. V. Hile, Spring township; chal-|
| lenged by defense.
Alfred Witherite;
| Commonweslth.
Edward Williams, teacher,
township; challenged by defense,
V. J. Baver was called as a “Tales
man’’ by the sheriff and examined on
his voir dire —Live in Bellefonte; have
township;
challenged by
Harris |
not opposed to capital punishment; ac-
cepted,
E. M.
challenged by defense,
J. W. Musser, Millheito:
by defense,
Boone, Haines towunship;!
challenged
Belle.
would
George Uiarbrick, gentleman,
fonte: do I
render an impartial verdict in the case:
neceptled,
not kuow prisoner;
The following gentlemen make up |
the jury : Budd Thompson, farmer, |
Huston; Wm. CC. Martin, farmer, |
Spring; Howard Goss, farmer, Fergu-
sou; Nathan Dale, agent, Spring; A.
C. Willinmus, farmer, Taylor; James
Ross, Jr., farmer, Harris; Samuel Ev-|
erbart, farmer, College; Emanuel Mus- |
: Haines;
gent Augustus |
farmer,
Witherite, WwW. CC.
Rmeltzer, teacher, Spring; V. J. Baus
Bellefonte;
wer, eman,
Union;
merchant, George Gar-|
Court convened Tuesday afternoon |
at 1:30 oclock. The jury was brought |
into court by Tip-Btaves Mel ‘aflerty |
aud Haupt. The jury will be
taived at the Brockerhoft House dur-|
ing the trial of the case. Mr. Miller, |
the prisoner, was brought into court |
by Sheriff Brungart.
Toe case was opened on the part of
Distriet Attor-
ney Spangler,.who io a brief manner
outlined the fact of the case and stated |
what they would prove by witnesses
f the
enter. |
the Commonwenith |
to te called in behalf o Common.
wealth.
Wilson Roach called and sworn: live
Robert A.
loach was my son, he was thirty-five
at Osceoln; know prisoner:
years, two mouths, and a few days
Flora Miller
they
my
old; he was married to
about fourteen
three children
Years ago: had
living when
Saw my son July
in the road where he fell after he was |
I talked with my I also!
talked with prisoner and he told me
Bob and it 1]
My
sON was conscious Lo the last: he asked |
son!
was shot 20. 1002.
shot, On,
that he had shot that
stepped in he would shoot me too
the people there to pray for him; they |
did. Miller said to Roach after he had |
been shot, “how do you feel?’ Roach |
told him that he didn’t deserve such |
treatruent; Miller said “you are a
liar." My son's occupation was that
of a miver,
Cross-examined by Col. Reeder,
Roach testified that he had a talk
he eaid be saw the wound in his son.
I told 1. J. Coffee toarrest him. Some |
one brought me word that my son was
ghot; it was about 6:30 when I got up
to the place where he was; quite a
number of people were there when 1
got up where my son was lying. My
son was supposed to own the house in
which he lived. He was married to
David Miller's daughter; I did not say
to Miller that if I had anything to
shoot I would shoot him.
Fiora Roach oslled, sworn and testi.
fied that she lived at Edeundale, Rush
township; I was married to Robert A,
Roach; he is dead; we had been wmar-
ried fourteen years; we had six child.
ren, only three liviog. My husband
was shot by my father; it was some
time io the evening of July 21, 1902
My husband lived three hours after he
was shot; my father and mother were
away from the house several days be-
fore the shooting. Tonere was some
trouble between my father and my
husband; I heard some noise over at
my father’s house; I went over there
and found my husband holding my
father down on the floor; I afterwards
saw them tussling in the yard; one of
the girls told my husband that my fa-
ther was going to shoot him. The sec-
ond shot was fired ten or fifteen min-
utes after the first one; I was in my
kitchen when both shots were fired; |
told my father not to shoot Robert but
he said he would; I saw my husband
lying in the road after he was shot; I
heard my father had sald he would
short Robert if it took six weeks in
which to do it.
Cross examined by KE. R. Chambers,
Robert said he was "not hurting the
ther followed him out to the yard.
Bob went up stairs for his revolver; we
conxed him to go to the woods; he
took his revolver with him; I don’t
27. 1902,
know whether my father was drink |
ing or not; I held my father until Bob |
could get out of the house; as soon as I |
let go of him he started after Bob, He |
got the revolver after my father said |
he would shoot him.
Alice Miller called and sworn, Da- |
vid Miller is an uncle of mine by mar- |
riage; I made my homewith them
tix years; Mr. Miller was very drunk |
on July 21, 1902; he was not home that i
afternoon; when he came home
was some trouble up stairs;
do any shooting.
Cross examined. There
there |
ouly al
Was
few seconds between the two shots, i
Mrs. Minnie Miller testified that she
lived at Osceola, was married to a son i
of the prisoner; was at their
when the shooting took place;
hit his wife when she
slairs,
house |
Miller |
Was Ig up
a
gO
Cora Gardner testified that David!
Miller was her uncle, ‘Lat she made
her home there; was not there
they had their tussle up stairs:
wien
§ i
I€Ara
Cross examined: I did no®
Mill
awful drunk
¥
Be 1
strike his wife; Dave was
in the morning.
Maude Dixon testified that she
home
fired: Mrs
plead with her father noi t
husband.
Henry Wetzel called:
survey of the distances
erties;
ved
at Edendale: was at
heard both =
that
LiGls
ot 10
I
Detw ee
ti
the witness gave th
* Al
distances and a draft wade by |
offered in evidence.
11: ¥
ian
Thomas Maher sworn:
Miller standing in the road
the
$3
tis
FRW
¥
2; be was standing near
Dave was standin
2
with the barrel of the g
it, aud insisted that he would
the Whas he
coming out of the woods lis
Lear
in enlitip
yelled to Bob to look out t
was now up, and then
droppec where he had been standing
Patrick
ob Roscli's
Bob was sh
Rooney sworn: lived near
House: was thers wie
Dave and
He
saw he i
afl
we he would shoot Roach.
ward shot Bob
Stonebraker
heard Dave Miller say
that he would kill
Ie
Valentine EW OID
to Mr. R»
her husband
u
This
{en apart
Jerry Dixon
corroborated the
and Stonebraker.
Dr. F. B.
July 21 1902 where, he fell
shot: took
that the
hip and
body,
Ww wil
Ro
% g
lew’ ions of
saw Rosch
{ by
ai
tt
Reed, sw
rn;
bx "E
edd
{
f his case at
charge «
ball entered Rosch sbove the
passed entirely through hls
Tuesday
evening to 830 Wednesday mor:
Court adjourned at 5:12
ing
Wednesday morning Court called at
The draft
dence at which
wealth **
AL R:S5 E.R Chambers, E«q., open- |
ened on part of the defense, outlining
f
{
R20 offered
the
Wis I evi
point Common
FoRls,
what would be proven on part of de-
fonse; he stated that the defendant was
a man of 64 years of age. They
endeavor to prove the fact that
prisoner was exceptionally drunk:!
¥
+331
wii
ithe
Heavy Porkers
Millheim Journal in speaking
vy porkers, mentions the follow-
ing persons as being in the lead: Hen-
Duck, weighed B00 lbs, :
940
Huoool that weighed
J Blover two, one
and the other 584 lbs.
two
fat
Krean
er, two that welghed
» ry ane
! Lar
t der
f WW
oe i
i
ard
{3
—
Michael Willow Dead,
Mrs, Wil-
Michael Willow, decegs.
-
Mys
if the desth of
Of
Il be a surprise to the Reporter
Mrs Will-
this
low died at
interred at
t+ three daughters,
G. W. Cur-
and Mrs,
Doyle and
augh
58
irs
inger Dead
lied
4
at his home
In-
de.
iy night.
The
forty-eight
and two
out
Ww,
fromm can-
Years, evs
4
as
an op~
bowels were
of
the
idle line
nts
151 pELurg.
} Hiation
ulirg.
intion,
irectors’ asso-
the
Alexander)
died.
sssOCiation
death or
ident
Iaving
Halion
as
ws
Alexander.
Muthers-
C.
L
riaan,
Nefl,
Cor-
1
i
Ww
Win
i vention,
Smith,
M. Alli-
ination will
t a president for
r to the assembling
the crime, |
Alice Gardner was the first witness |
called on part of the defense; she was |
ler: Idid not see Mr. Miller strike |
drunk when he came home,
The testimony of John Miller, son of |
the defendant, indicated that both the |
defendant and his victim had been
drinking, and that his father was very |
drunk when he committed the deed. |
Daisy Gardner corroborated the fact!
that Miller was drunk. The same tes- |
timony wae given by Garfield Garduoer |
aud Miller's wife. Grace Miller, a
daughter, said that Bob had a revolver |
and said that if Dave came near him |
he would shoot at him if hie killed him.
The witnesses for the defense, with
the exception of Miss Hettor, declared
the defendant drunk.
The prisoner was not called in his
own behalf.
In rebuttal the prosecution called
Lloyd Shaffer, G. W. Bchnarr, John
Emerick, G. Taylor, J. J. Coffee all of
whom testified that Miller's actions
did not indicate that of a drunken
man.
At 11 a. m. the evidence closed. The
plea for conviction was made by Dis-
trict Attorney Spangler end J. OU. Mey-
er, eq. Messrs. Reeder and Chambers
plead uently for the prisoner,
The judge's charge was regarded en-
tirely impartial.
The grand jury reported that they
had acted upon eleven bills of indict.
ment; they found vine true bills, ig-
nored one, and found one not a true
bill. They also recommended the re
ring of the floor in the corridor
y completed their work Tuesday
oon.
The entire list of civil oases on the
list oe trial at this term of court were
con
LOCALS
A
is bere for Thanksgiv 0g
Frank Smith and Sam-
op are jurors at court this week,
Newton Yarnét, of Linden Hall, ad-
wi
tises for a lost heifer.
Miss Emilie sander, of Tyrone,
y
hant J.
"
\
Namuel
Gramley, one of the fore
y ilk
Mrs, P.
i
i
F. Geary while in Millheim
Barber Geary is there at
but both expect to return
this place by Friday or Sats
te Le
ook sick,
‘ vit
P “ut,
1
1000e 3
urday,
M. Milleisin, cashier of the Reeds-
ville National Dank has resigned to
wecept a similar position at Blooms.
burg, Pa, aud R. J. Faust, of Mt.
Union, Pa., has been appointed to
C. 8B. Freeman sccompanied Hoffer
Dale to bis home in this place to spend
Chankegiviog., Both are Seniors st
Pennsylvania State Colleges Paul
Murray, a Sophomore of the same in.
stitution. is also at home,
Harry Farner, son of Samuel Faron.
er decessed, who with the oh re-
moved (rom this piace just nineteen
years ago, spent several days in town
and Colyer with his uncle, Wm. Farn«
er. The junior Faroer is engaged as
agent with the American Plate Glass
Uo, Hazlehurst, McKean county.
Mr. L. Roberts, who for the past
year was superiniendent of the press
department of the government prints
1g office io Manila, arrived in Centre
Hall Inst week ou his way to his home
in Washinglon He encircled the
globe. Mrs. Roberts, who is a
of Furniture Dealer John Krumbine,
returned from the island early in the
summer, ay Atlante,
Georgi, Wit N.