) A —— —————_ Circulation, ( r 3400. he Centre BELLEFONTE, PA., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1902. eh] ULAAALUALELCAAAERE LAEACCCERAAAALALRAR LL LLER ELELARRE ELD Ld | ship ; bidbidbbididbi ida ibibiiid Lik DAVID MILLER. A is 8 “Murder in the Second Degree” Verdict of the Jury was Rendered Wednesday Evening at 7:15, David Miller, of Sandy Ridge, was on trial in the Centre county courts Tues. day and Wednesday of this week, indicted for shooting his son.in-law, Robert Roach, on the evening of July 21, 1902, near Sandy Ridge,’in Rush township, this county. Wednesday afternoon the jury retired at 4:35 o'clock and after delib. erating two hours and forty-five minutes arrived at a verdict, which was announc- ed by the ringing of the court house bell. thronged to the doors by an anxious throng. His Howor Judge Love soon ap- In five minutes the building was peared, while the prisoner was ushered into the room by Sheriff Brungart, and took his place by the side of one of his counsel, KE. R. Chambers, Esq. formally opened and for a few minutes the jury hesitated in comirg from the Court was room. Budd Thompson, foreman, handed over the sealed verdict to the Court which the Prothonotary read aloud, you find David Miller “Guilty of murder in the second degree,” to which all assented. The prisoner's face brightened considerably from agonizing suspense ; he seemed pleased with the result. Court immediately adjourned. TRAGEDY REVIEWED. At the time of the shooting a complete ‘account was published in this paper, In this connection we give a brief sum mary of the affray so as to refresh the mind as you read the following complete report of the trial. David Miller is a man aged 62 years. Robert Roach, aged 35, was his son-in-law. They bad always, so far as is known, lived peaceably together——their houses being =it- uated on the same lot ing, July 21, Mrs. Roach went to Osceola Her busband went there also. During the day he drank heavily at the hotels and home while On Monday morn- in the evening walked his wile returned in the train the house soon after Mrs. Miller's return and started to qoarrel with her ing her up stairs where, it is claimed, he struck ber. She called to her son-in-law, Roach, to defend her. He came to her as sistance and, layiog hold of the old man, downed him. When they came down into the yard the quarrel was resumed, and Mr. Roach knocked or threw the old man down and then left—the old man threat. ening to shoot him. Miller got his gun a Winchester rifle—and fired « shot in the air but not at Roach. Roach went his honse and got his revolver und started for the woods to avoid Miller. Miller went out into the road in front of his house and waited for Roach to make his ance Swhich be did 125 yards up the road, whereupon Miller raised his rifle and fired-—sending a ball tearing through his body from the results of which he died six hours after. Miller was brought to Bellefonte by J. J. Coffee, arriving here on the 9:28 train from Tyrone the next morning and landed in jail where he was confined up to this time, ON TRIAL TUESDAY, He came to follow- to A This case failed to attract as much 1c attention as some former murder trials in our courts for the reason that all the principal facts were known and ad. mitted. At the top of the page we are able to print an excellent balfione por- trait of the prisoner, which we were able to secure through the assistance of E. R., Chambers, and W. F. Reeder, his coun. | gel, and by permission of Sheriff Brun. gar. | challenged by defendant. { ship ; challenged by commonwealth, | township ; accepted, | challenged by defendant. | James Row, Jr, | hoon Samuel Everhart, farmer, College town- accepted, Emanuel Musser, township : accepted, J. B. Rishel, merchant, Gregg towuship; ' gentleman, Haines J. B. Mayes, marble cutter, College | township ; challenged by commonwealth. D. W. Clark, blacksmith, Liberty town- ship ; challenged for cause. ' Fred Kemmerer, tarmer, Benner town- Jonathan E. Miller, miller, Bellefonte : challenged by commonwealth, Augustus Witherite, farmer, Union | George. F. Musser, agent, Bellefonte ; | excused by the Court. J. H. Weaven, tarmer, Walker township; | W. C. Smeltzer, teacher, Spring town. | ship ; accepted. J. P. Sebring, farmer, Haltmoon Twp. ; challenged by commonwealth. Joseph Grossman, farmer, Potter town- ship ; challenged by defendant Jacob Heverly, laborer, Rush township ; challenged hy the defendant, Adam Ertle, farmer, Gregg township ; | challenged by the commonwealth. Charles Mensch, printer, Bellefonte ; challenged by commonwealth Robert Kreamer, laborer, challenged by defendant Samuel Shoop, ship Samuel Milesburg laborer, Liberty town- challesged by commonwealth Sikes, Philipsburg excused by the Court Michael Heaton, ship ; challenged by commonwealth Thomas Boal, farmer, Patton township challenged by commonwealth H. V. Hile, plasterer, Spring township challenged by defendant Alfred Witherite, farmer, Boggs town- ship ; challenged by commonwealth Edward Williams, teacher, Harris town ship ; challenged by defendant At this point the panel and the sheriff directed to call talesman Y. J cepted EM hallenged by defendant Ww. M: nged by defendant gentleman mine boss, farmer, Boggs town was exhausted Baurer, merchant, Bellefonte : ac- f Boove, farmer, Haines township Masser, merchant, Millbeim George Garbrick, Bellefonte accepted JURY AS SELECTED, Huoston Spring Ferguson Spring Taylor Harris ( aiiege Harris Union Badd Thompson, farmer William C. Martin, farmer Howard Goss, farmer Nathan Dale, agent A. C. Williams, farmer Iarmer Samuel Everhart, farmer Emanuel Musser, gentleman Augustine Witherite, farmer wW.C V. J. Baer, merchant George Garbrick, gentleman Fipstaves Thomas McCafferty and Bim eon Haupt were aworn to take charge of the jury at 11 i court ad- 20 o'clock and journed until 1:30 p. m Tuesday after Twp Smeltzer, teacher Npriog Bellefoute TUESDAY AFTERNOON Court was called at 1:30. The prisoner | appeared at his counsel's table, apparently ! none the worse for months’ con- | He is a his four finement in the county jail i beard and mustache, He has not the ap- | | pearance of a bad man, but his receding | | forehead, heavy jaw and firm lips indicate | a determined spirit that does not bear | | trifling with THE TRIAL BRGUN. David Miller, the defendant, was brought | iato court at nine o'clock by Deputy Sher- iff Jackson and he seemed to be in good | spirits aud took his seat between his coun- | sel, Col. Wilbur F. Reeder and E R. ! Chambers. The commonwealth is repre- sented by. District Attorney N. B. Spangler and Ex District Attorney J. C. Meyer. The defendant was indicted at Angnst sessions for the shooting of his son-in-law Robert A. Roach, near Edendale. in Rosh township on the 21 day of July A. D. 1902 The prisoner was arraigned at half past nine o'clock for murder. “What say you, guiity or not guilty Not guilty.’ “How shall you be tried #' “Ry God and my country.” Jurors sworn voir dire George Hooch called, huckster, live Philipshurg ; challenged by defendant Daniel Spittler called, shopkeeper, live at Sandy Ridge in Rush township ; chal. lenged by common wealth H. W. Morris, teacher of Miles town- ship ; challenged by the defendant. John L. Kowsely, glass manufacturer of Bellefonte ; challenged by detendant Budd Thompson, farmer of Huston town- ship ; acoepted, William C. Martin, farmer of Spring township ; accepted. Lather Wirt, farmer, Haines township ; challenged by defendant Howard Goss, farmer, ship ; accepted. illiam Robinson, laborer, Worth town- | ship ; challenged by commonwealth, Nathaniel Bierly, jostice, Boggs Twp. ; Challenged by commonwealth. James Weaver, blacksmith, Haines township ; ehallenged by defendant. ] Nathan Dale, agent, Spring township ; | accepted ] A. C. Williams, farmer Ferguson town- | ship ; accepted, Isaiah Woodle, laborer, Rash township ; challeaged by commonwealth, ' J. H. Meyer, tarmer, Harris township ; | challenged by defendant i J. F. Heckman, gentleman, Gregg town- ship ; challenged by defendant. James Ross, Jr., farmer, Harris town. ship ; accepted. Joseph Garbrick, Jr., laborer, Bellefonte: challenged by defendant, C. 8B. Bartges, laborer, Gregg township ; challenged vy defendant, David K. Keller, teacher, Potter town- Bp challenged by defendant, ohn P, Eaves, farmer, Halfmoon ; chal Jeng bE Solum wealth. . J. Henderson, farmer, Taylor town- ship ; challenged hy commonwealth, acob Glossner, lnborer, Liberty Twp, ; challenged 2 Emre township ; challenged by défondant. | at Ferguson town. | his death | daaghter of defendant, about 14 years ago. | | Has six children | in bis own yard { J. J. Coffee to arrest him, who had him in | charge then ' when shooting occurred. | house, | not say I would shoot him if I had some- Prosecuting attorney Spangler opened | | the cane in an address to the jury which | comprehended the principal points the commonwealth intended to prove in the case, which was in substance a statement | of the facts as published in this paper at i the time of the tragedy i Wilson Roach was the first witness called. Live in Osceola. Know David | Miller. Robert A. Roach was my son. He | was aged 35 years and 2 months at time of He was married to Flora Miller, | three living. He was killed by a gunshot wound on July 21st I saw my son lying in the road on the day of the tragedy. | talked with him, also spoke to David Miller at his house, who | said, ‘I have shot your son Bob, and damn you, if yon step in bere | will shoot you also My son was conscious to the last, He knew he was going 10 die. He asked his brother and Mr. Gibson to pray for bim. Jere Coffee brought defendant past whetra the wounded man lay. Miller said “Bob, Wow do you feel?’ and he replied, “Mr. Miller, 1 did not deserve this," to which Miller replied, “You are a G d Har.” Robert Roach, the victim, was a coal miner and owned the property where he lived. I saw my son after 6 o'clock. When I saw Miller I said : ‘What have you done, you old reprobate ¥'' to which he replied : “I shot Bob, and d you, I'll shoot you too if you stop in here.” He was standing He had done nothing to me except his shooting of my seu. | sent Don't know the exact time | Robert lay in the road and was then carried into his own | When he called my son a liar, I | called him a dd old scoundrel, but did thing to do it with.” Frora Roacn, widow of Robert Roach | called, Our oldest living child is nine | Jone and youngest 7 months. My hos. | nd's death was caused by a shot fired by | my father. Was in my kitchen when it happened. Mother went away in the morning of the tragedy. Father came home | Monday morning. Father and mother had | trouble when father came home, Heard A noise and went over. When | got there I saw my husband and my father in the | hall ue stairs. Saw my huoshand holding the old man down by the neck. My hus band ssid, "I am coming home. [am not | hurting the old man.”” When they came down stairs the old man said: “Now, Rob- ert, you have taken fadvan ®f an old | man up stairs, now do it down here," | Then t commenced to fight and fell in ihe gia We then went home. While ing in the kitchen some one told Robt, the old man was going to shoot him, to ! which he replied that “if he can shoot | ean shoot too,” and got his revolver, We coaxed him 1G go ont or the old ma would shoot him and he went. He was out about | five minutes when a shot was fired, and in | dale. | make my home with him, {1 heard | and fight Robert fair I Or | properties. Draft exhibited and explained, ! “Look out Bob, your going to get 3 EK ¥ 1 4 ‘shooting bot did not see it | one shot-—the one that killed | down the road and met Mr. Miller who ten minutes another tween the two shots. I told him to go home and not shoot Robert and he said he | { would kill him. He had his gon with him, He went home from there. Never saw my husband from the time he left the house until he was shot. Father did pot say in my presence that he would shoot Robert if it took him six weeks to do it When Bob went up stairs to get his re- volver I closed the door but he broke it | open and came down, after which he start- | ed to the woods. | had been drinking. I cannot say that father When he come down my husband was standing at the corner of the shanty | where the second tussel took place. I live at Eden- a niece of David Miller and Mr. Miller came home on the morning of the tragedy, and was very drunk—staggering up the the boardwalk. When Mrs, Miller and I came home trom Osceola where we had gone Mr, Miller was not at home, but when he came home in the evening a quarrel started and Mrs. Wm Miller, the defend. ant's son's wite told Roach to go up stairs He went and the fight took After Bob had his revolver he said old man come too close to shout back, Mus. Mixxie MILLER sworn—Live Osceola. Am married to a fendant Was gt Mille: Boon al up stairs and Mr. Miller followed ber and i ALICE MILLER, sworn, Am piace if the wonld him he { al n of the de use the when tragedy occurred. after her arriv howe she went began to beat to Robert Roach to « her. | came up stairs he sal this mean #’’ to whicl will her She called ne and defend » and when he “David called to Robert to g what does hoose Dreast Miller « fim that aver lo Roach he had been beast that he wa Miller when Hobert saw sober now and iair had hi his revolver Aft shot he went over 1 I beard Mrs. Miller calling come as her husband was was sitting on the porch and did not move him for sid and went over Alter the until I went over and Iw gued of Crorl's sake to go and he He then to where the fight » Mrs Milles Roach's garret t, hic P er or be wy got up took P went kiil her ace over fight onto from her hu CORDELIA GARDNER Edendale. Defendant is an uncle of mi by marriage. Was at Mr on the evening of the tragedy, but left the house when be came bome 1 did not hear what was going on upstairs for | had lof the house. hd pot the quarrel between the men but beard the shots fired Mrs. Miller ea g to Robert Roach only once. Don’t know what she said. 1 did not see Mr. Miller strike his wife on the staire. | saw that Mr. Miller was awful drunk in the morning but could not say that be was in that condition sworn at ne Miller's house ne sing {in the evening | stocky-built man of some sixty with gray | Mis. Jeng Dixox sworn. Live at Edendale, neighbor of David Miller. Waa at home on the day of the tragedy, and saw Miller immediately after the first shot was fired. I saw Robert Rosch standing in the grove and maid “My God Robert, what is this going on.” He mid “don’t go that way. You'll get shot.” | spoke to Miller and asked him to give me the gun "No," be replied, “I'l shoot the do of a b pierce his heart through a window.” Soon | the second shot was fired and | saw Robert fall. . I called to him “Are you shot’ and be shook his head. 1 then again asked him and he said, ‘Yes, get me some water,” Hexey WerzeL, sworn Made draft Am a survey of Roach and Miller's which showed that the distance between | Miller and Roach was 375 feet at the time Roach was shot Tomas MAHER sworn. Live at Osceo la and saw David Miller standing on the township road on the evening of the trage- dy, about six o'clock, resting the barrel of his gun on a stump. | said “What is the matter, David ?"' He said, “I'll kill him, Bob Roach, the s—of a bh—if it's six weeks rom now.’ He was watching in the di. frection of Mr. Roach. Then he exclaimed “There is the sof a b—'" and ealled out. i" took deliberate aim and fired. Mr. Roach feel. 1 went up to Roach and learned that he was 8'0t and then started for a doctor. Roach was going away from Miller when he was shot, MAZIR HEFPFERAN swoin Miller's nearest neighbor Am Mr Heard the Met Mr. Miller after the shooting and afteg seeing Mr. Roach. Miller asked me, ‘How is that man?’ | was crying, and said dying,” to which be replied, “Let him die.” J. J. Corver sworn : Live at Osceola, Took David Miller into costody the day of | the shooting, about 7 o'clock p. m. and | brought him to Bellefonte the next morn ing via Tyrone. In leaving we passed where Roach was lying Roach said : “You onght not to have done this’ to which Miller replied, “you ounghtn’t to have kicked my riba” *‘I didn't,” re. lied Roach, whereupon Miller said, ‘You're a liar,” or “a dud liar,” WiLLiam Roacn called, but was ex- | ensed on account of age—being only nine | years old, James Dixox sworn : important. 'ATRICK RGoXEY swom : Robert Roach’s at time of tra, Testimony un- Lived near y. Heard h. Went said : “I'm going to shoot the su of be Bob Roach if it takes me six weeks to do it.” VALENTINE STONERREAKER sworn : Lived at Edendale at time of tragedy. Saw Mr. Miller about 6 o'clock in the evening. He waa talking with Mrs. Roach and Mrs, EA 2 your Hoos Of B bo if it takes six weeks todo it.” 1 saw Roach fall when he wasshot. Was I took hold of father | up in the hall, and told my husband to go | | home, I saw my father be- if 1 have to! | resting his bead | 6 o'clock in the evening the first one to approach him after he was hurt JERE DIXON sworn Live in Edendale. Was at home July 21st when tragedy oc- curred, Baw Miller Robert Roach's house. Du. F. B. READ sworn : Live at Osceola and knew Robert Roach in was called about six o'clock in the evening standing in front of his life and | of July 21st and found *him lying on the | roadside near his house. in hip bone He the ball passing through his was struck | body and coming out near the naval line, | This wound was the cause of his death. The ball passed through the hip bone and | through the highly organized portion of the large bowel Court adjourned at morning at ¥: 30 5:12 till Wednesday WEDNESDAY MORNING, Court convened at 5:30 o'clock and the hearing of the evidence on the part of the Commonwealth was continned Micuagr HEFERAX sworn Live at Evendale. Baw David Miller on the even ing after the Went out to hear what the children crying about on the road. Miller came up to me on the road I told hin nt was bad case He said he 1 said, '] shooting were am wonld shoot an With this ev and th Chamber rested ury, outlining 1 One lelense of the princi 1 on was the eviden hat t} iefendant had been ex Lhe He did iller had argued no mit- runk and passion d n the act mt a ceeding 1 nm the morning of day when th not attempt to d shot Kot gation of the cri did it there wrt Rose he was d that WAS DO mi deed ocommitied = uld | Ler Tste no wo erp degree The first the deten on Lhe “nN Hing not see Miller He he tragedy De Was 1 Was vers ORed 3 Was crazy an ft have heen more ng took the hall I afterwards saw Miller in lhe bot fr, Dixon there at ail I he stag in the wore than ten minutes before the shoot place | Bob had Bob bit him in saw them tose] ng in Miller down the face and he leil down Roach had his coat on hoase but had $ fl wm ben he Was » Tr i did not see » know Miller was drunk because gered when be came home Ing, tid 1 se hin § th t i RIM: § saw J Vai on DORI Walk In the evening £ sow | | but mannx I did not hear Roach came I smelled 1t on } dist any up stairs at Eden Am a miner house between 5 and lock Was called t and arrived after Hoach Osceola during the day in Robert Roach in Kunkle's took two drinks of gin and a cigar. | drank two bottles of “pop’’ and had a cigar, Saw my father, David Miller, there and stood within three feet of him He was too drunk to recognize me. This was about 4 o'clock in the afternoon I did not see father again until after the shoot ing. While at Osorola Mr. Roach shot off a tie at the shooting galley. He was not visibly affected by the two drinks of gin I do not know where else my father had been that afternoon DAISY GARDNER sworn Live at Edendale. Was at Robert Ronch’s, where I made my home, on day of shooting. Saw David Miller aboat 10 o'clock on day of tragedy bance before Junx MiLLer any of EWOrn Was dale on Was near the 6 ot raged y hool . come home Was in with was shot COT PAnY Hote] Roach in his bands with slobber running out of his mouth was very drunk. saw Miller again about { up the board walk from the public road {| and i to get | Roach again until after he was shot was staggering. 1 saw Miller and Roach fight at the corner of the wash house Roach took bis coat and hung it on bis arm When Milller came out he threw it down Miller said, ‘you have taken advantage of an old man Robert Roach said, “I can’t take everything They fought Roach threw Miller down and hit him After Robert started home Miller kicked Roach’s coat, which he left, around in the grass. When | saw Miller with the gun | ran home in the woods He sid, crowds me too close | coming out Saw Roach up If the old man will shoot.’ The pext I heard Miller call to Roach. ‘Look out Robert this is the get it Roach replied All right There great excitement. I went up on the hill away from the trouble and met Roach in the brushes. He asked me to go down and get his coat which I did and took it took his house. I did not see Be- fore the fight began in the yard Miller threw a stone st Roach GARFIELD GARDNER time yon Was sworn, | was | at Edendale school house in the evening of “He's | : the tragedy. A number of others were with me. Left there a few minutes after 6 o'clock. asked him He did not Mande Dixon felt and he said, ‘very bad.” have his revolver with him | had taken it from him after he was shot. DAVID MILLER sworn. Am the wife of the defendant. Was at home when David came home in the evening. He was terribly drunk. [I was not in Roach’s at- Mus, VOL. 24. XO. 27 THANKBGIVING I'banksgiving Day !| Your volees raise To God on high In hymns of praise, The fruitful yield Of vine and field Has brightened all our earthly ways. Give thanks to God who rules on high For welcome rain and sunny sky For peace and love Praise God above, And all His mercies glorify | Thanksgiving Day! Praise God and sing Till every vale and hill shall shall ring. Thanksgiving Day ! From work apart Let mankind come. From field and mart Let anthaims rise To prerce the skies To prove the thanks within each heart. Give thanks 10 God tor mercies shown, And kneel today before His throne For peace and joy Without alloy The loving Father's k ingshbip own Thanksgiving Day show how our ! Let every volee grateful hearts rejoice Forget not the fo's t Thanksgiving Day Who know naught save | Be not delny Land pay ng Day M. Maupin FACT, FUN AND FANCY. Bright Sparkling Paragraphs—Select- ed and Original BELATED ANSWERS She said The play And paused for I said N seemed tiresome 3 Pat a repiy. time hangs heavy ul she never sald It again the beautifu “The good, the true she said And they I said with beaming yen That ws, I should have said it If 1 hadn't been too slow Ax It was, 1 only thought An hoy ) ARO I dearly prize Are always with you, ror iw May 1 sit by you? Quoth | I said it after she got out Two ms down the line Send me benignant heaven. Some speed of wit, 1 pray bat I may think of fit replies Uporf the selfsame day! ~Portiand Oregonian. asked Phyllis. The pleasure’s mine | stat) Il barbers have cut-rates, Still waters run from the distillery, Procrastination is a word that carries | wait, He was sitting on his back porch | the He | He was coming | For every disease there are a dozen pat. ent medicines. The bappiest people are those who are easily flattered. A good thing will bear repeating, pro- { vided it isn’t a vote. Ran up the road and saw Roach | | lying on the road. | bow he | | garding a habit, | The office that seeks the man is gener- ally the one in which there are no fees. In a walking match the winner comes in ahead, and yet be comes in afoot, Birds of a feather flock together, espe- cially when they are jail birds, When a man asks you for your honest pinion you sometimes have to lie to him, or ioe his friendship. All men make mistakes, but what the typewriter girl doesn’t write. Often a shoemaker's first last Girls who would buy titled husbands must have legal tender hearts. Nods of the congregation don’t always express approval of the sermon. A man is not in a calm condition when he finds it impossible to raise the wind. It’s a wise clerk who laughs at the pro. prietor’s fool jokes. It is easy to have the patience of Job when the boils are on some other fellow. One of two things always happens re. You vither master it resort is his or it masters vou. The lady (?) who yesterday called the attention of another to our patched breeches, whereat both laughed so tic on day of tragedy. Was in the hall, | Deartily, is informed that a new pair will np-stairs, I went out because | was scared, my hosband had jost a little bit of trouble, I do not remember calling for Mr, Roach, | i I and my little girl went there. | be purchased when her husband's bill is I and | gettled. It has been due nearly a year. Don’t criticise a printer's dress too close. I had come down before the shot that kill. | 1¥ while you are wearing silk with money ed Roach was fired, but did not go to my | due us. Tell your husband to send us own house until Roach was shot, GRACE MILLER sworn Live at Eden. dale, Am a daughter of defendant. Was | $40 78 and save the cost of a law suit, We need another pair of pants. Ex. at home on day of tragedy and saw Robert | Change, Roach shot. Saw him on top of the hill with his revolver. He said, “If Dave comes near me I'll shoot him dead.” Saw father in the evening before the shooting, He was very drank. Nanas Morris, sworn, -Live in Ed endale. Was at Osceola on July 2st, Was at several hotels during the day. Saw Miller at Kunkle's hotel. Also at Wash: burn’s hotel where he drank thres glasses of whiskey. He was also drinking at Continued on #h page. / i : i Sweet Words. A sentimental editor out in Kansas asks, “Are there any sweeter words in the Boglish language than ‘1 love you? Perhaps not, but the words “Here's that dollar I owe you on subscription’ are not lacking in delightful enunciation to the ear of a newspaperman. Raymond (11) Independent,
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