Allegheny County PA Archives- Obituaries: McClure, George, 02 Aug 1881 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Banja, , Oct 2011 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ ________________________________________________ Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Wednesday, August 3, 1881 Murdered by Thieves. PITTSBURGH, August 2. - Thieves stole $2,000 worth of goods from Hendrickson & McClure's hardware store at McKeesport on Sunday night. To-day McClure traced the goods, secured four officers and surrounded the den of the thieves, who opened fire on the officers. McClure was riddled with three bullets and fell dead instantly. One officer was badly wounded and will surely die. Two other officers are seriously hurt. One officer escaped unhurt. Nearly two hundred persons are now on the track of the thieves and murderers. ******************************************************* Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, August 5, 1881 M'CLURE'S MURDERERS. SOME PARTICULARS ABOUT THE McKEESPORT HORROR. The TRIBUNE has already related how a store at McKeesport was entered and robbed and how one of the proprietors of the plundered store while in pursuit of the burglars was shot and instantly killed while one of his companions was seriously wounded. The event takes a local coloring from the fact that several of the men who are suspected of having committed the crime were at one time residents of Johnstown and Altoona, while one of them at least was born and raised in Hollidaysburg. The murder was a most cowardly one and if the parties who did it are identified they will assuredly swing. There is as yet no absolute certainty that the right men have been spotted. Two different parties are now suspected with more or less reason, to have done the bloody deed. We sincerely hope that those who are known in this county and who have friends here may be able to clearly establish their innocence. The following is a description of the party who are believed to have committed the murder: John Lightner, aged 22, dark, short hair, mixed dark brown and gray pants, dark sack coat. "Arizona Shorty," short, dark hair, dark blue pants and vest and brown coat, about 20 years old, formerly from Altoona. Ward McConkey, dark, short hair and black pants and coat, about five feet high, a young man. John Baizy, red hair, known as "Buck Baizy," formerly from Altoona, square built and heavy set in proportion. "Nig" Lee wore on last Sunday a blue suit, a large ring on his left hand, dark hair, about 22 years of age, with smooth face. John "Baizy" is John Veazy, well known in Hollidaysburg. Four other suspicious characters have been arrested. Following we give their names and their own accounts of themselves: Frank Hanna hails from Coldwater, Mich. Says he was a brakeman on the Rock Island railroad. For the past two months has been harvesting in Illinois. John Madden, file cutter by trade. Worked until six weeks ago in the St. Louis wire works. Lives in Philadelphia. Joined the rest of the gang in Johnstown. John Chambers, moulder by trade, and worked until lately for Mr. Russell, at Massillon, Ohio; afterward contradicted himself, and said it was at Mansfield, but finally stuck to Massillon. John Malone lives at Marietta, Pa. Bolt maker by trade. Says he worked until three weeks ago at the Lancaster Bolt Company's shops, at Lancaster, Pa. Since then he has been doing nothing. According to their story they had all met at Johnstown last Saturday. Had come across the country and were on their way to Connellsville in search of work when arrested. Yesterday two residents of McKeesport, named Rhodes and Lynch, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the tragedy. They both maintain their innocence and say they can prove an alibi. The Coroner's jury yesterday afternoon returned the following verdict: George A. McClure, aged 35 years, was found dead in a woods near Dead Man's Hollow, Lincoln township, Allegheny county, Pa., Tuesday, August 2, 1881. From the testimony adduced the jury further find that the said George A. McClure was deliberately murdered at the above time and place by some person or persons to the jury unknown. Among the testimony given before the Coroner's jury in this case is the following by one Harry Rhodes: Last Sunday I went to Lightner's house to get shaved; I know "Reddy," but did not see him on Sunday; I am not married; I do not recognize any of the parties on the photograph; at Lightner's house I met Lightner and his wife, Reddy's wife and a young lady from Altoona; don't know her name; she is a married woman. In reference to this "Reddy" Mr. George A. Fleming, who accompanied Mr. McClure in his pursuit of the burglars, and who was wounded, gives the following damaging testimony: "When McClure fell Lynch started down the hill; I had nothing to defend myself with; one of the party shot me though the left leg; I did not recognize any of the party, but the voice of one was familiar. He is called Reddy." Up to this writing neither "Reddy" nor any of his companions had been apprehended. A reward of about $1,500 has been offered for their arrest. **************************************************************************************** Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, August 9, 1881 THE ALL ABSORBING TOPIC. The report that several young men whose home is in our town were suspected of being the murderers of George McClure, a merchant of McKeesport, who was shot on Tuesday night, August 2, and for whole arrest a reward of fifteen hundred dollars has been offered, created a great excitement. "Buck" Vasey and William O'Connor, two of the young men described, visited their homes a few days ago and left on Monday morning to return to McKeesport, consequently could not have been concerned in the robbery of the store and if not connected in the robbery, would not likely be guilty of the murder which took place on the evening after they had left home. It is the general belief that none of the suspected parties from this town are the guilty ones and when heard from will be able to show that they are innocent and that the real murderers and their friends have put up a job to the detectives which led them on the track of innocent men in order to give the guilty ones a chance to escape. We hope the outlaws, however they may be, will be arrested and made to suffer the penalty of the terrible crime, but we will not believe any guilty until they are arrested and proven so. It is reported that the suspected parties have been seen here since the murder, and that they are still here, but we were unable to find any person who saw them, so we have come to the conclusion that the report as about as much truth in it as the other stories, which is almost none at all. ****************************************************************************************** HOLLIDAYSBURG, August 8, 1881. AN ALIBI PROVED. WILLIAM O'CONNOR INNOCENT OF THE McKEESPORT ROBBERY. A Card From His Father, Thomas O'Connor Showing That the Boy Was at Home on the Night of the Robbery, and Denying That he is a Disobedient Son. (We have received the following card from Thomas O'Connor, one of Hollidaysburg's most estimable citizens, which we gladly publish. All who know Mr. O'Connor and his excellent wife will sympathize with them in the grief that has come to them chiefly through the reckless carelessness of a correspondent who failed to investigate the facts, and will be glad to know that the son is entirely innocent of the charge against him.) EDS. TRIBUNE: I would like to have space in your columns to make a plain statement or two. On Saturday night, July 31, a store at McKeesport was entered and robbed. On the following Tuesday one of the members of the firm, a Mr. McClure, got on the track of the robbers and while in pursuit of them was shot and instantly killed. There was a great deal of excitement, as was natural, over the matter, and very many people have been accused of committing the murder while thousands of untruthful and sensational stories have been put in circulation. In some ways it was given out that one of the murderers was a young man named O'Connor. Then somebody in Hollidaysburg - I think I know who, and I mean to find out at whatever cost - sent a story to the McKeesport Times about William O'Connor, taking it for granted that he was one of the murderers, and giving him a bad name for disobedience, idleness and general badness. It seems that that correspondent was either carried away by a love of sensationalism or he thirsted for the blood of the innocent. Before sending his lying dispatch to the McKeesport Times he should have called on the parents of William O'Connor where he would have learned these facts: William O'Connor was never a disobedient boy. He never uttered an insolent word to either of his parents, and with the exception that he would sometimes indulge in drink, previous to his leaving Hollidaysburg, was and is an obedient, respectful son. He is industrious also. He was never afraid to work, and he is prejudiced against idleness. The correspondent might have learned this also: William O'Connor and John Veasy came home on Sunday morning July 24. With Veasy I have nothing to do except to express the opinion that he can easily prove an alibi. As to William O'Connor he remained at home during that entire week beginning with the 24th of July, was at home on Sunday night July 31st, intending he said to go east in search of work. It was impossible that he could have been at the scene of the robbery on Sunday night since he was at home, and there are dozens of citizens of Hollidaysburg who saw him on Monday. He left home in search or work because I was sick. He said he could not stay around home while his father was sick. I have been very much grieved by this malicious and entirely unjustifiable attack on my son. He has his faults, but he was never a thief or a murderer, and I mean to have satisfaction if it can be had out of the man who without attempting any investigation has done his utmost to convince the public that my son was a partner in robbery and murder, and to wring with keenest sorrow the hearts of his parents. I ask the gentlemen of the press to say, what can be established by the amplest testimony, that on the night of the McKeesport robbery William O'Connor was at his home in Hollidaysburg, and that he did not leave that home until Monday noon. - THOMAS O'CONNOR. ************************************************************************* Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, August 18, 1881 A Writ of Habeas Corpus for Veasey and O'Connor. The Pittsburgh Leader of Tuesday has the following to say concerning the case against Veasey and O'Connor: "This morning it was discovered that Veasy and O'Connor, the two Hollidaysburg youths arrested for the McKeesport murder, had been recommitted to jail until August 20. It seems the prosecutors allege that two important witnesses are sick and, therefore no hearing can take place at this time. It had been arranged that the hearing should take place in Pittsburgh. This morning Hon. S. S. Blair, counsel, for the prisoners arrived from Hollidaysburg, and with his co-counsel, United States District Attorney Stone, went to work to obtain a writ of habeas corpus. Mr. Stone says there is nothing to hold the prisoners for and he proposes obtaining their release as soon as possible. He says there is no evidence against the men, and the defense will give the names of witnesses who can prove the boys were not near the scene of the murder, and if the prosecution has any doubts it can go and see these people. He stated that Judge Collier would be asked for a writ, but as Judge Collier is no in the city and won't be until to-morrow, and all the other judges are absent, it will be difficult to exactly determine how he will obtain a writ to-day. Mr. Blair says he will urge the immediate release of the prisoners. Mr. Stone departed for McKeesport this morning, but didn't disclose his object. There is no doubt a writ will be applied for at once. Captain Beverly Hatch, on whose boat O'Connor and Veasey claim to have been from Tuesday the 2nd to Sunday the 7th inst., and on whose testimony, among others, they rely to prove an alibi, passed through this city last night on Cincinnati express, on his way home from Pittsburgh. Captain Hatch stated to a TRIBUNE reporter that he started to Pittsburgh from Millersburg on Sunday last, arriving there on Monday, in answer to a telegram from Hon. S. S. Blair. He further stated that O'Connor and Veasey were both on his boat from Tuesday the 2nd to Sunday the 7th inst., having boarded the boat at Huntingdon, and left it at the mouth of the Juniata river. That he was ready to testify to the above statements before the authorities in Pittsburgh yesterday, but that a hearing was peremptorily refused the accused. That though O'Connor's father offered any mount of bail for the release of the prisoners, the authorities refused to liberate them. In view of the fact that the accused gave themselves up, and that their claim to an alibi has been sustained, it seems difficult to understand why they are still held in custody.