NEWS: Cambria Freeman; 16 Feb 1906; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, 16 Feb 1906 Volume 40, Number 6 Items Local and Personal L. G. Hornick, the photographer with a studio in the Barker building has announced his intention of closing the same after Wednesday, March 28. Charles Brown, a telegraph operator of Patton, Pa., was the guest of the family of his parents, Joseph Brown, on Centre street, this place, from Thursday to Friday. Marsteller and Moss Creek Marsteller, Feb. 13 J. B. Marstellar, of Ebensburg, was here Thursday and Friday of last week looking after the coal company's interests. Saturday was pay day here and as a result things were very busy. A few people of this place will attend the double execution at Ebensburg on Thursday. Philip Gillen is laid up in his room as a result of foul play last Saturday night. Joseph Shuck, one of the inside mine foreman, received a badly sprained foot in a runaway trip in the mines last Friday. A Narrow Escape Daniel Joseph, a well known resident of Barnesboro, had a narrow escape from death while attempting to save the life of his infant son by pitching the baby out of a second story window of his burning home about 2 o'clock Monday morning. Mr. Joseph woke about the hour mentioned to find his bedroom filled with smoke and flames bursting through his door, cutting off every means of escape from the room except by the window. Leaping from his bed he threw up the sash of the window and then groped his way back through the smoke to the bed, where he secured the little one and going to the window, leaned out with the baby in his arms, looking for a place where he might let the child drop to the ground with the least injury to itself. While in this position, the father became over balanced and was precipitated with the child in his arms to the ground below. He alighted on his head and shoulders and while severely stunned and bruised he suffered no serious injury. The child also escaped any serious hurts. The house was completely destroyed. Stabbing Affray at Gallitzin William H. Foust, a 20 year old miner of Gallitzin, was stabbed by an Italian on the streets of that place Saturday evening and was taken to the Altoona hospital where an operation was performed in an effort to save his life. Foust and the Italian became engaged in a wordy war and as the discussion grew the Italian is alleged to have had a large knife and plunged it into the abdomen of Foust, who tried to ward off the blow and in doing so was badly cut on the left wrist. The knife did not penetrate the bowels but his intestines were badly lacerated. His injuries are considered serious but hospital authorities hope for his recovery. His assailant, Feleca Chufidel, was also wounded by a bullet in the right thigh from Foust's revolver. Chufidel is now in the Cambria county jail. Is Charged with Murder Aged John Brolley, of Lilly, is Accused of Having Poisoned His Brother, James, Two Years Ago John Brolley, aged about 68 years, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Lilly by Constable R. D. Evans, of this place, charged with the murder of his brother, James Brolley, who died at the Johnstown Memorial Hospital, September 28th, 1903. The information against John Brolley was made by his nephew, Constable W. J. Brolley of Cresson, before Justice A. J. Waters of this place, Monday evening. James and John Brolley lived bachelor lives together on a tract of 40 acres about one mile from Lilly, both occupying the same house. Some time ago they divided equally the land between them, each keeping 20 acres. John is alleged to have borrowed some money from James following this transaction and before it was repaid, litigation proceedings followed which is said to have engendered bad blood between the two brothers. It is also alleged that John is said to have made repeated threats against the life of his brother following some of their angry debates. On September 26, 1903, it is said, James returned home after being absent all day and partook heartily of a supper prepared by John. That the former immediately afterwards became violently ill and went to Lilly where Dr. C. F. Kress administered some medicine and had him removed to the home of W. J. Brolley at Cresson. At Cresson, Dr. J. A. Lynch also administered some medicine but the suffering man did not improve. Dr. Lynch diagnosed the case of one of acute appendicitis and sent him to Johnstown. Drs. McAnaney, Hay and Wakefield, performed an operation on Brolley at the Memorial Hospital, but failed to find any affliction of the appendix. It is claimed however that the bowels were badly inflamed and signs of arsenic poisoning were apparent as "Rough on Rats" had been administered or taken. Brolley died the next day. John Brolley was brought to the jail in Ebensburg Tuesday evening. Run Down by Vehicle Mrs. R. L. Thomas of Highland Avenue is Painfully Injured as Result of Careless Accident Last Tuesday evening Mrs. R. L. Thomas of Highland avenue, this place, was run down and painfully injured by some party, presumably from Carrolltown. Mrs. Thomas was on her way home and owing to the fact that an electric street light was immediately near her and blinded her by its glare she did not see the rapidly approaching horse and buggy. The outfit was proceeding at a furious rate and Mrs. Thomas was struck by the wheels of the vehicle, throwing her violently to the ground. The driver did not even stop to ascertain the extent of the woman's injuries. Mrs. Thomas, while painfully bruised, was not seriously injured, but will be confined to her home for several days as a result of the accident. Is Not Crazy A commission in lunacy composed of Dr. F. C. Jones, Emory H. Davis, Esq., and Elmer Davis, waited upon C. L. Horner in the county jail Monday afternoon for the purpose of determining upon his sanity. The commission concluded that Horner is not insane. Horner was brought to the county jail several days ago on charges of surety of the peace, that he became very violent at times when under the influence of drink and believes him unsound in his mind. Orphanage to be at Cresson It is authoritatively stated that the Catholic Orphanage for the Altoona diocese is to be established at Cresson on ground which will be donated for the purpose of the Sisters of Mercy. The location will probably be on a section of the convent tract. The matter has been definitely decided by Bishop Garvey within the past few days. The old orphanage which was located at Loretto was destroyed by fire about two years ago. Papers of Administration Taken Out at the Recorder's Office Estate of Ernest Knoblock, late of Gallitzin, to Dora Knoblock. Estate of Sarah Trainer, late of Johnstown. Will probated and letters issued to Margaret Fleming, James Fleming and Bert F. O'Hara. Estate of James Gallagher, late of Johnstown. Will probated and letters issued to James Dunn. Estate of J. J. Fosler, late of Gallitzin. Will probated and letters issued to Jacob Yeckley. Hauser and Fellows Pay Penalty Together! Two Men Convicted of Murdering Their Wives Meet Death on the Scaffold, Side by Side, and Are Game to the Last Both Died From Strangulation "I wanted to shake hands with Jake." The little, old man with the noose about his neck, half turning toward Deputy Sheriff Bearer, who had just finished adjusting the rope, seemed to realize for the first time that his hands were securely cuffed behind his back. "Better just say good-bye to him, Steve," said Deputy Bearer. Fellows, half-cringing, his voice quavering, turned his head slightly toward the crowd of spectators, then looked down at the trap upon which he was standing and placed his feet with perfect nicety as near the centre as possible. "Well, boys, we'll soon be th--!" His sentence was never finished. Stephen Fellows last words uttered in this life were mingled with the voice of Deputy Sheriff M. D. Bearer who called out, "Good-bye boys!" and before the echoes had died and before the Deputy's feet had left the steps from the stairs leading from the stone steps outside the jail doors to the scaffold, Sheriff Lenhart pulled the lever and Stephen Fellows and Jacob Hauser went plunging into space, a sickening thud following the clanging of the double trap by the weight of the bodies drew the ropes taut and left the two wife-murderers suspended with their feet just a few inches from the ground. It was all over so quickly that the spectators could not comprehend the double tragedy being enacted before their eyes by instruments of the law. Fellows never moved as his body hung suspended. Hauser's legs worked convulsively and the shoulders twitched spasmodically as his pinioned arms sought to free themselves in his struggle with death. The two men were led to the scaffold at 1:34 ½ o'clock. At 1:35 1/2 the trap was sprung and Stephen Fellows and Jacob Hauser were in the embrace of death. At 1:41 o'clock Dr. Jones pronounced Jacob Hauser dead and two minutes later every vestige of life had gone from the body of Fellows. The two men who had been adjudged guilty of the highest crime in the code of the Commonwealth had paid the penalty. The law had been vindicated. Death resulted from strangulation. Dr. Jones stated that neither of the men's necks were broken. At 1:45 o'clock the bodies were cut down and turned over to undertakers John Pendry and John T. McGahan, of Johnstown, and at 2:15 two hearses departed overland from the county jail for Johnstown. Mr. Pendry had charge of the body of Stephen Fellows, who will be interred in Sandyvale cemetery upon the arrival of the body in Johnstown. Captain Smith of the Rescue Mission, who assumed charge of the funeral arrangements of his fellow countryman, had at first intended shipping the body to Johnstown on the 3:40 train, but reconsidered the matter and had it driven to Johnstown overland in order to avoid the inevitable large crowd of people who would doubtless gather at the depot upon its arrival. Undertaker McGahan will convey the body of Jacob Hauser to the Catholic cemetery at Geistown, where interment will be made immediately upon arrival. Stephen Fellows was born in Wasel, England, September 22, 1844, and was 62 years, 4 months and seven days old on the day he paid the penalty of his crime. The earlier part of his life was spent in his native country. He resided in York, England, for seven years before coming to this country Oct. 25, 1880. On September 15, 1905 (sic year should be 1903) he shot his wife to death with a revolver at the Barnesboro depot and attempted to kill his son, William. On September 14, 1904 he was placed on trial in the Courts of Cambria county and was found guilty. On March 22, 1905, he was sentenced to be hung but a new trial was subsequently granted by the Supreme Court. On September 14, 1905, he was again placed on trial and found guilty and on September 20, 1905, both Fellows and Hauser were sentenced by Judge O'Connor to be hanged. Hauser it seems did not know his precise age. Sometimes he insisted that he was 28, but he has told the attendants at the jail several times that he was past 30. It is believed, however, that he was between 28 and 30. He was tried for the murder of his wife, Mrs. Irene Hauser, June 15, 1905, and was found guilty. The details of both tragedies will follow in full. The March to the Scaffold The two doomed men were accompanied to the scaffold by the Rev. Father Davies of Nantyglo, attired in the robes of the priesthood. Shortly before the officers called at Cells No. 8 and 9, where the two murderers were confined, Stephen Fellows sent word to County Detective E. H. Knee that he would like to see him. Mr. Knee went to the cell of the doomed man at once. Fellows was standing before the grated door of his cell, attired for his last earthly journey. His slouch hat was set jauntily upon his head, a dip on the right side and when Mr. Knee appeared, Fellows greeted him with a serious and saddened mien. "Mr. Knee," he said, "I want you to tell Willie to be a good boy," and for the first time since this apparently hardened character has appeared so conspicuously before the public, Fellows broke down and wept like a little child. This was the first allusion he made to his son during his confinement in the county jail. Mr. Knee assured him that he would carry out his wishes and Fellows seemed satisfied. In the adjoining cell, No. 8, Jacob Hauser paced furiously back and forth in his cell. "Are you cold, Jake?" inquired a representative of THE FREEMAN. "Yes, I'm cold, I'm shivering. My knees are shaking," he replied and the terrified expression in his eyes intensified as he spoke. A short time later Sheriff Lenhart and his deputy, M. D. Bearer, called at the cells of the two men and said: "Well, boys, the time's here and we have to do our duty. Are you ready?" Both replied that they were ready to go. They thanked both the Sheriff and his deputy for their kind treatment during their confinement in the county jail, and a moment later County Detective E. H. Knee and Constable J. C. Herzog went to the respective cells of the two men to prepare them for the final ordeal. Hauser spoke not a word to Herzog as the latter pinioned behind his back his hands with the steel bracelets, but Fellows demurred as Mr. Knee was about to snap the wristlets on him. "I don't want my hands tied," He said. "Can't you let me go without that?" He finally submitted, however and the two officers led the condemned men to the end of the corridor where Sheriff Samuel Lenhart and Mr. Bearer awaited them. Fellows walked with a shuffle, same swagger, which has characterized the man ever since his trial began. Hauser walked doggedly with his head inclined and did not look to the right or left. Mr. Bearer intercepted two officers at the end of the corridor and escorted Fellows to the scaffold first. Mr. Herzog followed a moment later with Hauser. When Fellows was being led up the steps to the platform of the gallows, he turned to Deputy Bearer and said, "I thought you were going to let me test the rope." "That's all right," said Mr. Bearer. "The ropes all right, Steve." Fellows half turned and took a side glance at the crowd while Hauser was being led up the steps to the platform. The latter kept his head bowed but the same terrified look in his eyes was revealed as he gave one hurried, frightened glance toward the sea of faces to the southwest of the side entrance from which he was lead. He walked calmly to the platform, however, and not once did he open his mouth to speak while the final preparations were being made. As the trap was sprung, the Reverend Father Davies, who was standing directly facing the condemned men, administered to Hauser extreme unction, anointing the palms of his hands with holy oil, in behalf of the man who was already in his death throes. The features of neither of the men who were strangled to death on the scaffold were distorted. When the black caps were removed after the bodies had been cut down, a large purple mark was visible on the neck of each where the rope had held them in its clutches. The skin, ruptured in places by the forceful termination of the fall from the 9 foot drop was purple and discolored with evidence of blood showing here and there. There were no protruding tongues but the eyes of Hauser, widely distended, reflected the same horrified expression that was noticeable when he was led from the side door of the jail to the scaffold. The physicians who surrounded the bodies of the two men to announce when life had become extinct were: Drs. F. C. Jones of Ebensburg; Francis Schill Jr., of Johnstown; W. S. Wheeling of Spangler, T. O. Helfrick of Spangler; M. M. Palmer, Spangler, J. C. McMillen of Barnesboro; C. E. Born of Johnstown; E. L. Miller of Johnstown; A. O. Nasson of Roaring Springs; Olin C. Barker of Johnstown; F. C. Livingston of Hastings and Dr. Barr of Nantyglo and Dr. Thomas of Ebensburg. The official jury impaneled by Sheriff Lenhart was composed of the following: F. H. Barker, Thomas Peach, ex-Sheriff D. W. Coulter, T. K. Saylor, J. W. Waters, W. S. Krise, C. F. Buck, W. C. Griffith, I. F. McDermott, Vincent Reynolds, Chief of Police H. P. Mullen of Johnstown and D. W. Brailler. [This paragraph too faded to read] Fellows Calls Upon His Maker Shortly before 2 o'clock Wednesday night, Capt. Smith says Stephen Fellows, for the first time known since his confinement in the county jail called up on his maker for mercy. He prayed long and earnestly and afterward seemed greatly satisfied. Hauser had devoted himself much to reconciliation with his Creator within the past few weeks and announced himself as ready to depart from this world. He slept soundly Wednesday night and was aroused with difficulty in the morning by the death watch. Fellows said yesterday that he did not sleep at all Wednesday night. "I had a good supper last night," he said, "and I had company for Captain Smith was with me. I tried not to sleep the past two nights so I could sleep last night but I was not used to having company and we talked a good bit." Shortly before noon yesterday Fellows gave his consent to a photographer to make a photograph of him. Ever since his confinement in the jail here he has shown a decided aversion to publicity or to having any one photograph him. Through the persuasion of Capt. Smith yesterday, however, he consented to allow himself to be photographed and went out into the yard on the side of the building opposite the scaffold for this purpose. Fellows after putting on his suit of new clothes, which had been provided for his execution, said, "Well," reaching into his pocket, "I haven't any money. They usually give little boys a few pennies to put in the pockets of their new suits, don't they? I guess I won't need any money where I'm going," he laughingly concluded. Ate Hearty Dinner Dinner from the Metropolitan Hotel was sent over to the two condemned men and both ate very heartily. The menu consisted of Oranges, tomatoes, celery, egg salad, pickles, bread and butter, hot rolls, roast beef, pie, plain potatoes, sweet potatoes, coffee and apples. Captain Smith ate diner in the cell with Fellows. Dinner was served at 11:15. The double execution was conducted in such a manner as to reflect the utmost credit on Sheriff Lenhart, his deputy, Mr. Bearer, Wardens H. E. Blair and Nelson Brown, County Detective E. H. Knee and the other officials who assisted. No disorder was noticeable, notwithstanding the large number of people admitted and there was not a single hitch in any of the proceedings. Mr. Bearer especially deserves much credit of the cool performance of his unpleasant duties in arranging the men on the scaffold and adjusting the nooses and blackcaps. Engagement Announced At a neat little party given at the home of her parents, the Hon. and Mrs. A. V. Barker, Miss Lovell Barker, Tuesday evening made formal announcement of her engagement to Frank Gates, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gates, of this place. The wedding will take place some time within the near future, but no definite period has yet been announced. Among the invited guests were Fannie Lloyd, Rosaline Darragh, Bessie Darragh, Mary Lloyd, Martha Snedden, June Davis, Lydia Davison, Alberta Gates, Caroline Troxell of Clearfield; Isabella Jones of Baltimore; Helen Barker and F. D. Barker. In honor of the occasion of St. Valentine's day, the house was prettily decorated with emblems of hearts and each guest was presented with a valentine. DEATHS Mrs. Ann Gill Mrs. Ann Gill, wife of Samuel Gill, died at her home in Altoona Friday morning, aged 71 years. She is survived by her husband and four children among them being, Thomas of Hastings. The funeral took place Monday afternoon, with interment in Fairview cemetery, Altoona.