The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-03-11
Inral Neps.
THE MURDER TRIAL.
GCoNcLUDED.]

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WAS in Fulton on last August 10Th; saw
the deceased man called Peter Pier; also
examined the contents of glass handed
him by Mary Houk, and was satisfied
that it contained laudanum; stated that
Pier was in comatose condition when
he vas taken to his (Houtz's) office by
Marshal Miller; the pupils of his eyes
were much contracted; pulse feeble;
breathing slow and labored; consulted
Drs. Fraunfelter and Campbell, and
agreed to give sulphate of atropia as a
hyperdermic injection, which was done
three times within a period of three
quarters of an hour, with no effect; also
rubbed his body and limbs, walked him
about, and used all means in their power
to revive him, but to no effect. Pier was
subsequently taken to hotel. where he
labored with him until morning; left him
about 5 o'clock; when next the Doctor
saw him, between 6 and 7 o'clock, he
was dead was certain the death was
caused by opium or laudanum poisoning
The testimony of DIR. Fraunteiter was
next heard, but it was only corroborative
of DIR. Houts's, developing nothing new.
George Eckey, railroad agent, testified
as to the time of trains leaving Fulton un
August Is, 1874; stated thai last train go
ing south on L. S. & T. V. Ry. left Fulton
at 7;2O p m.
H.A, Fisher, agent of the Mt. Vernon
Railway, stated that on August 10Th the
last train southwark on that road left
Fulton at $3.50 p. m,
Morgan Erect: Lives next door to
Houriet's lived there August 10, 1874;
on that day he went home about O'Clock
D. M, and saw Crbley, Pier, Miller and
Lucien Prater together; Pier went into
an alley; he seemed to act like drunken
man, though the others seemed sober; he
ordered them away, and the four men
started off toward Walnut street, past
Freets stable, when they went in south
easterly direction. Pier was between
Miller and Prater, arm in arm; Pier
seemed to be hanging back, the others
pulling him along.
P. Metz's testimony was the same as
Freet's in substance. Mary J. Harwick
testified to nearly the same effect, stating
positively that Cribley had hold of Pier,
urging him on toward Capt Benkler's
saloon, while Pier seemed to hold back,
unwilling to go. -.
Barbara Cashenheiser testified the
came. Jos. Deikerhoof saw the four men
going toward Benklers, and prisoner had
the deceased man by the arm. Mrs.
Hiser saw them go into Benkler's, which
is nearly opposite where she lives; they
went into Benkler's between six and
seven o'clock p. m.
Captain Benkler: Keeps saloon just
out of Fulton, known as Military Hall;
was at home on August 18th; was not in
when the prisoner and others entered the
saloon, but came in while they were
there; his wife told him they owed thirty
cents, and Cribley said he would pay it;
the Marshal then came in with assist
ance. Pier seemed stupid or drunk, and
sat in back doorway, when the Marshal
arrested them and took them away.
Solomon Bisher stated that he went
with Marshal Miller to Benkler's on that
evening and assisted the Marshal and
Others in taking Pier, Cribley, Miller and
Prater back to town; took Pier to DR..
Houtz's Office; he seemed stupefied.
Other witnesses for the prosecution
offered corroborative testimony, develop
ing nothing new of importance.
The testimony for the defense opened
with witnesses to show the previous So
Der and good character of the prisoner.
Frank Daul stated that Cribley and
Pier had both boarded at his house in
Nassillon, and that Cribiey was sober,
industrious, and generally spent his even
ings in the house, while Pier sometimes
got drunk; once he was on spree for a
whole week; generally got drunk on pay
day, but worked between pay days, and
was sober Mrs. Daul, Nicholas, Wetzel
and others sustained this testimony.
Emil Chauffet stated that he saw Crib
lez, Miller, Pier and Prater in Fulton;
saw them at Coves bank; afterwards at
Howret's saloon; Pier seemed drunk;
heard Cribley say he must get that mans
money, as it was not safe in his own pos
session, as he was drunk. Emil Geur
and other witnesses testified to the same
effect.
August Criblez was placed on the stand
and stated in substance the following
Is native of Switzerland; came here in
December, 1S70 was a matchmaker
lived in Breckville, Cuyahoga county,
till August 1872; then went to Massillon;
worked three months for Diebold Norris
& Co., Canton, and went to Massillon last
about the 10th of July, 1874, and worked
on gravel train; first saw Paier about two
years ago; we last boarded at Dauls' and
worked together on gravel train. On
August 10Th, Paier said he was going to
get his money, and asked Criblez to 60
along, as he would pay his way and a
days wages, if he would go along to take
care of him (Paier); went to Fulton on
L.S.&T. V. r. h.; got there little after
noon; Paier was drunk; went first to
Houriet's saloon, Paier called for beer;
Mrs. H. gave us two or three glasses
don't remember what was said; then
went to bank; then went back to Houri-
ets went back to bank and got 81 ops.
At Houriets, Paier grew noisy and said
to Miller it will be good plan to give
him some sleep water to quiet him and
get him to train; Miller thought so too;
Miller and then went to drug store and
asked for opium; got something in liquid
form; never saw opium; didn't know
whether it was in solid or liquid state;
only knew it was good to put a man to
sleep; didn't know it would kill man;
did not think of such thing; had no idea
how much an ounce was in quantity; |
asked for one or two ounces because l
had money for that amount; made no at
tempt at concealment when dropped it
into Paiers glass of pop, which was
already half empty; don't know how
much put in; think though, about one
half of what was in the bottle. Mrs. H.
took the glass away; saw her do so; soon
after Miller Prater and Paior can oin;
then Paer called for more beer, but Mrs |
II. refused, and we went out; was trying |
to get him toward the depot to go home,
but went into Metzgers where each |
drank beer; his money fell out on the
floor, and picked it up and gave it to
him and told him to take better care of
it. Prater then said let's goto Benklers,
he said it was quiet place, We wentto
Ranblorjo fooathar. IL UaS a nuipt Dlapp |