The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-05-18
THE KILLING OF GEO. EHRET.
Evidence at the Coroner's Inquest


posed the jury to examine into the cause and
manner of the killing of George Ehret on the
evening Of Wednesday, May 10th r. II. Ander.
son. John Poyser, Joseph Weaver Henry Bowen,
Daniel Lanker and John Wonderly. The exam.
ihation was held in the Mayors office, west base.
meat of the Court House, and lasted from ten
O'Clock in the morning till halfpast five in the
evening Eighteen witnesses were examined
closely and carefully, We give the important
points produced in the testimony:
The first witness examined was
MARY LUCH-I reside Oh Chestnut street WAS
at home during the evening of May 10th heard a
disturbance about o'clock at the corner of Chest
nut street and an alley leading to Plum street.
Heard woman scream and went out saw some
parties at corner, but didn't recognize them after
night heard three shots; don't know who fired
them, afterwards saw Mrs. Ehret lead her hus
band to Lordonne's grocery across the street, and
afterward saw him lying on the floor
CATHERINE SUTER, swom.-Llve on Chestnut
street; was at a neighbor's house on the evening
of May 10th, at The time of the disturbance; heard
disturbance at corner Of alley leading to Plum
street, heard talking as Of two or three men to.
getheri knew George Ehret was one of them by
his voice heard him say In German, "let me 90 .
there were two men with him; heard him speak
again and say, 81 didn't do any harm am not
drunk" that's all could understand Then
they had fuss with each other; Mrs. Ehret tried
to help him, and one Of the men reached over his
shoulder and pushed her away. Mrs Ehret be.
gan to scream, and said her husband should come
home with her, heard a shot, then heard Ehret
breathe hard was just inside the fence, about 10
feet from them; saw no knife drawn by Ehret or
any one else saw no revolver; couldn't see
which one did the shootingi heard two more
shots and then heard the two men run up alley
toward Plum street didn't know who they were ;
didn't hear Ehret say anything; he fell after first
shot and got up; fell again after second shot and
got up again; fell again after third shot, and Mrs.
Ehret helped him up and led him into Lordonne's
grocery, when she tainted and he fell to the floor
didn't think Ehret was drunk, but he had eyi.
IDENTIFY been drinking; have known him about
four years, and have known him to be a hard
working man. who always tried to keep his family
best as he could didn't hear Ehret threaten after
first shot.
DR.. E. o. PoRTMANN, written report sworn to.-l
E. o, Port Gann, practicng physician in Canton
Ohio, held post mortem examination upon the
body Of George Ehret deceased on the morning
of May 1lth, and found three wounds on his body
one of which was necessarily fatal. The first
Mound on the head was caused by ball entering
the covering Of the skull, about two inches back
Of the ear, running obliquely upwards and back.
wards, partly along and partly through the occi-
pital bone. This was not a serious wound. The
second Wound was on the right side of the thorax
In the intercostal space between the sixth and
seventh rib, about nine inches back from the
sternum. This was buta superficial wound ex.
tending backwards and downwards. The third
Dound was caused by ball which entered the
thorax in the inercosal space of the clavicle and
first rib, about four inches from the sternum to
the right side. The probe showed that the ball
must have gone through the lungs, toward the
left side, obliquely downwards toward the spinal
column, where 1t was found located in the skin.
DR.. E. o. PoRTMANN.
A. ], CRIss, sworn.-I live in Canton, corner of
Plum and Cedar streets; am painter by trade
was elected township constable last spring was
at the Eagle Block hat store about o'clock on the
evening OF May 10th started on my way home in
company with Policeman Byron Smith about nine
| O'Clock; we went to Presbyterian Church and
| turned down west side of Plum till Eighth street.
where we crossed and went down east side of
| Plum. When we came to Reynolds street we
| stopped heard disturbance back in alley lead.
ing to Chestnut street, and saw two women stand
ing at corner apparently afraid to proceed on
their way toward Chestnut street Smith said.
well go back and see what the trouble isn We
went back, and at the corner of the alley and
Chestnut street. we found man and woman
quarrehng; she was pleading with him to 90
home with her; they were on the east side of
Chestnut, near the alley we walked up Chestnut
street about ten steps to listen. Finally the man
left the woman and walked part way across
Chestnut street; the woman followed crying, and
still pleading for him to come home; they talked
together quite while there, he using roHgh lam
guage in German and swearing at her; finally the
man either picked up and threw or kicked tin
bucket or some similar utensil at her; Smith
started across, and followed Smith walked up
and laid his hand on the man. arm and told him
to be quiet or he'd lock him up. The man turned
round and pushed Smith away, and said, Las
mich ga" Smith then called on me, and we each
took one of the mans arms and led him to alley;
had to use force, as he pulled back and resisted !;
his wife followed and pleaded for his release ;
told her in best German could, if he'd 20 quietly
home, we'd let him go. Policeman Smith showed
his badge, and she said she understood its mean
ing. She then told her husband to be quiet and
Ich sic STILL" We let him 60 then and he turned
and struck Smith, or struck at him, and she tried
to put her arms about his neck, and in the scufle
she was pushed away. | jumped in, and locking
both hands over top or back of his head, forced
him to his knees. He caught me with one arm
around the leg and commenced cutting me,
suppose with knife; couldn't say he cut me in
the leg and cut my clothes; didn't see knife then,
| too dark he cut two gashes in my leg Smith
| then came to my assistance and struck him with
billy think and he then relaxed hold on my leg,
and tore away, and he raised to his feet and
clincheG with Smith. then followed to Smith,
take care, he has knife Pm cut" Next saw
Smith throw up his hands and say "Ohm and
stagger back l then ran into the street. unbut
toned my overcoat as l ran and drew my revolver
when turned in the middle of the street. saw him
following me- and told him, "Stand back or pll
shoot" he held something in his hand and re-
piled, "Sheesen du son Of b-h" l continued
to back away, holding revolver toward him, and
he kept following and thr, atening warned him
again not to come. and then fired; didn't fire to
hit him, but pointed revolver to one side and
shot, hoping to intimdate him was about eight
or ten feet from him. He still came toward me
saying, "sheesen du son of a b-h;o stood ground
moment and he came closer; then l backed
again and fired another shot; fired to wound him !;
aimed toward lower part of his body but in the
dark my aim was uncertain thought had no.
hit him. as he still followed me up, repeating what
he said before; he didn't fall, then he came
closer; held his hand aloft, and l saw from a
light across the street something glitter in his
hand; said, when he was within four or five
feet ofme Stand back or I'll blow your brains
out" and as he came on l fired the third shot
aiming little higher than before. He didn't
fall, but judged hit him, for he turned. and
walked toward the woman, and she toward him !;
heard Smith call me then, and went to him in
alley, and he said we'd go and get assistance and
we left Last saw of Ehret he and his wife were
going toward Lordonnes grocery. My leg was
bleeding, and l didn't know how bad was cut;
went to DR.. Phillips's office and he dressed my
cuts. Most assuredly felt my life in danger;
didn't know who Ehret was that night.
Nothing new was developed in the testimony of
Nick Danner and Charlie Myers.