The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-06-24
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GUsTAyE ADoLPH ORR, INDICTED FOR MURDER IN
THE FIRST DEGREE.
Gustave A. ohr, at the time of his arrestin June,
1879 as near as can be ssteTtained was between
seventeen and eighteen years of age. He was
bora in Bavaria, Germany, and his parents re
moved 10 this country when he was between one
and two years OF age. While yet a mere child
his father died and mis- mother REMARKED 10
julius Thomas, a mechanic residing In Chicago,
I'll. Though naturally Of quick perception, his
early education was considerably neglected and
be was allowed to run at large through the city,
though his mother cannot be held altogether re,
spopsible for this. Having a natural gift for
music he soon learned to play the violin and 9th.
or instruments and his services were frequently
given at at balls and parties and free concerts of
questionable character. He had alo become a
great lover Of reading, but from his associates
and surroundings he generally selected what is
known as yellow covered literature" blood
sud thunder s%tories,' etc. He Was undoubtedly
Of warm hearted disposition, but possessed of a
spirit OF determination which, had it bsen guided
into the right channel, would undoubtedly have
made an inf Iential Citz.n Of him.
Some time in August, 1878, be left his home in
Chicago, and in the latter part Of March or first Of
April, 1879, he conceived the idea OF taking a
tramp east, (having previously worked al the
trade OF cigar makiug) in search as adventure
and to see a brother in New York. About the
first week In June, when, when a short distance
east Of TT. Wayne, lad, he came across an old
gentleman and q young man, also on a tramp
The youngeT stranger held up a bottle of whisky
and asked him (0hr) If he ever drank anything.
He replied that he did and Joined them. They
informed him they were also tramping it east
and he decided to go with them, especially after
the younger one MANN Informed him that the
old gentleman had money and a watch. (0hr
states that Mann told him that II he would go
with them, that they, ohr and himself, would
take the old mans money and his watch,) They
jJurneyed together, the old gentleman watt
maugh) dividing lunches that be bought daily
with the two boys.
On the evening Of the 26.h Of June, 1879 the
trio were seen at Louisville, Stark county, Ohio,
and afterwards near The railroad water tank at
Alliance; also at a small grocery store, where the
old gentleman bought some crackers and cheese
for q lunch. They then went to what is known
as "Webb's sugar camp" near the city and made
preparations to pass the night. Towards morning
according to Ohr's story, Mann said to him, "now
is our best chance; let us stun him and take his
money and things" ThereupOn Mann produced
an iron Car coupling.pin that he had been carry
ing, and struck at the unconscious old man who
was sleeping quietly after his long days walk
aud probably dreaming sweetly Of his wife and
home so far away. To again use Ohr's version
Mann weakened; he did not have the sand, and
| took the pin and as the old man raised up fin
ished the job" During the trsal his mother ss
beside him and no words Of ours could expresI
her feelings. She undoubtedly saw where SHE
had been mistaken in not exercising home inhu
enoes in the right channel. Oh mothers, will "
never learn, until too late, that to you belong
large portion of the duty Of teaching your child
rem, while yet young, to be honest, upright, God
loving men and women. And ye fathers, remem
Der that to you and your example, rests grea
deal of the responsibility for the course OF lih
chosen by your children.
The evidence given at the trial Of Ohr was, o
Curse, ci1cumstantial though corroborated b.
facts and his own admissions. Throughout tn
trial he remained calm and cool and gave no
the slightest outward sign OF the mental suffering
that he was undergoing.
On the 9th day Of December, 1879, the jury
composed of the following named citizens Of tn
county Messrs. A.. J, Hershey (tOreman), G.. Free
man, R. q, Wise, James Willis, Urish Rinhold
David Miller, David sherrick, VIM. Pence, Davi,
Lind, JOS. Rsam, Thomas MCGinity and Ephrain
Ernst, were selected, and the trial commenced.
After hearing the testimony and listening to III
eloquent and able pleas Of RS Shields, Prescott
ing Attorney, and his assistants, W. R, Day ant
Louis M. Sehaefer, Esqrs, for the State, and Mes
Sis. III {. Parker, I. Q. Meyer and James NJ. Amer
man, EsQr5, for the defense, and the able, com
prehensive charge of Judge Meyer, they retired t
their room on the 18th Of December, and after al
} absence Of sixteen hours returned the dread vel
dict
ave find the defendant guilty Of murder tn
first degree"
5 Ohr heard the verdict read with his usual calm
ness though his mother was visibly very muc
effected.
' During his incarceration in the county Jail Oh
8 has been visited by thousands OF people. He he
kept up his outward show Of Calmness, thong
with friends that he places confidence in, an
5 with his religious adviser, he acknowledges thl
he realizes his situation, the business Of his sci
tence, his willingness to meet the punishmel
melted out by law for his terrible crime and h
hopes for forgiveness hereafter, when brought b.
Q fore the IiumOrtal Jgdge Of the Universe.
The following composition has been written /
Q Ohr since his sentence, from the sale Of which /
Q has been able to purchase many luXuries:
. Come all we tender Christians,
d A warning take by me;
Be led by your parents
And shun bad company.
For liberty and freedom
Is better than all gold,
You never know its value
Until you've lost its hold.
My name it is Gustaye Ohr,
The same I'll never deny,
Which leaves my aged parents
In sorrow for to cry,
It's little did they ever think,
While in my youthful bloom,
They brought me to America
To meet my fatal doom,
In bad houses Of liquor
used to take delight,
And consequently my associates
They used me there invite.
1t was on a certain day,
As you shall quickly see,
was enticed into Mann's company .
By a bottle Of whisky
1t was in the town Of Alliance,
As we were travelling,
Mann picked up an iron,
Commonly called a coupling pin,
As we got into Webb's sugar ann,
We all laid down to rest,
When Mann steps up to me and says,
Our chances are now the best.
He says now let us stun him,
And take his things away,
And we will go to New York city