Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-03-01
A FARMER MURDERED.
SHOT DOWN IN SIGHT OF
HIS WIFE.
Herman Umbcrgcr Attacked by Two
Men While Helping Them Search
for Stolen JcweIry---They
Steal $4,000.

YOUNGSTOWN, Pa, Feb. 2S.-Herman
umberger, farmer reputed 10 be worth
$50, 600, living on a beautiful farm mile
south of Jennerstown, on the ,ohnstown
and Somerset Pike, on the right hand side
OF the road driving south, was murdered
by two men last evening and robbed of
$4,000 in cash and $4,000 in notes.
His family was his wife, a little grand
daughter and a Miss Stearn, employed
help. young man, who is farm hand,
was not at home when the murder took
place. Mre. Nancy Umberger, the widow,
says that about half past o o'clock last
evening knock was made at the front
door aud Ella Stearn, who is living with
the family, opened the door and two men
i came in.
| They sat down by the fire, saying they
were very cold. Mr.. Umberger sat on
the lounge aud the men told him that
Shey had been riding from Bedford, and
that hey hal left their horse and buggy
at Frank Helpless. They sat in this room
for about hfteen minutes, one of them
talking to Mr.. Uniberger in q friendly
manner The larger man OF the two did
net do any talking. Mr.. Umberger asked
them II they were strangers in the neigh
borhood, and in response the little man
gave name, but Mrs. Umberger cannot
remember what 1t was.
He said he was a constable from Bed
ford and that they were sent out to
search the houses between Jenner and
Johnetown for jewelry that was stolen
from peddler named Maxim, a Jew from
Pittsburg.
He said they had searched the houses
OF Frank Heiple and Gi liau Frlendline,
who are neighbors Of Mr.. Umberger, and
finally told him they would have to
search his house, that they did not like
to do 1t, but were compelled to.
Mr.. Umberger said: "You can look
here, but you will not find any jewelry."
Tie little man said that they would
have to see every paper and everything
about the house.
Before commencing search he took q
paper out of his pocket and said It was
search warrant. Mr.. Umberger asked
him II he had 1t renewed or endorsed in
! this county. He said eyes," that Squire
Rauch had endorsed 1t.
The red-faced man and Miss Stearn re-
mained In the sitting room, but after Mr..
Umberger left this room he changed
chairs so he could see the others. The
D little fellow examined everything in the
: parlor, and then toll Mr.. Umberger that
: he would have to open the bureau draw
: ers. Mrs Umberger spoke up and said
D she thought they had hunted around
enough.
The smallest man, however, insisted he
: had forgotten to look under the bed.
T Both men then went into the bedroom
a with Mr.. Umberger and Mamie. Mrs.
e Umberger was In the sitting room at this
time, when Mamie came 70 her and said
:. "Granda wants you" When Mrs. Um.
= berger went in her husband said they
= wanted him to pull the bureau out, thai
/. there was something behind 1t; that they
Is thought there was double floor there.
n After looking here the little fellow said
= Take that big drawer out" Mr.. Um
berger obeyed them, and disclosed two
: poeketbooks, which he said contained the
# money with which he paid his mtn.
THE MURDERoUs ATTACK.
d Bo,h of the men went into the sitting
: room and Mr. Umberger followed them,
putting the pocket books inside bis
e waistcoat. As soon as they got Inside
the room the little man turned sharply
: on Mr.. Umberger, drawing his revolver
and demanding the money. All was
: con ius ion. Mr.. Umbereer retreated to
: the corner, while Mrs. Umberger rush
g ed to the kitchen to ring the farm bell.
She had hardly left the room before the
8 murderer shot Mr.. Umberger four times
e and while she was down stairs another
shot was fred and Mr.. Umberger's life
Q less corpse dropped into the kitchen.
E Squire Rauch held an inquest last
n evening. On examination bJ DIR. Wal.
ker it was found that one ball had entered
d Mr.. Umberger's right breast and passed
/ through his body. Another bullet had
!. entered the left side. The first three
shots missad, aud their marks are In the
l. room.
!; Mrs. Umberger aud Miss Stearn and
9 little Mamie gave the following descrip.
ton Of the men: The larger of the men
a was about feet 10 inches in height
8 weighing probably l70 pounds, and wore a
cap, dark oyercoat aud ovcralls with
yellow stripes. When this man came In
and all the time he remained he kept his
mouth, lips and cheeks covered with two
It red handerchieis with white dots, the one
e having larger dois than the other. He
:, appeared to be about IS years of age, and
Mrs. Umberger, distinguished him from
a the other, 'the red-faced man." The
other man was about 5 feet inches, aud
= wore a brown derby hat with hole In
the crown. He had long, mixed gray
whiskers and mustache, but both had the
d appearance OF being false; also his hair,
:. which was curly and tangled. He wore
dark oyercoat, dark cloth trousers aud
gum boots. Judging him In this gutsc
: they think his age would be about so.
!. | -
r Half Fare to Washington.
a I n -