The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-06-25
VIC ARE raEsR MEN
Who Claim to be the Murderers of
Farm or Umbergar.


vicled of the robbery and murder of Farmer
Umberger, have frightened up since the re-
cept Of letter from a sister, in which she
states that confession has been made by
cne John Peach. of Somerset county, TO
having murdered Umberger, and implicat-
inr man named Miller from the same
county, as en- accomplice The story as Civ
en- by the Nicely girl. is that certain JUS
tice of the Peace presented himself at SOM
erset recently. made affi davii that John
Beach had appeared before him and confess
eG mat be ard a man named Miller had
killed UmbeTger, and that the Nicely boys
had nothing whatever to do with the mur-
| der
The sisters story lacks confirmation, and
in some respects looks improbable Some OF
the Court House officials believe ii was cook
ed up to influence tie Board OF Pardons,
before whom their case Will be brought
again.
A special from Greensburg gives a differ
ent version Of the alleged confession. 1t
| says A rumor is in circulation here tonight
10 AliS NiAtlA tlAdA AAdh lidAhNa AZ Nafd
naugh convict in Somerset Jail, has con-
fessed 10 the murder of old man UmbeTger.
The confession is alleged to have been pro-
cured through the efforts Of the father of the
Nicely boys. Ii is said he has the papers in
his pocket and will arrive here in the morn
ing and make affidavit TO the papers. Cava-
naugh is an eccentric individual and lived
in the neighborhood of the Nicelys.
Shortly before dusk Sunday evening, June
Sth, stranger of good address and rather
fine appearance appeared before Esquire
Elijah King, of Upper Turkeyfoot town
ship and requested that officer to swear him
10 a paper he took from his pocket. Justice
King reminded the stranger that it was the
Sabbath day, and that he could not admin
lister the oath as requested. The stranger
replied tha, he would assume all response
bility for the legality of the transaction and
insisted that the Justice grant him the ia
vor Subsequently the oath was admins
tered, the stranger swearing by the uplifted
hand. Taking package from lis pocket
the stranger opened il and put the affidavit
in it and then carefully tied it up again.
After conversng with the Justice for short
period he inquired if he could not let the
package with him over night saying that il
was bulky and inconvenient 10 carry and
that, as he was going to spend the night in
the neighborhood, he would call for it in the
morning. Justice King put the mysterious |
package into his desk and the stranger took |
his departure after paying the accustomed |
fee for administering an oath.
Monday morning came and passed but the |
Squire's caller of the previous evening did |
not appear TO receive his package Later in
the day the stranger continuing TO absent |
hinselfth Justice opened the package and |
found it contained a manuscript, reciting at |
length the life of one John Beach and what |
purported to be confession of his compiled |
ty in the murder of Herman Umberger. and /
duplicating one Miller The package also
contained note requesting the Justice to
forward the manuscript to A. A. Nicely,
father Of the convicted murderers. Justice
King, we are told forwarded the manuscript
to Gen. A. H. CofIrotb, counsel for the
Nicelys
The HERALD has endeavOred to learn if
there is or ever has been q resident of this
county by the name Of John Beach and up
to this time has been unsuccessful. The
matter Of the confession will strike the peo-
Pile of the county as being a last desperate
attempt on the part ofthe friends of the con-
demned men to create a suspicion of their
innocence and to eventually save them from
the gallows.
Joe Nicely continues to write weekly COM
munications for the Westmoreland Demo
cfai in which he reviews the testimony of
number of the witnesses for the Common
wealth on the trial of the case and contrasts
il with that adduced from witnesses for the
defense. 1t is hardly necessary to add that
he still insists that he and his brother are
innocent of Herman Umbergers murder
and inyokes the vengence OF God on those
who swore against them.
Republican County Convention.
The Republican County Convention met
in the Court House on Tuesday, June l7th
aud was called to order promptly at l o'clock
p. m. by Chairman Biesecker.
On motion Of W. f. Boyts, Mr.. Albert
Wright, Of Stonycreek township, and Mr.
Jacob Heckler, of Middlecreek township
were elected Vice Presidents of the Conven-
ton
A J. Senbower, Z. c. Bowman and S. NJ
Housel, ESqr's were elected Secretaries, and
Frank s. Cunningham and A X Allen were
named as tellers
Fred. W. Besecker Esq, was reelected
chairman of the county committee by a
unanimous vote A. J. Colborn Esq, II.
l.. Walker, of Stonycreek township and c.
b. Moore, of Middlecreek township, were
elected members of the Executive committee
for the ensuing year.
The returns of the previous Saturdays !
primary were handed in and cast up, after
which the convention adjourned
Reduced Rates for the Fourth of July
on the Pennsylvania Railroad.
In pursuance ofits usual liberal policy the