The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-01-01
CONVICTION AND SENTENCE
OF Charles w. Hewitt for the Killing
of George j. Lacy.-Ten Years
in the Penitentiary.

On Thursday morning, Dec. 10,
1889, the trial of Charles w. Hewitt
for the murder of Geo. j. Lacy, at
Golinza, this county, on October 21st,
last, was begun. The jury empanelled
to try the case was as follows, and we
may just here remark that more in.
telligent jury it would be difficult to
obtain:
w, r. Hasselback, jerks, lumber.
man.
Adam Emert, Hickory, farmer.
John Cropp, TiOnesta, carpenter.
John Eek, Barnett, farmer.
Truman Hill, Tionesta, farmer.
A. w. .Stroup, Tionesta, farmer.
Amos Ledebur, Green, farmer.
L. B. Wells, Hickory, farmer.
Amos Ginger, Harmony, oil pro.
ducer.
James Cook, Barnett, farmer.
T. w. Allender, Hickory, tollkeeper.
Robert McBeth, Barnett, book,
keeper.
The Commonwealth was represented
by District Attorney Clark and Law.
yers Agnew and Davis Of Tionesta,
Ritchey of Oil City, John w. Reed Of
Clarion, and A. B. Richmond OF
Meadville. Mr.. Ritchey opened the
case for the prosecution, outlining
briefly what the Commonwealth would
attempt to prove. The main witness
in the case was Will. L. Klinestiver,
who was in the store at the time of the
tragedy. His testimony 10 brief was
as follows:
am bookkeeper for the Lacys; Chas.
| Hewitt was employed as chore boy by
George Lacy, from July until October
Mr.. Lacy had been away from home and
returned Saturday, the 10Th, Monday
morning Charley Hewitt come IN the
store about O'Clock in the morning and
sat down on the counter. Mr.. Lacy and
Mr.. Roth camo into the store. Lacy
passed Charley, spoke to him and came
on back to the private Office, Charley
coming with him. Mr.. Lacy said to me
"Charley thinks he has grievance" He
| told Charley to sit down. Charley told me
he was charged with 81 he did not think
he had received. / read the articles for
which he was charged 81, and he said "Ohv'
Mr.. Lacy asked him if no had not paid
something for his wife. He said, "Yes,
25c." Mr.. Lacy told me to pay it to him.
Charley said there was one and three
! quarter days in October he had not been
paid for. Mr.. Lacy told me to Fay him al
the basis of SIG month Charley said he
could not work for that amount. Mr.
Lacy said: "Charley you know you
nearly dried up the COW, did not feed the
horses, starved the colts and did not feed
the pigs" Charley said; "By-,I won't
take it. l will have the law before l do"
Mr.. Lacy struck at him. don't know
whether he hit him or not. Charley
swOre he would not stand it and jumped
out of his chair. The latter continued to
strike and L saw him strike Charley's
cheek once. l said don't" and they
/ desisted. 1 turned away from them i
heard a scuffle, turned around and Charley
and Mr.. Lacy were very close together
and pushing each other. Lacy moved to
to one side, Charley's face was toward
him; saw Charley put his arm down
toward his pocket, heard pistol shot and
Lacy reeled back and said, "My God, he
has shot me-" Jumped down fIom the
desk, put mysarms around him and said
"Come let us get out of this" Lacy said,
"Yes, let us get out; he will kill us all"
l helped him down the store; met Mr.
Roth, and he took charge of Lacy. When
| went 10 Lacy's assistance l saw re-
volver in Hewitts hands, which was
smoking. After Roth took Lacy, Hewitt
came out rubbing his coat, said: ale
did not care -- if he had shot a
hole through his coat" l then went to
the barn and met Hewitt. 1 said: "My
God, Charley why did you do that? You
have murder on your hands," He said
"By-," he did not care a--; he
would allow no man to call him a
if he hung for it,"
Mr.. Roth testified: ~ went home with
George Lacy the Saturday evening before
the homicide. Monday morning I went
TO the store with him. When we went in
l heard him say Charley and grievances.
l went outside thinking they wanted tC
talk privately. About 10 minutes after,
wards heard noise as if saw had
fallen. There was stream of running
water near and l could not hear distinctly
! went 10 the store and saw Klinestivel
assisting Lacy. went to him and Lacy
says, Il ann hurt; l am dead man. Send