davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-09

All kinds OF merchandise, and other freieht,.
including orss. promptly transferred from the
depot. Office at J. Feldberg's store and at thu
depot. Orders will receive prompt sttsntion.
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-09
Internat!onal Monet.ry Confsrence.I

International Monetary Conference. /,
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-The International
Monetary conference met at the state de-
partment this afternoon. 1t was called to
order by Secretary Blaine. who made a
brief address Of welcome. Senior Romero,
of Mexico, was chosen temporary chairman.
As all the delegates mad not arrived an ad-
journment was taken subject to the call OF
the Temporary chairman.
The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-09

CHICAGO, Jan. 8.-Two masked men en-
tered the saloon Of James Murphy in the
stockyards district early this morning and
tortured Murphy until he revealed the safe
combination. They secured $500 and e.
capped. Murphy recently fell heir to a large
sum of money, which tho robbers evidently
hoped to find in the safe.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

knife pressed hard against his
throat. Tell Us where YOUR money is
or we will kill you for sure this time,
said the man with the knife, but with
life half extinct and death staring him
uneomfgrtabIy close in the face, he Telt-
Grated that they had already secured al'
the money there was in the house. Then
they asked that he write them orders on
the different farmers of the neighboor-
hood who we're indebted to him, to be
cashed at once. This Mr. Yoder posi-
lively refused t, do, saying be would die
before he would write an order.
By this time the other members
Of the gang had gathered together ali
the provisions they could ind about the
house and small quantity Of whiskey
and wine that they found in the cellar,
assisted in tying the old man hand and
foot. all took their departure. A
span of gray horses in which Mr. Yoder
took the greatest pride and valued highly,
were stolen from the barn, and 1t was sup
posed that the gang took turn about rid
ing in making their escape from the
neighborhood
The following Monday morning two Of
the gang were detected in barn in Ad-
olson township and were captured but
escaped from their eaptors, taking their
horses and riding away in most re-
markable and surprising manner.
Eighteen resolute men headed
BY ex-Sheriff Kyle of Meyers
dale, VISITED McClellandtown, Fayette
county Sunday morning and captured
the desperadoes-ten in all-and
brought them TO Somerset.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
Another Mountain Tragedy,
ING THEIR sTEP-MOTHER oUT OF
THE WORLD.

TWO YOUNG FARMERS CHARGED WITH HELP.
ING THEIR sTEP-MoTHER oUT OF
THE WORLD.
On the same day the McClellandtown
gang were lodged in Jail. detective T. ].
Picking added two more inmates to that
viIe-smelling institution. They were
George and David Shaulis, Of Jefferson
township, and were charged with having
helped their father-who was found
hanging on a tree-out of the world, and
with having shot their step-mother.
The Jail contained II prisoners at this
time, all charged with serious crimes. And
it was known to be but little more secure
than a pig-stye, and was as foul-smelling.
Fears of a general Jail delivery were ex-
pressed on ali sides. The prisoners were
believed to have powerful friends on the
outside, and an attempted rescue was not
UNLOCKED for. A feeling of distrust was
general throughout the county. All
strangers were regarded with suspicion,
and it was almost impossible to secure a
nights lodging without first producing a
certificate of good character Armed
guards patrolled the outside walls of the
Jail, while others kept vigilant watch
over the prisoners in the cells. The re-
port OF a pistol shot at night had the
effect Of drawing nearly every male resi-
dent Of Somerset into the streets. People
were worked up TO a most unnatural
pitch Of excitement and fear, and only
the untiring vigilance Of Sheriff McMil-
len kept the inmates of the Jail securely
imprisoned.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
Habeas Corpus Hearing.

A writ of ha5eas corpus was issued Mon
day, March llth, commanding Rush 5.
1 McMillen, High Sheriff and keeper Of the
Jail of Somerset county, 10 produce the
bodies of David and Joseph Nicely forth
with before his Honor, W. J. Baer, Pres.
ident Judge. Notice Of the issuing Of
the writ was served upon District At
torney Biesecker and his associate coun-
sci, F. ]. Kooser, Esq, and Thursday,
March 2sth, was fixed for the day Of
hearing.
The fact that the accused we're to be
brought into court on a writ of ha5cas
corpus on Thursday having been given to
the public, had the effect Of drawing a
large number Of people to town on that
day. When the hour set for the hearing
arrived, the walk leading from the jail to
the court house was lined on either side
with men six or eight deep, straining
their necks in morbid curiosity to catch
glimpse of the Nicely boys as they
were led from the prison to the court
room where the hearing was to be held.
The clock had barely sounded the
hour of l when the Sheriff and his dep
uty, with the prisoners between them.
were seen descending the stone steps
leading from the Jail, and as they passed
between the crowd one could hear the
halfsmothered expressions of those who
thought they could detect evidence of
guilt or innocence in the faces of the
prisoners.
The court room presented strange
sight when his Honor, Judge Baer, rap
ped for order. The scatiolding erected
by the paper hangers was still in posi-
ton, and away back in one corner work
men we're engaged in putting the finish
ing touches to the ceiling Here aud
there, between the boards Of the scalIold-
ing, one could catch sight of the deep
blue and bright gold coloFs that were TO
beautify the musty old nom. Men we're
standing up on all Of the seats, -hiIe the
open space outside Of the bar and the
bar itself, we're packed with a pushing,
perspiring mob, thicker than flies were
ever collected on a moiasses covered
sheet of paper in country grocery. Men
were standing in the window recesses
and on chairs, and so closely packed was
the crowd in the room that it was next
thing to impossible to get out when once
in.
On the bench sat Judges Baer and Pile.
His Honor had occasion during the hear
ing to rebGke the audience tor aadiblv
smiling at the evidence Of a witness. and
to remind them that the court was en-
gagged in an extremely solemn duty.
Back Of the Judges, and between them
and the wall, stood row of half a dozen
venerable farmers, with heads inclined
forward, bound that nothing should es-
cape their ears or observation If thew
could prevent 1t.
At the Commonwealth table sat Dis
trict Attorney Biesecker, F. ]. Kooser.
Esq, and the principal witnesses for the
State.
The table for the defense attracted the
eyes Of all present. Around it were seated
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

berver's about > o'clock Wednesday even
ing.
warrant was issued for Hamilton
arrest. and he was surprised at his home
AT A late hour Thursday night, anc
brought 70 Somerset and lodged IN JAIL
He was subsequently discharged at
ha5eas corpus hearing. No evidence hav-
ing been produced against him.
THE INQUEST.
Justice Henry Rauch Of Jennertown
beld an inquest on the body Of the mur'
dered man. Thursday morning On ex'
animation by Dr. Walker it was found
that one ball had struck Mr.. SmbergeE
in the right breast and passed through hi'
BODY. II was found between the skin
and his shirt. II was 30 calibre ball
Another bullet entered the leff side and
passed through the heart The first
three shots did not hit Mr.. Umberger
Two Of the balls were found imbedded
in the wall. above the book case, and
the third was discovered in the ceiling
which indicates that there was a struggle
or that the first shots were fired with the
intent Of frightening Mr.. Umberger and
not Of injuring him.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
Carnival of Crime.

The one topic Of conversation through
out the entire county at this time was in
relation to the inmates of the insecure
old Jail and would they be forthcoming
when wanted by the court. In addition
to the Nicely boys the Jail contained the
tam rus NJ &C elan ltown gang" of rob
bers-seven gentlemen and three ladies'
The leaders of the desperate gang were
afterwards convicted and sentenced to
long terms of Imprisonment in the Peni-
t-ntiary for robbing and brutaily tortur-
ing Christian Yoder, well known old
Amish resident of Summit township.
This crime was so diabolical that it de
serves more than passing notice.
On the evening of April Is, 1889, four
masked men entered the home of Mr..
Yoder Just after the family consisting. of
Yoder, his wife, hired girl and hired
man had finished eating supper, and
while two of the Williams covered the
family with reyolvers, their confed-
crates produced ropes aud gags.
When all of the family excepting Mr..
loder, who was old and feeble, had been
hound and gagged, they commanded him
to produce all the money he had in the
house. Si0Q was handed over hut this
did not satisfy the wretehes ami s.izing
tle defenseIess old man they carried him
10 his barn, tied rope around his
neck and throwing the other end over a
beam In the open NOV above, hoisted
the poor old farmer into the air. after
one OF the gang had commanded hang
him up boys, he has lived long enough
anyhow. When the old mans respira-
ton became labored he was lowered to
the barn floor and asked if he was ready
to give up the balance Of his money.
Upon his denying that he had any more
ne was again strung up. Not content
with this means of torture a bunch of
hay was set on fire by one of the ruff.
fans and applied to the soles of the old
mans feet. He was held suspended
over the fire in the midst of suffocating
smoke while the cruel flames hlistered
his hands and scorohed his garments.
satisfied that he would reveal where his
treasure was concealed by this time the
tames were extingnished.
When lowered the second time he was
unconscious and when he revived he was
lying on the kitchen floor. Standing
over him were two of the gang-one
with revolver pressed against his fore
head, and the other with long dirk
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

bounded, and when the constable start
ed for Somerset with his prisoners, a
number Of the citizens mounted their
horses and, notwithstanding the horribly
inclement weather and the almost i'm
passable condition OF the roads, insisted
on accompanying the party and seeing
that the murderers were safely delivered
into the custody Of Sheriff McMilien.
The party reached Somerset at about 9
o'clock. and Constable Rauch delivered
his charges into the custody Of the sher-
if
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02


of the robbery Of the peddler, the search
warrant, etc. Were the prisoners at the
bar the men who had come to her EN-
ployer's house that fatal February night,
and if SO, would she be able to identify
them, and how?
The witness affirmed and took the
stand. Her manner was collected and
she answered all questions asked in an
intelligent way and in clear and dis
tinct tone of voice.
When they came in | was sitting at the
table close TO the parlor door-between
the parlor door and the table Mrs Tn.
berger was sitting in front of the table
alongside Of me We gave the two men
chairs in front of the coal stove, and they
sat down there with their backs toward
me one was a taller man than the other.
wore dark clothes, and had two
handkerchiefs tied across his chin, and
had brown overalls on with yellow
stripes, and an overcoat the small man
wore mask with long gray beard, had
gum boots on and had his pants in his
boots and had a brown Derby hat on,
and he did the most talking; the little
man kept his hat on and the tall man
took his of.
She recited all of the details of the
search made of the house, and finally
how the little man drew revolver and
pointing if at Mr. Umberger, demanded,
Your money or your life" Then / ran
out Of the house" said the witness, "and
as soon as was on the porch heard
the shooting" Red handkerchiefs with
white spots handed the witness These
are the handkerchiefs he had tied around
his jaws. ! have seen these men since
that evening"
q Where did you see them +? A. | saw
Their last the day up at Rauch's they
are N this house to day.
q Where are they? A. Here they sit.
Pointing to the two Nicelys, who sat
close to her, This, pointing to Dave
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

and demand his
life or money; /
h card four shots
and | ran out into
the kitchen and
rang the bell; l
h card one more
sh OF and Umber-
ger fell back into
the kitchen dead I;
l saw { he m a n
S h 90 /; saw I b e
flash and b e a I'd
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
sFrrcrrSe THE IrRY.

The work of selecting the jury IN TIE
Umberger murder case commenced or
Thursday evening and lasted up un'il
about o'clock Friday afternoon Fifty
seven jurors were caled before The twelve
we're finally selected.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

was young, bright,
intelligent h a d
been an eye-wit-
ness of the terrible
tragedy ; had con-
versed with the
=" Red faced Man -
at some length on
the evening of the
murder, and mad
heard the prattle of
the 4" Little Man .
as he told the story
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

Nicely s'tha tall man, and this, (point-
ing to joe is the short one the little
man kept his hat on while they were IN
the house there was piece torn out OF
the rim think | could identify that
hat that shown that's the hat, the
piece is out of the rim that | spoke of !;
that was on the back of his head the
large mans nose was not covered by the
handkerchief | saw his eyes and part of
his face where there was no handker-
chief -e hsd an overcoat on and over
alls couldn't recognize the overcoat ;
it was dark coat he had brown strip
ed overalls and leather boots | can't
tell what kind of overalls or pants the
little man had his pants were dark
don't know whether they were striped or
not he had dark clothss on. IOveralls
shown and recognized by the witness
Crosy-eramiauioa The witness was
cross s-examined at great length by Gen.
Cofiroth, but he was unable to make her
contradict herselfi in the slightest partic-
ular. There was nothing over the little
mans nose or eyes; if that mans beard
was natural, then never saw him after
wards | never saw any one with curly
hair ike his could recognize the 'little
man " by his voice could tell this
handkel chief by the way it was rolled
up when saw it taken out of the tall
mans pocket at Squire Rauch's.
SHOWS HOW IT WAS DONE.
At this point the handkerchief that
was taken from David Nicely's pocket at
the hearing at Squire Rauch's was passed
TO the witness and another was handed
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
Nns. NANeY rNBEaGER.

As Mr.. Kooser pronounced her name
the widow of the murdered man slowly
arose from her seat and made her way to
the witness stand, where, standing with
in few feet Of the two men whom she
believed had fonlly murdered her aged
husband and robbed him and her of the
savings of long life OF hardship. toll
and trouble, she kissed the sacred book
ami soleunly accorded vow TO tell the
truth the whole truth and nothing but
the truth, in answer to such questions as
should be asked her.
81 was at home in Jenner township on
the the night of February 9th last In
the evening two men came into the
house saw one of the men have pis-
toll saw him hold it toward Umberger
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

her by a gallant
young bachelor
memberof the bar,
and she was re
quested to show
pr precisely how
they had b cen
tied about the
tall mans head.
David Nicely was
sitting Immediate
ately in front of
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

Three young men from the neighbor-
hood returned to Mr.. Dmberger's house
Thursday evening and reported that they
a "a followed the trail of man to and
f.on the toll1gate near Laughlinstown,
ten miles northwest from the scene Of
the murder. There was no trail beyond
the toll-gsfe. and this circumstance led
% the suspicion that Collins Hamilton,
= noted criminal. who made has home
with two old-mAid Eelatives-keepers Of
the toll-gaie-was one Of the guilty par
ties. He answered the description Of the
man who did the shooting. He Tailed
also with the description Of one Of two
men seen going in the direction Of Un-
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
The Jury.

|. EPHRAIM p. MILLER
,. JOSIAH NEWMAN.
3. JACOB L. MANGUs.
4. FRED. F. WALKER.
5. JOHN ". BECK.
Z. JOHN II. HlTE.
:. W. W. DAVIS.
s. D. ]. WOLFERsBERGER.
8. JEREMIAH HENRY.
10. 7. W. BLACK.
II. C. W. WEIGLE.
y. A. J. sEMBOwER.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

murder committed. bat had hoped to
spare her the trying ordeal Of going on
the stand to-day We believe the com
poonwealth has made ont her case but we
,r;ll nov call
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

iorth every posi-
Die effort to detect o.
he criminals and
bring them 20 ins
ice. arrested
Dave Nicely frst:
The irst thing that =,
{ found tina; was
tden { fled was
pair Of brown over
alls Here the -
witness took the
satchels aud hun
Hes and A. De- spoke ,r.
found produced - lthe.e
alls | found them in 49,
house the second thing f.,.,
Nieely's house was a plirofle,,t
here they are marked ~.
time The next thing foq.3
red handkerchief with
here they are I know thew s,.
| found as have had them /,
session ever since; the nev,
got hold of was this g,r
found it in David Nicelvs h.,
the lighter Of the two ove,
overcoat is just as it was wbs,
We next went to Joe's hons.
Nicely went with me we v..
house and Joe's wife toll as b-r.
at the blacksmith shop on t
the shop we met him and I pl,..
under arrest We went back to,s
and / kept Joe in one room ~
others searched the house the A..
found there was this brown bs,.
it on Joe's head when I arr..,.i
this pocketbook was found h--
32-centre-fre cartridge uer
Joe's house there are nine ,s.
found these
GCW BOOTS
on him when arrested him
the pants he had on the dav We d.
him here is an overcoat that v,.,
there We also found 32-eaiib-a
revolver at Joe Niceiy's n No..
not in trim for shooting b..
went back to Old Mr.. NiceIys
50 later TO look for the pocka-bo.,
there when il was found Pal.
was shown witness and be ida,,.
by a number Of marks that were 1,
to the jury did not notice ,,..
the oyercoat the coat was in III.
condition when gave it to tho d.
as 1t Is now it was in the SANE
ton when gave it to him as vb..r.
it.
Cross-eran10tioa: Did not .es.4
Nicely carefully did not get ss5 IN. .
pass book saw no money at bi.I.-
got the pocket book at old man ~
Mrs. Nicely gave it TO me have t.5.
hat in my possession since the d,y =.
arrest never knew there was p5t..
overeoat until l heard Mamie H..
say 50 on witness stand.
Rnfus Shafier. Hammer Cams
Joseph Ambrose and Howard Cam, ,
assisted Ranch make the arrest
search all testified to substantial,
same story as told by Rauch.
Witnesses Nere called and te.-
that Joseph Nicely owned eeBtr
revolver. Other witnessess.-ne.,t.
OF umbergers-testifed that the pa
book exhibited was the property o..
murdered mans.
The last witness called on beb.'
the commonwealth was a neighbora
Nieelys, Noah Serena who swore
at kimme's on the 25th of Febr
Dave Nicely was there said he coua
help me on Tuesday could not be
for few days.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
$500 Reward.

The morning following the murder
reward Of 500 was offered for the arrest
of the criminals.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
COMMITTED TO JAIL

Squire Rauch committed both prison.
ers to the county Jail to await trial at the
next term Of court.
The news Of the arrest Of the murder
ers had spread like wild-fre throughout
the surrounding country. and the entire
population came tncoping into the village
70 get sight Of the malefactors.
The feeling and excitement was IN.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
TRACKING rnr NrRDrErrs.


shortly after the alarm was sounded
by llrs. Umberger the neighbors came
running in and made every possible
effort 20 follow the mHrderers but the
trail WAS soon lost in the darkness
Thursday morning the tracks OF the men
were traced from the house 20 the noun
tain The footprints revealed peculiar
marks OF gum bouts. About one-forth Of
a mile from the house, pieces of bread,
etc. were found. indicating that the rob
ben had lnnched there. The footprints
were plainly discernsble in the snow and
led across the field 10 the mountain. The
entire neighborhood, in small parties.
secured the mountain and surrounding
& country Thursday.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02

which, when compared with the tracks
made in the snow by one of the murder
ems, cOuesponded precisely.
A search Of bis house was made, and
among other things discovered was a
wallet, low-crowned derby hat with a
hole in the rim, and suit Of dark color
ed clothes
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-04-02
CoNsrABLE Ionv 0. KArnn

The next witness called was Constable
Jonh o. Rauch, who made the arrests
and from the time of the murder down
The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-21
UNITED STATES COURT.
Two Interesting Cases Decided NJ Martins.

Two Interesting Cases Dpeiird ut MaFtlifs-
1a burg.
SItciai Di1G,ti 10 he jntRiomcn.
MARriSspuEo, w. Va, Dec. 20.-Two
very important cases lave engaged tho
attention Of tho United States court
here since Thursday at noon. At that
time the case OF the King Bridge com
pany, Of Ohio, against Harrison county
was taken up, and quite vigorous fight
VA, wngcd between Attorney Clifford, OF
Clarksburg, and Flick and Wcstonhavcr,
for Harrison county, and Attorneys
Scott and Faulkner and lnglcs for the
bridge company. The case was ruled
out OF court Oh tho ground that action
ought to have been taken against the
sheriff OF the county and not against tho
county, but II u levy had not ut that
time been made for tho building OF tho
bridges q mandamus could now be
issued against the county court com
polling them 10 mako levy or raise the
necessary funds
Yesterday was taken up with the case
OF Randolph Stridcr's administrator
against the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
company for $4,000 damages. Stridcr
was killed below Harpcr's Ferry lust
June. Ex-Governor Wilson conducted
tho prosecution, and Mcssrs. Hutchinson,
Of Parkersburg, and i. BOYD Faulkner
tho defense. The verdict was given for
the railroad company.
The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-21
THE BLAINE DIVORCE CASE.
Two Hours Occupied In Taking Tcstlnou

Two Hours Occupied In Taking Testimony
Yesterday.
NEW York. Dec. Gothic reference in
Mrs. james G. Blaine, ir.'s, suit for di.
vorcc was continued yesterday in the
office OF Daniel Lord, r., tho referee.
Two o'clock was the hour set for the
parties in the case to meet, and few
minutes before that time young MIR.
Blaine arrived. Mono oil the other
parties had arrived, and he sat in Il chair
in the outer Office to await their pleas
urc. Mrs. Blaine did not arrive until
2:30. She came unattended, except by
her lawyer.
Three or four witnesses were exam.
ined and the taking Of evidence occu-
pied about two hours. At the close oil
the session Mrs. Blaine was driven up
town. She was pale and seemed very
nervous. 1t was said that Mrs. Blaine
went to the house Of her friend, Mrs.
Ogden Doremus, to remain with her
during the rest OF her stay in New
York. She still retains her rooms at
the New York hotel,