Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-27

the other hanging by his side.
Deputy Clerk Phelps then read the
first count in the indictment charging
him with the murder OF Ashby Good,
on November 4.
Before Hart was asked to plead,
the judge said be purposed instruct
ing him as to the report. He said
the charge was for murder and the
penalty was death as it meant murder
in the first degree. The judge con-
cluded by saying knowing this to be
the case, how do you plead? Hart
stood as lmmovable as a stone as he
answered IN a firm clear voice
Guilty" 1t seemed an effort to say
this word but there was no faltering.
The second charge was read charging
him with inficting mortal wounds on
Ashby Good, which caused instant
death. To this he responded guilty
in the same calm cool collected man.
ner.
The prisoner was then seated and
witnesses were called for the State.
Samuel D. Good took the stand.
He Is father of Ashby and Elsie
Good; lives in Paulding county, 81
miles north and J mile west from
Paulding. Knew Chas. Hart for
about year; he lived about 80 rods
east of me on Nov. 4th, the day Of
murder; there is timber land along
road; last saw Ashby Good alive on
Sunday, Nov. 4, about 8 or 10 a. m.
rhe was then at home, he would have
been 9 years old next February; he
was my son; next saw him Nov. 6 in
Thompson's undertaking establish
ment at Paulding.
DR.. j. L. Slayer WAS called. Is
Coroner of Paulding county; remem.
ber the circumstances of being called
to 60 out and view bodies of Ashby
and Elsie Good Nov. 5, 1894; describ.
ed the wounds on Ashby Good. Found
tarred rope around his neck. De-
scribed fully all the horrible wounds
and gashes on the bodies; each wound
would have been sufficient to produce
death. Death was produced from
blows on their heads with a club;
bodies were found in log pile near
Hart's home; showed the club with
which children were killed; it was
the butt of roughly hewn cross bow
gun; children were found over IL
hours after they were killed; bodies
were partly charred from being burn
ed; the only clothing left on the boy
was part of shirt.
Will Thompson was called. Un-
dertaker. Remember the bringing
of the bodies to my store; they were
wrapped in sheet and quilt; were
brought in and placed on table.
The girl was three feet nine inches
tall; boy four feet high. When Cor
oner got through with them washed
bodies, put them in cofins and took
them to the residence of Samuel D
Good, their father.
Sheriff Staley was called. His tes
timony was substantially the same al
heretofore published in this paper.
W. F. Corbett, Prosecuting attor-
ney took the stand. Was one of The
persons that heard Harts confession
at Bryan. Same as told by Staley.
After testimony was all in John S
Shook, on behalf of the prisoner, arose
and addressed the court. He mad,
an appeal for mercy from the court
in behalf of the boy and at the reques
of the boys father. There were some
mitigating circumstances; the boy
was so ignorant he could not tell tht
name of the state he lived in; coulC
not tell how old lie was nor could no
read nor write. He said the boy
knew nothing but vice and ignoranc,
and never had any advantages of be.
ing taught. In closing Mr., Snool
made an eloquent appeal for clemency
The prosecution offered no argu
ment. The Judge said the court coult
arrive at but one conclusion and tha
was murder in the first degree,
He then asked the prisoner to stant
up. The boy arose to his feet withou
a tremor and looked the Judge square
ly in the face while speaking. HI
evinced no apparent concern and stood
stoical and immovable. The cour
asked the attorneys if they wished
sentence deferred and receiving Mt
response he continued by saying h
recognized mercy should always b.
observed but the law of the land wa
supreme and admitted of no senti-
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