The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-16
TRIAL OF ADELBERT HARTFORD.
lie Is Arraigned at Tunkhannock for the
Murder OF George Kelley, at Golden


Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Tunkhannock, jan. 15.-District At
torney James T.. Frear opened the case
by detailing the particulars of the al
fair. which occurred on THE evening Of
Aug. 49, 1894. To give readers who are
not familiar with the case better un-
derstanding of the testimony we VIII
outline 1.-THE facts. Frank j. .Mllheim, a
farmer on Golden Hill, made chop
ping bee ON the day mentioned, at
which Adelbert Hartford and George
Kelley were attendants. They had not
been the best of friends previously, and
ON the day of the bee, both becoming
somewhat intoxicated, they renewed
an old quarrel. After supper they
started home together and had not
gone far before Hartford struck Kelley
a blow on the head with an axe, from
which the latter died next morning
without regaining consciousness.
Frank Milheim sworn: Saw Kelley
and Hartford together. Kelley stood
stopped over, and saw Hartford stand,
ing over him with an axe raised in his
hand. He brought the axe down and
struck Kelley on the head Afterward
Hartford struck him with his fist and
chase me any more" 1t was a single
bAuted axe.
Cross-eXamined: Kelley didn't "go
for him" Hartford got to the bee after
dinner. / had been drinking that day.
| had "a quart of alcohol reduced. Hal
some whisky besides-had two quarts.
Didn't take the whisky to the bee.
Saw several fights. | had my shirt
torn, but didn't call it fight. l hit and
got hit back. Will and Steve Kelley
got mad and went to cutting each other
and | parted them. All took a drink
before supper and again after supper.
Don't know how many drinks they
took besides. AT the table Kelley
jumped up and showed Hartford and
Hartford took Kelley by the throat.
put Kelley out of the house and fol-
lowed him out. When | went back
Hartford was standing quietly by the
door. Said he would behave himself or
would go out if | said so. When they
started away there seemed no difficulty
between them. | was alone when
went down to them Cafter the killing),
and Steve and VIII Kelley followed. 1
washed Kelley and he opened his eyes
and said: Frank, take me home"
Said | was the best friend he had. He
spoke once or twice after asking for his
mother and his babe.
Mrs Frank Milhem sworn: When
got in sight Hartford had his axe
drawn over Kelley and Kelley had him
by the throat. Hartford hit him with
the aXe-on the head with the head OF
the axe. George Kelley was my broth
er. They brought Kelley to the house
and laid him on the couch. | after
ward Thought it was more the whisky
than the blow that allied him. We sent
for the doctor.
Considerable other evidence was ad.
duced, principally corroborative Drs
X. II, Ely and ID. w. Sturdevant, who
| conducted the autopsy, explained the
nature of the wound found upon the
head where the blow of the axe fell
The prosecution finished their wcrl,
during the afternoon and the defense
| took up the case. 1t will go to the jury
some time today. The general impress,
sion prevails that nothing worse than q
verdict of murder in the second degree
will be found
The grand jury spent nearly all of
yesterday examining witnesses in the
indictment against Fred Wall for the
Waterman murder. They adjourned
without reaching a conclusion.