The Monitor-register., 1896-05-29
salem county courts

was the first witness called on Frida.
morning. Said he went to Elmer ant
Pennytown on March 90. Saw Nicker
sop. who said he had the girl in trouble
and Raker had secured her a quiet plac'
to board until he could turn himself anC
marry her. He attended the post morten
examination. Was also at hearing
Baker said after the hearing to thu
Jobnsons, keep in good heart, we viii
secure bail for you, and don't give m,
away.' Hammond made a statement o
the case in his presence at the marble
yard in Vineland.
James Mcdowell, of Philadelphia, sale
he was a brother-in-law of Mrs. johnson
Was at Mrs. Johnson's mothers residenc,
on the Sunday following the 25th O
March. On the 3rd of April saw Id,
Hofford, Mary Richey, Harry Baker anc
Sidney Burroughs at the johnson resi-
dence. Vas also there on Sunday, Apri
18th. Saw Mary Richey, Ida Hofford
Mr.. and Mrs Cobb. After supper wen
home early. Following Tuesday he wa,
there to measure for net doors. After
supper Mrs. johnson was playing the
organ in the front room. While measur
ing for shed door he heard a noise, looked
down and saw a man come out whom he
recognized as Harry Baker, who shooI
hands and said how do you do. Mrs
johnson was in front room at the time
about s 80 O'Clock in the evening. Hat
been taking care of Samuel Johnson'l
farm of about 67 acres during the pas
two weeks at Mr.. Johnson's request.
Charles Daily, of Elmer, said he was
employed to take care of Mr.. Brooks
horses and carriages. On the Tuesday
night before Ida Hofford's death Mr.
Harmed had one of Mr.. Brooks horses
and carriages. Harry Baker was witt
Mr.. Harmed when the stable kew was
returned.
Albert Harmed said he resided in Elmer
and was engaged in shoe manufacturing
Ga Tuesday or Wednesday, previous to
Ida Hofford's death, he hired one OF
Brooks horses. Saw Baker and asked
him if he would like to go to Samue
%Johnson's and Baker said he would 90 as
he had something to do heal there. Baker
got out before reaching the house. Saw
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnson, and Mr.. Baker
came in about half an hour. Returned
with Mr.. Baker. Said he visited John.
sons ss a drinking place.
John IL. johnson, of Pennytown, sale
~ ~ NV I" dpi vi odD1u6 UOuISOU
Went to Johnson's in the evening. Heard
Mrs. johnson playing On the organ and 8
gray horse was hitched outside. Had
never seen any liquor on the premises O.
any disorder.
William Johnson said he kept a store
at PennytOwn near the house of Samuel
Johnson. On Tuesday night previous tc
Ida's death saw a gray horse hitched il
front of Johnson's house. Was taker
away about s 80 and returned again a,
about 10 80.
Walter Hitchner, a hoy of about II
years, said he lived at Pennytown. Saw
Baker go to Samuel Johnson's on Apri
9th aud again on the 18th of April on 8
bicycle.
Ralph Hitchner, of Pennytown, saw
man on a wheel go into Johnson's YARD
on April Is.
David Hitchner, of Palatine, saw Harry
Baker on a bicycle going toward John.
sons house on Monday, April 10.
The State rested, and Judge Pancoa st
OF counsel for defense. opened their side
of the case and placed Harry T. Baker
the principal actor in the ease, on tn,
stand as the first witness. He said he
had been in business as an undertaken in
Abbt bpAO IL IOolos 1ldu huOWH JONI
a. Nickerson intimately about sever
years. Said he knew Ida Hofford, Me
her at Murphy's Hotel, Elmer, where sh,
was introduced to him by Mr.. Nickerson
Understood from Nickerson that she wa,
in a delicate condition. He undertook t.
render assistance to them by securing foI
the girl a boarding place until such time
as he could turn himself and marry hel
or otherwise. Told Mrs. johnson he ha6
a friend in Vineland who had a girl preg
nant, and asked if she could take her t.
board for two or three weeks. Took Ida
to Johnson's. "Nickerson and myseIi
had no understanding about abortion
Did not operate or attempt to operate OF
her with a view to bring about the pre
mature birth of her child. Had ne
knowledge of an intended operation
before the girls DEATH" Did not STATE
or admit that he had performed an opera
ton, and did not show or exhibit instru
ments to the J%ohnsons. Letters from
Nickerson were directed to Sydney Bur
roughs with a mark in one corner and
were delivered to Ida Hofford. Nicker
son did not talk with him in Vinelanf
about Ida Hofford or her trouble
Selected Johnsons because he had heard
oA"N ohOJ "OAo " 1OpuuduI6 D6ODl6
Swore that he was not at Johnson's afte,
the Friday night previous to Ida's dealt
at the inquest, but now said that he was
there afterwards. Mr.. and Mrs. johnson
requested him not to bring any one will
him, and when he went with Harmed 90
ont and let him go alone, ahead of him
Did not send Hiram Wiltsee to Salem
Told Mr.. W. if he saw Mary to tell her t,
sficE tO tho trutb FIRST roootu.J -.
of Ida's condition at ABOUT s O'Clock O,
Sunday evening, and at once sent for ,
doctor. Paid for Ida's board by reaues
of Nickerson. Said he had no instru
ments of the kind described, but exhibited
an instrument for embalming, which h,
said was the neare st of anything he hat
to it.
Jonn A. Nickerson was sworn AM
testified that he had lived in Vinelant
about 90 years. Had known Ida Hot
ford IL or IA months. He professed
good deal of uncertainty regarding hi
relations with her, but acknowledged
that he might be the father of her child
Had told Hammond he did not believ,
Ida was in the condition she claimed
Went to Mrs. Morrison and to DR.. Smitl
for advice. Took medicine to Ida and i
1Ao IL 6oOos AoOh hOt " H. OUllIu WIFI
made an examination and said she was il
trouble. The doctor gave her more
medicine, but it did 10 good. Owed Mr.
Baker for funeral expenses. Went +,
Elmer to see him about it and al that
time told Baker about his trouble with
Ida Hofford. Took Ida to Elmer anc
left her at the hotel. Afterwards called
at Johnson's and saw Ida who said sh,
felt kind of tired; that she had taken
long walk that afternoon. The mex
time he saw her was at the coroner
inquest. Had no understanding with Mr.
Baker that an operation was to be per
formed to relieve her. The Prosecuto
subjected the witness to a rigid eros
examination regarding the details of hi
relations with Ida. Said he was will
her in August; for two or three hours
and again in about three weeks. He wa,
engaged to another girl from Novembe,
till the 31st of January. Was with Id;
on the occasion in Millville when sh,
tainted. He saw Baker at Barlow
restaurant in Vineland, and talked will
him in regard to Ida going to Elmer
Baker said he would see the people il
Elmer and let him know when to sen,
her over. He had said to the corone
that he intended to marry the girl if h,
had to.
Lemuel Greenwood, of Elmer; Waite
Barlow, of Vineland; Moses Atkinson, 8
t. Townsend, s. l.. g. Murphy, James
Dreamer, John B~arracliff, John Gilmore
Malvern Reeves, Robert Bee, John Var
Leer and others testified regarding tn
good reputation of the defendants.
w. H. Niokerson testified that he wa
the father of John Nickerson. That h.
knew John was going with Ida Hoffor,
and advised him to drop It.
At the close of the Testimony, Cour
adjourned until Monday morning, whel
counsel summed up and the case wa
given to the jury.
Judge P%ancoast, in his argument, mad