The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-04-23
LIFE SAVERS
ENDEAvORING TO HAVE A SEN
TENCE COMMITTED.
Strong Letters Sent to Gov. AltReld to
Spare the Life ofa Former Canton
Bail Player Friends Active
in His Behalf.


Bail Player Friends Active
in His Behalf.
A large number of Canton citizens vii
remember Frank W. Harris, o young maj
who in 1885, the year the Canton bast
ball club won the pennant, was resi-
dent of this city and a third baseman IL
the club. Those who knew him will b,
surprised to learn that through an un
fortunate circumstance, young Harris
murdered a man in Freeport Ill, fol
which crime he is now In jail with a sen
tonce to be hanged May 8 next.
Harris came to Canton from Leech
burg, Pa, and was well known in hi:
home city as popular and industriou:
young man, by the officials Of the Can
ton Rolling mill, which concern subse
quently located In this city. He has
written to several Of his friends, includ'
ing f. NJ. Dutf and Samuel Anderson,
and an effort is being made in his behalf
By his friends here.
1t appears that after Harris left Canton
he went TO Freeport, Ill, where he man.
aged and played with the Freeport ball
club. Later he married young lady,
the daughter Of 1. Billerbeck, promin-
ent and wealthy business man of that
city, after which Frank settled into busi-
ness for himself there, and 1t was but a
short time afterward that in a voting
contest, Frank Harris was declared to be
the most popular business man in Free
port being known fami!iarly as Hand
some Frank"
One day, william Stoups, a young man
who formely lived in Leochburg, and
was good friend of Harris, came to
Freeport from Cleveland. He found
Harris and told him he was out of money
and work, whereupon Harris took him
into his employ. Things did not go
altogether smooth, and Harris was in
formed that Stoops was jealous of him
and had hopes of some time coming into
possession of a whole or part interest Of
Harris business, but was unsuccessful in
coming to terms along this line. He
still remained in Harris employ. In
course of time stranger named Bengle
came to Freeport He soon became ac-
quainted with Stoops and Harris and the
three were apparently good friends. In
fact, Harris, with his characteristic kind
ness and charitableness, secured lucra
tive position for his newly made friend. |
Through misunderstanding BenGlo |
and Harris fell out and it is claimed that
from that time Bengle did all he could |
against Harris. 1t is also claimed he |
told Mrs. Harris things about her husband |
to prejudice her against him, and one day
in the presence Of both, he insulted Mrs.
Harris. These things worried the hus-
band to such an extent that a change was
and his trouble and worry
came near causing him to lose his mind.
Friends who understood the circum-
stances pitied young Harris, and did all
in their power to di-ect his mind from
the affair. ..~
On the day Of the murder a clothing
merchant doing business next door TO
Frank place, proposed a drive in the
country. Stoops heard of the intended
drive and it is stated by Mr.. Anderson
that he had Harris horse hitched up and
he, took Harris out. Stoops is
said to have taken a revolver from his
pocket laying it on the seat of the buggy,
for the purpose of shooting certain dog
If it jumped at the horse as it had once
before. Bengle was passed. and some
thing was remarked about the trouble,
when Harris grabbed the revolver and
shot him.
He was tried in September, 1895, found
guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to
hang November 27th. A new trial was
asked for and refused but a respite was
secured until May 6, 1896.
Friday, Mr. Anderson started out to
see Harris friends in Canton, who knew
him when he was here, and he has sue
,eeded in securing letters from Mayor
Rice. Auditor Loichot and other promln-
mt Cantonians, asking that Governor Alt
yeld commute his sentence of hanging to
for life. These letters, to-
yether with Others from Leechburg, will
De forwarded to Mr.. Harris attorney who
will present them to the governor. VIII
lam A. Harrity, the politician Of Penn
ylyania has interested himself in the
ase and will go to Illinois in a few days
o assist in securing the Communication.
Those in Canton who know Harris, re-
member him as a straightforward end
UPRIGHT young man, ana they feel deep
interest in the case, Harris and his wife
lever had any trouble, and in letter to
ir. Anderson he states that If he had not
owed his wife so dearly, he might possibly
ot have committed he deed