The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-17
RODDY BOYS INNING.
Robert Herdman. One Of the Principal Wit
nesses Against Them, Arrested on
a Charge OF Perjury.
FoaTIFYING THEIR APPLICATION FOR
A NEW TRIAL.

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perjury. Herdman was locked up in the
police station until Saturday afternoon,
when he was released on bail, his broth
er-in-law- Nathaniel Miller = entering
security in the sum of $500 for his appear
ance at February term of criminal court.
1t is alleged that Herdman eluded ar
rest as long as he could and was finally
captured at the home of his father-in-
law.
The facts leading up to the arrest of
Herdrnan were uncovered by reporter
on the Johnstown Democrat, who, last
Thursday night, learned that the defend
ant was absent from home attending an
encampment of the Sons of Veterans at
Gettysburg, on the morning of the 3d of
June last. when he had testified at the
trial of the case against the Roddy boys
that he had seen James Roddy and Rich
ard jackson between six and seven
O'Clock that morning at Osborn's cut, two
miles south of Johnstown. The informa-
ton gathered by the Democrat reporter
was confirmed by three or four Johns
town gentlemen who had visited Gettys-
burg in company with Herdman, and by
the files of that paper which contained
notice of their being at Gettysburg on the
day mentioned.
As soon as the facts above stated were
made kIiown to the counsel of the RoCdy
boys, they had James Roddy go before
ESQUIRE Casebeer and make an informa-
ton charging perjury against Herdman.
4 warrant for HerdInan's arrest was
placed in the hands of exConstable ia
cob Fleck, who went to Johnstown FRI
day morning and that night arrested
Herdman, as above stated.
Herdman, it is said, acknowledges that
he was mistaken in the date on which he
saw Roddy and Jackson, but when on
the witness stand he was very positive
and emphatic in giving his testimony,
which was to the effect that on the morn
ing of the 3d of June he saw Jim Roddy
and Richard Jackson at Osborne's cut and
spoke to them. Roddy and Jackson, ac-
cording to his statement, bore the appear
ance of having travelled, their clothing
being dusty.
Herdman's testimony was the last link
in the chain of evidence presented by the
Commonwealth which traced the Roddy
boys and Richard jackson from Gels
town along the public road to the Berkey
homestead and back again TO point
near Scalp Level, where (the theory OF
the Commonwealth isl they abandoned
the horses stolen from Horner's barn and
took across the country, thus avoiding
passing through JohnstowD, to their
home in Morrellville, being seen
at osborne's cut by Herdman and another
witness named Horner, the latter having
failed to identify the defendants when on
the witness stand.
Lawyers differ rs to the Importance the
Jury attached to Herdman's evidence,
some claiming that the case made out by
the Commonwealth was strong enough
without that gentleman's testimony TO
Justify them in returning verdict of
murder in the first degree, while others
contend that if Herlman's testimony is
successfully impeached that fact alone
will furnish sufficient reason for new
trial.
The people of Somerset county are not
prepared to see human life sacrificed ON
evidence and have an
abiding confidence that only justice will
be done the unfortunate Roddy brothers
in the end.
OTHER EVIDENCE IN BEHALF OF THE
RoDDY BOYS.
Testimony in behalf of the Roddy boys
TO be used by their attorneys when their
application for new trial comes before
the Court, was taken before Commission
er Williams at Johnstown, last Tuesday
and Wednesday. i
Two or three witnesses were produced
who swore that Lottie Adams, the wit
ness who ON the trial of the case, testified
TO having met the defendants on the pub
lie road near GeistOwn, was mistaken In
the date The man who claims to have
been with her at the time says that il was |
ON April 10. Some other evidence affect
ing the Adams woman's testimony was
adduced.
Fred Nagle. witness at the trial, who
was arrested for the Berkey robbery tes-
tilted hat Mr.. Berkey failed TO identify
him when he was taken to his home and
said that he did not think he would
know the person again. i will have to
leave that to my wife,"
Mrs. Jane Cooper testified that James
Roddy was at her house in Morrellville
at 1890 o'clock on the night of June I'd. |
Her testimony was corroborated by that |
of her daughter. Miss Cooper claims to
have seen James Roddy again between
and O'Clock on the following morning.
Geo. w. Reese, time-keeper at the |
Johnson Works, testified that Robert |
Herdman had not worked on June Sd. |
Geo. Felix, witness for the Roddys
at December court, testified to having
met the oddly boys about six o'clock on |
the afternoon of June I'd. He fixed the
date because he had worked doubled turn
in the Cambria Company's mill in which |
he is employed.
Irwin Horrell, time clerk for the Cam
bria Iron CO., testified that Felix had
worked double turn on the day mention
ed.
Constable Josiah Waters testified that
David Berkey had described the men
Who robbed and tortured him to the wit
ness in the presence of w. +. Cook.
Berkey said ''the largest of the two men
was a broad shouldered fellow, with
large heavy breast, dark complexion,
fleshy face, etc"
Mr.. Cook corroborated the testimony of
Mr.. Waters.
George Birkheimer testified that John
Roddy was at work in Hills coal mine at
at $50 O'Clock on the MORN
ing of June Sd. Witness had worked in
the same mine.
Joseph Jackson, a brother of Richard.
one of the men accused of the Berkey
outrage, testified that John Roddy and he
had worked together in the Hill mine on
June Sd. Witness kept the time. He is
a 5rother-in-law of the Roddy boys, but
was not a witness in their behalf when
they were tried and convicted.
Several witnesses testified in regard to
statements made by Fred
Nazle. the witness who testified at De-
ce.nber court in regard to having seen
James Roddy tear up scrap of paper,
resembling $1,000 Confederate bill, al
Ieged to have been stolen from the Berkey
NOT ALARMED.
At the District Attorneys Office il is
aid that not much weight Is attached to