davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Interview With Sheriff Hartzell.

"There is no doubt in my mind about
their guilt" said Sheriff Hsrtzell. II
was firmly convinced Of their guilt at
the time of the first trial, and the impress
sion then formed was strengthened when
a second jury found them guilty of the
murder of Mr.. Berkey. have carefully
watched their conduct during the time
they have been under my care, and a
number of little incidents have occurred
that lead me to believe that John and
Jim have a secret means of cOmmunica-
ton and thoroughly understand one an
other. Only one day last week permit
ted them TO be together for short time
in Jim's cell. and when went to con-
duct John back to his cell Jim followed
and put his mouth close up To bis broth
er's ear and whispered something could
not hear. Again, have frequently OBJ
served them communicating by signs.
John is the stronger character Of the two,
and he appeared to be afraid that Jim
would break down and confess, and tor
that reason encouraged him in the ways
l have referred to. Then, too, Jim told
the death-watch that he was innocent,
but that he knew who the guilty parties
are and that they could be fouaS within
distance of twenty miles Of Somerset.
Personally have liked both Of the boys
aud have sympathized with them in
their position. l have endeavored to
give them every comfort / am permitted
to provide for them, and have always
urged them to prepare for death. As a
matter of course, it is a trying position
COR me to have to hang two men who
have slept under the same rUof with me
and my family for more than year, but
sentiment don't count alongside of duty.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Guarding Against Accident.

As soon as it WAS definitely settled that
the Pardon Board would not intervene in
behalf of the Roddys, sheriff Hartzell be
gan to make final preparations for the
double execution. He found that the
death traps were warped and rusty and
that it would require some time to get
them in shape for their destructive work.
Saturday morning Mr.. Barrett, Of the
Somerset Iron Works. was calle in and
kept busy throughout the day repairing
the traps The sound of his hammer,
every blow of which rosounded through
out the steel walls of the prison, fell upon
the ears of the doomed brothers with
startling effect, as they realized that every
blow brought them so much nearer 10
death. "Jim's'' nervous condition was
made apparent by his constant walking
up and down the contracted limits of his
cell, and by his feeble attempts to whistle
the air of familiar hymn. Occasionally y
he would stop and listen to the harsh
noise of the workman's hammer, only "a
resume his melancholy walk. John kept
perfectly quiet throughout the day. only
speaking in his accustomed cheerful
IN amer TO the death watch who sat before
the grating of his cell. When evening
arrived the traps responded promptly to
the lever and everything was in readiness
for the final act.
Just before Mr.. Barret. had completed
the repairs to the death traps John Roddy
called Sheriff Hartzell to his cell. '-Sher
ill., he said, II want everything TO 60 of
right next Tuesday and l wish you woulc
be careful to guard against accidents. Ons
Of the rings in the ceiling above the deatl
traps has been loose for some time and
think you should have it examiled ant
frightened up"
The Sheriff promised him that he
would attend to the matter.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
THEIR DYING DECLARATION.
Just Before They Embraced the Christian
Religion the Roddy Boys Asserted
Their Innocence.

Elder MuHendOre spent the greater por-
ton of Monday clOseted with the DOOM
ed brothers. According to his statement
he never before pictured hell in such aw
ful form as he did TO them, or made more
powerful pleas 10 men 10 confess their
sins. At no time during the period be
was with them did they intimate that
they had any knowledge Of the Berkey
murder, while on the other hand they re-
peatedly declared that they were as inno-
cent of the crime as the minister of God
whom they addressed.
At the instance of the condemned men
Elder Mullendore reduced the following
statement to writing, which the Roddy
brothers have requested be published to
the public as their dying declaration:
SOMERSET, PA, April p, 1898.
John and James Roddy desire to
leave this their dying statement: "That
we are innocent of the Berley robbery,
and that We, neither Of Us, know any
thing about il. We are sorry that the
Berkey people allowed the detectives
10 influence them into the belief that
we were the parties that tortured and
robbed them. We believe they were
honest, bat they We're mistaken. We
hope to meet them at the bar Of God,
where the truth will be known, and
where they viii find US innocent. We
will forgive them all and wish them
well. We leave this wcr.d for other
peoples crime. We are gal that if
We must die we viii die innocent of the
crime for which We stand convicted.
Some of the witnesses were honest, but
were mistaken, others swore falsely.
We are not blaming the honest ones.
The dishonest ones we forgive as we
hope to be forgiven"
JAMES RoDDY.
TnrrN
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Remarkable xen. Say. Elder Mullsnaore.


John Roddy can look squarely in
your eye and declare his innocence with
the boldness and confidence of child
wrongly accused" said Elder William
Mullendore last evening. I'm fact, he
IS the most remarkable man In some
ways that 1 have ever met. l followed
the case from the beginning. and am un-
willing to believe that the great number
OF persons who testified against him ard
his brother were mistaken, but in view
of what has taken place and the inter
views have held with the doomed men,
must confess that their conduct is be-
yond my understanding. / have had
little association with the criminal classes
and ii may be that | can be more easily
imposed upon than others, but, TO say
the least, the conduct of the Roddy boys
is most mysterious, standing as they are
on the brink of eternity and within only
a few hours of the moment when they
shall stand before the judgment seat of
God. During the past several weeks
have visited the boys at intervals, and
during the past few days my visits, at
their request. have been frequent. have
attempted to comfort them with the
promises Of the gospel, and have warned
them of the awful consequences in store
for them if they go before God with lie
upon their lips. Both of the boys have
freely admitted their transgressions,
which consist of those sins which many
young men are guilty of. but from the
first time / spoke to them up until the
present they have both declared to me,
and always in the most impressive man
ner, that they never saw David Berkey
and are guiltiess of his murder or any
participation in that foul deed. John
Roddy is the stronger character and, as 1
said before. he proclaims his innocence
with the bOldness and confidence OF a
child. The boys both asked to be bap-
tized, and / performed that solemn
function tonight
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

have made all of my preparations with
view to having the execution pass off
smoothly, and earnestly hope there will
be no mishap to add to the distress OF the
unfortunate brothers.
II have just been served with a paper
by counsel for the condemned brothers.
notifying me that | shall not admit any
persons 70 the execution except those
entitled under the act of Assembly
the jury, two ministers of the gospel,
three physicians and my deputies. l am
very glad that counsel have taken this,
step, since / have been unable to give
passes TO nine-tenths of the people who
have applied for them, and it will relieve
me of the care Of looking after the crowd
that would otherwise have sought ad =
mission to the jail"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
The Jury.

Sheriff Hartzell selected the following
well-known citizens TO serve as the jury,
and who afterwards certified to the death
of John and James Roddy.
j. n. Whipkey, Middlec eek township.
Josiah Good, Somerset township.
Charles r. MeMIllen, Addison town.
ship.
Edward Gonder, Jenner township.
VIM. G. Knepper, Lincoln township.
Michael Ansell. Milford township.
Thomas Reese, Meyersdale borough.
y. J. Kretchman, Elk Lick township.
Garrett ReAm, Paint township.
J. G. Barclay, jefferson township.
ID. +. Kreger. Upper Turkeyfoot Twp.
Edward Hoover, Somerset borough.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
RoadY BOYS Baptized.

John and James Roddy were baptized
Monday after the manner of the Dis
ciple church, at the hands of their spirit
uaI adviser, Elder Mullendore. A bath
tub on the second floor of the Jail was
made to answer the purposes of a baptist
~. The ceremony was brief and was
witnessed by number Of the members
of Elder Mullendore's congregation and
the attorneys of the condemned men.
John and James both expressed them
selves as feeling better after the solemn
ceremony had been performed.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
LAST HOPE SWEPT AWAY.
Governor Ha.ang. Refuse. to Iutsrfsre.

OONSAuoA IasNAHSo AeAAScS ~ AAhoAAcANs
Saturday evening Gen. Conroth ad-
dressed the following communication 20
Governor Hastings:
Hon. ID. III. HASTINGS.
Harrisburg, Pa.
am conscientious in my convictions
that the Roddys. who are to be hanged on
Tuesday at o'clock, are innocent. Since
the action of the Pardon Board they have
positively declared TO their minister and
to their counsel that they are not guilty.
The action of the Board was a great sur
prise to me. IL certainly made no exam
ination of the evidence or the strong pa
pers filed. The fair name of the COM
InOnwealth should not be stained with
the blood of innocent men. II You read
the afhdavits and papers filed ! am conf
dent your generous heart will prompt You
10 say. 'sThese men must not be ha/ged
without further hearing" | pray |1u in
the name of an aged christian mother.
and the christian mothers of Somerset.
whose petition Is on file, to grant them a
repriave 50 that their case can be again
heard. We are now sauguine that the
murtlerers can be found. ! appeal 10 YOU
nv dear Governor. for stay of execution.
for sixty days. Please Let me hear from
you. y H. COFFRorH.
Following is the Governors reply, re-
csived by telegraph Moaday afternoon
Replying to your telegram of yesterday
I aa directed to say that the Governor
will not interfere in the Roddy casa.
LEWIS F. BErTLER.
Private Secretary.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Rheumatism Cured in.n nar.

"Mystic Cure' for Rheumatism and
Neuralgia radically cures in l TO days.
Its action upon the system is remarkable
and mysterious. It removes at once the
cause and the disease Immediately disap-
pears The first dose greatly benefits
IS cents. Sold at Benford's Drug Store.
Somerset
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
LAST HOPE vAsrsaro.
Roddy Boys Learn the Action of ths Par
don Board.

"Let her go, Gallagher said John
Roddy with merry laugh. ''the sooner
it's over the better" when told by Sheriff
Hartzell that the Pardon Board had re-
fused to take favorable action in the ap-
peal Of himself and brother for executive
clemency.
John was playing a game Of solitaire
when the Sheriff. accompanied by sever
al newspaper reporters. visited his cell
Friday morning, soon after the news was
received from Harrisburg. His first re-
mark was: Haven't they done anything
for usg'' and upon being told that tho last
hope was gone. he spoke as quoted above.
"when will you let US drop, Sheriff, in
the morning or afternoOn?' WAS the next
question he asked. referring to the exc
cntion.
"I haven't decided yet; but have You
any preference9" inquired the Sheriff.
u can't tell, y replied John, until amer
we have heard from the folks at Johns
town and find out when they want TO take
us home" Continuing he said. II don't
see how the Pardon Board got over the
evidence; most Of 1t was perjury, but II
we have to die, the sooner it is all over
the better. No; don't want to have my
photograph taken; my mother will have
about all she can bear without seeing my
face depicted in the newspapers"
Passing on to the cell occupied by Jim"
the Sheriff said: ''Well, Jim, have un-
pleasant news for you; the pardon board
has refused to interfere in your case"
Il can't help it," replied the prisoner,
who turned over in his bunk. A moment
later he arose and began to pace up and
down his cell like Gagged animal. Sud
denly stopping, he faced the Sheriff and
said: ~ never did anything in my life
that should cause me 10 get down on my
knees and pray" Continuing, be intima-
ted that the sentiment created against
John and him among the farmers was re-
sponsible for their present predicament-
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
weeders and Fertilizers.

have for delivery and shipment Fer
tilizers for all spring crops Also, Hal
locks Success Anti Clog weeder. A big
boy and horse will weed and cultivate
20 acres of almost any crop in a day.
How many hoes would it take 70 dc this2
A. c. DAVIS,
Somerset Pa
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
/.

NOTICE-Au persons purchasing at the
above sale will please take notice that 0 per
cent OF the purchase money must be paid
when properly Is knocked down; otherwise 10
will again be exposed TO sale at the risk OF the
firSt purchaser. The residue Of the purchase
money must be paid on or before the day OF
confirmation. viz: Thursday. May d, ls9s.
No deed w:lI be acknowledged until the pur-
chase money Is paid in full.
". Al. HARTZEI.L,
April q, 'ss- Sheriff
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
sHERIFF's SALE.

BY virtue % sundry writs OF Fiers Faeias,
Al Fieri Facias and Levari Facias issued
oat OF the Court OF Common Pleas of
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, to me di-
nected. there viii be exposed 70 sale Al
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

The court house yard was densely
crowded with people at the time the drop
fell.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Proclaim their Innocence to the Last.

Their Iron Nerve Finally Way They Prepared to Meet
DeathForgave Their Enemefiad Been TIode Prisoners
Their Last Night-cIosing Of Tragedy.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

All the right title, interest, claim and de-
mand Of II. W. Menhorn, OF. in and to a Ger
tain piece or parcel Of ground. situate in Elk
Lick township. Somerset county, Pa, bound
ed aud described as follows: Beginning at a
post near the public road. thence by lands OF
Moses SchrOck south ESL degrees west u
perches tO post; thence by residue Of tract
south 6l5f degrees east Is perches 10 maple,
north ~ degrees east Il 7-l0 perches 10 the
public rosid: thence BY the same and lands OF
Moses Schroek north Coz degrees, west II 10
perches to the place OF beginning, containing
one acre and ten perches strict measure, haV-
ing thereon erected "A twO-stOry frame dwell
ing house, plank stable and other Outbuild-
ings, with the appurtenances.
Taken in execution and 10 be sold as the
property of h. W. Menhorn, at the suit Of r.
NJ. NiileF's use.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

y,.n. q prominent ani. citi.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

All the right, title, interest. claim and de
mand OF Lucy Ann Hoover, OF. In and to
certain farm or traet Of land situate In Sum-
NIT township, Somerset county, Pa, contain
ing A acres and IS perches, more or less, about
of John Schadt. Christian Hare, Charles Eb
beka and others, having thereon erected a
one and "A halfstOry log dwelling house, plank
purtenances.
Taken In execution and to be sold as the
property OF Lucy Ann Hoover at the suit OF
Priscilla BurkhOldcr's use.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

..,.s ofthe past few days
~ fruit trees a wonder
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
Aprilz. Iss.

/ =, 4 prominent citi-
sitting ii with somerset
.,,s ofthe past few .sL days
4 - fruit trees a wonder
ant by the Bsthany Col
s,ss opera House, FRI
| % be event of the season.
child and nurse, ar
..a,re lsst week aud are
a- new home on Union
- pseers has increased
-; =. during the past .Nso TWO
.ols the uewsies dispose
f' - =. within an hour amer
50 .,,oers from the cities
-xR Hartzell, died at her
- ;. On wednesday morn
:. a native Of Jenner
3sughser Of John ana
- q whom are dead
- 70 the following
.snsin unealled for at the
p. Conn. Geo. Finley
:, r. Miller, Elizan eth
=
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

All the right, title interest, claim and de-
mand OF William A LOhr. or In and To a GER
tain house and lot OF ground situate in the
village OF Garrett, In summit township, SOM
erset county, Pa, known and numbered ON
the plan OF said town as lot number - 'front.'
ing on Center street ON the east, alley on the
south, alley on the west and lot No. u on the
north, now in the occupancy OF Rudolph
Baker and Sadie Baker, his wife.
TAKEN In execution and To be sold as the
property Of William A. Lohr. at the suit OF
Cornelius Judy and Jacob Judy,
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

All the right, title. interest, claim and de-
mand OF Mary y keSsar, OF, In and to a GER
tain farm or tract OF land situate in Somerset
township, Somerset county. Pa, containing
" acres more or less. about 81 acres clear, bal
ancs timber. adjoining lands of Jonas CrisSey,
Joseph Snyder, j.. NJ. Bowman, Frank Suder
and Herman Stahl having thereon erected n
cQS
Taken in execution and to be sold rs the
property OF Mary a. kesslar, at the suit OF
Edward 5. Kimmell
The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
THE WAR SITUATION.

Mines are rapidly being laid in Key
West harbor and the Notifications
about Fort Taylor are being increased.
The military enthusiasm has spread
throughout the capital, usually so UNI
demonstrative, and the city is now
brilliant with the Stars and Stripes.
The District of Columbia militia
forces have been offered to the govern
ment by Gen. Harries and there is some
expectation that these will be the first
of the militia forces to be drawn into
the government service.
Infantry, cavalry and artillery from
all parts of the country poured into
Chattanooga, Mobile, New Orleans and
Tampa, the cavalry being principally
at Chattanooga, where Maj.-Gen.
Brooke and his staff of the department
of the lakes arrived from Chicago to
assume command at the Chickamauga
camping ground. The trip of the sol
der boys from their posts in the north
and west was continual ovation in
each case. Nearly every railway sta
ton was decorated along the routes of
the troops. At every hamlet and viii
lage the flag was in evidence and cheer
ing crowds everywhere greeted the
military trains.
The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
$4,000 VOLUNTEERS CALLED.
President Mckinley Makes the First Call
In 80 Years.

President Mckinley Makes the First Call
I'm 30 Years.
The President has called upon the
people of the United States for the first
time in 30 years to manifest their mar
tial strength, this time the call being
upon a united people to so forward to
battle with foreign foe. At the same
time the secretary of war created a
new army corps.
This action is taken in accordance
with the proceedings of congress.
The House passed as an emergency
war measure bill empowering the
President to call out the volunteer
forces and providing for their organi-
cation. Both the President and Secre-
tary Alger had urged the imperative
necessity of the passage of the bill and
and Chairman Hull of the military
committee drove it through under whip
and spur. The appointment of all reg
mental officers are to be made by the
governors of the states instead of by
the President as was proposed origi-
nally by the war department. The
bill also passed the Senate without Sc
rious objection and with few amend
ments. The number of men re-
quired from each state, it is said, will
be in the proportion that its population
bears to that of the whole country
According to this ratio Michigan's pro
portion will be 2,36s; Ohio's 1924. The
call is for 125. 900 volunteers.
kilograms from almost every section
of the country to Secretary Alger from
governors and militia officers convey in
formation as to the length of time, sur
prisingly short in many cases, that
would be required by them to gather
their forces ready for muster. The
men, as fast as mustered in by regular
army officers in the various states, will
be taken to one of three great depots,
namely, Washington, Richmond and
Atlanta, where they will be organized
! to meet the requirements of modern
army tactics. The fact that Richmond
is named as one of these points is taken
in some quarters as an evidence that
Fitzhugh Lee is to receive a volunteer
commission either as one of the four
major-generals or one of the brigadier-
generals provided for.
The formation of grand army corps
in the department of the south, with
headquarters at the three gulf ports, is
an evidence that the government is TO
move upon Cuba at once with the
troops of the regular army, leaving the
volunteers just called for to be disci-
plined and worked into shape for future
use in the campaign.
1t is the purpose of the war depart
ment to secure only national guards
men as far as possible under this first
call for volunteers, yet in states where
there are no national guards or where
the number falls below the quota fixed
in the call, the states will be expected
TO supply the volunteers regardless OF
their lack of organization.
The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
PRESIDENT SIGNS uLTIMATUM.
Spanish Minister Demanded His Passports
and Left Washington.

The day upon which President Nc
Kinley signed his named to the resolu-
tions passed by congress for the indie
pendence of the Island of Cuba was
day which will mark an epoch in
American history. The President
signed the resolutions in the presence
of several members of the cabinet and
a few friends, and used pen furnished
by Secretary of War Alger for that
purpose. A few minutes before affiX-
ing his signature to this momentous
document he formally approved note
to Spain which bore the signature of
Secretary Sherman and which was sub
sequently cabled to Minister Woodford.
This note was sharp and decisive in its
terms and directed the American min
lister to hand a copy of the resolutions
TO Premier Sagasta and state to him
that the United States would not per-
NIT Spanish forces to remain in Cuba.
The minister was instructed further to
await the reply of the Spanish govern
ment, unless in the meantime he should
be handed his passports.
The ultimatum was also sent to the
Spanish minister, Senior Polo y Ber-
nabe, by one of the trusted employees
of the state department. The messen-
ger was not kept waiting long at the
legation, but soon returned to the state
department with the minister's appli-
cation for his passports. This request
was complied with and a few hours
thereafter the Spanish minister, his
suite and family departed for Canada,
having placed the affairs of Spain in
the hands of the representatives of
Austria and France.
This left the next move to be made
by Spain, and in the meantime the
preparations were pushed with all pos
sible haste, TO proceed to place the
naval and military forces of the United
States in position to execute the will
of congress.