The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-06
R0DDYS HEADED OFF.
Their Believed Well Lla Plans TO Break
jan clsvsriy Frastratsa By sheriff
Hartzsll
WILL APFzAL roa PARDON.


WILL APPEAL F0R PARoox.
As the dsy approaches for the execution
of the Raddy boys sensational rumoA of
a startling character have beeu set afloat
IN different parts Of tbs county.
The latest one was sprung Monday
morning when il was announced that
Sheriff Hartzell had cleverly frustrated
the plans OF the murderers to escape
from the county Jail in which they have
been confined for period OF twenty-one
months. The news rapidly spread
throughout town and in the course Of a
hslf-hoar was the sole topic OF CONVERSE
tion. overshadowing for the time being
talk about war with Spain.
Sheriff Hartzsll says that he accident
ally learned Sunday morning while wait
ing at the station for the, arrival Of the
train from Johnstown that the Roddy
boys had all of their plans Laid TO escape
and were only waiting for favorable oD-
portunity 10 carry them into effect. As
soon as he returned to the jail he visited
the corridor of the prison in which the
Roddys were confined TO learn that his
information was correct
Investigation revealed that two or three
Of the iron bars in the grating protecting
the north west window opening from the
upper corridor of the Jail had been neatly
sawed through and the openings made by
the saw had been cleverly concealed with
black putty. Il would only have requir-
ed minute OF two at an opportune time
10 have forced the grating apart aud made
escape from the Jail an easy matter.
Without informing the condemned men
of the discovery he had made the Sheriff
conducted them to cells on the opposite
side Of the Jail, the same in which the
Nicely brothers were confined Just prior
to their execution. Thorough investiga-
tion afterwards made failed to disclose
any filings beneath where the rods had
been sawed or any saws or other ins;ru-
ments with which the rods could have
been cut Sheriff Hartzell was 10th 10
believe and does not believe that the Rod
dy boys were preparing 10 escape, bat as
precautionary step he decided to sepa-
rate them and to keep a close guard upon
them from now on until the day set for
the double execution arrives.
The Roddy boys have been notably
traciable throughout their confinement
aud have won the good viii and sympathy
OF Sheriff Hartzell and the other prison
officials with whom they have been
brought in contact none of whom are
willing to believe, even in face of the sus-
picious circumstances mentioned, that
they had planned to escape.
When the Roddys were spoken TO in re-
gard 10 the sawed grating they admitted
frankly that they had known all about it
for year or m 1rs aud claimed that the
bars had been cut, at the instance OF per-
sons engaged in hunting up evidence
against them, by 3 prisoner named Kei-
ser. They say that they told their attor-
neys about it at the time, and declare
that the thought of escaping from jail
never entered their minds; that they rely
upon favorable consideration of their case
by the Pardon Board, and in eass the
Pardon Board refuse TO grant them par
don or commute the sentence of death to
life imprisonment, they will walk boldly
upon the trap and die entirely innocent
of the murder Of David Berkey.
The attorneys of the condemned broth
ers admit that their clients more than a
year ago informed them of the grating
having been cut on one of the Jail win
dows, bat that they did not deem it ad-
visable to make the matter public under
the circumstances, as they hoped 10 Sc
cure evidence through the prisoner Kei-
ser that would go to establish the fact
that testimony had been manufactured
against the Roddy boys. The attorneys
declare their positive belief in the limo
eence OF their clients and have always
claimed that they would not attempt es
cape il the doors of the prison were open
ed for them and they were urged 10 flee.
Another rumor as absurd as it is sense
less is to the effect that Sheriff Hartzell
believes the Roddy boys innocent aud
will resign his high Office rather than car
ry out the penalty of the law. Denial of
this nonsensical report Is unnecessary
where that officer is known. Repugnant
as the duty imposed upon him may be,
Sheriff Hartzell is not the man to linch
from duty and he will carry out the SEN
tsnce Of the law. If called upon to do so,
with the dignity and sense of RESPONSE
bility that have characterized his private
and official life.
Counsel for the Roddys are hard at
work securing signers to a petition ad
dressed TO the Pardon b 1ard praying for
a pardon or com mutation of sentence 10
life Imprisonment for their clients. They
a-gue that the r )ddys are innocent of the
murder OF Dlvid Berkey ahI profess to
believe that the guilty parties are at large
and may yet be detected and arrested. In
support Of their statements they quote
number of facts that have recently come
into their possession tending to show the
innocence OF the Roddys.
District Attorney Colborn received a
letter few days ago that had been posted
in Altoona, in which the anonymous and
blasphemous writer declares that he was
one of the murderers of David Berkey
aud swears eternal vengeance upon those
who have been instrumental in convict
ing the Roddy boys Of the crime. The
communication referred to is one of the
vilest letters ever penned, too obscene to
even read.
Attorneys for the commonwealth will
resist with all their power the application
OF the Roddys for pardon or even for
commutation Of sentence, all of them be-
ing entirely satisfied that they are the
guilty parties and that the law should be
permitted 10 take its course.
Pardon for Or. Mitchell.
Acting upon the recommendation of
the state Board of Pardons, Governor
II lstings has granted a full and uncondi
tional pardon to Dr. William F. Mitchell,
of Addison, who was convicted in The
criminal court OF this county of perform