The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-09-28
The GARRETT MURDER,
Only the Presence Of the Sheriff Prevented
Lynehing.
mUR6EREa SILENTLY WOUNDED.

Only the presence Of Sheriff Hartzall al
Garrett last Tuesday night prevented the
commission of a third murder in that
quiet little village. The brutal killing Of
/ Michael Carney and John Lenhart, both
reputable and popular citizens. infuriat-
ed the people ofthe entire community, and
a mob that surrounded the building in
which the murderer sought safety. called
loudly for his blood. When at last Mey-
ers was overpowered by the Sherif7s
posse snd led from the honse, a frenzied
man forced his way through the excited
crowd. and. leveling revolver at the
head Of the murderer, pulled the trigger.
/ His aim was bad and the bullet tore only
q flesh wound IN The intended victims
scalp. Meyers dropped TO the ground
! between Constable William Gilbert and
( Austin Critchfield, who had him in
charge. He was apparently unconscious,
and the report soon few through the
I crowd that he was dead. He vas carried
to the Garrett Hotel where be was laid on
( the front porch, ard Dr.. Pollard WIS
summoned 10 dress his wound. While
/ the physician was engaged in stitching
the cash in Meyers head, men carrying
shotguns and rifles begged the officers 10
let them empty the contents Of their
weapons into the murderer's PROSTATE
body. Sheriff aarizell was compelled to
use force to drive few of the angry and
excited men back. DIR. Pollard discov-
cred that Meyers was shamming uncon-
scionsuess, and when this fact was COM
municated to the Sheriff The handcniTs
we're replaced on Meyers wrists and he
was conducted TO the hotel cellar, where
be was closely guarded until he was
placed on On engine and taken 10 Rock
wood, and from there brought to the
county jail.
a crowd, variously estimated az from
five to eight hundred men and boys,
many Of them armed with guns and re-
voIyers, and declaring that they would
shoot Meyers on sight, loitered around
the hotel until daylight. and it was re-
ported 10 the Sheriff that a mob had
gathered on the road just outside of Gar
rsst for the avowed purpose of taking the
prisoner from the officers Of the law and
lynching him.
Ia order 90 outwit those who were pre-
pairing 10 take the law into their own
hands, the Sheriff made arrangements
through the telegraph operator at the
railroad station 70 have a freight train
stop at the end Of a siding some distance
east of Garrett, and when it arrived he
had the prisoner at the appointed place,
and placing him on the engine directed
the engineer 70 make fast speed through
Garrett, which was done. 1t was not
known in Garrett that the prisoner had
been removed 10 Somerset until after he
was safe in jail at o'clock Wednesday
morning.
Meyers did not have inueh to say about
the killing Of Carney and LenhaTt, but
admitted that he had SHOT b XIII. After
he was lodged in Jail he said: Il am sor-
~ for what have done, but 1t is TOO late
now 10 remedy it."
The murderer is twenty-five years Of
age He is about feet 10 inches tall and !
is powerfully built. He wears a short |
sandy mustache. His eyes are large and |
clear. His entire face leaves the Impress
ion that he IS man Of great determina-
ton. lie speaks slowly, and since in jail !
has been guarded in al OF his express
ions he is unmarried. TIE wound on
bis head IS only slight aud vii give HIM
no trouble.
Thursday the prisoner was visited hy |
his brother and sister. and after the in
terview ne broke down and wept for |
4 L
J. Kooser and A c. HOlbert to dsfend |
him, and after consulting with his attor-
neys on Thursday, he frightened mp and 1
has not sirce shown any signs Of de- |
spondeney. His father, Christian Mey |
ers, visited him on Wednesday, but their !
interview was brief and from the old |
mans subsequent conversation it is plain
that he has not much sympathy for his
unfortunate son.