The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-12-20

Had an artist been present in the county
court Saturday evening he wonld have
witnessed scene worthy Of his best ef-
forts, faithful reproduction Of which
would win him place in the Royal
Academy.
The dingy courtroom, with all of its
defects set out in bold relief by the glare
OF powerful electric lights, was crowded
to the limit by men and women eager to
learn the fate of beardless youth, who
sat with downcast eyes and twitching
muscles at a table within the enclosure
reserved for memb bers of the bar. His
attorneys wore anxious countenances.
AT the opposite table the lawyers for the
Commonwealth were holding whispered
consultation over ponderous law books.
With them sat the wife of the murdered
man, attired in the robes of widow hood,
and one of her sons, apparently uninter-
ested in the consultation, asking that JUS
tice only might be done.
The jury were quietly communing one
with another and fixing themselves in
comfortable positions for an expected long
night session.
Halfway back in the room, on a seat
next TO the aisle. sat little crouched fig
ure clad in severe black, with hood of
the same sombre hue encircling pinch
ed face. the cheeks of which were furrow-
ed with wrinkles. bearing mute evidence
of nightly vigils aud heaviness of heart.
1 Her deep-set black eyes were riveted on
the hoy whose life was being weighed in
the balance of justice, while the rapid
heaving of her bUsom indicated that her
nerves were being taughtened for final
struggle.
The Judges entered with characteristic
dignity. without glaneing to the right or
lett, and took their seats upon the bench.
The court crier reconvenes the court,
his solemn ''Oyez. oyez." echoing in the
empty corridor, while the spectators un-
consciously bend forward.
All is silent
The District Attorney calls the name of
William Answslt, and lad with face
like that of a cherub comes forward and
takes the stand, where he repeats a con-
versation overheard between the boys
charged with murder. which has the eff
feet OF fastening the crime upon the pris-
oner.
Another witness tells the jury that the
defendant, Harry Weller, was eighteen
years of age four days following the muir
der.
"The Commonwealth rests" announces
the District Attorney.
Counsel for defendant ask permission
of the Court to withdraw with their client
and his father and mother for few min
utes' consultation.
Returning 10 the courtroom all of the
parties resume their former seats. when
Attorney Holbert rises slowly to his feet
aud iD a subdued voice addresses the
Bench as follows: ''If it please the Court,
Harry Weller, the prisoner at the bar.
through his attorneys, A. c. Holbert and
c. w. Walker, assigned by the Court for
the defense, asks permission of the Court
to withdraw his plea of Not guilty. 10
To the bill of indictment charging him
with murder of the first degree and sub
stitute in lieu thereof plea of Guilty Of
murder of the second degree"
His Honor, Judge Longenecker. wheels
around in his chair, and after consulting
with his Associates for few moments
says: IF there is no objection on the part
of the Commonwealth, the Court will en-
terrain the motion made by counsel for
the defendant, with the distinct under
standing that in case il is accepted, the
defendant will be given a sentence TO the
Western Penitentiary, and not sent TO the
Huntington Reformatory. Mr.. Holberi,
will you please put your motion in writ
ing7"
Whilethe attorney is hurriedly writing.
q hum of conversation can be heard ali
over the room, everybody except the lit
tie woman in black seeming TO under
stand that the trial is about to come to an
abrupt close. and that the ends of justice
will be met.
Attorney Holbsrt hands the written
motion to the Court, when Judge Long
enecker reads it aloud, and adds: The
motion of the defendant is accepted - and
starts to write a judicial endorsement on
the paper.
When the word Accepted" falls from
the Judges lips. a smile like the sunburst
that scatters its effnlgence all about it, IL
Eliminates the csreworn and anxious face
Of the little woman in black, whose eyes.
still glned on the form of her boy, fill
with tears that trickle dewn her followed
cheeks.
Adjourn the court until 9o'eloek Mon
day morning." commands the Judge. and
before the sound OF his voice dies away
the happy mother is rushing towards the
bar enclosure where she clasps her son
70 her bosom aud Offers thanks to God
that her offspring has been saved from
ignominions death. Almost at the same
moment weller's father, stolid little
rOund-bodied man, with eyes red from
weeping, steps into the bar and embraces
his SON.
"Donit. mother; don't cry" says the
youth between sobs that convulsed his
frame; ''please don't cry any more; am
saved"
The crowd that gathered around the
little family group silently withdrew,
leaving the wellers alone to enjoy few
brief minutes Of happiness before the de-
fendant was conducted back 10 jail.
Synopsis Of the Trial.
The cases Of the Commonwealth VS..
Harry Weller and Milton Sheets, indicted !
separately for the murder Of Augustus
Glessner, Of Allegheny township, near
Berlin. on the night of October 2lst. were |
called before the Court Friday afternoon,
when the District Attorney aunounced |
his readiness 70 proceed with the case |
against Weller.
Counsel for the defendants excepted to |
the District Attorneys having drawn sep
arate bills Of indictment, contending that /
they should have been indicted jointly, |
" hen the Commonwealth could have ex-
ercised its privilege 10 elect which OF the /
defendants should first be placed on trial. /
The Court cited the case against "Biil' |
Pritts, in which Pritts and w. C. Miller /
were charged sspars. ely with the murder |
of Jonathan Hochstetler. and sustained /
the bills Of indictments
Weller YVES then arrzigned. He stood i
the trying ordeal without changing ex
preston, and when asked 10 plead, re-
piled iu full strong voice. mot guilty"
Twenty -four jurors .ere called and ex-
amined before a panel of twelve good /
men and true was accepted. Several of 4
the jurymen examined acknowledged 1
that they had formed an opinion and one
admitted that he did not feel that he