The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-10-29
Harrie Baxter Guilty as Charged.

Harrie Baxter Guilty as Charged.
II Harrie Allen Baxter, charged with as
sault with intent to kill his fatherin law
Judge Benajah P. Wills, was put OF
trial on Wednesday The interest tina
was created in this case some months ag'
had not abated a particle and the cour
room was crowded by an audience cage
to hear the evidence and follow the pro
ceedings, many ladies being of the mum
ber As soon as the room was hlle(
Judge Gaskill gave orders to close thu
doors and not to admit more than coulC
be seated, consequently there were some
disappointed people.
Baxter was on hand, attended by hi
counsel Mrs Baxter and the faithful
mother-in-law occupied seats in the audi
ence.
Prosecutor Atkinson was assisted by ex
! Prosecutor Budd. Mr.. Atkinson detailed
the facts the state would prove. They
referred only to the circumstances con
nected with the assault, matters of occur
renee at the house or in the family being
excluded save so far as it was absolutely
necessary to introduce them to make q
connecting link. The fact that the entire
history of this unfortunate family affair
was not to be spread before the public
gaze caused a shadow of disgust to pass
over several countenances.
Judge Wills was the first witness. He
told that he was on Grant street on the
morning of the assault talking with
Micaiah E. Matlack when Baxter came
along. The latter went to the station and
witness went over to him and said 'You
have caused enough trouble for me in my
family l want you to go away and
never come back" Baxter's only reply
was the pulling of a revolver, with a
threat to shoot. William Gennett, who
was in the neighborhood, stepped between
the two men and Baxter moved away into
the waiting room of the station. The
witness did not follow him but when he
next saw him he was coming from the
room followed by Matlack, who had the
revolver Mr. Wills then called Baxter
an internal scoundrel and said: "You
have broken up my home, have caused me
to be treated like dog, taught my wife
and daughter to drink whiskey, stolen my
diamond pin and tried to kill me-"
On cross-examination witness said: 81
was home the night before this affair, and
knew there were several people, not a
mob, around my house. | told them to
go away. I don't think they stayed later
than 10 o'clock. l went asleep about that
time did not invite the mob to call at
the house, nor did know they were com
ing. did not encourage any such at
tack did not leave the front door open
so the mob could get in, but didn't lock
the door. got up about 6 o'clock on the
morning of the assault, and went to see
Captain Matlack about sham battle we
were to have on the fair grounds. l did
talk with Captain Matlack about Baxter
Gennett was sweeping off the pavement
in front of the Budd property. l didn't
know Baxter was going to leave until l
saw him at the station. He did not
threaten me at first. | just went up to
him to warn him. l was enraged when |
saw him talking with my boy Richard,
who does not speak to me. Gennett threw
him over the fence but no one hit him.
1 didn't touch Baxter, but tried to strike
him. struck at him. l had no errand
at Grant street station that morning but
to warn Baxter to go away. was going
to Atlantic City that morning"
jeremiah Connors was the next witness.
He is employed at Burlington and was at
to go to that city. He saw Baxter on the
platform and also saw Judge Wills come
along. He went to Baxter, shook his fin
ger at him and told him never to come
back to the town. Judge Wills did not
have a revolver, but Baxter drew one and
pointing at Wills, said "Ill kill you.
Gennett jumped between them and Baxter
ran into the station, from which he soon
emerged and ran up the railroad.
William Gennett testified that he was at
work on the corner of High and Grant
streets on the morning in question. He
saw Wills and Matlack conversing and
soon after Baxter came along. Gennett
thought he would take a walk that way
and when he arrived on the scene he
heard Wills order Baxter to leave town
and saw Baxter draw revolver. Gennett
thought his part in the show had about
arrived so he jumped between the two
men. Baxter ran into the station followed
by Gennett and Matlack. The latter got
the revolver and Gennett finished his part
Of the performance by throwing Baxter
over the fence.
Joseph Taylor, who drives a meat
wagon, was near Grant street station on
The morning of the assault. He noticed
Mr. Corners and also saw Baxter approach
He saw Wills approach Baxter and with
Iplifted hand tell him to go away and
never come back. Baxter stepped to one
side and said go away from me, will
shoot YOU" Then Gennett interfered.
Jennie Reeves, a young girl, was near
Grant street station and saw Judge Wills
20 to Baxter and warn him to leave the
town for good. She saw Baxter draw a
pistol and heard him threaten to shoot.
Captain Micajah E. Matlack was the
next witness. He was having converse
ton with Judge Wills on the morning of
The assault Mr.. Wills, as president of
the Burlington County Fair Association,
was making arrangements with Captain
Matlack about sham battle to be given
at the fair grounds on the Fourth of July
Judge Wills was on his way to the station
to take an early train to Atlantic City.
While they were talking Baxter came
along and Matlack called the Judges at
tention to the man. Wills crossed the
street and went to Grant street station.
There he faced Baxter and pointing his
finger at him told him to leave town and
never come back. Bakers only reply
was II will shoot you," and to give this
threat the proper effect he drew revolver
which he pointed at Judge Wills. Gen
nett then interfered and Baxter retreated
into the station. Matlack jumped the
fence and entered back door of the
station, finding Baxter in an entry. The
latter turned his pistol towards the wit
ness, but Matlack wrested it from his
grasp. Gennett then threw Baxter over
the fence and the latter ran up the rail
road.
Mr.. Boyle, one of the lawyers for the
defence, said they would not intrude the
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