The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1903-01-29
THE NUTTER NUMBER TRIAL.
The Suspected Perpetrator Of this
Astrocious Crime is Facing the
Court and Jury OH Trial
For His Life.

)n WlUn Une tension OF interest
drawn tight. 1t will be remem-
bered that a little over ~ year ago,
q startling crime aroused the quiet
people of Old Gore and vicinity a
crime not being surpassed in
atrocity any dark-deed recorded IN
the history of that community and
this county. There was, very sick
at the time, an old maiden lady,
Martha Jane Hite, by name,
woman far advanced into the sew
enties and then suffering from
prolonged illness, living in a little
house by the U. Brethren church
near Gore. She was dependent on
kind and charitable neighbors for
such attention and nursing as they
could give her and so it was that
even in this serious sickness, she
was often left alone. On the night
of the terrible deed, she had been
visited by Mrs. Alltop, before that
kind neighbor retired and had
from her received her medicines
and some food. Mrs. Alltop went
to her own home about 9 o'clock
leaving the sick woman alone, yet
resting comfortably for the night.
Early the next morning, a scene
much changed and horrible, met
the astonished eyes Of the neigh
Dor woman, when she came into
Martha's home. Upon the couch
lay the poor woman, apparently
dead; her face and blood matted
hair presented an horrible appear
ance. AS she lay in this semi
conscious stupor the neighbors
were called and the poor, unfor-
tunate victim made as comfortable
as possible. DR.. Donaldson was
summoned and gave medical re-
lief. After few days of great
suffering she passed away.
Before her death, she told the
story of the astrocious deed; how
that late in the night of January
Goth, a man broke into the house,
and in the midst of his curses per-
ceeded to outrage the lone, de-
fenceless, suffering woman. Meet
ing with resistance he seized her
by the hair, and with the ferocity
of wild animal, dragged her
through the house, across the road
and over into the field behind the
e. b. church. How long she lay
there unconscious, no one knows,
however before morning she man
aged in some supernatural way to
crawl back to the house and again
lost consciousness, and thus re-
mained until found the following 70
morning. The suspected perpe.
traitor of this vile deed, on being
brought before her, was recognized
as the guilty one.
Charles Nutter was indicted at
the April term following, by the
Grand Jury and trial set for Sep.
tember term. In the meantime
the Supreme Court of Ohio had
declared the Jury law of the state
as unconstitutional, hence the in.
dictment returned against NutteI
in April was void, thus necessita.
ting another Indictment by Grand
Jury at September term.
A year had swiftly glided by,
the victim of horrible crime and
the suspected perpetrator had al
most been forgotten until the court
bell rang on Monday morning, an
nouncing to the people that the
law had not relaxed its viligant
eye nor loosened its pinions, and
that retribution must be made.
AT 10 a. m. the Court of Common
Pleas was opened by Sheriff
Thomas, before a crowded court
room.
By exchange of Judicial courtes-
les, the bench during this trial is
occupied by Judge j. Miner, of
Portsmouth, a prominent member
of the judiciary Of this Seventh
Judicial district. Our Judge, O.
w. II. Wright has exchanged
benches with Judge Miner. The
attorneys on the case are Weldy,
Bright and Bright for defense !;
Prosecutor A. R. McBroom, Wright
d Petit and L. d. Vickers for the
State.
The miscellaneous business of
the court having been dispensed
with, the Judge ordered the jurors
of the special venire to be called