The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-03-29
MRS. MARY FARMER EXPIATES
HER CRIME AT DAWN IN
ELECTRIC CHAIR
Murderess Mrs Brennan Before Going Her DEATH Exonerates Her
lusbnd-l840 Volts Pass Through Womans Body and Three
Contacts Are Made Before She Is Pronounced Dead
History of the GhastIy Crime

The body OF Mrs. Brennan was found
OH the following Monday in trunk
owned by Mrs. Farmer and in her pos
session. Mrs. Farmer and her hus-
band were given separate trials, and
although the evidence was circum-
stantial, both were convicted and SEN
fenced to be electrocuted. Mrs. Farm
erS counsel attempted at the trial to
establish that she was insane and ir-
responsible for the crime, but the
court OF appeals declared that it was
clearly a deliberate and Intentional
act" and that there were no circum-
stances that "mitigated against Its
Nervousness.
Mrs. Farmer came to this country
f:om Ireland In 1900 and worked for
Il time as domestic in Binghamton,
going from there to Buffalo, where she
married James d. Farmer in 1904.
Early in 1905, they moved to Brown
Vile. where they remained for a few
months at one of Farmers relatives.
after which they kept boarders in an
adjoining village. In May, 1907, they
moved into portion OF an old build
ing formerly used as hotel in a
part of Brownvllle known as Paddy
Hill
Mrs, Brennan and her husband, Pat
rick, lived in house nearby, which
they had occupied for twenty years
and which was owned by Mrs. Bren-
nan. Mrs, Farmer became a fre-
quent caller at the Brennan home and
Mrs. Brennan occasionally called on
the Farmers. Mrs Brennan kept the
deed to her property, insurance pap
ers and savings bank book in a
black oilcloth pocketbook In tin case
in her bedroom,
Months before tho homicide, in Oc-
tober. 1907. Mrs. Farmer went to a
lawyers Office in Watertown, produc-
cd a deed Of the Brennan property
and, impersonating Mrs. Brennan, had
the deed transferred TO James ID
Farmer. signing the name Sarah
Brennan" The deed was returned
from the clerks office to James u.
Farmer on November rs, and on Jan
uary 7. 1908. Mrs. Farmer and her
husband went to another lawyer IN
Watertown and had the deed drawn to
Peter ]. Farmer, child. who had been
b,In TO them the preceding September
2ud
On the day Of the crime. Mrs. Bren-
mans husband left early for his work
his wife telling him she was going to
visit dentist In Watertowp. Between
9 and 10 o'clock she was seen to leave
ler home and enter the Farmer house.
She was never seen alive again early
the same day. Mrs. Farmer took her
baby to the home OF a neighbor and
left 1t. saying she was going up town.
Between that time and the time Mrs
brennan went to the Farmer house.
Mrs. Farmer passed back and forth
between the two houses several times.
Shortly after noon she went for her
baby and arranged for a young daugh-
Ter of the neighbor to assist her IN
caring for the child.
The girl, upon her arrival, found
Farmer and his wife at lunch, and lat
er he left for the home OF his sister
where he was laying walk Soon al
ter Mrs. Farmer went into the Bren-
nan house. she returned and told the
girl to go for her husband, but Farm
er refused TO return home Mrs. Farm
with a package which proved to be
The black oilcloth pocketbook of Mrs.
Brennan containing the deeds. insur-
ance and other papers, and said She
wanted to leave 1t for a while.
Brennan. upon his return from work
that afternoon. was unable TO get into
his house. The keys, which his wire
was in the habit of leaving, we're not
In their accustomed place. While he
vas trying to get in. he saw Farmer
standing nearby who remarked:
Brennan. don't you know l bought
this place." Brennan finally secured
O ladder. entered a second-story WIN.
dow and occupied the house that night
as usual.
Mrs. Farmer that same morning
went to the sisters house, took Mrs
3rennan's oilcloth pocketbook from
where 1t had been hidden In a chair,
and with her husband went to Water
town. where they had an attorney
prepare papers ordering Brennan on
the premises. which were served oil
him that night
DIcuuhu WEut W w dleTtOWn anu
made inquiries for his wife, but fail
ed to find her. and Saturday morn,ng
left for his work as usual after spend.
ing the night in the house. He return
ed home however. later and found
Mrs. Farmer and her husband occupy
ing the house. Mrs. FARMER told him
that SO long as he used the Farmer 3
we'll, he could stay. Brennan then
reported the matter to the district at
torney's. Office. and engaged con-
stable TO search for his wife.
The Farmers, in the meantime, with
others who we're induced to help by
free access TO ale, which was furnisn-
ed, commenced moving their goods TO
the Brennan honse. In one OF the
back rooms was large black trunk
which Mrs. Farmer asked one or the
men TO tie with rope. Mrs. Farm
er lifted the ends OF the trunk while
clothes line was wrapped around 1t
ana tied securely. Mrs. Farmer said
she had stun in there she didn't want
b.okcn,' and had two men carry II