The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-29

her husband 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
deliberate and intentional act" and
that there was no circumstances that
m1ugated against its Nervousness"
Mrs. Farmer came to this country
from Ireland in 1900 and worked for a
time as a domestic in Binghamton go
married James D. Farmer in 1904. Early
in 1905 they moved to Brownsville 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 a por-
tion of an old building formerly used
as hotel in part OF Brownsville
known as Paddy Hill.
They Were Neighbors.
Mrs. Brennan and her husband Pat
rick lived in house nearby which they
had occupied for 20 years and which
was owned by Mrs. Brennan. Mrs.
Farmer became frequent caller at the
Brennan home and Mrs. Brennan occa-
sionally called on the Farmers Mrs
Brennan kept the deed to her property
insurance papers and savings bank
book in black oilcloth pocketbook in
a tin case in her bedroom.
Months before the homicide, in Octo-
Der, 1907, Mrs. Farmer went to a law
yer's office in Watertown, produced
deed of the Brennan property and, i'm
personating Mrs. Brennan had the deed
transferred to James D. Farmer, sign
ing the name Sarah Brennan" The
deed was returned from the clerks Of
flee to James D. Farmer on November
%, and on January T. 1908 Mrs Farmer
and her husband went to another law
yer in Watertowjn and had the deed
drawn to Peter ]. Farmer. a child who
had been born to them the preceding
September q
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 WatertoWn. Between
Q and 10 o'clock she was seen to leave
her 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
it. saying she was going up town Be
tween that time and the time Mrs. Bren-
ran 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
neighbor to assist her in caring for the
child.
Sent for Her Husband.
The girl, upon her arrival, found
Farmer and his wife at lunch and la
ter he left for the home of his sister
where he vas laying walk. Soon after
Mrs. Farmer went into the Brennan
house, she returned and told the girl to
so for her husband but Farmer refus-
ed to return home. Mrs. Farmer then
went to the sisters home with a pack
age which proved to be the black OIL
cloth pocketbook of Mrs. Brennan con-
tanning the deeds. insurance and other
papers, and said she wanted to leave it
for a while
Brennan upon his return from work
that afternoon was unable to get into
his house. The keys which his wife
was in the habit of leaving were not
in their accustomed place. While he
was trying to get in he saw Farmer
standing nearby who remarked:
Brennan, don't you know I bought
this placer" Brennan finely secured
a ladder entered a second story win
dow and occupied the house that night.
The next morning he went to work as
usual.
Mrs. Farmer that same morning
went to the sisters house, took Mrs.
Brennan's oilcloth pocketbook from
where it had been hidden in a chair
and with her husband went to Water
town where they had an attorney pre-
pare papers ordering Brennan off the
premises, which were served on him
that night
Brennan went to watertown and
made inquiries for his wife but failed
to find her and Saturday morning left
for his work as usual after spending
the night in the house. He returned
home however. later and found Mrs
Farmer and her husband occupying
the house. Mrs. Farmer told him that
so long as he used the Farmers well |
he could stay. Brennan then reported |
the matter to the district attorneys |
office and engaged a constable to |
search for his wife.
Move to Brennan House
The Farmers, in the meantime, with |
others who Were induced to help by /
CContinued on Page EiRht.) l