The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-30
YOUNG MURDERER
HELD FOR TRIAL
Harry ThOrne, Slayer of George
w. Fassell, Valves His
Preliminary.
APPARENTLY DOES NOT
REALIZE HIS POSITION
John Hays, However, Insists
Upon Delay, and Makes
Statement.

DtdttHitHt.
Calmly putting a cigarette. which his
manacled hands forced To his mouth with
an effort. Harry Thornc. confessed muir
derer OF George w. Fessell. shambled Into
police court Tuesday afternoon and
waived a preliminary examination on the
charge OF murder in the first degree be-
fore Police Judge ]. NJ. Bowman.
There wasn't the slightest trace OF
nervousness IN the demeanor OF the
youthful murderer, He paid no attention
TO the crowd in the courtroom. but
seemed more Interested in the gathering
of drunks aud Migrants clustered along
the ''mourners' bench" Rather than be-
ing embarrassed, Thorne seemed To rath-
er enjoy his situation. he was not an
noyed al all and the curious Gaze OF the
spectators didn't worry him in the least,
10 all outward appearances.
Thorne's principal cause OF worry
seemed 10 be his cigarette. Scarcely had
until the shacitied hands dove for a
pocket and emerged with more tobacco
and another white paper. The brown
stained fingers did not tremble as the
murderer rolled the cigarette, but the
steel bracelets" caused him some trou-
bic.
Harry Thorne." called the clerk OF the
court. and the roughly-clad lanky youth
ambled 10 the bar OF justice. Without
moving a muscle OF his face, Thorne
looked Judge Bowman squarely in the
eyes as the magistrate asked, Are you
ready TO plcad?''
Hearing Is Waived
Hestat!ng for moment. as though at
tempting To recall a released speech.
Ihorne said:
4 wish to waive my preliminary ex-
,I~~., i,..I n.I.sl ant
County Attorney j. i. Bowman was con-
suited by the court and then the boyish-
looking murderer sat down
Thorne followed the court proceedings
closely and smiled occasionally as an un-
fortunate pleaded guilty 10 drunkenness
md made his appeal for leniency
asked Deputy Sheriff Andrew Smith NJ
ne couldn't touch" CHIEF Barlow for
sl.1o. which had been taken from him at
the tlmc Of his arrest. The next inspira
sion was another cigarette. lnaSmuch as
The money belonged To Thorne and was
not part of the cash taken from Fas-
sells cash register. chief Barlow gave
tobacco was his comment,
Thorne was taken to- the courtroom
from the county Jail by Sheriff Joseph
Sharp and Deputy Sherin Andrew Smith.
There was no demonstration during the
hearing. The crowd was not as large as
on Monday and there was not woman
in the chamber.
Thorne had been approached by Chief
or Police Samuel Barlow and Sheriff Jo-
seph Sharp Tuesday morning and urged
TO waive a preliminary examination, as ii
would hasten his trial In the district
court. lie consented, but when the prop
osition was pat TO John Hays, Thorne ;
accomplice, the former muttered: Moth
tn dom'." Tuesday afternoon. Hays made
the following statement of the murder
and attendant circumstances 10 a num-
ber of officers at the county Jail, includ-
ing Chief of Police Barlow. Sheriff Sharp.
Deputy Sheriff Dick Eddington and Jaier
Joseph Burbidge:
Statement of Hays.
Il had spent the day principally in sa-
looms and poolrooms, but had not been
nooching in the vicinity of the Fassell
Thorne. Curley and myself passed Fas-
sells store and went about a half block
cast. Returning TO the store, Ihorne
went In first. followed by myself and
While Thorne and myself were hold
ing up Fassell and the butcher, Curley
money, and While he was at the Til the
shot was fred, Curley Immediately ran
out of the store. passing behind. me
have not seen cgrley since although
three OF us should meet at the room i'm
mcdiately after the job had been pulled
on, As soon as the shot was fred:
Thorne went to the cash rdegiSter and
j left the store, meeting Thorne about
block or so away:
"Thornc and / walked a short distance
during which time ] lost my gun in the
street. Then we took street car TO
the city. each sitting on different seats
but almost in the center Of the car. We
Main streets. l got off the rear end.
but ! don't k5ow which end Thorne took
In leaving the car. as we separated at
This time
Il went to the room by the way of
Second South and Commercial streets.
arriving there first. About ten minutes
later Thorne came in, Then Wilson ar
rived
When the officers knocked on the door.
Thorne was counting the money taken
out OF the cash register at the Fassell
In the jailer's office at the county bas-
tile. Harry Thorne talked freely of the
murder during an interview Tuesday aft
crnoon and showed no signs OF remorse
I'm not worrying about whether or not
they are going to hang me, because 1t
won't do any good. I'm not nervous. eat
BILE under the circumstances. But my to-
bacco is running low" and here the
young murderer rolled another cigarette.
Reason for Confession.
WHY did confess? Well. III tell you.
Eye witnesses had identified Hays as the
man who did the shooting and i didn't
want him to swing. so I decided to kick
in myself. ! aint that kind Of a fell
low"
AS he. made the above statement.
Thorne's eyes were scrutinizing the floor
and there was a ring 10 his voice which
denoted insinccrity- 1t sounded more
like boastful play at gameness,
u was educated in the public schools
of Baltimore and left home four years
ago shortly after my mother died
have stepfather and a brother but |
won't tell their names.
About that package l sent TO woman
in Los Angeles. | will say that it's none
OF your business who the woman was.
She's old enough 10 be my mother and
has 10 support two small children |
sent her some samples OF gold bearing
quartz which picked UP I'm Nevada
Would I rather be hanged or shot?
] can't tell just yet. for l haven't figured
il out. III TW got to stand for 1t I'll
figure out the way later. | don't know
which is the best. for / never tried It
yet and the youthful murderer smiled
al his remark.
Thorne mas been bound over TO await
the action OF the district court without
bail. and IL his case. is taken up rcgu-
larly the hearing Will not be held before
June Is. Judge Thomas D. Lewis prob.
ably will preside at the trial Hays will
have his preliminary examination about
April 10. unless he valves the examina-
tion before that time.