The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1911-03-15
COUNTY's FIRST MURDER TRIAL.
IL is Recalled by the Death of william
Barnhart at North Warren
Insane Hospital.

Insane Hospital.
The death on last Friday of William
Barnhart, at the State hospital for the in
sane at North Warren, recalls the first
murder trial held in Forest county.
Barnhart, who was then about 30 years of
age, was convicted, or rather acquitted by
reason of insanity, of the murder of
Matthew Turner, worthy citizen of
Howe township, aud who had made his
home with Thomas Porter, then a well
known and highly esteemed resident,
whose farm was located on the road lead
ing from Marienville to Balltown, sur
rounded by dense forest ofhemlock and
hardwood.
Saturday, September 0, 1871, Turner
left the Porter home to go to his shsnty
which was located on the Foxburg road,
where he had woods job. This was the
last seen of him until the Wednesday fol-
lowing, Sept. 18th, when Mr.. Porter, re-
turning from business trip to Marien-
Vile, called at the shsnty and not finding
Turner, started in the direction which he
should have followed when he left his
house the Saturday previous, and found
his dead body lying in the road about
two miles from the shanty, the unfortu-
nate man having never reached his des-
tination. A hasty examination disclosed
TO Mr.. Porter that Turner had been
murdered, and he fastened to summon
the authorities and an inquest was held.
His head and neck were filled with buck
shot, his murderer having evidently laid
in wait for him and shot from ambush,
killing his victim instantly. The charge
had entered from the side and rear like.
Turner's gun was leaning against log
close beside the road on which also his
ha'chet laid, evidencing that he had sat
down there TO rest when the fatal shot
was fired He had knife aud revolver
in his belt, neither of which had been
disturbed. No evidences of the perpe-
TRAITOR of the foul crime were disclosed at
the inquest, but suspicion at once centered
upon one William B Birnhart. an irrespon-
sible character who had in tested that Sec
ton for some time, and had often made
his home at the Porter farm. This man,
half crazy, aud more than half canning
and devlish, had threatened the lives OF
several persons in the neighborhood, and
was known to have harbored i'll feeling
toward Turner. He was not so crazy but
that he knew what he had done, and at
once was found missing, having almost
succeeded in making good his escape
from the neighborhood. He was traced
into Jefferson county and overhauled on
the road leading from Clsrington to STRAIT
tonvllle, by Henry Bailey, who, with
James X. Clark of Barnett township.
brought him to Tionesta, and at a hear
Jog before Justice D. S. Knox was bound
over without bail.
His trial began on the 28th day of De-
cember, 1871, before Judge Wetmore,
who held his first court in Forest county
at that time. His associates on the bench
were j. A. Proper and Andrew Cook.
The attorneys for the prosecution were
District Attorney W. w. Mason, w. P.
Mercilliott and ex-Judge S. P. Johnson.
The prisoner was defended by Samuel D.
Irwin and b. j. Reed. The evidence
brought out in the trial was conclusive as
to the guilt of Bsrnhart, and the jury re-
quired only few minutes in arriving at
verdict to that effect, but not responsible
by reason of insanity. Judge johnson
made the plea for the conviction of the
prisoner, but made it plain to the jury
that he believed him insane and the jury
should so find.
In the testimony it was brought out
that Barnhart was greatly prejudiced
against redheaded people, and had noted
in his pass-bo that they should all be
killed. His victim WIS redheaded.
Batnhart's mother and one of his sisters
were witnesses for him. Both testified to
his queer actions and talk, especially
after his return from the army, in which
he had served an enlistment. II parents
we're residents of Maple Furnace, near
Miller's Eddy or Monterey, on the Allie
gheny river. His father was Victor
Barnhart, who died when William was 4
years old,
Judge Wetmore directed that Barnhart
should be committed to the hospital for
the insane at Dixmont for so long time
as he should continue to be of unsound
mind. When the hospital at North War
rem was completed Barnhart was trans
ierred to that institution. His age at the
time OF his death was about 20 years.
There being no relatives or friends to
claim the body it will, in all probability,
be forwarded to the anatomical society at
Philadelphia.