The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-09-15
NE|GHB0Rs THINK
SHAKERS SHOULD
BE- CONVICTED
Authorities Pressing for First De.
gree Murder Indictment Against
Couple Who Gave Dying Woman
Drug To Hasten Death.
Remarkable Case VIII Come Up for
Trial About First Week in
December.
by {. c. RODGERS.

KIS6IMMEE, Fla, Sept 15.-That
Sadie Marchant, the Shakeress. was
killed with Kindness" Is the verdict
In this little Florida town all the con-
servatism OF a country village pre-
walls. IL 10 hard TO get anybody to
say that Brother Egbert Gillette and
Sister Elizabeth Sears did right when
they chloroformed to death Sadie
Marchant, fellow member of the
Shaker colony near Ashton, ten miles
west Of Kissimmee, on Aug. 22, put
ting her out Of the body" as the
Shakers speak OF death.
I'VE are very, very sorry for those
people," Mrs. II. w. Thurman, wife
OF the owner Of the largest winter
tourists hotel hereabouts, and recog-
nized social leader of central Florida,
said. but" she added, they COM
mitted a serious offense against the
divine DEGREES Of God. We sympa-
thize with them deeply, but we are
not able TO hold them blameless."
Conviction, Then Pardon.
THAT IL the feeling throughout the
entire county. Everybody is sorry
for the man and woman charged
with the homicide, but there are few
but that think they should be con-
vicfed. After conviction they seem
to believe that the ends of justice
would be met by a speedy pardon.
There are. however, some excep-
tions. For instance, the Rev. A.
Rose, formerly q pastor of Michi-
gar congregation, told me with much
vehemence:
n would hang that jury for
thousand years before would bring
in a verdict convicting either Broth
er Hgbert or Sister Elizabeth"
His wife, Mrs. Rose. Is quite sure
that 'that man (Gillette) did Chris
tian duty when he relieved the sur
fering OF the consumptive girl In the
only way possible"
Most people here think that Gil
Iefte will be convicted surely, and
that Sister Elizabeth. q grand-moth-
eriy sort of woman. may be acquit-
ted. because OF her old age. And
too. they expect that the state board
OF pardons will be Immediately. re-
ouested TO pardon the convicted. ] do
not think that II win be possible TO
get q Jury here who would not pc
tition the pardon board themselves,
as soon as they turn in. a verdict or
guilty.
Have Exemplary Record.
The Shaker colony has been estab-
1ished on the shores OF Live Oak lake
for about 25 years. and all during that
quarter or century not member
or the colony has ever stepped his or
her foot Inside the county courtroom,
either as plaintiff. defendant or wit
ness. They never voted. never took
the slightest interest In politics. never
took sides in questions Of local Inn
portance, never owed dollar 10 any
person after sunset OF any day and
held to the theory that the setting or
the sun cancelled al debts due them
They raise. pineappies. bananas and
oranges. on about ten acres OF their
7.0O0-acfe estate. They never visit.
although visitors at the colony are
kindly Received.
Two OF the staunchest friends or
Brother Egbert and Sister Elizabeth
are Sheriff Prevatt and Judge Parker,
the Judge who issued the warrant for
their arrest and the men who placed