******
"Louis Helman's Funeral"
"He is Buried in Accordance With the Rites of the Orthodox Jews"
"Louis Helman,the Jewish peddler who was murdered near Brockwayville last Wednesday,was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Punxsutawney on Thursday. He belonged to the sect of orthodox Jews, and was buried in strict accordance with the laws and customs amongst the ancient Jews. This law prescribes that,in case of death by violence, none of the blood shall be washed off, and none of the bloody garments removed,but that the victim shall be buried as he was when death came. This custom was strictly observed at Helman's funeral. He was laid in the grave without a coffin,his head resting upon a sack of earth. A small flat stone was placed over each eye and over his mouth, and a green twig in each hand. Boards were placed at each side of the corpse and above it and then the grave was filled up. This custom is not observed by the Jews generally,but amongst the orthodox and as Helman belonged to this sect,he was buried in accordance with the funeral rites of that ancient faith."
Source:
Transcribed from the news article published in the Punxsutawney Sprit dated 9 September 1896.
From The Punxsutawney News - dated 9 September 1896.
"On Wednesday evening of last week, two Jewish peddlers were driving along the road leading to Brockwayville and when within a mile of that town they were held up by two masked men supposed to be tramps. The names of the peddlers were Lewis Helman and H. Shakespeare, both of DuBois. As soon as the robbers ordered a halt both men jumped from their buggy, and the robbers attacked them with revolvers and knives. One of the shots took effect in Helman's breast. The tramps then took to the woods which line the road. Where he died shortly after. As soon as the news reached Brockwayville, a posse of citizens began searching for the murderers. Shakespeare says he can identify the assassins. One of the highwaymen is tall, the other short, both of dark complexion. Helman's body was brought to Punxsutawney and buried on Tuesday last. Deceased leaves a wife and four children and was 35 years of age."
"Two brothers, William and Frank Dodson, were arrested at Hallton, Elk County, on Saturday last, on the charge of having murdered Lewis Helman at Brockwayville. The prisoners are now in the Brookville jail."
The Ridgway Star reported - " William Dodson will be remembered as the star actor in a trial at Judge Lucore's office recently, when he was charged by Nathan Laughner, of Spring Creek, with threats to shoot. He was bound over to court and gave bail in the sum of $300 to keep the peace. Mr. Laughner furnished the bail. He is a married man with a small family and worked in Hall & Garnder's Hallton mill until recently.
Frank Dodson is a jail bird and was discharged from the penitentiary about a month ago. When he came home, Will quit working and the two brothers started out camping together and have been in Jefferson County most of the time since.
Both of the men have anything but a good name and have been a disturbing element in the community all the time they have lived here. A number of petty robberies in the last few weeks have been laid at their doors and the people are overjoyed at their capture. "
From The Brockway Record - dated 18 September 1896.
"A cold-blooded murder, resulting from a deliberately planned robbery, is so rare that its revolting nature still brings a thrill of horror when the circumstances are recalled. Its heinousness is all the more revolting when it is considered that the crime was committed in the midst of an orderly, peace-loving community where life and property are considered safe as they are anywhere in the land. William and Frank Dodson, who are charged with this heinous crime, are not residents of the community."
" N.U. Bond, Esq., who has charge of the defense, will be assisted by C.Z. Gordon, Esq., of Brookville, and possibly others. The attorneys who will assist District Attorney Strong are E.A. Carmalt, of Brookville, and A.L. Cole, of DuBois. Others are available if needed. The trial is awaited with great interest."
The trial commenced on December 15th at the Jefferson County Courthouse ,before the Honorable Judge John W. Reed
"The substance of his [ N.U. Bond ] outline was to the effect that Dodson's….set out the day before the murder to visit their sister at Harvey's Run. They reached their destination that night, having traversed the distance from William's home at Spring Creek on foot by way of Richardsville. The next day [whilst] passing through Beechtree and Westville, on to the Beechwoods road and to the crossroad heading to the Brookville Road. At John Key's place they took to the woods and headed in the direction of Carrier…pursued their way down the creek and river homeward, reaching Spring Creek late that night. Along their route they encountered persons who knew them and were prepared to testify that the defendants were far enough away from the scene of the murder to establish their innocence of the crime charged. Another thing the defense proposed to prove was that two men had been seen following the peddlers all day and that these men and not the Dodsons were the guilty ones."
"On Thursday that the defendants took the stand. Frank Dodson made a good impression. Frank removed his coat to show that his physique was normal, he had no "low shoulder," as one of the men passing the Hutchinson farm was said to have. Both men described their apparel, description that conflicted with those of the prosecution.
William Dodson did not have the nerve of his brother. He appeared to wilt at times and was rattled under the sharp fire of examination. He spoiled the good impression created by Frank and once more the chain of evidence seemed to tighten around them." Attorneys for both sides summed up Friday afternoon. On Saturday Judge Reed eloquently charged the jury on the law. The jury began deliberating, then asked on Tuesday to be dismissed, "It is now claimed that Samuel Fike [ a juryor ] of Knox Township, is related to the Dodsons by marriage, and that eleven of the jurors agree on murder in the first degree, but Fike holds out for acquittal." Which was denied."
"After being out for a space of five days the jury in the Dodson case at last reached a verdict. They made known their decision on Thursday morning after court had convened, and rendered a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. From the nature of the verdict and the long time consumed in reaching it, the natural inference is that it was a compromise. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is twelve years' imprisonment."
William and Frank Dodson were sentenced to "Twelve years apiece in the Western Penitentiary at hard labor, one dollar fine and cost of prosecution. Judge Reed said Saturday, while the Dodsons were before him for sentence, that the verdict in their case was an absurdity."
******
"Louis Helman's Funeral"
"He is Buried in Accordance With the Rites of the Orthodox Jews"
"Louis Helman,the Jewish peddler who was murdered near Brockwayville last Wednesday,was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Punxsutawney on Thursday. He belonged to the sect of orthodox Jews, and was buried in strict accordance with the laws and customs amongst the ancient Jews. This law prescribes that,in case of death by violence, none of the blood shall be washed off, and none of the bloody garments removed,but that the victim shall be buried as he was when death came. This custom was strictly observed at Helman's funeral. He was laid in the grave without a coffin,his head resting upon a sack of earth. A small flat stone was placed over each eye and over his mouth, and a green twig in each hand. Boards were placed at each side of the corpse and above it and then the grave was filled up. This custom is not observed by the Jews generally,but amongst the orthodox and as Helman belonged to this sect,he was buried in accordance with the funeral rites of that ancient faith."
Source:
Transcribed from the news article published in the Punxsutawney Sprit dated 9 September 1896.
From The Punxsutawney News - dated 9 September 1896.
"On Wednesday evening of last week, two Jewish peddlers were driving along the road leading to Brockwayville and when within a mile of that town they were held up by two masked men supposed to be tramps. The names of the peddlers were Lewis Helman and H. Shakespeare, both of DuBois. As soon as the robbers ordered a halt both men jumped from their buggy, and the robbers attacked them with revolvers and knives. One of the shots took effect in Helman's breast. The tramps then took to the woods which line the road. Where he died shortly after. As soon as the news reached Brockwayville, a posse of citizens began searching for the murderers. Shakespeare says he can identify the assassins. One of the highwaymen is tall, the other short, both of dark complexion. Helman's body was brought to Punxsutawney and buried on Tuesday last. Deceased leaves a wife and four children and was 35 years of age."
"Two brothers, William and Frank Dodson, were arrested at Hallton, Elk County, on Saturday last, on the charge of having murdered Lewis Helman at Brockwayville. The prisoners are now in the Brookville jail."
The Ridgway Star reported - " William Dodson will be remembered as the star actor in a trial at Judge Lucore's office recently, when he was charged by Nathan Laughner, of Spring Creek, with threats to shoot. He was bound over to court and gave bail in the sum of $300 to keep the peace. Mr. Laughner furnished the bail. He is a married man with a small family and worked in Hall & Garnder's Hallton mill until recently.
Frank Dodson is a jail bird and was discharged from the penitentiary about a month ago. When he came home, Will quit working and the two brothers started out camping together and have been in Jefferson County most of the time since.
Both of the men have anything but a good name and have been a disturbing element in the community all the time they have lived here. A number of petty robberies in the last few weeks have been laid at their doors and the people are overjoyed at their capture. "
From The Brockway Record - dated 18 September 1896.
"A cold-blooded murder, resulting from a deliberately planned robbery, is so rare that its revolting nature still brings a thrill of horror when the circumstances are recalled. Its heinousness is all the more revolting when it is considered that the crime was committed in the midst of an orderly, peace-loving community where life and property are considered safe as they are anywhere in the land. William and Frank Dodson, who are charged with this heinous crime, are not residents of the community."
" N.U. Bond, Esq., who has charge of the defense, will be assisted by C.Z. Gordon, Esq., of Brookville, and possibly others. The attorneys who will assist District Attorney Strong are E.A. Carmalt, of Brookville, and A.L. Cole, of DuBois. Others are available if needed. The trial is awaited with great interest."
The trial commenced on December 15th at the Jefferson County Courthouse ,before the Honorable Judge John W. Reed
"The substance of his [ N.U. Bond ] outline was to the effect that Dodson's….set out the day before the murder to visit their sister at Harvey's Run. They reached their destination that night, having traversed the distance from William's home at Spring Creek on foot by way of Richardsville. The next day [whilst] passing through Beechtree and Westville, on to the Beechwoods road and to the crossroad heading to the Brookville Road. At John Key's place they took to the woods and headed in the direction of Carrier…pursued their way down the creek and river homeward, reaching Spring Creek late that night. Along their route they encountered persons who knew them and were prepared to testify that the defendants were far enough away from the scene of the murder to establish their innocence of the crime charged. Another thing the defense proposed to prove was that two men had been seen following the peddlers all day and that these men and not the Dodsons were the guilty ones."
"On Thursday that the defendants took the stand. Frank Dodson made a good impression. Frank removed his coat to show that his physique was normal, he had no "low shoulder," as one of the men passing the Hutchinson farm was said to have. Both men described their apparel, description that conflicted with those of the prosecution.
William Dodson did not have the nerve of his brother. He appeared to wilt at times and was rattled under the sharp fire of examination. He spoiled the good impression created by Frank and once more the chain of evidence seemed to tighten around them." Attorneys for both sides summed up Friday afternoon. On Saturday Judge Reed eloquently charged the jury on the law. The jury began deliberating, then asked on Tuesday to be dismissed, "It is now claimed that Samuel Fike [ a juryor ] of Knox Township, is related to the Dodsons by marriage, and that eleven of the jurors agree on murder in the first degree, but Fike holds out for acquittal." Which was denied."
"After being out for a space of five days the jury in the Dodson case at last reached a verdict. They made known their decision on Thursday morning after court had convened, and rendered a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. From the nature of the verdict and the long time consumed in reaching it, the natural inference is that it was a compromise. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is twelve years' imprisonment."
William and Frank Dodson were sentenced to "Twelve years apiece in the Western Penitentiary at hard labor, one dollar fine and cost of prosecution. Judge Reed said Saturday, while the Dodsons were before him for sentence, that the verdict in their case was an absurdity."
******
******
"Louis Helman's Funeral"
"He is Buried in Accordance With the Rites of the Orthodox Jews"
"Louis Helman,the Jewish peddler who was murdered near Brockwayville last Wednesday,was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Punxsutawney on Thursday. He belonged to the sect of orthodox Jews, and was buried in strict accordance with the laws and customs amongst the ancient Jews. This law prescribes that,in case of death by violence, none of the blood shall be washed off, and none of the bloody garments removed,but that the victim shall be buried as he was when death came. This custom was strictly observed at Helman's funeral. He was laid in the grave without a coffin,his head resting upon a sack of earth. A small flat stone was placed over each eye and over his mouth, and a green twig in each hand. Boards were placed at each side of the corpse and above it and then the grave was filled up. This custom is not observed by the Jews generally,but amongst the orthodox and as Helman belonged to this sect,he was buried in accordance with the funeral rites of that ancient faith."
Source:
Transcribed from the news article published in the Punxsutawney Sprit dated 9 September 1896.
From The Punxsutawney News - dated 9 September 1896.
"On Wednesday evening of last week, two Jewish peddlers were driving along the road leading to Brockwayville and when within a mile of that town they were held up by two masked men supposed to be tramps. The names of the peddlers were Lewis Helman and H. Shakespeare, both of DuBois. As soon as the robbers ordered a halt both men jumped from their buggy, and the robbers attacked them with revolvers and knives. One of the shots took effect in Helman's breast. The tramps then took to the woods which line the road. Where he died shortly after. As soon as the news reached Brockwayville, a posse of citizens began searching for the murderers. Shakespeare says he can identify the assassins. One of the highwaymen is tall, the other short, both of dark complexion. Helman's body was brought to Punxsutawney and buried on Tuesday last. Deceased leaves a wife and four children and was 35 years of age."
"Two brothers, William and Frank Dodson, were arrested at Hallton, Elk County, on Saturday last, on the charge of having murdered Lewis Helman at Brockwayville. The prisoners are now in the Brookville jail."
The Ridgway Star reported - " William Dodson will be remembered as the star actor in a trial at Judge Lucore's office recently, when he was charged by Nathan Laughner, of Spring Creek, with threats to shoot. He was bound over to court and gave bail in the sum of $300 to keep the peace. Mr. Laughner furnished the bail. He is a married man with a small family and worked in Hall & Garnder's Hallton mill until recently.
Frank Dodson is a jail bird and was discharged from the penitentiary about a month ago. When he came home, Will quit working and the two brothers started out camping together and have been in Jefferson County most of the time since.
Both of the men have anything but a good name and have been a disturbing element in the community all the time they have lived here. A number of petty robberies in the last few weeks have been laid at their doors and the people are overjoyed at their capture. "
From The Brockway Record - dated 18 September 1896.
"A cold-blooded murder, resulting from a deliberately planned robbery, is so rare that its revolting nature still brings a thrill of horror when the circumstances are recalled. Its heinousness is all the more revolting when it is considered that the crime was committed in the midst of an orderly, peace-loving community where life and property are considered safe as they are anywhere in the land. William and Frank Dodson, who are charged with this heinous crime, are not residents of the community."
" N.U. Bond, Esq., who has charge of the defense, will be assisted by C.Z. Gordon, Esq., of Brookville, and possibly others. The attorneys who will assist District Attorney Strong are E.A. Carmalt, of Brookville, and A.L. Cole, of DuBois. Others are available if needed. The trial is awaited with great interest."
The trial commenced on December 15th at the Jefferson County Courthouse ,before the Honorable Judge John W. Reed
"The substance of his [ N.U. Bond ] outline was to the effect that Dodson's….set out the day before the murder to visit their sister at Harvey's Run. They reached their destination that night, having traversed the distance from William's home at Spring Creek on foot by way of Richardsville. The next day [whilst] passing through Beechtree and Westville, on to the Beechwoods road and to the crossroad heading to the Brookville Road. At John Key's place they took to the woods and headed in the direction of Carrier…pursued their way down the creek and river homeward, reaching Spring Creek late that night. Along their route they encountered persons who knew them and were prepared to testify that the defendants were far enough away from the scene of the murder to establish their innocence of the crime charged. Another thing the defense proposed to prove was that two men had been seen following the peddlers all day and that these men and not the Dodsons were the guilty ones."
"On Thursday that the defendants took the stand. Frank Dodson made a good impression. Frank removed his coat to show that his physique was normal, he had no "low shoulder," as one of the men passing the Hutchinson farm was said to have. Both men described their apparel, description that conflicted with those of the prosecution.
William Dodson did not have the nerve of his brother. He appeared to wilt at times and was rattled under the sharp fire of examination. He spoiled the good impression created by Frank and once more the chain of evidence seemed to tighten around them." Attorneys for both sides summed up Friday afternoon. On Saturday Judge Reed eloquently charged the jury on the law. The jury began deliberating, then asked on Tuesday to be dismissed, "It is now claimed that Samuel Fike [ a juryor ] of Knox Township, is related to the Dodsons by marriage, and that eleven of the jurors agree on murder in the first degree, but Fike holds out for acquittal." Which was denied."
"After being out for a space of five days the jury in the Dodson case at last reached a verdict. They made known their decision on Thursday morning after court had convened, and rendered a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. From the nature of the verdict and the long time consumed in reaching it, the natural inference is that it was a compromise. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is twelve years' imprisonment."
William and Frank Dodson were sentenced to "Twelve years apiece in the Western Penitentiary at hard labor, one dollar fine and cost of prosecution. Judge Reed said Saturday, while the Dodsons were before him for sentence, that the verdict in their case was an absurdity."
******
"Louis Helman's Funeral"
"He is Buried in Accordance With the Rites of the Orthodox Jews"
"Louis Helman,the Jewish peddler who was murdered near Brockwayville last Wednesday,was buried in the Jewish cemetery near Punxsutawney on Thursday. He belonged to the sect of orthodox Jews, and was buried in strict accordance with the laws and customs amongst the ancient Jews. This law prescribes that,in case of death by violence, none of the blood shall be washed off, and none of the bloody garments removed,but that the victim shall be buried as he was when death came. This custom was strictly observed at Helman's funeral. He was laid in the grave without a coffin,his head resting upon a sack of earth. A small flat stone was placed over each eye and over his mouth, and a green twig in each hand. Boards were placed at each side of the corpse and above it and then the grave was filled up. This custom is not observed by the Jews generally,but amongst the orthodox and as Helman belonged to this sect,he was buried in accordance with the funeral rites of that ancient faith."
Source:
Transcribed from the news article published in the Punxsutawney Sprit dated 9 September 1896.
From The Punxsutawney News - dated 9 September 1896.
"On Wednesday evening of last week, two Jewish peddlers were driving along the road leading to Brockwayville and when within a mile of that town they were held up by two masked men supposed to be tramps. The names of the peddlers were Lewis Helman and H. Shakespeare, both of DuBois. As soon as the robbers ordered a halt both men jumped from their buggy, and the robbers attacked them with revolvers and knives. One of the shots took effect in Helman's breast. The tramps then took to the woods which line the road. Where he died shortly after. As soon as the news reached Brockwayville, a posse of citizens began searching for the murderers. Shakespeare says he can identify the assassins. One of the highwaymen is tall, the other short, both of dark complexion. Helman's body was brought to Punxsutawney and buried on Tuesday last. Deceased leaves a wife and four children and was 35 years of age."
"Two brothers, William and Frank Dodson, were arrested at Hallton, Elk County, on Saturday last, on the charge of having murdered Lewis Helman at Brockwayville. The prisoners are now in the Brookville jail."
The Ridgway Star reported - " William Dodson will be remembered as the star actor in a trial at Judge Lucore's office recently, when he was charged by Nathan Laughner, of Spring Creek, with threats to shoot. He was bound over to court and gave bail in the sum of $300 to keep the peace. Mr. Laughner furnished the bail. He is a married man with a small family and worked in Hall & Garnder's Hallton mill until recently.
Frank Dodson is a jail bird and was discharged from the penitentiary about a month ago. When he came home, Will quit working and the two brothers started out camping together and have been in Jefferson County most of the time since.
Both of the men have anything but a good name and have been a disturbing element in the community all the time they have lived here. A number of petty robberies in the last few weeks have been laid at their doors and the people are overjoyed at their capture. "
From The Brockway Record - dated 18 September 1896.
"A cold-blooded murder, resulting from a deliberately planned robbery, is so rare that its revolting nature still brings a thrill of horror when the circumstances are recalled. Its heinousness is all the more revolting when it is considered that the crime was committed in the midst of an orderly, peace-loving community where life and property are considered safe as they are anywhere in the land. William and Frank Dodson, who are charged with this heinous crime, are not residents of the community."
" N.U. Bond, Esq., who has charge of the defense, will be assisted by C.Z. Gordon, Esq., of Brookville, and possibly others. The attorneys who will assist District Attorney Strong are E.A. Carmalt, of Brookville, and A.L. Cole, of DuBois. Others are available if needed. The trial is awaited with great interest."
The trial commenced on December 15th at the Jefferson County Courthouse ,before the Honorable Judge John W. Reed
"The substance of his [ N.U. Bond ] outline was to the effect that Dodson's….set out the day before the murder to visit their sister at Harvey's Run. They reached their destination that night, having traversed the distance from William's home at Spring Creek on foot by way of Richardsville. The next day [whilst] passing through Beechtree and Westville, on to the Beechwoods road and to the crossroad heading to the Brookville Road. At John Key's place they took to the woods and headed in the direction of Carrier…pursued their way down the creek and river homeward, reaching Spring Creek late that night. Along their route they encountered persons who knew them and were prepared to testify that the defendants were far enough away from the scene of the murder to establish their innocence of the crime charged. Another thing the defense proposed to prove was that two men had been seen following the peddlers all day and that these men and not the Dodsons were the guilty ones."
"On Thursday that the defendants took the stand. Frank Dodson made a good impression. Frank removed his coat to show that his physique was normal, he had no "low shoulder," as one of the men passing the Hutchinson farm was said to have. Both men described their apparel, description that conflicted with those of the prosecution.
William Dodson did not have the nerve of his brother. He appeared to wilt at times and was rattled under the sharp fire of examination. He spoiled the good impression created by Frank and once more the chain of evidence seemed to tighten around them." Attorneys for both sides summed up Friday afternoon. On Saturday Judge Reed eloquently charged the jury on the law. The jury began deliberating, then asked on Tuesday to be dismissed, "It is now claimed that Samuel Fike [ a juryor ] of Knox Township, is related to the Dodsons by marriage, and that eleven of the jurors agree on murder in the first degree, but Fike holds out for acquittal." Which was denied."
"After being out for a space of five days the jury in the Dodson case at last reached a verdict. They made known their decision on Thursday morning after court had convened, and rendered a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. From the nature of the verdict and the long time consumed in reaching it, the natural inference is that it was a compromise. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter is twelve years' imprisonment."
William and Frank Dodson were sentenced to "Twelve years apiece in the Western Penitentiary at hard labor, one dollar fine and cost of prosecution. Judge Reed said Saturday, while the Dodsons were before him for sentence, that the verdict in their case was an absurdity."
******
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