Hard Cider And Insults

spent the day with him and his wife. The men drank freely of hard cider, and at five o'clock in the afternoon they quarreled, the host, accusing Doyle of undue familiarity with Missus Haviland. Both men were very drunk, and they were evenly matched in strength. They struggled a long time on even terms, until Doyle seized an axe and struck Haveln to blow on the forehead, from which he

died three hours later. After Havelnd had fallen, Doyle staggered to Allentown, which is not far from the Spence Farm, and went to bed. This morning. He was at work at the usual hour and doubtless did not realize that he was a murderer until told so by the officers. Doyle this afternoon was brought to the county jail. His victim body is.

together for games and good times. The cautionary part of this tale is be aware of what topics are best to be avoided at such gatherings. This time, the touchy subject is not politics, but I wear I'm true crime historian Richard O. Jones, and for your horror and indignation, I give you hard cider and insults. Struck by an axe and killed. Halund was a quiet, peaceable man, and wherever employed was highly spoken of. He was pitied by the community for all knew the notorious character of his wife.

When a young man, Halyn met Anna Patterson and while under the influence of drink, was induced to marrier. She at that time was of a shady character. The union was felt as a keen disgrace by Havelyn's family, who are respectable people and parents, brothers and sisters disowned Amos

because he would not leave his wife. While the domestic life of Haveland and his wife never ran very smooth, they kept together and cared for a large family of children and until Andrew Decker came to disturb the harmony there was. Missus Haveland's devotion to Decker enraged Haveverln for years. They lived one month together in the next apart. Some months ago, Missus Haveland and Decker were arrested for stealing and were confined in the Freehold jail for some time.

Since Missus Haveland's return from Freehold, she has been employed on the farm of Harriet Brown. It is claimed that Decker and Missus Haveland have been on the outs since the stealing affair. Haveland and his wife have not been living together for some time. It was arranged that they should meet Sunday at the home of Fred Haveland, their eldest son, and planned to go to housekeeping again. Haveland has been working for Ellsworth Haynes, a farmer living between

Yardville and Hamilton Square. Sunday morning, Haveland visited his son Fred and family, who had moved Wednesday, November twenty fourth, on the Spence Farm at Page's Corner. Between nine and ten o'clock of that day, Clarence Doyle, who has of late been attentive to Missus Haveland or her daughter Lizzie, stopped at the home of Ellis Jones at New Canton

and acquired if Missus Haveland had been there yet. On being told no, he sat down and waited until Missus Haviland, her daughter Lizzie, and the baby and a coach came along. He joined the party and pushed the baby coach while they were passing New Canton. Charles Nixon inquired where they were going, and Missus Haviland informed him that they were going over to Fred's and remarked that she would raise a little hell when she arrived there. The party reached

Fred's home and found Amos already there. The meeting by all parties, was agreeable, and the time was spent as is the custom of Page's corner in games, et cetera. Missus Haveland has been boarding Hattie, a five year old cross eyed daughter, with mister Missus Samuel Mitchell, who lived nearby. About two o'clock, she, Lizzie and Howard, another son, went over to Mitchell's. After the girl, Fred and Doyle left the house and went over to an adjacent farm. They

were treated to sid her. A short time afterward, Amos followed. He was treated and drank three glasses. The men all returned to the house together. Missus Haveland had returned with the girl. On entering, Amos embraced the child and sat her down on his knee. Then Missus Haviland said, sam Mitchell says, any man that can't get a pair of eyeglasses for a cross eyed child ought to go to the devil. Haviland replied, you better get the glasses of Decker.

She answered the devil with Decker. A few more words followed, during which Doyle joined in haland became white with anger and started across the room as though to go past Doyle, who threw up his hands as if to fight. Haveland and Doyle then engaged in a short fight, resulting in Havelyn's favor. Havelyn left Doyle and pushed Joseph George, a young man present, over a settee. At this stage of the row, both Fred and his wife ordered Doyle to

leave the house, but he would not. Then Missus Haveland, Hattie Howard, Fred's wife Lizzie, and two babies hurried into a room across the hall and fastened the door. Fred and the young man George, held the door against Tavland. He then procured a hatchet and struck the door a tremendous blow. Fred let go his hold on the door and ran upstairs with George. Haviland then discovered that the others were in the back room. It is thought that

he imagined the women were hiding Doyle. Finding the door fastened, Havelyn then secured an axe and broke the latch off the door, gaining admittance. Doyle stood in a back door and witnessed all this. It has claimed that the daughter Lizzie was the only one that witnessed how the deadly blow was struck. She recited the following to your correspondent quote after father gained admittance. He threw the axe on

the floor and slid it over under the mantle. Father stood looking around and I think did not say anything to anyone. Doyle walked into the room behind Father, picked up the axe and threw it across his shoulder, took it down and turned it so that the sharp edge would strike, and with a quick, powerful blow, struck Father on the head with the heel of the axe behind the left ear unquote. The blow felled Haviland like an ox,

crushing the skull of the unfortunate man. Doyle then stepped up to Missus Haviland, tapped her on the shoulder and said it's all right now. He then left the room, still carrying the axe, picked up his coat and threw the axe to the ground as he ran out the door. Seeing Fred in an upper window, he remarked, the old man hit me between the eyes, and then ran away. By this time the house was in an uproar. Missus Havelan screamed, oh, you've killed my husband. You've killed my husband.

Doctor Silvers of Windsor was summoned and worked hard to revive the injured man, but Doyle's murderous blow had inflicted a fatal injury. It was about four point thirty when the blow was delivered, and Haln died about six point fifty. As soon as the victim died, doctor Silver's telephoned to Trenton for county physician Rogers. A Monday morning, coroner Disbrow of Trenton arrived and took charge of the body, who was taken to Murphy's Morgue at Trenton. A post mortem

examination was held. Halynd was perfectly healthy, and it was found that he had not taken enough sider to make him drunk. The family claimed that no one was a intoxicated. Doyle returned to the home of his employer sometimes Sunday night and was at work Monday morning as usual. While the officers were searching for him, it was thought he went toward Trenton. Constable John Tyndall of Windsor notified Constable Bergen of Allentown to look out for Doyle and capture

him if possible. Constable Bergen learned that Doyle was at home working, found him there and arrested him. Doyle took the matter cooling, smoked, laughed, and treated the matter lightly. It is said he was surprised when informed that Haviland was dead and claimed it was in self defense and later said it was through drunkenness that the deed was done.

Doyle and Missus Haviland were both taken to Trenton and jailed. Tuesday, the remains of Haveland were taken back to the scene of the tragedy and there rested over the spot where he had been murdered. His life's bloodstains beneath the coffin were plainly distinct. Funeral services over the remains were held at the Allentown Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon last Reverend George Swain delivered the sermon and gave good counsel to the family of the man whose life has been so unhappy.

The interment was in the church cemetery. Was the murder a plot of Doyle's and Missus Havilan's. Public opinion generally thinks so. January thirty first, eighteen ninety eight. Clarence Doyle is now but seventeen years of age, and has passed the greater portion of his life in that part of the city known as Chambersburg. A short time prior to the tragedy, he secured employment on the farm of Allentown

Presbyterian Church, better known as the Parsonage Farm. Doyle was a good workman and well thought of by his employers. Early last Sunday day morning, November twenty eighth, Clarence went over to Page's Corner near Windsor to see Fred Haveland, a son of the murdered man, who lived on a place known as the Spence Farm. There were other visitors there that day, Amos Haveland, his wife and daughter, and reports say that the greater portion of the day was

spent in carousing and drinking hard cider. The afternoon was nearing its close when the fatal quarrel started that terminated so disastrously for both Clarence Doyle and Amos Haveland. What started that quarrel is one of the things that the present trial is expected to develop. There are two stories which have been given to the public. One that Doyle had been entirely too intimate with Amos Haveln's wife, who was a woman in the neighborhood of forty years of

age and the mother of thirteen children. This story is emphatically denied by Missus Haveland and her children, and as they were the only ones present at the time. Their story will go a long way toward influencing the jury that is to decide whether Clarence Doyle is to be allowed life in liberty, or whether his crime must be atoned for by death on the gallows or imprisonment in

a cell. If the story of the origin of this quarrel, as told at the coroner's inquest by Missus Havelan, her son and daughter's be true, then indeed was the primary cause of Amos Havevilyn's death a trifling matter. Amos Haveland had a little daughter named Hattie, who was in need of a pair of eyeglasses, which her father had refused to buy. A certain Samuel Mitchell, who resided near the Spence Farm, is said to have said, any man who had let his girl go blind for two dollars and

fifty cents ought to go to the devil. It was this remark that caused all the trouble. It is because of this remark that Clarence Doyle is now standing trial for his life in Mercer Court. Havelen mumbled and muttered over this supposed insult until he had worked himself up to the fighting mad state. Then as witnesses testified at the inquest, without any provocation whatever, he rushed upon Doyle

and a fierce struggle ensued. This much of the fracas occurred in the presence of the women, but Fred, fearing that his mother and sister might get heard in the melee, hurried them into another room, leaving his father in Doyle to fight it out alone. No one knows what occurred after that. The occupants of the next room heard the men quarreling in loud voices, but could hear no blows

being struck. Then Haviland went out in the yard and got the axe from the woodpile, re entered the room, and smashing the door in where the women were, he walked in and threw the axe over in one corner of the room. Doyle had followed Haland into the room, and going over to w where the axe lay, he picked it up, went back to where Havelin was standing with his back toward him, and struck the axe over

his head. Doyle struck the blow that caused the farmer's death, but Doyle did not know that the blow had been fatal, so he walked back to the parsonage farm at Allentown that night and went to work as usual on Monday morning, where he was captured by Constable Bergen shortly before noon the same day. Since that time, Doyle has been confined in the county jail, where he's been a model prisoner, causing the keepers no trouble whatever and making many friends.

He apparently does not, as yet realize that he has been guilty of any serious crime. The defense will be conducted by Captain W. D. Holt and James Clark, and will practically be that Doyle acted entirely in self defense.

in this large assemblage there were but few ladies. A few minutes after ten o'clock, Justice Gummer and Judge Woodroff took their places on the bench, and almost at the same moment, Constable Cappell appeared with the prisoner Clarence Doyle, the boy who is now on trial for taking the life of a fellow man. Doyle was natalie attired in a black suit, white shirt, standing collar in a neat

dark tie. He looked unconcerned and smiling. Shortly after taking his seat, his counsel, Captain W. D. Holt, came over and after shaking hands, prisoner and counsel chatted together for some minutes. Prosecutor Stockton and Detective Clancy occupied the other table, and nearly all the seats inside the railing were filled with the lucky ones who were fortunate enough to hold tickets,

entitling them to that privilege. When Justice Woodroff called the court to order, County Clerk Gummer called off the panel of the jury. All were present. Then came the drawing of the jury, which was to decide Clarence Doyle's fate. Edward McHugh called the clerk jur look upon the prisoner, prisoner, look upon the jur do you challenge mcew was accepted. The drawing of the jury occupied just one hour, during which time thirty jurors were called. There were eighteen objections.

Immediately after the constables of the jury had been sworn in, Judge Woodruff addressed himself to the jury as follows quote. You will understand, gentlemen, that from now until the time you will find a verdict in the case of the State against Clarence Doyle, you will be sequestered from your homes and families. So if you have any arrangements to make in connection with your families, you will have an opportunity to do so. At this time a majority of

the jurymen accepted this privilege. The brother and sister of the accused arrived in court at this time. The sister was crying quietly as she came and took a chair at the prisoner's side. He smiled at her reassuringly and

clasped her hand. In opening the case for the state, prosecutor Stockton said, quote, the grand jury found a true indictment against Clarence Doyle in these words, that on the twenty eighth day of last November, in the township of Hamilton, Clarence Doyle did wilfully, with malice, premeditation and a forethought, kill and murder and commit other wrongs on one Amos havelnd This gentleman, the State claims, is a murder in the first degree, and we shall ask for such a

verdict in this case between the State and the prisoner, which you will be called upon to decide unquote. Mister Stockton then briefly reviewed all that transpired on that twenty eighth day of last November, from the time that Doyle and the elder Havelyn family arrived at the house of the sun Fred Haveland, up to the time when Fred and his little sisters Hattie came back from chasing Doyle down the lane after the fatal blow had been struck.

In concluding, the prosecutor said, the state will insist on a verdict of murder in the first degree inasmuch as the killing of Amos Haveland was wilful, deliberate, premeditated, and with malice a forethought. E. G. Weir was the first witness called. He testified to the making of a survey of the scene of the tragedy and of afterward producing

the sketch which was now before the court. The condition of the interior and exterior of the house was minutely described, also the location of the blood spots in the so called parlor where Amos Haveland received the blow that ended his life. The cross examination was very minute. Captain Holt was extremely careful not to let the slightest point escape his vigilance. He drew from mister Weir the average size of the blood spots were about six inches in diameter.

As mister Stockton called the name of the next witness for the state, next were craned in all parts of the room. For the witness was Fred Haveland, the son of the murdered man. As Fred took a seat in the witness chair, the prisoner, for the first time assumed some interest in the proceedings. Every few minutes, as some vital question was asked, Doyle would quickly glance up at the man. Doyle's sister was no longer crying, but was listening attentively, eagerly to every word that fell from the

young Havelyn's lips. She apparently realized that what this man said had much to do with her brother's fate. Fred Haveland said he had lived in the house where the tragedy occurred about two and a half months. Question do you recall the twenty eighth day of November? Answer yes, sir. Question did your father come to your house on that day? Answer yes, sir. Question who came with him? Answer Clarence

Doyle and Lizzie. Witness then told how he Doyle and his father went over to a neighbor's and drank some sweet cider and then returned to his house. Question who did you find there? Answer Mother, my sister's Lizzie and Hattie, brothers Dick and Howard, Joe Jordan, and a man named Decker. Question what occurred after you got home? Answer? Mother told father what Mitchell had said. Any man who would see his little girl go blind for two dollars and fifty

cents ought to go to the devil. Question what happened next? Answer Doyle said something. Then father pushed Doyle in the corner. Question did you see any blowstruck? Answer no? Question Then what did your father do? Answer why? Joe Jordan was standing by the sofa, and father went over where he was and pushed him down on the sofa and began to talk to him. Question what did you do? Answer? I went and told Doyle he had better go out.

Question did you do anything else? Answer yes, I pushed all the family out of the kitchen into the parlor and locked the door. Question what did you do that for? Answer? I was afraid they might get hurt. Question who was in the kitchen after you pushed the family out? Answer father in Doyle? Question anybody else? Answer no? Question What did you do after you got in the other room? Answer held the doorknob? Question what happened while you were

holding it? Answer? It was struck and smashed? In question what did you do? Answer? Ran upstairs? Question alone? Answer no, Joe Jordan went with me. Question what did you hear up there? Answer? Heard them all holler in the back room? Question what did you do? Then? Answer? I came out in the hall. Question hear anything more? Answer? Heard somebody holler you've killed him. Then I stuck my head out of the window and saw the axe come flying out.

Question did you hear anything? Answer? I heard my mother say you've killed him, Clarence, you've killed him, oh amos. Then I jumped out on the roof and saw Doyle coming out with his overcoat. Question did he say anything? Answer? He said, your father hit me between the eyes. Question what did Doyle do then? Answer? Started to run. My little sister Hattie ran after him, and I started after them. Question did you catch them? Answer no? Question what did

you find in the house? Answer? Found father lying on his back in the parlor. He was breathing and bleeding from the mouth. Question what did you do? Then? Answer? Ran and sent for doctor Silvers. Question was anybody drunk on that day? Answer no, sir. The axe was then shown the witness by Prosecutor Stockton and was identified. The witness was turned over to the defense for cross examination. Question do you remember your testimony at the coroner's inquest?

Answer yes. Question at that time you testified correctly as to how your father was killed? Answer yes, sir. Question have you not repeatedly talked of this trial, the killing of what you were to swear? Answer no. Question have you talked of this affair to your mother? Answer yes, seven or eight times? Question have you not repeatedly said you would like to see Doyle hung and that you

would like to be the man to do it. Prosecutor Stockton, I object, Judge Woodruff, witness must have his attention called to the time and place where he made such statement. Captain Holt, pointing to Lawyer Clark, did you not at your house say in the presence of this gentleman that you would like to see Doyle hung and you would like to be the man to do it. Answer? I said I would like to see Doyle hung, but I do not remember saying I would like to be the

man to do it. Question? Will you swear you did not say so? Answer no. Question. On the afternoon of the accident, while you, your father and Doyle were crossing the field, were not your father and Doyle apparently on the best of terms? Answer yes, Sir. February first, eighteen ninety eight. In continuing the cross examination of Fred Havelyn, Lawyer Holt succeeded with consummate skill in getting the witness just the

kind of answer he desired. In answer to numerous questions, Halyn said his father was the only angry person in the house and that he ran upstairs to avoid him. He also said that his mother had greatly incensed his father by running with a man named Andrew Decker, and when Decker's name was mentioned, his father always grew white

with jealous passion. Captain Holt next brought to the attention of the jury the abject cowardice of fred Haland and refusing to respond to the cries for help of his wife, mother and little ones. Finally to cap the climax, Haveln fell victim to a wily question of Lawyer Holt and admitted that the reason he did not go downstairs when his wife and mother called for assistance was that he

was afraid of his father's jealous rage. Joe Jordan, another witness of the state, was like putty in Captain Holt's hands. He said he was so frightened at Amas Haveln's display of temper that he ran upstairs and hid in a closet.

Captain Holt also made Jordan admit that Amos Haveland, after his anger had been around to a white heat by his wife's actions, had made a ferocious attack on Doyle, attempting to hit him with his fists, while Doyle, on the other hand, had not retaliated, but had simply warded off the blows of the infuriated man as bestie could. Anna Haviland, the murdered man's wife, also became tangled and confused under the fire of Captain Holt's questioning, and testified

exactly contrary to what she had sworn in the coroner's inquest. Finally, she refused to answer the questions at all and broke down crying, with the excuse that she did not know what she was doing. At the coroner's inquest, Mary Haland, wife of Fred Haland, had tried to tell what she knew of the killing, but she proved hard work for the prosecutor. She corroborated her husband's testimony in the main and contradicted that of her mother in law, Anna Havelnd.

Clarence Doyle kept his eyes riveted on the witnesses all the afternoon, especially when anything was said respecting the killing, but he never lost his look of confidence. Occasionally he would turn and address a few words to his mother and sister. Both the latter wept whenever the fatal blow was mentioned. On the whole, the defense were well satisfied

with the result of the first day's work. Another chapter in the story of the trial of Clarence Doyle for the murder of Amos Havelant was commenced at nine thirty five this morning. In spite of the fact that was pretty generally known that little Lizzie Haviland, daughter of the murdered man and the state star witness, would be put on the stand sometime this morning. The crowd in the

courtroom was not nearly as large as yesterday. Evidently, many of the morbid minded ones whose delight it is to look upon the misery of others, understood from the drift of testimony taken yesterday that there is but little chance of a fatal termination of the trial. Consequently, their interest in the affairs of the Mercer court has taken a drop. Captain Holt made his appearance at about nine thirty. He was attired as usual, with the exception that this morning

he wore an unusually broad and complacent smile. Clarence Doyle took his place by his counsel's side, but a few minutes after nine thirty he looked just as confident and smiling as on the opening day. His mother and sister were with him as usual. They too seemed to be impressed, with the general feeling that all was going well with the boy they loved. A delay of forty minutes was caused by the witnesses from the country failing to arrive at the time appointed for the opening of the court.

During this delay, the courtroom filled up slowly until the attendance was almost as large as that of yesterday. When the Havevilins did arrive, it was found that Mary Haveland, the wife of Fred, who was to be cross examined this morning, was so overcome by the cold occasioned by the ride from Page's Corner, that she would be unable to go upon the stand for some time. So Justice Gummer instructed the prosecutor to call the next witness for

the state. A hush fell over the courtroom for a few moments when mister Stockton called Lizzie Haviland, But as the daughter of the murdered man walked up the aisle, the spectators on both sides rose to their feet to obtain a better view of the witness who was expected to convict Clarence Doyle of the crime charged in the indictment. Lizzie is the brightest, most attractive in appearance of the family.

She was neatly attired in a dark blue dress. Lizzie answered the questions of Prosecutor Stockton freely, but seemed reluctant as soon as Captain Holt commenced the cross examination. Lizzie said she was the daughter of Anna Havland and that she recollected the twenty eighth day of last November. Question who went with you to your brother's? Answer mother, her baby and Clarence Doyle. Question in what room were you when your father came back with your brother Fred and Clarence?

Answer in the kitchen? Question what happened? Then? Answer they began to talk about the girl's glasses. Question What did your mother say? Answer any man who would let his little girl go blind for two dollars and fifty cents or three dollars? Ought to go to the devil? Question What did your father say? Answer let Decker get them? Question? Then what did your mother say? Answer to the devil with Decker? Question what happened? Next? Answer? Father flew into Doyle.

Question did you see any blow struck? Answer? No? Question well what next answer? Father pushed Doyle outside. Then father came over to the sofa where Joe Jordan was staying and pushed him down on the sofa. Question where was Doyle? Then? Answer by the shut door. Witness then related how her brother Fred had hurried all the rest of the family, accepting her father and Doyle into the parlor. Question, now

tell the jury what happened next? Answer father struck the door down, came in and threw the axe into the corner. Then Doyle came in and picked up the axe. Question what did he do with the axe? Answer struck father? Question you saw him strike your father? Answer? Yes, I saw him do it. Question then what did Doyle do? Answer? Went out? Question what did your father do? Answer? Fell on the floor. Question what did you do? Answer? I cried?

Question where was your mother when your father fell? Answer? She was going out of the room. Prosecutor Stockton then had the witness described with a stick exactly how Doyle struck Haveland, having Lizzie represent Doyle while he stood in the same position amos Havelan stood when he received the fatal blow. When the cross examination was taken up, the courtroom was so quiet that a whisper could be distinctly

heard all over the room. Captain Holt questioned Lizzie as to her knowledge of the oath she had just taken. She seemed unable to understand and failed to make any answer. Question, were Doyle and your father on the best of terms previous to the quarrel. Answer yes, sir. Question what was said before the remark made by missus Haviland about the glasses? No answer? Question were they all good natured? Answer yes, sir. Question then what happened? Answer all at once? Mother went

at father about Hattie's glasses. Question do you know Decker? Answer yes, sir, for six or seven years? Question could you see your father's face when he went to Doyle? Answer yes, sir. Question was he angry? Answer? I do not think so. Question what did he do? Answer jumped into Clarence? Question was there any reason for such an action on his part? Answer? None that I know of. Question did you hear your mother say to the devil with Decker? Answer yes, sir? Question was not that? What

made your father mad? Answer? I don't know. Question what did you mean when you said that your father fell into Doyle? Answer a fight? I suppose? Question did you see any blowstruck? Answer no, sir. Question then how was it a fight? Answer? I thought they were mad? Question did Doyle do anything to make you think he was mad? Answer no, sir? Do you call that a fight? Then? Answer where in the parlor? I call that murder? Question I mean the first affair in the kitchen. Answer I

thought that was a fight. Question but you did not know any reason why they should fight? Answer no, sir. Then Captain Holt smiled. Question why did you go into the parlor and shut the door? Answer? I wanted to keep father and Clarence out? Question why were you frightened? Answer not so? Very question were you not frightened at your father? Answer no question, nor Clarence? No answer. Now, Lizzie, you say you were not frightened at your father or Doyle?

Will you tell me what you were frightened at? No answer. Can't you answer that question? No answer. Captain Holt then tried to shake Lizzie's story as to the manner in which Doyle had struck the blow that killed her father, But in this he failed, as she told it again precisely the same as she had related it to Prosecutor Stockton. Question do you have any feeling against Doyle? Answer? I did not have, but I have now. Question did you ever say you wanted to see him hang? Answer no, sir.

Question did you ever hear of any trouble between your mother and father on account of this man Decker? Answer? No, sir, Mary Haland was then called for cross examination, and she again went over all the incidents of that twenty eighth day of last November. Her testimony as to the origin of the quarrel was the same as her husband's, that the deceased grew white in the face at the name of Decker and then rushed at Doyle and later at Jordan. Question why did you go into the parlor? Answer? I

was afraid? Question afraid afraid of what? Answer mister Haveland, question were you afraid of Doyle? Answer? No. Witness then stated that she had met with the family six or eight times to talk over what was to be said at the trial. County physician Rogers testified as to the finding of Amos Havelyn's body and the injuries sustained. In cross examination, he said that the dead man must have

been very strong and muscular. Doctor Silver testified to being called to attend Amos Haveland immediately after he was injured. Richard Haveland, the son of the murdered man, was also called, but only testified to being told by his relatives what

to say. Prosecutor Stockton then offered the acts and skullcap of Amos Haveland as evidence, and the state rested immediately after the calling of the afternoon session, the defense was opened by James Clark, who, after quoting and explaining the law, stated that the defense of Clarence Doyle would be based upon self defense and the prevention of the committal of

a crime. Said mister cla quote. If I see a man break down a door with an axe, rush into a room where there are a number of defenseless women, and threaten to kill them all, I am justified in killing that man if need be to save the lives of the others. This gentleman, is a point in law well settled. At this point Clarence Doyle took the stand and testified in his own behalf enjoy ad free listening at the safehouse. Dubbadubbadubba dot Patreon dot com, slash True

Crime Historian, February two, eighteen ninety eight. The opening of the defense in the case of Clarence Doyle, charge marged with the wilful murder of Amos Haviland by lawyer James Clark yesterday afternoon in Mercer Court was a well rounded, cleverly executed piece of work, which, as was easy to note, impressed the jury favorably when mister Clark attributed Doyle's action in part to a human impulse to answer the cries

of those defenseless women and children. He touched a vital chord in the hearts of every one of those twelve men in whose hands Doyle's life and liberty rests. It was a clever stroke and had about it so much of that plain, unvarnished truth that always carries great influence with the jury. The full power of thus dating the case was not brought out until some time later, when Doyle admitted he was afraid of Haveland, but he could not stand idly by when defenseless women were crying for

help and danger perhaps of their lives. This admission on the part of Doyle placed his action before the jury and a light little less than that of heroic, For a man who intervenes to save the life of others when he fears for his own safety is generally regarded as a hero. True, it is that while Doyle had plenty of sympathizers from the very first, the entire attendance in the courtroom was in sympathy with him, long before he had finished telling his own story. And what was

his story in a voice ringing with truth. He looked upon his jurors squarely in the face and told them the whole of the tragic history of that fateful day when the freedom and straightforwardness of a boy unburdening his troubled mind to his mother. It was a story to be believed, and judging by the expression on the faces of the jury, they accepted it as such. Doyle told them how he and the man he is charged with murdering had never exchanged a harsh word in an acquaintanceship

of two years duration. How suddenly this man, Javelin, had sprung upon him like a wife out beast, without any provocation whatever. How after hitting him in the eye and mouth, he had threatened to lick everybody in the house. Then, after the women had become frightened at Halen's madness and locked themselves in the parlor, Doyle told the jury how Havelnd went out in the yard and got the axe. Then he shouted to the women to escape, for haveland

was coming with the axe. How the enraged man smashed in the parlor door with the axe and shouted, damn you,

I will kill you all. How he Doyle, hearing the cries, for help, but fearing for himself, had hurried in to do the best that he could, and found the women trying to escape, whereupon he had picked up the axe Haveland had lost, and, knowing he was no match for Haveland man against man, how Havelnd then directed his attack on him, and he, thinking only to disable him, had met the assault with a blow with a flat part of the acts, the blow that had subsequently been the

cause of Havelen's death. That was all, but Prosecutor Stockton was unable to shatter a single word of the boy's story, although he subjected him to a rigid cross examination and made Clarence illustrate with the acts just how he struck the fatal blow. This Doyle did so well that it only tended to add to the strength of his story. As the case now stands, on the testimony, it is

Clarence Doyle's word against Lizzie Havelen's. Then the defense rested, and now but three scenes yet remain of the final act, the summing up of the council, the charge by his honor Justice Gomer, and the verdict, the beginning of the end of the trying ordeal, to which Clarence Doyle has been subjected for the past three days, was ushered in

at Mercer Court this morning at nine point forty. The young prisoner, who has conducted himself so well through all these bitter hours, was the same today as he has been on previous days, confident of his own innocence. The crowd in the courtroom was the largest of any period since the trial commenced. The room was literally packed with

people who were evidently friends of the boy. When Doyle appeared with Constable Capple, a murmur arose in the courtroom that almost amounted to an outburst of applause for the prisoner. As Prosecutor Stockton opened up the summing up for the state, Doyle listened attentively to every word which was intended to prove his guilt of a crime, the penalty of which was death. His eye never faltered, his cheek never blanched.

He seemed willing to look the whole world in the face because he had within his own heart the assurance that he had only intended to do to his duty, even if his own life was to be forfeited. Prosecutor Stockton arose to address the jury, and the court room was still in silent as a tomb. The crucial moment was now at hand. Mister Stockton traced the course of a killing from the time it was committed up to

the time the facts are given to the jury. In part, the prosecution said, quote, you have been sworn to try the facts of this case and determined from the evidence put before you what is the truth and where justice is due. You have no more to do with the question of law in this case than any spectator in the audience. You are to accept the words that come from the court as the only law in this case.

With you, it is the pure question of facts. You have nothing to do with mercy, prejudice, revenge, horror, or any other feeling. You must make your minds a total blank to everything except the actual facts put before you. If you show mercy, you are assuming a right that belongs only to the court, and you are thereby going outside the lines of your duty as jurors, and are betraying the confidence imposed in you by both the state

and the accused. Unquote. Prosecutor Stockton then cited and explained the law concerning murder and then said, quote, if you decide that the prisoner has committed a murder. You will then have to determine whether it is murder in the first or second degree. The law concerning a killing of a fellow man in self defense has nothing to do with this case. It is not applicable in any way.

The state thinks that the defendant, Clarence Doyle, struck the blow that caused the death of Amos Haviland, deliberately, wilfully, premeditatively, with a malice of forethought, and shall therefore ask you to render a verdict of murder in the first degree. Why, gentlemen, the defendant's own story is false and impossible of blo by any reasonable person. It was plainly manufactured to suit

the necessities of the case. Premeditation does not mean that a man must think and meditate on the killing of another a year, a month, a week, or a day. No, not even in an hour. A single instant is all the time required by law for premeditation. The state can show that while Clarence Doyle was outside in the yard with his overcoat on his arm, he was then deliberating as to whether he should go back and kill Amos Halin.

That was enough time to show premeditation, and it did not matter if the whole party were laughing and joking all the previous part of the day. I shall go over the facts and evidence in fuller detail at a later time. The plea for the life and liberty of Clarence Doyle by Captain Holt was a touching, convincing, eloquent effort in well rounded tones. The captain related the oft

time old story. He described the horror of the situation in which young Doyle was placed alone with a madman who was trying to take the lives of any and all that crossed his path. The able lawyer pleaded in a deep undertone that impressed the jury and doubly increased the solemnity of the utterances. In part. The plea for

Doyle's life was as follows quote. The prosecutor is right when he says, you must have proof beyond a doubt that the act that deprived amos Haland of his life was committed wilfully, deliberately, premeditatedly, and with malice a forethought?

What is malice badness? Why, gentlemen, such an action must come from the mind of a man utterly destitute of every principle of right Prepense is a word taken out of the old common law, which means to weigh before to calculate to a nicety the hour, minute and second of the time when the crime is to be committed. Who is the murderer? Look upon him, gentlemen, Does he look like a murderer. It is a boyish face, destitute of viciousness. It is an honest faced without the mark

of cain upon it. He comes to you as a boy would go to a father, and asks of you nothing more than God's own justice. On the twenty eighth day of last November. The indictment says, this boy killed Amos Havelen with malice. Malice, gentleman, why his mind does not know about the words meaning unquote. Captain Holt then retold the story of the witnesses of Anna Havelyn's remark concerning Decker, and of how the demon was aroused in the dead man's breast by the mention of the man's name.

Captain Holt continued, why, gentlemen, Clarence Doyle was a hero at the time he rushed to the aid of those defenseless women who were alone in the parlor at the mercy of Havelen's jealous rage. Weak as he was, he was willing to do his best. Do you think he ought to hang? For that? Contrast Doyle's action to the abject cowardice of Fred Halund. Then, gentlemen, the testimony of the state's witnesses was contradictory. They said they wanted to

see the boy hang. Shall then testimony be taken against that straightforward, honest, manly story you heard from the lips of this unsophisticated country lad. Finally, it rests with you, gentlemen, whether this boy shall go from this room with a fond mother and loving sister to a home of love and care, or whether he shall be condemned to end his life ignominiously and in despair in a prison cell. Unquote.

In summing up for the state, prosecutor Stockton made a powerful plea for the conviction of the accused of murder in the first degree. The voice of the prosecutor was earnest rather than eloquent. Mister Stockton said, quote, you and I both loved the name of Jersey justh and we do not want to see it dragged in the mire. But if Clarence Doyle is not guilty of the highest crime known, the state does not want his blood, and if he has it, it is your duty to say

that he pays the penalty. As to the origin of that quarrel in the kitchen, when Havelnd rushed at Doyle, it is almost beyond belief that the remark made by mister Haveland about Decker should have aroused Haveln to the fury of a demon. Why then, did Havelnd rush at Doyle Because Doyle was telling Missus Haveland that her husband was having improper relations with a certain old hag, and Havelyn was incensed to hear Doyle thus produce him in the presence of his wife. The defense got all the

Havelins to say that they had feelings against Doyle. It was right that they should have feelings against him, for did they not see their father chop down with an axe in cold blood by this defendant. Would not you have feelings against the defendant? Were you? And the Doyle's motive was revenge. He wanted to get square for those two blows Haveln struck him in that fight in the kitchen unquote. In charging the jury, Justice Gummer explained the law so clearly that there could be no doubt that

the jury understood their duty. If ever a jury did, all the evidence was reviewed commented upon in a clean, clear manner. It was an admirable charge, one of the best ever made in the Mercer Court. February fifth, eighteen ninety eight, for the killing of Amos Haveln with an axe on the twenty eighth day of last November, Clarence Doyle was this morning sentenced by Justice Gummer to ten years and three months at hard labor in the State Prison.

Doyle was brought into court at fifteen minutes of ten o'clock. He smiled pleasantly at friends he recognized among the spectators, and still appeared to be unable to appreciate the gravity of his position. Shortly after he took his seat by his faithful counsel, Captain Holt and James Clark. His father, sister and brother arrived and occupied chairs around him. His mother was not present. Prosecutor Crossly then moved that the

prisoner be sentenced. Captain Holt, in asking the court to show mercy and imposing sentence, made an eloquent please, setting forth the weaknesses of a great portion of the evidence, the youth of the prisoner, and the recommendation of mercy of the jury. Quote, we are here this morning to face a most trying ordeal. I can well understand the feelings of the court as it faces this stern duty. But I desire to call your honor's attention to a

few things. Captain Holt then handed the Court of petition asking the Court to show Clarence Doyle the greatest clemency the law would allow in sentencing. The petition was signed by Senator Skerm, Assemblymanyard Nicklin and Weller, Mayor Sickle, and one hundred other names of prominent city and county men of importance. Continuing, Captain Holt said, quote, you will call to mind that the question of the prisoner's guilt or innocence depended largely upon the environments at the time the

blow was struck. If Doyle acted wrongly hastily, he acted also as he thought for the best. You must remember that he is not a man of mature judgment, and under the circumstances which the fatal blow was struck, older and more experienced minds than his would have committed the

same error. It seems to me, considering the prisoner's youth, considering he acted under the best light that he had and without malice, that he's entitled to all the leniency your honor can give him, And I feel assured that your honor will also temper justice with mercy in imposing sentence justice, Gummer said, quote Doyle, after a trial in which you have been ably defended. You have been convicted by a jury of murder in the second degree, and

the court thinks the verdict adjustment. After a careful examination of the facts of the case, the court thinks it will be doing its duty to the public and properly administering justice by imposing sentence upon you, not for the full penalty of the law, but a sentence as light as is possible. Therefore, you stand sentenced to ten years and three months that hard labor in the state prison.

Doyle heard his sentence unmoved, but both his father and sister gazed pathetically at him, while the tears coursed silently down their cheeks. The general opinion about the court room was that the court had been most merciful in its administration of justice. That was hard cider and insults, struck by an axe and killed, called from the historic pages of the Trenton Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and other newspapers of the era. True Crime Historian is a creation of

popular media. Opening theme by Nico Vitessi. Incidental music by Nico Vitesse, Chuck Wiggins, and Dave SAMs. Some music and sound effects license from podcastmusic dot Com. Closing theme by Dave SAMs and Rachel Shatt, engineered by David Hish at Third Street Music Media Management, and original graphics for all new episodes by Sean R. Miller Jones. And as for me, well, you know what I've been told. You have nothing to do with mercy, prejudice, revenge, horror, or any other feeling.

I'm True Crime Historian. Richard O. Jones signing off for NAT