COURT NEWS from the Altoona Tribune, March 14, 1916, Altoona, Blair, PA

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COURT ITEMS from the Altoona Tribune, Tuesday Morning, March 14, 1916
Transcriber's Note: Page numbers have crumbled away from this newspaper, so 
have been omitted.

YOUTHFUL ROBBERS CAUGHT BY POLICE; WERE HEAVILY ARMED

Wards of Probation Officer Had Betrayed the Kindness Shown Them and Essayed 
the Role of Bandits in Fifteen Robberies

CONFESSED AT THE POLICE STATION

  The bold burglars who have inspired terror in timid householders in Altoona 
and vicinity since they began their operations last Thursday night, have been 
caught and confess to robbing thirteen homes in Altoona, Juniata, and 
Hollidaysburg within the last week.  The boys, who are not yet 17 years of 
age, are Bruce Crownover and Levi Wesley Barger, both of the East End.
  Acting on information gleaned from several sources, Chief of Police J. N. 
Tillard had officers on the lookout for the lads and they were arrested at 
Eleventh alley and Eleventh street early yesterday afternoon.  When taken by 
the officers the young burglars hastily unbuttoned their coats and made an 
effort to draw pistols from fine new leather hostlers [sic] strapped to their 
belts, but were seized by the officers before they could unsnap the holster 
flaps.
  Reasoning from the beginning of the outbreak of burglaries last Thursday 
evening that the work was that of amateurs and undoubtedly boys, because of 
the tendency of the thieves to gather so much valueless loot in the way of 
trinkets at each place visited, Chief Tillard has been working for the last 
few days on a list of the juvenile law breakers of the community who have 
police records or who have been given in charge of Probation Officer Miss 
Mary Davis.  One by one the names on the list were struck off as alibi was 
produced for each suspect, and his action and time accounted for during the 
nights of the past week.
  Of all those suspected Chief Tillard finally decided on Barger and 
Crownover as being the most likely youngsters on the list.  His suspicions 
were confirmed yesterday at noon when William C. Barger, father of one of the 
boys, walked into police station and requested that Chief Tillard look 
up his son, whom he stated had been away from home at nights and was 
altogether unmanageable.
  Half the night force was called out, and each man was given a certain 
territory, and dispatched to institute a search for the lads.  Shortly after 
the officers were sent out, some one called police station and notified the 
desk sergeant that two boys were loading revolvers in Twelfth alley, back of 
Casanave's store.  Officer Warren Hauser was hurried to the scene and met the 
boys at the corner of the alley.  He allowed them to walk past him, going 
down toward Eleventh avenue, and, rushing up from behind, grabbed them.  
Officers Haines, Brown and Sherlock, who had been directed to the spot, 
appeared as the arrest was made, and overpowered the lads before they could 
draw their revolvers.  When searched at city hall, Barger had three guns 
strapped on him and Crownover had two.  Both were plentifully supplied with 
ammunition, jointly having about 200 rounds.
  After they were searched Chief Tillard began a systematic course of 
questioning, but neither of the lads would talk for some time.  Finally the 
desired information was drawn out little by little until Barger, warned that 
it would be the best plan, loosened up and confessed that the pair had robbed 
13 homes in Altoona and vicinity since last Tuesday night when operations 
were begun in Fairview.  On Wednesday night Juniata was visited, on Thursday 
the lads transferred their activities to Broad avenue, where the homes of W. 
W. Thomas, at 2201 Broad avenue, and W. W. Caum, at 2041 Broad avenue, were 
entered.  On Saturday five houses in Hollidaysburg were broken into, and 
Sunday night two homes in the First ward entered.  At all of the thirteen 
places small amounts of money, jewelry and small trinkets were taken.
  Barger told Chief Tillard that they had secreted the loot at his home at 
814 Sheridan street, East End, and when taken to the place in company with 
Officer Houser a large quantity of rings, bracelets, several watches, tie 
pins, watch fobs, lodge buttons, and a miscellaneous collection of odds and 
ends in the jewelry line were found hidden in the rafters of the third floor.  
A large quantity of revolver shells was also found.
  Last evening when a number of the people who have been robbed appeared at 
police station, they could not find their belongings.  When questioned, 
Barger stated that another lot of loot was hidden under the porch.  Went sent 
to investigate, officers found a box containing another assortment of jewelry 
and trinkets buried under the front porch of the Barger home.  As the 
belongings of several of the Hollidaysburg citizens were not among the two 
lots, the boys were questioned concerning the disposition of it, and stated 
that they had thrown some of the loot taken at Hollidaysburg away.  Much of 
the jewelry and stolen goods was identified and returned to the owners who 
called at city hall last evening.
  Barger figured in police circles last October when he robbed the East End 
fire house, and at the time his father asked that he be sent to house of 
correction, but on the intervention of Probation Officer Mary Davis and at 
the suggestion of the judge, he was released on a promise to be good in the 
future.  Crownover has also been in charge of Miss Davis on several 
occasions, and was released with a warning to mend his ways.  Neither of the 
boys is yet 17 years old, although both are well grown and developed for 
their age.
  Crownover cannot be induced to talk, but Barger became quite loquacious 
after once started and answered all questions asked.  When the stolen goods 
were dumped on Chief Tillard's desk he was very indignant because it was 
thrown together, stating that certain articles were his, and should not be 
confused with the pile.
  A formal charge of breaking and entering with intent to steal was brought 
against Barger and Crownover before Alderman Adam Leake, of the First ward, 
following their capture, by Special Officer B. F. Miller.  They were taken 
before the magistrate and then locked up for a preliminary hearing at 3;30 
o'clock this afternoon.
 According to the information, the homes of D. B. Dougherty, D. H. Kloss, W. 
B. Ballsley, W. H. Thomas, W. B. Caum, S. G. Wise and J. S. Mauk were looted 
of $83 in legal currency, jewelry, four revolvers, clothing and other plunder 
to the approximate amount of $150, by the defendants.

MRS. WENDT GUILTY - THE FIRST VERDICT

Mother of Criminals Convicted of Having Stolen Goods by First Quarter 
Sessions Jury

GUILTY PLEAS END SEVERAL CASES

  Mrs. Hannah Wendt, a familiar figure in court circles and the mother of the 
notorious Wendt brothers, Walter and Alfred, who are charged with the murder 
of Constable Michael McGinley last October at Altoona, was found guilty at 
the opening of the March term of criminal court yesterday morning of 
receiving stolen goods.  The trial was begun after the routine business of 
the court had been transacted and when Mrs. Wendt was arraigned before the 
court, she said she was without an attorney and the court appointed John J. 
Haberstroh, of Altoona, to defend her.
  John M. Bradley, formerly a special police officer of Altoona testified 
that he made an examination of Mrs. Wendt's home the day following the murder 
of Constable McGinley and found a typewriter which he said belonged to G. A. 
Zimmers, a traveling salesman, several watches and some groceries that had 
been stolen.  Mrs. Wendt told him the boys had brought the goods to her home.
  G. A. Zimmers testified as to his office being burglarized on October 2, 
and an Underwood typewriter, worth $102 and two saws taken.  He went to the 
Wendt home on October 13 and identified his property that was found there.
  George C. Kelchner, of the wholesale firm of Curry, Canan & Co., told of 
two robberies at the place, he having been held up and robbed by two men who 
were masked on October 12, the day before the McGinley murder.  He was 
summoned to the Wendt home and found there a satchel and other goods that had 
been stolen.
  Mrs. Wendt, who looks pale and emaciated from her long confinement in jail, 
took the stand in her own behalf.  She testified that she was not aware that 
the typewriter and some of the other articles were in her house.  She said 
her two sons carried water for her and helped her with the washing, her only 
means of support.  She said that she never encouraged her boys to steal and 
does not believe they had anything to do with the hold-up of Mr. Kelchner.  
The witness showed much resentment against the police officers, ascribing all 
her troubles to them.  She said her daughter rented the house, her counsel 
attempting in this manner to show that the woman was not responsible for the 
actions of her children.
  Attorney J. D. Hicks, a witness for the defendant, testified that her 
reputation was good, saying as he left the stand he believed the woman to be 
innocent.  The court called Mr. Hicks' attention to the fact that he was not 
called upon to express an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the 
accused.
  Attorney Haberstroh, in making the final plea for the defense, said Mrs. 
Wendt was the innocent mother of two wayward sons and that she was in no way 
connected with any of their acts.  He said the purpose of her arrest was to 
keep her in custody until her sons could be arrested.
  Attorney Patterson contended that it is not necessary in such a case to 
prove a formal tender and acceptance of the stolen goods, as in a civil case.  
He said she must have known the goods were stolen and it was her duty to 
report the matter to the police.  "If she had done so, Constable McGinley 
would be alive today," said Mr. Patterson.  There were two indictments 
against Mrs. Wendt, and she was found guilty on both.

Other Cases

  Blanche Miller and May Fisher pleaded guilty to conducting a disorderly 
house at Altoona. A nolle pros was entered in the case and the women were 
directed by the court to pay the costs, discontinue the business and remove 
from Altoona.
  Albert Wendt, who conducts a boarding house at Ninth avenue and Seventeenth 
street, Altoona, was freed of the charge of assault and battery, preferred by 
Christopher Feeny.  The plaintiff is an inmate of the almshouse and was not 
in court.  Two commonwealth witnesses were called, but neither knew anything 
of the assault and on motion of District Attorney, the defendant was 
acquitted and the costs imposed upon the prosecutor.
  Vincent Davis, charged by his wife of stealing $3 and threats, submitted 
and was ordered to pay the costs with further sentence suspended.
  Constable William Manning, elected to this office from Catherine township 
last fall, has not been able to qualify by reason of poor health.  Attorney 
Frank H. Fay presented a petition to court that some suitable person be 
appointed to represent this office in his stead.
  The quarterly reports of the constables of Altoona, the boroughs and 
townships throughout the county, were made during the forenoon session, all 
the officers reporting peace and lawful conduct in their bailiwicks.  The 
jurors all answered to their names when the roll was called, but one juror 
was excused from court duty as he is an assessor and required to attend to 
his duties in that capacity.  Constables George Markey and Jacob Dilling were 
appointed to look after the juries.

McMurray Found Guilty.

  John McMurray, charged by the commonwealth with keeping a house of 
prostitution on Tenth alley, Altoona, was place on trial yesterday.  The 
prosecutor was Sergeant of Police Diggins, who with Officers Halley, 
Graybill, Spangler and others testified as to the raiding of the house and 
the evidence then secured.  W. H. Bartle, stationer, whose store is in the 
same building, and R. C. Mays and A. L. Burket, taxicab drivers, gave 
material testimony.
  The defendant and his wife testified that they kept lodgers and sometimes 
rented rooms, but denied any evil purposes.  They had quite an array of 
witnesses, but the jury rendered a verdict of guilty in a short time after 
the pleas by District Attorney Marion J. Patterson for the prosecution and R. 
A. Henderson, esq., for the defense.

Brozzal Pleads Guilty.

  Samuel Brozzal, a Hebrew resident of Altoona, accused of aggravated assault 
and battery by D. S. Wilson, an aged hay dealer, was placed on trial 
yesterday afternoon.  The plaintiff was represented by Attorney H. A. Davis, 
and the defendant by John F. Sullivan.
  During an altercation between the two men, that took place on November 11, 
1915, at Thirteenth alley and Eleventh street, the plaintiff alleges that the 
defendant struck him three times in the face from the result of which he lost 
his right eye and also kicked him severely about the body.  It is claimed 
that the blow in the eye caused the eyeball to burst, resulting in a 
hemorrhage of the eye, destroying its sight and necessitating the removal of 
the eye.
  The defense claimed the old man's eye was affected prior to the attack, but 
it was shown by the testimony of Dr. Walton, of Altoona, that he had been 
treating Mr. Williams' right eye for some time and that the sight was almost 
gone, but that the blow destroyed it completely and caused the hemorrhage, 
requiring the removal of the eyeball.
  The trial of the case developed the fact that the defendant owed the 
plaintiff for hay purchased at that at the time of the assault Wilson was 
ordered from the defendant's premises but said that it was not his property 
and refused to move with his team, whereupon he was attacked as stated.
  The trial was cut short by the defendant pleading guilty to the charge of 
assault and battery, but not that of aggravated assault as charged.  Sentence 
was deferred until later.

Italians on Trial.

  Shortly before court adjourned for the day, Joe, Jim and Domineck Furfaro, 
three Italians, were placed on trial, charged with assault and battery with 
intent to kill, upon an Italian boarding house keeper at Flowing spring on 
December 29, 1915.  During a melee that is believed to have been started by 
the three defendants, demanding money from the other occupants of the house 
and in which the landlord was so badly stabbed that he had a very narrow 
escape from death.  The prosecution was brought by Chief of Police Harry 
Bowman, of Hollidaysburg.  The commonwealth is represented by District 
Attorney Patterson and the defendants being without counsel the court 
appointed Attorney W. S. Detrick to defend them.  The case will be continued 
at the opening of court this morning.

Motions and Petitions

  Roy Gray, after serving three months in the county jail, was discharged 
under the insolvent laws.
  A decree of adoption of John Henry Lees to George S. and Emma Blanche 
Weaver was made.
  A decree was made amending the record in re assigned estate of Alice Ball, 
R. D. Lorenz, auditor to make distribution of the funds in the hands of John 
W. Balsor, assignee of the assigned estate of the Brooks Milling company, 
filed his report.
  A subpoena was awarded and Clyde E. Brown was appointed  master in the 
divorce case of Alvin S. Yetter vs. Carrie M. Yetter.
  The petition of Etta C. Piper to have a guardian appointed for William H. 
Piper, was presented and hearing set for March 27.
  The report of D. Lloyd Claycomb, auditor of the assigned estate of Mrs. 
Ella Black, was confirmed nisi.
  S. S. Claycomb, assignee of Howard Mauk, was authorized to sell real 
estate.
  W. H. Bridenbaugh, master in the divorce case of Flora J. Kipple vs. David 
A. Kipple, filed his report, recommending that a divorce be granted.
  The sale of real estate in re estate of William H. Grove, late of Allegheny 
township was confirmed.
  A subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Florence Della Ellenberger 
vs. Elmer T. Ellenberger.
  A petition for alias inquest in the partition of the real estate of S. F. 
Hetrick, late of Woodbury township, was presented and granted.
  The Altoona Trust company was appointed guardian of Mary Ester Creamer.
  The bond of the Mountain City Trust company, guardian of Grace E. and June 
Edna Hasson, was approved.
  C. C. Wright, assignee of J. K. Ritchey, was directed to file his account, 
the first Monday of April.
  The bond of F. S. Snowberger, tax collector of Blair township, was 
approved.
  A decree for counsel fee was made in the partition of the estate of Abraham 
Clapper, deceased, late of Altoona.
  Judgment was directed to be entered in favor of the plaintiff in the case 
of West Juniata Realty company vs. William Mullin.
  The report of Frank H. Fay, auditor to make distribution of funds in the 
hands of Sheriff H. S. Holland, arising from the sale of the property of 
Gustave Benjamin of Hollidaysburg, was confirmed nisi.
  M. M. Morrow was appointed master in the divorce case of Dean Allison vs. 
Sophia C. Allison.
  Subpoena was awarded in the divorce case of Ella E. Yon vs. John R. Yon.
  Robert W. Smith was appointed master in the divorce case of Melda Florence 
Seaman vs. George G. Seaman.
  Isaiah Scheeline was appointed auditor to distribute proceeds arising from 
sale of estate of Abraham Clapper.
  A petition was presented for the discharge of D. M. Sell, assignee of 
assigned estate of Oscar B. Malloy.
  A certificate of incorporation of the Sheridan Troop Rifle association was 
filed and a charter granted.
  The report of T. W. Jackson, master in the divorce case of Lee R. Lockard 
vs. Laura C. Stahl Lockard, recommending that a divorce be granted, was 
filed.

SNYDER NOT TO DIE FOR KILLING WOMAN

Slayer of Mrs. Plummer Port Adjudged Insane and Taken to the State Hospital

Special to the Tribune.
  Huntingdon, March 13. - Adam Snyder, sentenced to death in the chair for 
the murder January 6, 1915, of Mrs. Plummer Port, of Shavers Creek valley, 
will not expatiate his crime at Bellefonte.  He has been adjudged insane and 
this morning was taken by Sheriff H. E. Wilson to Fairview Wayne county, 
where he was admitted to the hospital for ___ insane.
  Snyder was found guilty of murder after a sensational trial on May 15, 
1915, and was sentenced to be electrocuted.  For the last month or so he has 
suffered severe acute seizures of epilepsy and at times became violently 
insane.  Last Friday an inquest into his mental condition was conducted, and 
the commission in lunacy adjudged him insane.  The court having confirmed the 
inquest, Snyder was this morning conveyed to Fairview by Sheriff H. E. Wilson 
and Deputy steel.


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