Delaware County PA Archives News.....Death of George B. EYRE, 1899
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Ardine [downeast@concentric.net]
************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************
The following articles are related to the death of George B. Eyre.
Robert EYRE was an early settler of Bethel twp, Chester (now Delaware)
county, Pennsylvania c.1682
1] Robert EYRE & Ann SMITH
2] William EYRE & Mary DAVID (DAVIS)
3] Isaac EYRE & Ann PRESTON
4] William EYRE & Susan MADDOCK
5] Jesse M EYRE & Sally B CHURCHMAN
6] Henry (Harry) C EYRE & Mary HAWES
7] Geroge Baker EYRE
===============================================================================================
Philadelphia Inquirer - 27 Dec. 1899
DID RIVER PIRATES SLAY GEORGE B EYRE THE MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING CHESTER MAN?
[*First column]
THEORY THAT HE MAY HAVE FOUND MEN ROBBING A BOAT HOUSE
SKIFF WAS STOLEN
***********************************************************************************************
George B Eyre, well known in Chester military and social circles, has been missing since
last Thursday, when he went ducking on the Delaware. He had with him some jewelry and several
valuable guns and was to have returned in time to attend the theater in Philadelphia.
Since his disappearance it has been learned that a boat house owned by a friend of Eyre's
had been broken open by thieves and a skiff removed.
***********************************************************************************************
From a staff correspondent.
CHESTER, Pa., -- Dec. 26. An anxious mother and a distracted sweetheart are awaiting
the return of young George B Eyre, whose body is believe to be either lying at the bottom
of the Delaware or resting among the reeds on the frozen marshlands over on the Jersey shore.
All Chester is aroused over the mystery of this popular young man, whose disappearance
was noted at length in Monday's Inquirer. Fears of foul play to Eyre were mentioned in this
paper on Tuesday.
To-night his friends are discussing various phases of the case that point to murder.
Chief of Police Thomas H Berry returned this evening from a search for the body along the
Jersey shore. Eyre had announced last Thursday that he was going across the river to shoot
ducks, and this led the Chief of Police to make the search among the reeds along the Jersey
shore.
The naphtha launch, Viola, owned by B F Siddell, was chartered, and on this a large party,
which included Chief Berry, District Attorney W I Schaffer, Senator W C Sproul, members of
the lodge of Elks, Alpha Boat Club and other organization to which Eyre belonged, crossed
the river to Raccoon Creek. They reached the other side at low tide, searching along the
frozen marsh from Birch Creek, opposite Marcus Hook, to a point opposite Eddystone, a distance
of about seven miles. The search occupied about 5 hours, but no trace of the body could be
found.
Eyre's Oar Found?
To-night a telephone message was received from Edgemoor stating an oar had been found by
the wife of the lighthouse keeper on Cherry Island flats.
This may furnish a clue which will be investigated in the morning by Chief Berry,
[*Two column picture w/the caption "THE CROSS INDICATES GEO B EYRE AS HE APPEARED WHEN IN CAMP
WITH THE SIXTH REGIMENT DURING THE SPANISH WAR."
[*Second column]
who will make another trip to the Jersey side, with the hope of finding some trace of the body.
Samuel Shoulders, of Bridgeport, N.J., this evening made a statement which the police
authorities believe has an important bearing on this case.
Last Thursday, between 4 and 5 o'clock, Shoulders said he was returning from Chester in his tr
-cking boat, when he saw a man answering Eyre's description sitting in a gunning skiff near
Raccoon Creek on the Jersey side. Eyre, if it was he, was heading towards Chester.
Boat Thieves May Have Slain Him
Right on top of Shoulders statement the information leaked out to-night that the locker
in the boat house where Bonsall G Ladomus. assistant city engineer, kept his boat with Eyre's,
was found to have been broken open and the skiff removed from the house. Many people advance
the theory that Eyre reached the boat house about the time some person or persons were making
off with Mr Ladomus skiff, and that a fight ensued. Eyre was a young man, of athletic build,
and had no fear of river pirates. In the skuffle it is hinted Eyre may have been killed and
his body thrown into the river.
George Eyre lived with his widowed mother at Seventh and Barclay streets. His father was
the late H C Eyre, a Philadelphia contractor in the sewer department, who died last spring.
Last Wednesday Eyre went to Philadelphia on business and purchased two tickets for the
theater for Thursday night. He was to be accompanied by his friend, Ralph Scottney of Moores--.
They had planned to take a couple of young women with them.
Eyre did not return from Philadelphia until early Thursday morning. On his arrival he
telephone to his mother that he would be home that evening for supper, and go to Philadelphia.
That was the last she heard of him.
Eyre went down to Miller's commission house at Second and Edgemont avenue and inquired for
James Pierce, a river man, whom he desired to accompany him on his gunning trip. Pierce was
not to be found just then.
[*Third column]
Eyre then went to the winter quarters of the Alpha Boat Club, on Third street, where he
changed his clothing, donning a gunning suit. In his clothing he left $28 in money and a
diamond ring recently purchased for a Christmas gift. These were found where he left them.
Eyre took with him upon the river two valuable guns, an expensive gold watch and wore on his
finger a diamond ring. Both the ring and watch had belonged to his father and were highly
prized as heirlooms. Pierce called at Miller's soon after Eyre departed, having had an
appointment to meet him. Eyre had gone on the river by the time Pierce reached the club
house.
When Eyre failed to keep his theater engagement with Mr Scottney the latter began to
suspect that something had happened to his friend. Eyre had always before been punctual.
Mother Offers Reward
Young Eyre's home is shrouded with gloom, and the anxious mother and the sister eagerly
seek information that will lead to the hope that the son and brother is still alive. Mrs
Eyre, the mother, has offered a reward of $100 for information that will lead to the recovery
of the body if death has overtaken the missing man.
The missing young man has long been prominent in military circles in this city. He
enlisted in the Sixth Regiment, NGP, and become quartermaster-sergeant. He was then advanced
to the position of sergeant-major on the staff. During the Spanish-American War, Eyre was
appointed battalion adjutant by Major T Edward Clyde and had charge of the commissary
department of the regiment at Camp Alger at Falls Church, Va.
Upon the reorganization of the regiment at the close of the war, Eyre was appointed
Commissary of Subsistence. He inherited a small fortune some time ago from an uncle, Squire
Isaac Eyre.
Eyre was 27 years old, a social leader, having taken part in numerous big society events
in this city. Only a few days before his disappearance he was an usher at the fashionable
McDade-Troth wedding at Eighteenth and
Spring Garden streets, Philadelphia. HCJ
===============================================================================================
Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 Dec. 1899
SAW GEORGE B EYRE PASS HER HOME
Miss Russell Say He Was Then in Company of a Man
From a Staff Correspondent
CHESTER, Pa., 29 Dec. 1899 -- If Miss Martha Russell adheres to her
statement made on the impulse of the moment when first she learned that
the prolonged absence of George B Eyre was causing the terrible anxiety
to his friends, she could testify that on the morning of Thursday, December
21, George B Eyre in the company of another man, passed her home, on East
Second street, going in a direction toward the Alpha Boat House.
Frequent talks with cross-examiners, however, couple with the statement
of another, who is said to have seen Eyre going to the boat house at the
alleged time she did has caused an element of uncertainty to arise in her
mind.
"It may have been Tuesday morning", she says, "but I am positive on
either Tuesday or Thursday morning I saw Mr Eyre and a man cut across the
street in front of my home going in a direction which would lead them to
the boat house. I have know Mr Eyre since we were children," she continued,
"and, having lived in this vicinity for a number of years, I have seen the
boys from the boat house pass daily and learned to know them all.
Furthermore, Mrs Eyre and myself were brought together a couple of years
ago, when, through his influence, my nephew, Will Rumford, secured a position
in the yacht of Dr Henry Beates, of Fifteenth and Walnut streets.
"On the morning I saw Mr Eyre with the other man I was sweeping the
pavement in front of the house. It was between 8 and 9 o'clock. The dense
fog had not lifted and heavy mist hung over the river. Suddenly I heard
someone say, "Good morning, Mr Eyre". "Good morning, Dan", I heard Mr Eyre
reply, and, onl looking to the speaker, recognized Dan Rothwell coming towards
me from Market street, and, Mr Eyre, with another man, going in the opposite
direction, toward the boat house.
"I felt sure the time the mystery was talked about that it was Thursday
morning I saw Mr Eyre. But Dan says it was not and insisted it was Tuesday.
I was not sure it was Pierce with him until then. All this trouble has mixed
me up. I won't say it was Thursday, nor I won't say it was not Thursday that
I saw Mr Eyre and another man go by the house".
On the other hand, Saphronia Lytle, who, with her stepmother, declared the
other day that Eyre and another man passed their home on the way to the boat
house, declared just as seriously to-night that beyond a doubt two men
passed on Thursday morning after breakfast, one of whom was Mr Eyre.
HMJ
===============================================================================================
These were shared by: Tina Culbertson
Trenton Times, January 22, 1900
Eyre's Body Found
No Doubt that Chester Millionaire was Murdered Philadelphia, Jan. 22 - The
mystery surrounding the disappearance of George B. Eyre of Chester, Pa., on
December 21 has been partially solved. The body of Eyre was found on the shore
of Raccoon Island in the Delaware River opposite Chester. There is every
indication of the theory that Eyre was murdered as a great hole was found on
the head, just back of the right ear. When found his feet were tied with a rope.
The only thing found on the body was a key to his locker in the Alpha Boat club
of which he was a prominent member. Watch and rings were missing. Only a part
of the chain was attached to his gunning suit.
The disappearance of Eyre caused a sensation in Chester where he was well known.
He left the boathouse on the morning of Dec. 21 in his gunning skiff for a day's
shooting and never returned. Foul play was suspected and large rewards were
offered for information as to his whereabouts, dead or alive. Suspicion fell
on James Pierce as knowing something of Eyre's disappearance and on January 2
he was arrested on the charge of robbing Alpha Boat club. He is now under bail.
The body was found by John Carney, Jr., who will receive the rewards offered for
the recovery of the body. These rewards aggregate $13,500.
Trenton Times, January 23, 1900
Verdict in the Eyre Case
Philadelphia, Jan 23. - The coroner of Bridgeport, N.J. yesterday held an inquest
on the body of George B. Eyre of Chester, Pa., whose body was found Sunday imbedded
in the mud on Cadwaller island, near there, after the man had been missing since
Dec. 21. The post mortem examination showed that Eyre's death was the result of
a gunshot wound, the head being filled with shot. When the body was found, the
legs were bound with what appeared to be the painter of a boat. Investigation
showed that the knots were tied by an expert boatsman or a man familiar with
sailor's knots. The wound in Eyre's head indicates he was shot while looking
forward from the boat by a person who might have been paddling in the stern.
There was every indication that the body had been robbed.
The body was identified as Eyre's and the jury rendered a verdict of death at the
hands of parties unknown.
===============================================================================================
Philadelphia Inquirer, 23 January 1900, Front page
GEORGE B EYRE WAS SLAIN BY A GUNSHOT
Terrible Wounds Disclosed at the Coroner's Inquest --- After Murderers Fired Shot
They Beat Victim's Head Into a Jelly
From a Staff Correspondent
BRIDGEPORT, N.J., Jan. 22 --- "We, the jury, find that George B Eyre came to his
death by a gunshot wound at hand of party or parties unknown."
This was the verdict of the Coroner's jury of Bridgeport folk - sturdy, honest,
Jerseymen, who swore to-day over the corpse that was once Geroge B Eyre, to judge
fairly and well in this, the matter before them.
The verdict --- delivered solemnly amidst the stillness of many men, with the
month old corpse close by, with water-withered hands, clasped tightly across the
dead heart --- is both link and element. It clears away the mystery from the strangest
disappearance of the decade --- and lays bare a murder, one of the most brutal in years.
Murder Most Cruel and Causeless
For it is by murder - cruel, causeless -- that George Eyre met his fate. Not
satisfied with the shot that tore open the dead man's skull, and riddled his brain
with scores of little bullets, the murderer or murderers beat the victim's head into
a jelly, not a bone of the skull or side of face is intact. Eyre did not even have
a fighting chance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The autopsy was described at great length with graphic details which I am not going
to bother posting here. However, there is further information in the article I am
continuing with below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 10 o'clock the three doctors who were to perform the autopsy arrived
--- Dr George Laws, of Paulsboro; Dr P Stillwagen, of Bridgeport; and Dr F P Foxwood,
of Chester.
-------------------------------------------------
*Rest of paragraph omitted
-------------------------------------------------
George M Steelman, Charles, McKeag, Tillman Frampton, Joseph Hughes, Preston Gill,
Charles Pedrick -- one by one they entered. Then came the newspapermen, Prosecutor
Starr, of Gloucester county; District Attorney Smith, of Chester; Chief of Police
Berry, and the doors were closed upon the disappointed crowd.
____________________________
*Rest of paragraph omitted
-------------------------------------------------
The rope itself was tied twice about the legs, just below the knees.
From it dangled a noose. Below this noose and attached to it were two pieces of rope,
the ends chafed and frayed. A knot had been tied over the left knee on the first loop
and one over the right knee on the second loop.
Between these was the noose with its fragments of rope hanging from it. The knot on the
left knee was a flat knot -- that is, a knot that does not slip and will not easily
come untied -- just such a knot, in fact, as is habitually tied by sailors and fishermen.
The knot on the noose was one of the same character, but the knot on the right knee,
fastening the second coil, was a "granny" or such a knot as landsmen usually tie.
Knots Give A Clue
The manner in which these knots were tied is regarded by the authorities as an
important clue --- something in fact that throws some light upon the perpetrators of
the awful deed.
After the ropes were removed the fragments of watch chain, box of matches, the plug
of tobacco and the other small articles that were left upon the corpse by Eyre's slayers
were removed and carefully placed aside.
After that the ducking jacket, the trousers, the great hip boots and other clothing were
taken off.
----------------------------------------------------------------
*Again some graphic details of the autopsy
----------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 -- 1st Col.
EYRE WAS SLAIN BY A GUNSHOT
[*Again some part omitted by me]
From the course of the shot the physicians decided that the gun had been fired
directly from below upward or else straight with the head. From the size of the hole it
is plain the gun was discharged not six feet from where Eyre was sitting.
[*Again some parts omitted by me]
The Inquest
Promptly at two o'clock the big room of the town hall began to fill.
There was no exclusion act about this part of the proceedings and in a few minutes every
chair in the room was taken and still the spectators lined the wall three deep. The red
hot stove was hidden behind a mass of sweltering humanity.
Karney Tells of His Find
The first witness was John Karney, Jr. In a low voice he repeated the story of the
finding of Eyre's body, telling how he had notified the Coroner and secured the body.
Then the physicians who had performed the autopsy were called. They repeated the story
already related, Dr Laws giving as his opinion that the condition of the head was due to
having been battered by a blunt instrument, probably a gun stock. Drs Stillwagen and
Forwood corroborated Dr Laws' testimony that death had been caused by the gun shot wound
behind the right ear. Dr Forwood, Walter Buckley and John Mowrey, president of the Alpha
Boat Club, swore to their knowledge that the body found by Karney was that of Eyre. With
the verdict of the jury that Eyre had met his death by a gun shot wound at the hand of
a party or parties unknown, the scene in the town hall came to end.
Body Taken To Chester
The body was hurried down to the J Lentz Garrett, "Eddie" Goff's launch, and,
accompanied by District Attorney Joshua Smith, Prosecuting Attorney Starr, Chief of
Police Berry and many members of the boat club, departed for the sorrowful home in Chester.
And Bridgeport relapsed again into its old quietness.
The problem of jurisdiction arises. In which state will the proceedings, if there are
to be proceedings, be held. Prosecutor Starr, of Woodbury, is a quick, decisive man, smooth
shaven, determined-looking, bespectacled. District Attorney Smith, of Chester, is suave,
gentle, with a flowing mustache.
It was learned today before the party left for Chester, that neither District Attorney
will hamper the other at all. Both will work together.
Whether the trial for the murder will be held in Chester or Woodbury was not decided today.
Prosecutor Starr said:
"It will depend on circumstances where the trial will be held. If Eyre was murdered on
the Jersey side of the river his murderer will be tried here; if on the Pennsylvania side
then it would be in Chester.
A long conference was held late in the afternoon by Chief of Police Berry, the two
District Attorneys and ex-District Attorney Schaeffer. The result of this meeting none of
the attorneys would state. They left for Chester immediately after on the boat containing
the murdered man's
body. AM
===============================================================================================
BEFORD GAZETTE
Bedford, PA - Friday, January 26, 1900
A Week's History
Happenings Of The Last Seven Days
The body of George B Eyre, of Chester, was found embedded in the mud on Cadwallader Island,
near Bridgeport, N.J., on Sunday. The postmortem examination showed that Eyre's death was
the result of a gunshot wound in the head. The murdered man left his home about a month
ago on a duck hunting trip and since that time strenuous efforts were made to find him.
On Wednesday, James and "Pinney" Pierce were arrested for the murder of Eyre.
===============================================================================================
Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 Jan. 1900
[*Three columns wide headline]
PIERCES HELD FOR A HEARING
[*Two columns wide]
After A Formal Arraignment on the Charge of Murdering George B Eyre, the Brothers
Were Recommitted To Jail
[*First column]
From a Staff Correspondent
CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 25 -- For three minutes James Pierce, Jr and Amos Pierce,
popularly known as "Pinney" Pierce, stood at the railing in the hearing room of
the City Hall this morning , while Alderman Robert Smith read to the prisoners
the warrant charging them with the murder of George B Eyre.
District Attorney Josiah Smith asked that the hearing be postponed until
tomorrow afternoon, and Lawyer Joseph H Hinkson, counsel for the accused brothers,
readily agreed.
The room was crowded when the prisoners were brought in by two policemen. In
Mayo Jefferies' private office were James Pierce, Sr, the aged father of the two
men, their sister, Annie, and Mrs Pierce, wife of James Pierce. Other friends and
relatives of the two prisoners were gathered at the hall.
Greeted Acquaintances
In the yard, in the rear of the municipal building, a big crowd congregated
and there was a craning of necks when the two prisoners were fairly rushed from
the little jail to the hearing room. The brothers nodded right and left to
numerous acquaintances and a smile played about the face of each when they were
arraigned and neither prisoner appeared much concerned over his predicament.
"Pinney" Pierce, who is a consumptive, while appearing somewhat pale, did
not look like a person suffering from that wasting disease. "Jim"
Pierce, who swooned last night soon after his arrest, maintained his composure
to-day.
The Formal Charge
Alderman Smith read the complaint to the prisoners, setting forth that "Before
me, the subscriber, an Alderman of the city of Chester, personally appeared Thomas
H Berry, Chief of Police of said city of Chester, who being duly sworn according
to law, says that from information he has received, and which he believes to be
true, James Pierce and Amos Pierce did, on the 21st day of December, AD 1899,
in the county of Delaware aforesaid, unlawfully, feloniously and willfully, and
of their malice aforethought, kill and murder George B Eyre.
Careful of "Pinney"'s Health
District Attorney Smith asked that the hearing go over until tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock by reason of some difficulty in procurring witnesses.
Attorney Hinkson acquiesced, "I will agree to the postponement", he said,
"providing you make it as comfortable here for "Pinney" Pierce as possible.
You know he is in delicate health and the accommodations here for sick people
are none the best".
"We will see that he is given proper attention.", replied the prosecutor.
Then the two prisoners were escorted [*Two column sketch of a skiff with
the captions: "Aft bottom board.
Forward false deck. Boards of the Ladomus boat found by police yesterday."]
[*Two vertical one column sketches one atop the other with the caption:
"Cells occupied by "Pinney" and James Pierce"] *{Two column sketch of the hearing
room, people and a circular inset sketch of "Dist Atty Smith" with the caption:
"Pierce brothers being arraigned before the Alderman".
[*Second column, back to top of page]
back to the little jail. "Pinney" was locked up in the lower cell; he was provided
with a mattress and pillow. "Jim" was taken to a cell on the second floor. The
whole proceeding did not occupy more than three minutes.
Soon after the two men were locked up, Mayor Jefferies, who is one of Chester's
best known physicians, visited "Pinney" in his cell and examined the prisoner,
for whom he afterwards prescribed stimulants. Dr Jefferies said that the man was
undoubtedly suffering from tuberculosis. He frequently spits blood indicative of
hemorrhage. Lawyer Hinkson was present during the examination. He does not believe
"Pinney" Pierce will be able to stand the ordeal of a long trial. The aged father
visited his sons early in the morning and again visited the jail tonight, as did
also Lawyer Hinkson.
Testimony Today
The hearing will take place before Alderman Smith at 2 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon, probably in the Common Council chamber. District Attorney, it is said,
has summoned about 20 witnesses. Among those who will testify are Dr La____, who
made the post-mortem examination of George Eyre's body at Bridgeport; John Karney,
Jr, who found the body; Chief of Police Berry; Prosecutor Starr, of Gloucester
county, and others.
It is believed that District Attorney Smith will some damaging evidence against
the prisoners, who will be represented by Lawyer Hinkson. Mr Smith said tonight
that he would offer some evidence that has not yet been made public and which will
warrant the commitment of the two men to the Media jail. In the event of the
prisoners being held for trial they will be taken
over to Media in a trolley car by Sergeant Leary. HCJ
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[*New article, same column]
PIERCE GAVE HER A WATCH IT IS SAID
Startling Facts Unearthed at Wilmington by the Inquirer
From a Staff Correspondent
WILMINGTON, Del. Jan. 25 -- This city is expected to furnish a determining
clue in the search for the murder or murderers of George B Eyre. Chief Berry and
Sergeant Leary, of Chester, with Detective Brown, of Baltimore, spent the greater
part of the day here, and in their search they were materially assisted by Inquirer
reporters.
One vitally important fact was substantiated in the investigation, and that
is that Alice Dawson, an old sweetheart of "Jim" Pierce's, has been living here
for some
[*Two column sketches of skiff and hearing room as mentioned above]
months. More important than all, it is alleged on the testimony of many others
given to the Inquirer that Miss Dawson received from Pierce on Christmas Day a
handsome gold watch.
This watch was exhibited by the woman in the pride of her new possession,
little knowing that this pardonable action would be suddenly remembered and brought
clearly and sharply out in the tangle vague clues and disturbing rumors that are
now prevalent.
And stranger than this, the information that Miss Dawson did receive this costly
gift on Christmas Day -- but four days after the disappearance of Eyre -- was
furnished by Miss Myrtle Sheetz, the sister of "Pete"
Sheetz, whose name in connection with this great mystery has been much heralded.
The Sheetz girl knows Miss Dawson and has known her intimately for some time. In
fact the two, from the statements made, have been mutual confidantes, which makes
the inquiry in this city rank with the testimony furnished by Mr Way.
That Wilmington was a good field for investigation was first suggested by the
Inquirer. There had been many rumors to the effect that "jim" Pierce had a close
friend here, but as far as is known no one had taken the pains to search for the
woman who was popularly supposed to have some information which would explain the
innocence or guilt of the two brothers.
The woman, despite these vague allegations and statements, still continued to
live her life as she had always done before. Today her friends, who were naturally
uncommunicative, said that she had received a gift from Pierce and there were one
or two who are willing to make affidavit to this statement.
----------------------------------------------------------------
[*New article contained in same column]
CHESTER OFFICIALS MAKE DENIALS
Declare They Have No Knowledge of Watch or Ring Being Found
From a Staff Correspondent
CHESTER, PA., Jan. 25 -- There were more conferences beween District Attorney
Smith and Chief Berry today, but neither would divulge the results. The "clinching
evidence" that they will produce at the hearing of the Pierce brothers tomorrow
afternoon, they both positively decline to discuss. Rumors are afloat to-night
that the authorities have recently come into possession of either the rings, watch
or guns that George Eyre had with him on the day he disappeared. It is the popular
belief that the watch has been found. For an hour or more a young man was closeted
with Chief Berry in the latter's private office. Then District Attorney Smith was
called into the conference. When it broke up neither party to it would say anything
concerning the subject under discussion.
Chief Berry was asked today:
"Have you a watch in your possession that was the property of George B Eyre?
Have you any knowledge that such a watch is in the possession of anyone?"
His answer was:
"I have no watch and have no knowledge of there being such a watch in the
possession of any one."
This would appear to dispose of the rumor that had been circulated that the
watch had been recovered.
District Attorney Smith also pleaded ignorance of anything concerning the
recovery of a watch. He was asked.
"Have you any information in your possession that will make the case stronger
than it has been shown to be on the surface? Is there anything held back that will
make the case strong enough to hold the prisoners for court?"
His answer was:
"I would not charge any man with the crime of murder if there was not some
sufficient evidence to back it up. When the case is presented the people will be
CONTINUE ON PAGE 14, 6TH COLUMN
[**Two column sketch of hearing room mentioned above]
p.14
PIERCES HELD FOR A HEARING
Continued From First Page
satisfied that we are justified in the action take in this
matter. HCJ
GEyre4.pdf
===============================================================================================
Philadelphia Inquirer - 11 June 1900
BERRY NOT CONVINCED OF PIERCE'S INNOCENCE
Says He Firmly Believes That the Suicide Killed George Eyre
Special to the Inquirer.
CHESTER, PA., June 10 -- District Attorney Josiah Smith was seen this evening at
his office and asked if he considered the suicide of Jim Pierce as an indication of
his guilt of the murder of the late George B Eyre. "I do not care to pass judgement
on the cause of death or of the guilt or innocence of Jim Pierce." was the reply.
He said he and Mr Bromall, attorney for the Pierces, had agreed that the trial
of Pinney should go over until the September term. Pinney will have to appear in
court in the morning, when he will have to renew his bail for his ap-
[*Sketch of "Pinney" Pierce]
pearance at that time at the next term.
Mr Smith remarked that he was prepared to have gone on with the trial, and that
he was confident that the evidence would have been sufficient to have convicted
Pierce of some kind of murder. He declared that he did not consider Mary Cowan the
most important witness in the case, but that she was only one of the links that
formed the chain which was very strong.
There had been over seventy-five witnesses subpenaed for the trial and all of them
that could be reached by wire had been notified not to appear in court to-morrow.
Chief of Police Berry was out on the river at the time he received the news
of Pierce hanging himself. He and Officer Vandergrift were looking for a boat,
or part of a boat, which had been fished up near Raccoon Creek by Vandergrift.
Upon his return to the City Hall he was asked if he thought the suicide of Pierce
an indication of his guilt.
He answered:
"I have never had a doubt in my mind from the time of the arrest that he was
guilty. All of the circumstances pointed in that direction and there was not a
particle of evidence to show that any other person had been with George Eyre the
day he became missing from Chester. Jim Pierce was strong in denying that he had
Ladomus' boat at the time he was arrested, and for some time he stuck to that story,
but when he heard that we had evidence so strong that he could not get away from
it, he sent for me and confessed that he had the boat, at the same time denying
that he had stolen it.
He at first said he did not know whose boat it was, and afterwards, when pressed
for a reason for setting it off, declared he heard that the police were trying to
connect the boat thieves with the murder of George Eyre and he wanted to get rid of
the boat. When I called the attention to the fact that he had said that he did not
know whose boat it was he said he had been talking too much and would not say any
more.
"I am so firmly convinced that he was guilty that nothing he could have done,
not even the taking of his own life, could have changed my belief. I think that
he alone was guilty of the murder, and that others were accessories after the
crime. I will not stop hunting for the skiff on account of the death of Jim
Pierce. I believe Mary Cowan's story."
Frank Pierce, a brother of James and Pinney, is standing guard over the
homestead on Graham street, and will not allow anyone to enter to talk to Pinney.
Coroner Fry brought the body of Jim Pierce to Chester, and now has it at his
morgue. It is possible that the inquest will be held to-morrow.
===============================================================================================
The Tyrone Daily Herald - Tyronne, Penna., Monday, September 24, 1900
Media, Pa. Sept. 24 -- Amos Pierce, better known as "Pinney", is a free man. He was
charged with being an accomplice to the murder of the late Chester gunner, George B.
Eyre who was murdered on the Delaware River, and the dead body weighted with stones
and sent to the bottom of the river.
District Attorney Smith had no evidence to present against "Pinney" and the ending of
one of the most sensational murders ever committed in this section was to formally
take a verdict of Not Guilty when court convened this morning.