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Mrs. Eva D. ALT House's Residence,
WHERE SAXTON WAS MURDERED.


CANTON'S
GREAT TRAGEDY
THE MURDER
OF
GEORGE D. SAXTON,
TOGETHER WITH A
HISTORY OF THE ARREST AND TRIAL
OF
AN NIE E. GEORGE,
CHARGED WITH THE MURDER.
WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
GEORGE D. SAXTON AND ANNIE E. GEORGE.
WITH II, LUSTRATIONS.
By “. COE. "

Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1899,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress,
at Washington, D. C.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PRESS OF
CLAPPER PRINTING CO.
WOOSTER, O.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.
CANToN, OHIO, April 29th, 1899.
In giving to the public the history of the
murder of George D. Saxton; the arrest, and
the proceedings of the trial of Annie E. George,
charged with the murder, the writer has given
the facts as nearly as it was possible to obtain
them. While, on account of the prominence of
the relatives of George D. Saxton, the reference
to his private character as published in the
newspapers since the murder, is to be regetted,
yet a private history of the lives of both of the
principal actors is necessary to a correct under-
standing of the circumstances surrounding the
unfortunate tragedy. The trial of the case was
one of the most sensational ever had in the
Courts of Ohio. The history of the murder,
the arrest of Annie E, George, charged with the
murder, the preliminary examination and the
trial of the case have been given in detail as
nearly as possible by the writer, who has been
in a position to watch the proceedings from the
time of the arrest of the accused to the end of
the trial.
THE AUTHOR.


Early Life of George D. Saxton.
CHAPTER I.
On the evening of the 7th day of October,
1898, George D. Saxton, a prominent citizen,
and the only brother of Mrs. William McKinley,
the beloved and esteemed wife of the President
of the United States, was shot and instantly
killed on the steps leading to the residence of
Mrs. Eva D. Althouse in Canton, Ohio; and
almost immediately afterward Mrs. Annie E.
George was arrested, charged with the murder.
The news of the murder swept over the
town like a cyclone. The people were wild
with excitement, and groups of citizens could
be seen standing on the streets and in business
places, gathered together discussing with bated
breath the awful tragedy.
More than ten years ago George D. Saxton
and Annie E. George first became acquainted.
Not long thereafter, rumors of scandal began to
spread on account of their conduct. Their
many quarrels, dissentions, and law suits
became the talk of the town. Canton society
was shaken from center to circumference with
their troubles, and so notorious were their

6 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
bickerings and turmoils that they were known
to nearly all the people of the city. The Rec-
ords of the Courts were encumbered with their
litigations, the gossips exhausted themselves
with the scandals which from time to time were
circulated about this couple. So that, when it
became known that George D. Saxton had been
killed, the finger of suspicion was at once
pointed toward Annie E. George as the sup-
posed murderess.
The murder of George D. Saxton unfolds a
history of one of the most sensational episodes
that ever appeared in public print. He was the
only son of James A. Saxton and Catherine
Saxton, and was born October 31st, 1848. His
father, James A. Saxton, was one of the most
substantial and prosperous citizens of Canton,
Ohio. He was wealthy and influential; he had
been identified with its best interests for many
years, was highly respected, and was regarded
as one of the stalwart citizens of the town.
He establised the Canton Repository many
years ago, had been engaged in banking busi-
ness, and remained in active business until a few
years before his death. When he retired from
business he had accumulated large property
interests. He was an active and energetic busi-
11ess 111a11.
The only surviving members of the family
at the time of the death of George D. Saxton
were Mrs. William McKinley and Mrs. M. C.
Barber, sisters of the deceased.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 7.
The home in which George D. Saxton grew
up was bright and happy, and presented a
beautiful example of social and domestic virtue.
He was an intelligent boy, and as he ap-
proached young manhood gave promise of a
useful business man.
He attended the schools of Canton and re-
ceived a good common school education, and
having inherited from his father substantial bus-
iness qualifications, he was thoroughly fitted
for a successful business life.
After he had completed his education he
was employed for several years in his father's
bank. The experience he received in banking
business and his dealings with the general
public thoroughly qualified him to manage the
large estate which he afterward inherited from
his father. After the death of his father and
mother he made his home with his sister Mrs.
M. C. Barber at the Barber residence, which
was the old Saxton homestead. This property
had been owned and occupied for many years
by his father and it was there that President
McKinley and his wife made their home during
nearly all of his official life. This residence was
the rendezvous for many of the most influential
and noted men of the nation, who visited Major
McKinley while a Member of Congress, socially
and politically.
George D. Saxton was above the medium
height, with a dignified, commanding presence,
and a handsome pleasing countenance, always

8 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
being faultlessly dressed. In his young man-
hood he was a bright particular star of
Canton's elite set of young people, and was un-
usually popular wherever he was known. He
had a personal magnetism which would
naturally attract and retain the most ardent
and sincere friendship. There was no gathering
of the young people of his associates that was
complete without his presence. He was fond of
society and enjoyed it with a zest that made
him much sought after, and a charming
member. The high position in society which
the family occupied gave him a prominence
which, with wealth and personal attraction,
gave him an entree into the best homes of the
City, and made him a welcome guest. He was
regarded as suitable and agreeable company in
the exclusive set in which he moved. He had a
number of serious and romantic love affairs
during his short career prior to the one that
ultimately ended with his tragic death.
His first engagement was with a beautiful
young lady of Canton, his equal socially and
financially. She was the daughter of wealthy
and influential parents and occupied a promi-
nent position in society. His acquaintance
with this young lady began with their child-
hood. She was bright and intelligent and had
all the accomplishments necessary to make her
a shining light in society. His attentions to
her were rather encouraged and the engage-
ment sanctioned by the parents on both sides.

-
GEORGE D. SAXTON.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 9
This young lady possessed a genuine and sincere
friendship, and her love for George D. Saxton
amounted to devotion. Being of a convivial
disposition after some time when not in the im-
mediate society of his expected bride, and find-
ing time hanging heavily upon his hands, he
sought the company of women who were dis-
posed to lead a life of revelry. He found in the
association of such women a relief from the
more serious side of life and more suitable to his
tastes. He soon grew tired of this beautiful
young girl, his visits to her and the presents
which he had lavished upon her as his intended
bride became less frequent, and in time entirely
ceased.
His conduct toward her and his seeming in-
difference were a cruel blow to her future happi-
ness. She could not believe that he would dis-
regard so readily the sacred vows which he had
so earnestly made. The knowledge of his as-
sociations with others and his abandonment of
her, threw her into an illness from which she
never recovered. She died of a broken heart.
The sickness and death of this young lady
did not deter him from keeping up his reckless
associations. He became more bold and could
be seen at public entertainments in the company
of, and upon the streets driving his spirited
team of fast horses, with women of question-
able character.
Not long after the death of this young lady
a society girl of Massillon, Ohio, was the re-


10 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
cipient of his devoted attentions. She too, was
the daughter of highly respected parents. Sur-
rounded with wealth and luxury she occupied a
high position in society. She received and ac-
cepted his attentions with the purest motives
and after a courtship of a few months the en-
gagement was announced and the day was set
for the wedding, but it never took place. The
same attractions which caused him to break
the former engagement seemed to make it an
easy matter for him to disregard his sacred
vows in this case. This was a sad experience
for this young lady, and seemed to change her
whole life, for it has since been learned that her
subsequent marriage partook of a sensational
nature, and it was reported that she eloped
with the family coachman. She, too, has since
passed away. Her unhappy experience in this
affair no doubt was the cause of her untimely
death.
Another prominent young lady was the
victim of George D. Saxton's intrigues. Several
years ago this young lady resided in Canton.
She was tall, slender and pretty, and had many
admirers, but none found favor with her as did
George D. Saxton. It was soon known among
their friends that they were engaged. He
seemed devoted to her for a time, and she in
return gave him her love and affection. The
time was fixed for their wedding, but for some
reason unknown to the world it never took
place.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 11
She married another man and moved away
from the town. This marriage was also an un-
happy one. She obtained a divorce from her
husband, and it is said that after the divorce
was granted she was again engaged to marry
Saxton. Since his death it has become known
that this young woman did not know of the
relations that existed between Saxton and Mrs.
George.
From the time of her marriage she resided
in Pittsburg, and only learned of his tragic
death through the newspapers. Rumor has it
that this young woman and Mrs. George were
both engaged to Mr. Saxton at the same time.
Other cases of like character could be given, but
the foregoing are sufficient to acquaint the
reader with some of the peculiar circumstances
which surrounded those who are connected
with this deplorable tragedy, and to give an
idea of the kind of man George D. Saxton was
when he met the person who, it is claimed,
caused his death.
Early Life of Annie E. George.
CHAPTER II.
Annie E. Ehrhart was born on the 18th day
of September, 1858, in the little village of
Hanoverton, Ohio. This little village is situ-
ated in the south-west part of Columbiana
County, within a short distance from the
Cleveland and Pittsburg Railroad. It was laid
out a great many years ago. Some of the
houses were built more than sixty years ago,
and are in a very dilapidated condition. The
village is surrounded by a rolling country, and
is in some places somewhat hilly but well
adapted to farming and stock raising. The
people who lived in the village and surrounding
country are substantial citizens, well to do and
enterprising.
The parents of Annie had resided in the
village for many years. The husband and
father was a good-natured, easy going man,
and very much attached to his family. The
wife was a kind-hearted mother who took a
great interest in her children, and was es-
pecially anxious that they should be properly
trained.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 13
In all, the family was well liked by their
neighbors, and all who knew them. Annie was
an unusually bright child and was the pet of
the household. She was educated in the
common schools and received a fair education,
being quite intelligent and precocious, she was
further advanced than most children at an
early age. When she grew up to young woman-
hood she was regarded as the belle of the little
village and surrounding country. She was an
especial favorite among her acquaintances and
had many suitors before she met the man
whom she afterward married.
On the 8th day of April, 1878, she was
married to Sample C. George, a young man of
good character who had many friends in the
neighborhood.
He was a carpenter by trade, was energetic
and ambitious, and started out in the world
with bright expectations for the future. A year
and a half after this marriage their first child
was born. Mr. George was a kind and
affectionate husband and Annie a faithful,
devoted wife and now a happy mother. It was
an ideal little family. Their first born more
closely united the ties of their devotion to each
other, and with the knowledge of a parental
responsibility they were both happy. Some
three years after the birth of this child a second
son was born. Mr. George continued to work
at his trade in the vicinity of Hanoverton, and
while it required all his energy to support his
14 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
little family they got along very well, for their
mode of living did not require a very great out-
lay of the proceeds of his labor. Mrs. George
was very much devoted to her husband and
children, and seemed to be delighted with the
care of her family. After a while Mr. George
came to the conclusion that he could do better
by seeking a larger field for his business, and
they selected Canton, Ohio, for their future
home. They moved to Canton in the year
1883 and sometime therafter they rented rooms
in the Saxton Block, which is a large building
erected by James A. Saxton, and afterwards
owned and managed by his son George D.
Saxton. This building had been arranged for
store rooms on the first floor, and offices and
tenement apartments on the second and third
floors. Mr. George and his family occupied a
suite of rooms in this building. After moving
to Canton he continued his trade, and also en-
gaged in the business of contracting.
Mrs. George found, after living in a larger
place for some time, that the demands for her
children and herself were increasing, and as she
was an expert seamstress and highly accom-
plished she began dressmaking on a small scale.
This was continued for several years, thereby
assisting her husband in the support of the
family, and in fact she substantially dressed
herself and children from that source. Mrs.
George was a decided brunette beauty, with a
figure that would do honor to an art studio.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 15
She was as graceful as a queen, with a com-
plexion like alabaster, and sparkling black eyes
that made her a dream to look at. She
naturally attracted attention about the Saxton
Block and upon the streets. She had many
friends and was popular among her new
acquaintances.
Some time after the George's moved from
Hanoverton to Canton, Mrs. George went to
the store of Golberg Bros. in the Saxton Block
to do some shopping.
George D. Saxton happened to be in the
store at the time. Her beauty and graceful
figure at once attracted the attention of this
man of the world. He quietly inquired of one
of the clerks in the store who she was ; he was
told that she was Mrs. George. “She is a re-
markably handsome woman,” he said, “I will
make her acquaintance. He managed to ob-
tain an introduction to her before she left the
store. He was very much impressed with her
beauty and manner, and her seeming unsophis-
ticated innocence. Mrs. George told Mr.
Saxton, in their conversation after the intro-
duction, that they had moved to Canton and
expected to reside there permanently. In
a few days after, they received a letter from
Saxton saying to them, that he had a suite of
rooms in the Saxton Block which would no
doubt suit them in their convenience and rental.
Mr. George went at once to see Mr. Saxton
about the rooms and made a contract with him

16 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
for them. They immediately made their ar-
rangements to move, and took possession of
the rooms on the second floor of the Saxton
Block.
Mr. Saxton, soon after the arrival of the
George family, visited them and made frequent
calls afterward to see if any changes in their
apartments were desired. Mr. George was
very much impressed with the kindly interest
which the landlord manifested in their behalf,
and they became very friendly. They ap-
preciated his apparent kindness and consider-
ation for their wellfare, and more so for the
reason that he was comparatively a stranger to
them both.
Mr. Saxton, on one of his visits, in a joking
way, asked Mrs. George if she would mend a pair
of gloves for him. This she readily consented
to do. They had only become fairly settled in
their new home when Mr. Saxton went to their
room one evening with a sealskin sacque,
which he said he had purchased for a friend of
his who resided in some distant city. He said
it required some alteration, and asked Mrs.
George if she would kindly do this for him. He
requested her to try the sacque on, as he
thought the friend for whom it was intended
was about her size and build. He asked her to
make the required alterations and said he
would call in a day or two and get it. She
readily consented to do so. In the meantime
the necessary change was made, and he again

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 17
called. He then requested her to try the
garment on again. “Ah,” said he, “the fit is
so perfect on yourself, it would be too bad to
to take it from you and give it to someone
else.” And he said to her, if she would accept it
he would present it to her. He told her he
was positive it would not look so well on any-
one else as it did on her.
Mr. and Mrs. George were very much sur-
prised and pleased at Mr. Saxton's generosity.
They could hardly understand what prompted
him to become so much interested in their well-
fare. They modestly accepted the valuable gift
in a spirit of gratitude; never dreaming of the
true object that inspired him to make it. They
were poor, and such a gift as this at once filled
them with gratitude and a sincere friendship for
Mr. Saxton. From that time on, Mr. Saxton
was a welcome visitor at the George rooms.
He would go and come at his pleasure, often in
the absence of Mr. George, and on account of
the position which Mr. Saxton occupied in
society and business circles, it caused the
George's to feel highly complimented by the
friendship of such a prominent person and
citizen of the place. Mrs. George, in her inno-
cence, showed the valuable gift to her friends,
and spoke of it and of Mr. Saxton in the most
kindly and friendly terms. George D. Saxton
was unusually handsome, and an adept at love
making. He had in a short time so ingratiated
himself into the good graces of this charming
18 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
woman, that she began to look forward to his
visits with a more than passing interest.
His extravagant compliments bestowed
upon her were to her a revelation. He poured
into her ears all the flattering endearments of
which he was capable, and sought to gain her
affection and confidence, which he ultimately
accomplished to his heart's content, for she soon
found that she not only loved him dearly, but
was infatuated with him beyond her under-
standing.
CHAPTER III.
Many months went by and the visits of
Saxton continued uninterruptedly to the
George rooms. At last it began to dawn upon
Mr. George's mind that the attention and con-
sideration for their welfare on the part of Mr.
Saxton meant more than a passing interest in
his family.
He had seen and heard private conversa-
tions in the hall of the Saxton Block, meetings
upon the street between his wife and Saxton,
and at length, while he was not of a jealous dis-
position at all, he became suspicious of their
conduct, and he spoke to his wife about it and
cautioned her to be careful, that Saxton's fre-







CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 19
quent visits to their rooms in his absence, and
the fact that they had been seen so frequently
together upon the streets and other places
might give rise to a scandal, and to have his
visits discontinued. She promised him she
would do so, but Mr. Saxton paid no attention
to this admonition and continued his attention
and visits. He realized that he must use cun-
ning, skill, and all the knowledge of human
nature at his command; he therefore concluded
to adopt new methods in order to obtain pos-
session of this woman. He seemed to enjoy the
romance of the situatinon, and to take a de-
light in the extraordinary effort it required
for him to gain her confidence and affection.
As he became better acquainted with her and
to know her more intimately, he became the
more infatuated with her. The difficulties he
encountered, and which were constantly
thrown in his way made him more determined
to continue the conquest. She seemed to
fortify herself against his advances, but she had
no more chance against his overtures than a
frail bark in an ocean storm. Almost two
years went by and his visits and attentions
continued.
Annie George had learned in the meantime
to love him with all the ardor of
her nature, but she could not forget the great
sacrifice she was making. She had been a de-
voted wife and had dearly loved her husband,
but now with a remorseful conscience she real-
20 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
ized that she had become entirely es-
tranged from her husband and had transferred
her affections to George D. Saxton. Notwith-
standing this, she begged him to not pursue her
further, to leave her and break up their unlaw-
ful relations and associations. She was fearful
that her husband, who for some time past had
become exceedingly jealous, would apprehend
their clandestine meetings, and she told Mr.
Saxton that iſ he would find them out he
would certainly shoot them both. To all of
this he turned a deaf ear, and assured her from
time to time that there could be no danger.
Mr. George was now thoroughly convinced of
the improper relations that existed between his
wife and Mr. Saxton, and he pleaded with her
to break up their unholy relations with each
other and save herself and family from ruin and
disgrace. He threatened her with divorce pro-
ceedings, if she did not do so.
She met all this with a dignified assurance
that she would not give up Saxton, that he
could take his course and leave her if he
so desired.
Indeed she was willing to be separated
from her husband; while she dreaded the
notoriety of a divorce suit, she knew that if
he obtained a divorce it would relieve her from
the obligations of her marital relation, all of
which would give her more freedom with less
danger of exposure in her amours with her
lover. Her husband was heart broken. He



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 21.
was devoted to his wife and children, and
could not bear the idea of giving her up, and
the breaking asunder of the ties which bound
their little family together. He keenly felt the
disgrace, but was entirely without a remedy.
Mr. Saxton was fully aware of the trouble the
George's were having, but he was relentless and
cared for nothing but the accomplishment of
his purpose to obtain possession of his love,
Mrs. George.
Sample George sought an interview with
him and begged of him to discontinue his visits
to his wife, that he knew what was going on
between him and his wife, and kindly requested
him to desist. Saxton denied that there was
anything improper between them; that he had
the highest regard for the welfare of his
(George's) family, and that he would not on
any account be guilty of doing anything that
would give either of them pain or trouble, and
promised that his visits to her rooms would
entirely cease.
The promise was no sooner made than
broken. He now had Mrs. George completely
in his power. His will seemed to be her choice,
and she depended entirely on him for protection,
and seemed to believe that he could prevent her
husband from doing anything that would in-
crease the scandal which had for some time
been smothered, but liable to break out at any
time. Mr. George could stand it no longer and
he sought the advice of an attorney, and in

22 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
February, 1892, he brought suit against Mr.
Saxton for $20,000.00 damages for alienating
the affections of his wife. This suit created a
great sensation, and considerable comment by
the people on account of the prominence of the
parties in the case.
Mr. George and his wife had now separated.
The children remained with the mother. Mrs.
George took issue with her husband in this suit
and allowed Mr. Saxton to control her as the
potter would a lump of clay.
She was ready and willing to do any-
thing that would be for her interest and that of
Mr. Saxton. Mr. Saxton was much concerned
about this case. He knew that he was guilty,
and realized that they would in all probability
prove his guilt. He also employed counsel and
prepared for his defense. His answer, filed in
the case, was in the nature of a general denial of
all the allegations in the petition, and the issue
as to his guilt was thus made in the Courts.
Mrs. George remained loyal to Saxton.
They conferred together and also with his
attorney. She aided and assisted him in pro-
curing testimony that would contradict the
claims made by her husband, and that would
support the position taken by Saxton. This
suit remained in Court until March, 1894,
when it was dismissed without prediudice to a
new action, if he desired to bring one thereafter.
The object he had in dismissing the case is
not known, for in about a year afterward
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 23
another suit was brought upon the same alle-
gations, and damages claimed in the same sum.
The petition in this case alleged that in April,
1891, at the Saxton Block in Canton, Ohio,
George D. Saxton willfully and maliciously de-
prived him of the affections of his wife, and that
her affections became alienated, and he was
thereby deprived of her society and her aid in his
domestic affairs, causing him to suffer great
mental distress and misery, and brought him to
shame and dishonor.
- There were two other causes of action in
the petition alleging that in November, 1891,
and at other times and places Mr. Saxton was
guilty of adultery with Mrs. George. He filed
an answer to this petition in which he denied
generally all the averments; and the issue was
again made in the case. The case was pre-
pared for trial, and it was looked forward to
by the public as one that would create a great
sensation. The case had been assigned for trial
on a certain day, but on account of the interest
taken by the friends of Mr. Saxton, and espec-
ially by the friends of his brother-in-law, Presi-
dent McKinley, all of whom were desirous that
the case should be settled, if possible, and there-
by prevent a disagreeable notoriety which it
would naturally cause if the case was tried, it
was continued. Negotiations were then entered
into by both sides for a settlement. Proposi-
tions were made and considered by the parties,
but they were unable to agree upon terms, and

24. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
on the morning of the trial the case was con-
tinued with the hope that before the next term
of Court asettlement could be agreed upon.
These cases were of a series of litigations
which this unfortunate couple had. Mrs.
George claimed that Saxton had promised to
marry her time and again during their intimacy
and acquaintance, and he suggested to her, as
she said, after her husband had brought suit for
damages, that she should go to Canton, South
Dakota, and take up her residence there and file
a petition for a divorce against her husband,
and in order to obtain a divorce in that State
it was necessary under the Statute of Dakota
for her to reside there six months, so as to give
that Court jurisdiction of the case. He
promised her if she would do this, he would
accompany her and pay her expenses, her at-
torney fees and the costs of the divorce pro-
ceedings, and when she returned the marriage
would be consummated. She readily consented
to this and made arrangements for the trip.
Mr. Saxton went with her and remained in
Canton, South Dakota, stopping at the same
hotel for several weeks. An attorney was em-
ployed and the case commenced. The grounds
alleged in her petition were willful absence on
the part of her husband, Sample C. George, and
gross neglect of duty.
After the arrangements were perfected and
the case commenced, Mr. Saxton returned to
his home in Canton, Ohio. A correspondence














AN NIE. E. GEORGE.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 25
was kept up between them regularly, and many
letters of an endearing nature passed between
them.
At one of the trials between Mr. Saxton
and Mr. George several letters of the cor-
respondence between them, while Mrs. George
was in Dakota, written by Mr. Saxton, were
produced. Only two of these letters were read
before the Court, the others have all mysteri-
ously disappeared, and interested parties claim
that they do not know where they are. Those
which contain the most endearing sentiments
and might have been the most harmful to him
in the alienation suit have disappeared. The
two remaining letters are here given:
CANTon, OHIo, May 30th, 1892.
DEAR ANNA:—I enclose you a draft payable to
Brown for $100.00. Do you know that since the 1st of
January, 1891, you have spent almost $1,200,00? I got
a letter from B. yesterday, in which he rakes us for my mis-
take in Sioux City. I am sorry you had to leave Canton,
as I think that was a better place for you than Sioux Falls,
but go and visit your cousin.
Jennie is here, she came yesterday and is going to
Alliance today. I have not been well for the past three or
four weeks, and I think I will go up to Mt. Clemens, Michi-
gan, for a couple of weeks, and take a course of baths, but
do not know just when I can leave. With love and kisses,
GEORGE.
CANTON, OHIo, May 30th, 1892.
DEAR ANNA:—I wrote you a letter Wednesday and
suppose you think I am scolding you all the time, but I
don't want to scold you, for I consider you have enough

26 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
trouble without any scolding from me. I will send my
attorney down to Hanoverton the 9th of next month to
see the witnesses and have a talk with them and take their
depositions. I don’t think you are going to have any
trouble with your case out there, but of course I don't know
of Sample's arrangements, but I don't think he cares
whether or not you get a divorce, if he can get some
money on the other case, and I will want to take your de-
position in relation to the letter and offer that Sample
made you. You told me that he offered you $1000 if you
would go before his attorney and say I was the cause of
your leaving him. Was that what the letter said 2 If we
only had that letter it would be valuable evidence.
With love and kisses, GEORGE.
Mr. Saxton and his attorney were very in-
dustrious in the preparation of his defense in
the damage suit brought against him by Mr.
George. This suit had given him a great deal
of trouble and annoyance, but he found time
hanging heavily on his hands in the absence of
Mrs. George, and he renewed some of his former
associations as well as new ones he had made,
and in a short time found himself in the midst
of his old time revelry.
Time passed rapidly amidst his now
pleasant surroundings, and almost before he
realized it he received a letter from Mrs. George
stating that the divorce had been granted. She
then returned immediately to Canton, Ohio.
She was in great glee with the joyful expecta-
tion of becoming the wife of the man whom she
worshipped. Him for whom she had given
up husband, children and home, and had sacri-
ficed her own good name.















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 27
She had supposed that as soon as she re-
turned the marriage would undoubtedly take
place, and she could not understand his cool re-
ception. He evaded her and refused to talk to
her. She spoke to him about the marriage, but
he simply laughed at her and said he was not
ready to marry yet, that he would see about it
in the future.
CHAPTER IV.
After the divorce was granted and she re-
turned to her home she found that she was not
welcomed by Mr. Saxton with open arms and
the speedy marriage she so fondly anticipated.
On the contrary she found him cold and indiffer-
ent, for he had grown tired of his pretty mis-
tress. She in the meantime was growing older
and he had sought the company of younger
persons more to his liking, who were more easily
charmed by his flattery, and in a short time
there was an open rupture between them. Mrs.
George became desperate. She recalled the
many happy hours they had spent together.
She had yielded to the tempter. He was her
idol, and after enticing her from a peaceful fire-
side and the embraces of a loving husband, and
depicted tempting luxuries to her, that he should

28 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
in the end cast her off and share his affections
with others was terrible to her. This was more
than she could bear. Saxton seemed to be
entirely estranged from her. She finally left
her rooms in the Saxton Block and took up her
residence on another street in the city. She
soon afterwards instituted a breach of promise
suit for $30,000.00 damages for his failure to
marry her.
Mr. Saxton filed his answer to this suit
denying that he ever promised to marry her,
and the case was pending in the Court for a
year or more when it was dismissed. Shortly
after the commencement of this suit she insti-
tuted a suit in replevin to recover the possess-
ion of her furniture and household goods which
had been left in the rooms in the Saxton Block
and which she claimed he withheld from her
and refused to permit her to remove them. In
his answer in this case Mr. Saxton set forth,
that while she had lived in his apartments and
at other times he had loaned her large sums of
money which she refused to pay him, and that
he would turn over the furniture to her as soon
as she paid him the indebtedness due him from
her. These suits caused much unpleasant com-
ment among the friends of both parties and
the people generally. Mrs. George was now
thoroughly convinced that the friendly relations
between her and Mr. Saxton had entirely termi–
nated. She was frantic and desperate. She
visited the Block in which he occupied rooms














CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 29
and greatly interfered with his business and
pleasure as he claimed. She would frequent the
halls and threaten women of the town who
were in the habit of calling on him at his rooms
for a good time, with violence.
Mr. Saxton was much annoyed by her con-
duct and he became thoroughly aroused and
threatened to restrain her from pursuing him in
this way, and on the 5th day of December,
1895, he began proceedings in the Court of
Common Pleas to restrain her from interfering
with his peace and business relations. He set
forth in his petition that he was the owner of
the Saxton Block, the lower floor of which was
used and occupied for a general store. That
the apartments upstairs were intended and
were suitable for business rooms and dwelling
purposes. That the building was used by
people for these purposes, and that for the past
year Mrs. George had committed trespass by
coming into the building without any purpose.
That she pretended to call upon him upon
business matters when in fact as he alleged, it
was simply an excuse to annoy him, and he
asked that she be restrained from visiting the
building and especially his rooms, and that she
be restrained from molesting him in the manner
set forth in his petition. He procured a re-
straining order and she was enjoined from
doing the things which he had set forth in his
petition until the further order of the Court.

30 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
An answer was then filed by Mrs. George to
this extraordinary petition, in which she denied
that the Block was used for the purpose de-
scribed in the petition, and she alleged that the
room kept by Saxton in the Block was used for
a gambling room where he and others met
night after night to play cards; that this room
was visited by sporting characters and
gamblers generally for that purpose; that the
rooms were not orderly as he had stated in his
petition. She further denied that she had been
guilty of any improper conduct or any impro-
priety whatever and alleged that she had
always demeaned herself properly and had con-
ducted herself in all respects in a ladylike
manner. She further alleged in her answer that
for several years past she had resided in rooms
in the Block designated as Room No. 7, which
she had used as her home, and that her bedding
and household furniture were still there. That
her visits to the room were made for the pur-
pose of looking after her goods and to prevent
them from being misused and abused by
Saxton and the immoral and dissolute charac-
ters with whom he had been in the habit con-
stantly for some time past of associating and
cohabiting in his rooms. She further said that
Saxton had leased her these rooms or had given
her permission to make her home there as long
as she lived, and that she recognized the use of
these rooms to be hers. That relying upon his
promise she had left her goods there when she


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 31
went to Dakota at his special instance to ob-
tain a divorce from her former husband. That
Saxton had agreed to pay the costs for obtain-
ing a divorce and had persuaded her to do this
so that she could be free to marry him as soon
as she returned, all of which he had promised
to do. She further represented that her rooms
were then kept by him for purposes of prosti-
tution, and that he was in the habit of enter-
taining therein lewd and dissolute women;
that her property was being injured by his in-
decent and lascivious conduct with vile asso-
ciates, aud she claimed that she had a right to
enter the premises for the purpose of protecting
her property, and she asked that his petition,
for the reasons set forth in her answer, be dis-
missed at his costs.
Saxton filed a reply to this answer in which
he denied generally all of the allegations set
forth and contained therein, and alleged that
none of the facts set forth in the answer were
true.
In speaking of the case afterward Mr.
Saxton said that Mrs. George, on a certain oc-
casion, had gained an entrance to his rooms
upon the pretext that she had business with
him, and that she seated herself in the room
and refused to leave, that he requested her to
leave the room and not annoy him any further,
but she remained there nearly a whole day, and
that he was compelled to call a policeman to
remove her from the room. The next day she
32 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
returned about the same time that she had
come the day before, and remained in the hall-
ways of the building from early in the morning
until midnight, and refused to leave. He had
told her repeatedly that he did not want her to
remain there and kindly asked her to leave the
building. That she indignantly refused to do
so, and seemed to delight in annoying him in
this way. She repeated these visits day after
day, seemingly without any purpose except the
delight she had in annoying him. He further
said that she would rap on his door, or if the
door was found unlocked, she would enter and
remain until he would have to forcibly eject her
from the room. That on account of her con-
duct his tenants became annoyed and dissatis-
fied and threatened to leave the building. He
said that frequently he was compelled to take
her by the arm and lead her from the building.
Mrs. George denied all these charges and
claimed they were all untrue. She was very
much worried and exasperated on account of
this suit. She now realized fully that Saxton
had no love for her, and the true condition of
things began to dawn upon her, that his pre-
tended love for her heretofore had been a sham
and a delusion from the first; that his only
object was to gain her love and affection for
his unlawful purposes, and when he was tired
of her, he cast her aside regardless of her
changed condition as he had done before with
others, and leave her ruined, scandalized and



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 33
disgraced. She now had no family or friends,
and the man for whom she had given up every-
thing which she possessed, including her honor
and social standing, had turned his back upon
her. Her situation was pitiful indeed. She
had no home, no friends and no money. She
had never been in that condition before. She
was high spirited, ambitious and full of life.
She had been idolized by her husband and after-
wards as she had thought by Saxton. She was
vain and proud of her beauty; nothing had
been too good to be lavished upon her by
Saxton, and now that he had forsaken her was
more than she could bear. Saxton in the mean-
time had formed other liasions. He would go
out publicly riding with women of doubtful
reputation, upon the streets. Within three
miles of Canton there is a place of resort called
Myers Lake, with its Hotels and beer gardens,
and almost any evening during the summer he
could be seen at this place in the company of
such women. Mrs. George had many times
been seen with him at this resort. She had
often been riding with him behind his fancy
teams of fast horses. It was at this place
where she claimed that he had accomplished
her ruin.
Mrs. George, during all the time that
Saxton was enjoying himself with others, after
the relations between them had terminated,
kept a strict surveillance on all his movements.
She knew what he was doing, with whom he was

34. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
associating, and the life he was leading, and it
aroused in her an indignation which knew no
bounds.
She threatened him with violence, she
threatened those with whom he was reveling,
and what with her haughty spirit, her pride
and vanity, as well as a somewhat revengeful
disposition, she could scarcely restrain herself
from violence in the face of all her tantalizing
surroundings.
Some time after the suit above referred to
had been commenced, friends of both the
parties became interested and there were
negotiations for a settlement of the replevin
case, during which time Mr. Saxton wrote a
letter to Mrs. George which is as follows:
MRs ANNIE GEORGE, CANToN, OHIo.
In reply to your message given me by John Jackson
I have to say that you can have all the articles which are
in the building and are not held as collateral security for
the payment of a note which you have given me, and upon
payment of that note you can also have these last men-
tioned. I do not know all the articles you have referred to,
and so ask you to come with some reliable disinterested
person and what is not held as security as above mentioned
you can take away with you. Respectfully, Geo.
The one who found special favor in the eyes
of George D. Saxton after the relations between
him and Mrs. George had terminated, and who
seemed to entirely supplant her in his affections
was a widow by the name of Eva D. Althouse.
She was rather good looking and while not
pretty, had charming manners and many win-
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 35
ning graces. She, like others connected with
this case, has a history. She was the daughter
of a respectable and well known citizen of
Canton. Her first marriage was with a well
known young man who was highly esteemed
in Canton. After her marriage her conduct
did not al-together suit her husband, and he
became suspicious of her, and was convinced
that she was not true to her marriage vows.
A detective was employed to solve the mys-
tery. Their residence was on East Tenth
street. His business called him away from
home a great part of the time.


Early Life of Eva D. Althouse.
CHAPTER V.
She, like a good many others connected with
this strange case, has a peculiar history. She
was the daughter of a well known citizen
of Canton. She had been well raised and
had occupied a very respectable position
in society. Her courtship with the man
whom she afterward married extended
over several years. She married this young
man, who was well known and highly esteemed
by all who knew him. He was engaged in busi-
ness at the time of his marriage which required
his absence from home a great part of the time.
Their marriage was considered a happy one and
they entered upon their married life under very
favorable circumstances. It was not long how-
ever until the husband began to suspicion that
his wife was not true to her marriage vows.
He had been informed by some of his immediate
friends that when he was away on business his
wife was receiving visits from a well known
young man in Canton, and the husband con-
cluded that he would employ a detective to
shadow his wife in his absence and learn to his

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 37
own satisfaction whether the reports that came
to him were true or not. He was devoted to
his wife and he hoped that the investigation
would result in freeing her entirely from sus-
picion, but in this he was disappointed. He
continued his business trips and in a very short
time the detective reported that his suspicions
were well founded. In a short time the detect-
ive discovered evidence which would warrant
an investigation. The husband was prostra-
ted with this information and concluded that
the proper thing to do was to file an affidavit
before a Justice of the Peace, have a warrant
issued and placed in the hands of a Constable
with instructions to keep a watch upon the
movements of his wife in his absence. On the
evening of July 4th, 1890, the Constable, with
several others, learned that the man who was
charged with meeting the woman in the absence
of her husband, had called upon her, and they
went to his house and there learned that the
object of their search was in the house. They
secured an entrance by means of a night key
which had been furnished to them by the
husband, and the wife was discovered in her
night robes in an embarassing condition. She
was charged at once with having secreted in the
house the man who had given the husband so
much trouble. This she very indignantly de-
nied, and said that there was no person in the
house and requested that a search be made if
they desired. The Constable very promptly

38 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
-
made a search of the house, the wife pretending
to aid him as much as possible, all the time pro-
testing her innocence. When the Constable ap-
proached the bath room he found the door was
locked, he asked for a key and the woman said
the bath room was not in use and that the key
had been lost. He then ordered one of the men
who had accompanied him to go to a hardware
store and procure a key for the bath room door.
At the same time he ordered another of his as-
sistants to go to the neighbors near by and
procure a screw driver. The result was that
the woman weakened and she said that if they
would not give her trouble that she would open
the door. When the door was opened a Mr.
George W. Althouse was found in the bath room
in very scant attire so far as clothing was con-
cernen. The woman was very much excited
and Althouse made an effort to leave the house
but wrs arrested by the officers and he promised
that he would attend the Court at any time
that the officers suggested, but that he did not
want to be arrested and taken into custody.
The matter was adjusted however, by Althouse
depositing his watch and chain as security for
his appearance before the Justice. The woman
was also required to appear at the same time to
a charge of adultery. The husband in the
meantime at the instance of his friends con-
cluded that he would meet the couple at the
Barnett House on the following afternoon.
They met at the place with friends. The

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 39
husband was very much grieved at the conduct
of his wife, and while he had been very much
devoted to her he concluded that he could not
remain with her, and that the only thing to do
was to procure a divorce, and it was arranged
that he would go to Jersey City, N. J., take up
his residence there, and in dne time procure the
divorce. This was carried out and the divorce
was granted some time after. Althouse con-
tinued his attention upon the woman he had
disgraced and in a short time after the divorce
was granted they were married, and he engaged
in business, and they appeared to live happily
together until he met his death in a bicycle
accident. Mr. Althouse was a man of good
business qualifications, and had it not been for
his untimely death Mrs. Althouse might have
escaped the unfortunate notoriety which was
afterwards caused by her associations with Mr.
Saxton.
Mrs. Althouse and Saxton seemed to be
much attached to each other, and were often
seen upon the street buggy riding or bicycle
riding. This was all during the time that Mrs.
George and Mr. Saxton were having trouble.
They kept up their associations very much to
the annoyance of Mrs. George. She was ex-
tremely jealous of Mrs. Althouse, and en-
deavored to break up their associations if it
were possible. She was in the depths of de-
spair and desparation.
The sketch which has been given here of
40 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Mrs. Althouse is for the reason that she has
figured in this unfortunate tragedy so promi-
nently, and her conduct in absenting herself at
the time of the trial of Mrs. George was much
commented upon.
One evening while Saxton and Mrs. Alt-
house were out riding on their bicycles, they
were surprised to meet Mrs. George face to
faee upon the street near the home of Mrs. Alt-
house. Mrs. George was wild with rage; she
drew a revolver and presented it to Saxton in a
threatening manner and compelled him to leave
Mrs. Althouse at once and accompany her to her
home. She said that she would not stand by and
see George Saxton go with other women when
he had promised to marry her. She referred to
his frequent promises to marry her immediately
after the damage case brought by her husband
had been settled, and she threatened that if he
did not keep that promise she would kill him.
“I will do it,” she said, “if I should hang the
next day, and I know that I would not be blamed
if the people knew how I have suffered at the
hands of this man.” It was reported that Mrs.
George had made threats of personal violence
against Mrs. Althouse from time to time while
Saxton was paying his attentions to her ; and
Mrs. Althouse afterwards brought a proceeding
against her before a Justice of the Peace to re-
quire her to keep the peace. Upon the hearing
of the case she was required to enter into a
bond to keep the peace in the sum named in the


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 41
bond. The Justice, however, did not require
her to furnish other security but released her
on her own signature. Other prosecutions were
talked of by other persons whom it was claimed
she had threatened; women with whom Saxton
had been seen. She watched all of his move-
ments closely and was nearly distracted on ac-
count of his conduct with others. She spent
nearly her whole time in trying to prevent him
from associating with other women, and when
she could have the opportunity to speak to him
she insisted that he marry her as he had agreed
to do. He avoided her as much as possible and
kept out of her way and seemed to care nothing
at all for her. He had been in the habit of lead-
ing a fast life, and it was a hard matter for him
to give up his dissipation with others, although
he had learned that Mrs. George had threatened
his life if he did not cease his attentions to other
women, and fulfill his promises to marry her.
He had frequently been told by his friends that
she had threatened him with personal injury
and that she had threatened his life, but he did
not seem to have any fear that she would carry
out the threats she had made. It was now seven
years since George Saxton had met Annie
George. During the great part of that time
they had wrangled and quarreled ; suits were
pending nearly all the time between them, or
suits in which they were interested, and which
arose out of their association one way or the
other. The constant turmoil and strife between
42 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
them began to tell upon Mrs. George's appear-
ances and good looks.
She had become thin in flesh, a pale and
careworn look had taken the place of the bright
and intelligent face which she had when she
moved to Canton. She had lost the charming
vivacity for which she had been noted in early
life. Her beautiful head of waving black hair
had become gray to some considerable extent,
and in short she had changed perceptibly from
what she was when she left Hanoverton and
moved to Canton. Never was there a case
which more fully demonstrated the frailty of
human nature and the certainty of the downfall
and ruination of a woman or a man who will
give way to the blandishments of temptation.
Had she been impervious to the assaults upon
her honor by George D. Saxton, and been true
to her former husband, her family and her home,
she would be an ideal and cherished member of
society to-day.
She would have a happy home, surrounded
by her husband and her two bright boys upon
whom she had brought so much unhappiness
and disgrace. In conversation with a gentle-
man recently who was intimately acquainted
with her when she left Hanoverton, he said, that
when Annie George moved to Canton no woman
had ever occupied a more respected position in
society than she. That she was respected and
beloved by all her neighbors and those with
whom she was more intimately acquainted.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 43
The contentions of this couple kept up a
constant excitement and scandal among the
friends on both sides. Society was thoroughly
agitated with their troubles and quarrels.
Saxton had many friends among the business
men of the city, some of whom took sides with
him, andothers condemned his actions with Mrs.
George and his conduct with other women.
The fact that he was so closely related to the
President gave him a standing in society which
he would not otherwise have had, and his
friends ex hausted eyery means to keep his
relations with Mrs. George a secret, but the
several suits which had been brought, and the
conduct of Mrs. George when she became con-
vinced that she had been abandoned by him
caused a wide spread notoriety of their af-
fairs, and new reports were being constantly
circulated, some of which were true and others
not true. While Saxton no doubt was very
much annoyed with the condition of things and
with Mrs. George's difficulties, he talked but
little upon the subject. He was a man who had
very few real intimate friends, and very
seldom spoke about his trouble to anyone ex-
cept his confidential friends and his attorney,
Mr. James J. Grant, who afterward assisted
the Prosecuting Attorney upon the trial of
Mrs. George for murder. On the other hand
Mrs. George did not seem to have any
person to whom she could go for advice and
comfort except her attorneys. She was shrewd

44 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and tactful, and in preparing her side of her
several cases pending between her and Saxton
she was of great service to her attorneys.
Saxton had also depended upon her largely
to assist him by her testimony in the damage
case brought by her former husband against
him. It was claimed by him that she would
testify that he had not alienated her affections;
that she had abandoned her husband because
of his abuse of her and his failure to provide for
her the ordinary necessaries of life. That he
had abused her and in fact she claimed that at
one time he had assaulted and struck her. Such
testimony would have been very important upon
the trial of the case, and when the rupture
between her and Saxton came she was called
into consultation by her husband's attorneys
and she promised them to testify that Saxton
had positively broken up her family relations.
When Saxton learned that she had been in con-
ference with her husband's attorneys, he at
once realized the injury which she could do him
in the case if she took the side of her husband.
He then began to cast about to prevent this
alliance, and through the help of others he pro-
cured an interview with her. In a short time
he was rewarded with the prospect of a recon-
ciliation between them. It was an easy matter
for him to renew his promises to her and to as-
sure her of the love he had for her. He
promised her that if she would stand by him
in this litigation that he would renew his



CANTON'S GRFAT TRAGEDY. 45
promise to marry her, and indeed went so far
as to actually fix the time at which the marriage
should take place.
Mrs. George was wild with delight at the
turn things had taken. She believed that he
was now sincere in what he said, and the re-
newal of the promise of marriage, and once again
she was in his power as completely as it was
possible for her to be. Such was the influence
which this man exercised over Mrs. George.
Their relations were now again renewed. She
had taken up her residence on another street in
the city, and Saxton could be seen going to
and from her rooms at all times in the day, and
night. She delighted in informing her friends
of the reconciliation, she was again happy in all
that the term implies.
The careworn expression which had
clouded her face; the pallor which had taken the
place of her fresh rosy cheeks had disappeared,
and she was herself again as completely, as if
she had not suffered the untold agony which she
experienced when she believed that she had
been deserted by the man for whom she would
have given everything she possessed in the
world and for whom she had sacrificed so much.
Little did she dream that his overtures of
friendship, and the renewal of his expressions
of love and confidence were made only for the
purpose of having her serve him in the litiga-
tion belween him and Sample C. Georg, her for-
mer husband. He knew the influence he had

46 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
over her and his object was to control her, so that
she could be used in furthering his own interest,
without any regard for her welfare or her feel-
ings, when she would afterward learn of his de-
eption and fraud. It is hard to conceive of a
disposition so devoid of principle and feeling;
one who had so little re-gard for his
promises or for the welfare of another who
believed in him and depended upon what he had
said.
There can be no doubt that the motive that
prompted George D. Saxton to seek a recon-
cilliation was to aid him in getting rid of the
litigation which had been dragging along for
years between him and Mrs. George and her
former husband. Whether it was suggested to
him by his friends or was the result of his own
scheme, is not known, but that the renewal of
his pretended friendship for Mrs. George was
for that purpose is quite clear from his conduct
after the cases were dismissed.
The replevin case was discontinued by Mrs.
George without ever having come to a trial.
She retained her property without satisfying
the indebtedness which Saxton claimed from
her. She said that she was not indebted to him,
that the money which had been paid for her ex-
penses in obtaining the divorce was in accord-
ance with the agreement between her and
Saxton; that he had agreed that if she would
apply for a divorce from her husband that he
would pay all the expenses. This claim is

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 47
corroborated by the correspondence between
them while she was in Dakota. At any rate the
case was dismissed and has not been heard of
since. The breach of promise case was also
settled about the same time. It was reported
that he had paid her a small consideration in
settlement of the case, the amount has not been
made public. The case was dismissed however
by her attorney. Also the case which had been
brought by Mr. Saxton to enjoin her from
her interference with his business and in her
annoyance of him, was dismissed by him at his
own costs, leaving but the one case unsettled.
This was the action for damages for seduction,
or the alienation case as it was called. Saxton
dreaded this case more than any of the others.
He was well to do financially; was collect-
able, and any judgement rendered against him
in the case could be collected, and his only re-
lief lay in a successful defense or a compro-
mise. After a great deal of parleying and
negotiations, terms of settlement were agreed
upon.
As has been here before stated, his friends
had taken an active interest in his behalf in
this case, and especially the more intimate
friends of the President, for the reason that
they hoped thereby to avoid the unpleasant
notoriety which the trial of the case would
necessarily occasion. Indeed, the Judge and
the officers of the Court advised a settlement
for these reasons, and were all highly gratified
48 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
when thc settlement was consummated and
the unpleasant and unfortunate litigation
thereby terminated.
In the settlement of this case, Saxton
agreed to pay Sample George the sum of
$1800,00 and the costs of the suit. This sum
was accepted by him in satisfaction of his
claim for damages and the case was dismissed.
Now that the litigation between them was all
out of the way, it was hoped that the unfortu-
nate difficulties, which had seemed to follow
them during all of their associations together,
were at an end. Society had been kept in a
constant state of agitation for several years,
and they were congratulated on all sides that
it was all over.
Little was it thought that this settlement
would be followed by the terrible tragedy so
soon. While the seduction case was pending,
and when it was expected that it would be as-
signed for trial, a difficulty appeared in the
way which caused the prosecution some un-
easiness. It was learned that Mr. George had
been paying attentions to a lady in Alliance,
Ohio, where he had taken up his residence and
was in fact engaged to be married, and that
the attorneys for Saxton had been informed of
this and would use it upon the trial. Such
testimony would have been very damaging in
Mrs. George's case in mitigation of damages ;
it would have been argued that if he was to be
married so soon, that he would not be entitled

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 49
to any great amount, as damages for being de-
prived of the affections of his wife and of her
society and services. This report and
the fact that it had become known to Saxton
and his attorneys, had much to do in the way
of reducing the demand made in the negotia-
tions for a settlement, and no doubt prompted
the attorneys for Mr. George to accept the
proposition made by the attorneys for Saxton.
After the terms of settlement had been
agreed upon, however, and after the money
had been paid over and receipts had passed and
the case had been finally dismissed, it was
learned that Mr. George had been married for
more than a year, and had taken up his home
in Alliance some time previous. He had
courted his wife and they were secretly
married, and had kept the secret so well that
not even his attorneys knew it. If it had
become known to Saxton and his attorneys
that George had been married, the case would
not have been settled for a money
consideration.



THE TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER VI.
The day the murder was committed, Mr.
Saxton was engaged in his ordinary business,
and spending part of his time in his office. He
met his acquaintances and friends as usual,
and seemed to be very much pleased that he
was rid of the seduction case. He had
always been very much attached to his sisters,
Mrs. McKinley and Mrs. Barber, and during
the time this suit was pending, he constantly
lamented the notoriety which it would neces-
sarily cause on their account, and on account
of the prominence of his sister, Mrs. McKinley,
no doubt he was prompted to make a much
better and more liberal proposition in the
settlement than he would have made had it not
been for that fact. He expressed himself
during the day to his friends as being much
pleased that he was through with the case.
He was very jovial during the day. He
visited several parts of the city upon his bi-
cycle, where he had business interests to look
after.
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 51
It is not known whether he met Mrs.
George during the day or not. It has been
said that he did meet her, and that they had a
long conversation on one of the streets, but
this has not been verified. A few days before
the murder, he had a conversation with her
just prior to the compromise of the case, but
the terms of settlement had not then been
agreed upon. It is said that she renewed her
request, that he should marry her as soon as
the case was settled. She reminded him of his
promise to do so and insisted that he carry it
out, but he did not give her any satisfaction on
the subject, and it seems from what she has
said since, that she did not expect that he
would do so, from some remark that he had
made during the conversation. Some time
before this meeting, Mr. Saxton and Mrs.
George took a trip to Pittsburg, where they re-
mained a day or two. It was reported that
they had met a gentleman there, who was
to be a witness in the case, but the main
object of that trip was to settle their law suits.
From the time that they affected a reconcilia-
ation until a day or two before the case was
dismissed, he had led her to believe that he
would marry her, as soon as the case was
settled. It was also reported that she had in-
timated that if he did not consummate the
marriage, that she would seek an interview
with her former husband with a view of affect-
ing a reconciliation with him. She did not

52 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
know at that time, however, that her former
husband had been married, and she did not
know even that he was contemplating
marriage. She afterwards learned that he had
been married for more than a year. When she
learned this, she seemed very much dis-
heartened. This news she got the same day
that Saxton told her that he could not carry out
the marriage contract at that time.
Some of her near friends say that when she
got this news she was apparently heart
broken. She talked but little upon the subject
but was very despondent. It is claimed that
she visited a friend of hers during the day and
spent the greater part of the day with her.
That she talked over all her troubles, and it is
reported that she said to this friend that she did
not believe that Saxton would marry her, and
that if he did not do so that she did not know
what to do nor what would become of her. She
spoke of her unfortunate condition, the break-
ing up of her family relations, that she was en-
tirely out of money and had no prospect of any,
that her reputation was gone and that she did
not have any friends upon whom she could de-
pend for support. She seemed entirely un-
settled in her calculations for the future, and
although she spoke in a despondent way about
her condition and her future yet she did not
speak harshly of Saxton or of any one else in
particular. She could not believe that he had
given her up, and yet she had no assurance that


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 53
he would not do so, in fact she had every reason
to believe that he had entirely abandoned her.
He had told her that day or perhaps the day
before that he could not get married soon on ac-
count of some business complications. Her
whole desire seemed to be, from the time of the
beginning of their unlawful relations until that
time, the wife of George D. Saxton. She had
frequently expressed herself in that way. It
was this desire on her part that caused her to
fall from the high position which she had occu-
pied in society, and now she was ruined, and
undone, without family, money or friends, her
condition was truly a pitiful one, and she real-
ized it to the fullest extent. It is not known to
the public at this time how or where she spent
the whole of the day before Saxton's death.
She occupied rooms at the residence of a Mr.
Oberlin on West Tuscarawas Street, and took
her meals at the Star Restaurant near the
Square. She had been seen on the street during
the day but there was nothing unusual about
her appearance or manner. She talked with
her friends whom she met as usual.
There is no doubt that Saxton had a pre-
monition of his tragic death some time before
it occurred. He had spoken of it to some of his
intimate friends. While he did not seem to
have any fear that Mrs. George would do him
any personal violence, he spoke of a strange
feeling which he had often experienced and pre-
dicted that something unusual would happen to

54. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
him. He often spoke of this peculiar feeling.
He had been warned from time to time by
his friends that Mrs. George would do him
personal injury, and that he should be careful
and be on his guard, but he only laughed at any
such suggestion and did not seem to have any
fear of personal violence.
THE MURDER.
On Friday evening about six o'clock of
October 7th a telephone message was received
at the police station that George D. Saxton had
been shot and killed instantly at the residence
of Eva Althouse, No. 319 Lincoln Avenue.
The wildest excitement prevailed in a few
minutes. It was reported that he had been
murdered by a woman dressed in black. The
patrol wagon started at once for the scene of
the tragedy with the turnkey of the police
station, the city marshal and two or three
police officers. They were joined on the way
by Dr. E. D. Brant, one of Canton’s physicians.
When they arrived at the Althouse residence
there was a great crowd in the street and upon
the sidewalks, and George D. Saxton was
found on the sidewalk in front of this residence
lying with his feet near the steps leading up to
the porch. His face was upturned, his right
arm was lying over his face as if to guard it
from assault and his left arm was under his
body. He was dead. The body was lifted to
the patrol wagon and was taken to Shilling's
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 55.
morgue and the Coroner was immediately
notified. It was known that threats had been
made against his life by Annie E. George, and
this gave rise to a suspicion that she had taken
his life. The police force started at once to
make search for the woman dressed in black
whom it was reported had done the shooting.
In fact the officers undertook at once to locate
Annie E. George. They visited the house in
which she had rooms at No. 1516 West Tusca-
rawas Street, and found that she was not at
home. They learned that she had left her
rooms at nine o’clock in the morning.
At about five thirty o’clock in the evening
it was learned that she had taken her supper
at the Star Restaurant, and had started west
on West Tuscarawas Street on a street car
shortly afterward. That she had left the car
at Hazlett Avenue, two blocks distant from
the Althouse residence, about six o'clock. This
street is also near Mrs. George's home, and
after she left the car no one had seen her until
some time later she had been seen up town
upon the square near the Dannemiller Block.
It was said that she was seen walking upon
the sidewalk on Fifth Street, leisurely with her
coat upon her arm. Mr. James Sterling has
his law office in this block and she had been
seen near the entrance to his office. He had
been attorney for her in some of her previous
litigation with Saxton, and it was thought that
she had called upon him for consultation.


56 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
About 8:45 o'clock, being the time that she
usually returned to her home when she had
been up street, she appeared at the house where
she had rooms, (the Oberlin residence) and
officers who were in waiting for her placed her
under arrest at once. She did not seem in the
least excited; was cool and collected; and
showed a willingness to go with the officers to
the Police Station. When told by the officers
that she was arrested on suspicion, and would
be charged with the murder of George D.
Saxton, she did not ask any questions but
simply replied that she would go with them
wherever it was necessary.
She made no inquiry about the murder and
referred to it in no way, and refused to ans-
wer any questions that were put to her on the
way to the station. Upon reaching the Police
Station where the Prosecuting Attorney and
a large crowd of citizens were in waiting,
she was taken through the crowd into the
waiting room and was there seated. Great ex-
citement prevailed. Hundreds of people were
upon the streets near the police stafion,
anxious to know who had been arrested and
when the hearing would take place.
As soon as she had taken her seat, she
asked the marshal the privilege of sending
for an attorney, and said that she desired to
have her lawyer present to look after her
rights. For some reason, this request was
denied her both by the Marshal and the Prose-

THE SAXTON BLOCK.
OWNED BY THE MURDERED MAN.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 57
cuting Attorney, and the latter immediately
commenced to question her. In answer to his
first question she said, “Pardon me, sir, I will
talk at the proper time. I do not care to ans-
wer any questions in the absence of my At-
torney.”
Among the questions asked her by the
Prosecuting Attorney were the following :
“Mrs. George, you know why you are
here, do you?” There was no answer. She did
not seem excited, was cool and dignified, and
while it was apparent that she would not talk
or answer any questions the Prosecutor
continued :
“Did you go out on a street car this eve-
ning about five o’clock ’’’ Again she made no
reply.
“I will say to you, Mrs. George,” the
Prosecutor continued, “that if you had
nothing to do with this case I do not want to
detain you a minute ; all I want is the truth
about this matter. Do you know that George
Saxton is dead?” No answer. She did not
seem to hear what he said.
“It has been said, Mrs. George, that you
threatened to kill Mr. Saxton ; is there any
truth in that report 2" Still no answer was
given, and the Prosecutor continued :
“Why did you get off the car this evening
at John Weiss’ corner and go across the lots º'
No answer.

58 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
“Did you have any business out there at
that time * Still no answer.
“Why did you come up through the
swamp to Tuscarawas Street just before you
were arrested 2* No answer.
“Where did you come from ?” She still
refused to answer.
“Now Mrs. George, if you know nothing
about this, I want the officers to let you go.
If you explain satisfactorily your whereabouts
at six o'clock to-night, I will have the officers
go out and verify it, and let you go within an
hour.”
To all of these questions she was silent and
did not speak a word. The Prosecutor went
On :
“I notice there are a good many burs on
your dress, where did they come from ?”
Receiving no answer to this or any other
questions, nothing further was asked. After
going through this ordeal in the presence of
the officers and the great crowd that had
gathered in the police headquarters, Mrs.
George was locked up in the woman’s depart-
ment of the police station to remain until such
time as was fixed for the preliminary exami-
nation. Some time during the evening a re-
porter of one of the Canton papers visited her,
and had a brief conference with her in the
prison. He said, “Circumstances are against
you in this affair, Mrs. George, what have you

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 59
to say about it?” There was no response to
this question.
“Do you remember the threat,” continued
the reporter, “the day after your little differ-
ence with Mr. Saxton in the west end ?”
Mrs. George nodded her head indicating
that she did remember, but this was the only
reply which she made to the question.
“Has any one given you the particulars of
the condition of Mr. Saxton's body, and the
effect of the bullets?” asked the reporter, his
idea being to arouse her curiosity. For the first
time since her arrest there seemed to be a
visible sign of emotion. She raised her eyes as
if to make inquiry about something, but she re-
gained her self control which characterized
all her actions during the great strain under
which she was laboring, and quickly dropped
her eyes again and there was no reply. She
was asked whether she intended to engage
attorneys. She answered that she had asked
that Mr. Sterling or Mr. Welty be called but
that the request had been refused.
“What kind of a defense can you make *
was asked.
To this there was no reply. Some time
after this Dr. Maria Pontius, a lady physician
of the city was called for the purpose of
searching the prisoner. When she appeared
at the police station she searched her
thoroughly, but found nothing that would give
rise to any suspicion that she had been guilty

60 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
of the awful deed. Dr. Pontius found burs on
her dress as if she had been through a field.
She also found that the forefinger and thumb
of the right hand were somewhat discolored,
and the search was carried to such an extent
that some of the police officers thought they
could detect the smell of burnt powder upon
her hand. After the search had been made
the crowd began to scatter and the excitement
to pass away, and Mrs. Annie F. George spent
her first night in a prison cell under suspicion
of the murder of George D. Saxton.
Some time during the next day, on Sat-
urday, a formal complaint was made by At-
torney James J. Grant, who filed an affidavit
before a Justice of the Peace, charging Annie
E. George with the willful, malicious and pre-
meditated murder of George D. Saxton.
It was the talk of the town. So much had
been said about the conduct of these two
people that they were known generally
throughout the city. It was believed that Mrs.
George had been very much wronged ; that
she had secured a divorce from her husband
with a promise on the part of Saxton that he
would marry her, and that he had refused to
do so. That for months she had been de-
spondent and heart broken, and it seemed as
if Saxton was blamed on all sides. People
expressed themselves freely and fully upon
the subject and the talk was general. During
the day representatives from the great news-

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 61
papers throughout the country arrived in the
city for the purpose of getting the news of the
tragedy correctly from headquarters, and
everything that had been said and the conduct
of the principles in the case was written up
and sent to their papers and ſpread broadcast
over the land. On account of Saxton being
the brother of the President's wife gave the
case the greatest notoriety. Everybody
seemed to sympathize with Mrs McKinley and
the President. A dispatch was immediately
sent to the President. It is said that there
was a reception at the White House that even-
ing, and that the House was filled with gaiety
and festivities. When the President received
the dispatch he was terribly shocked. He con-
cluded to suppress the news from Mrs.
McKinley, until the reception was over, and
then to break the terrible news to her as
quietly as possible. This he done. She was
almost prostrated by the news, and while her
brother had been somewhat wayward she had
the deep and sincere love and affection for
him that a true hearted woman would have
for a brother.
62 CANTON'S GRFAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER VII.
On Monday morning, the time fixed for
the preliminary examination, the "Squire's
office was crowded with people. In the mean-
time Mrs. George had procured Hon. John C.
Welty of the law firm of Welty & Albaugh,
and James Sterling, Fsq., as her Attorneys.
They had been in consultation with her on Sat-
urday and were ready to go into the examina-
tion. She was arraigned. The charge was
read to the fair prisoner, and in response when
she was asked if she was guilty or not guilty,
she firmly said, “Not guilty.” The State was
represented by Atlee Pomerene, the Prosecut-
ing Attorney, and the case proceeded.
The first witness called by the state was
Dr. E. D. Brant, the physician who went to the
scene where the murder was committed with
the police officers immediately after the news
had been given by telephone. He testified
that he had made an examination of the body
as soon as he arrived and he found that life
was extinct.
That one ball had entered the abdominal
cavity which was the cause of his death. That
the wound was necessarily fatal. He gave evi-
dence in detail of the several wounds and their
effect, and said that in his judgment death
was almost instantaneous.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 63
S. C. Rittenhouse was the next witness.
He was the motorman of the street car which
Mrs. George had taken in going west on the
night of the murder. He testified that he was
not acquainted with her personally, but that
he had seen a woman whom he was told was
Mrs. George. That she had taken the car near
the public square and had got off the car at
Hazlett Ave., two blocks from Lincoln Ave,
where the murder was committed. He said
he thought she left the car about six o'clock.
Henry J. Bederman is a carpenter who
lives at 1809 West Third St. He is the witness
whom it was reported had seen the mysterious
woman in black, fire the fatal shots. His ex-
amination was quite lengthy. He testified
that he was close by when he heard shooting.
That two shots were fired by the woman and
she then walked away for a distance of about
fifty feet. That the man who was shot had
cried feebly for help and the woman stopped,
returned and fired two more shots and then she
walked away and disappeared in the darkness.
After the shots were fired the witness said, he
went to the place where the murdered man lay,
and he found that it was George D. Saxton.
It was too dark for him to see the features of
the woman, but he was positive that she was
tall and dressed in black. -
On cross examination he said that he had
often seen Saxton at Mrs. Althouse's residence.
Officer Fred McCloud, who arrested Mrs.
64. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
George at the Oberlin home, where she had her
rooms, testified that he was at the house when
Mrs. George came home. That another officer
was with him and that he walked up and said,
“you are under arrest on suspicion.” That she
did not ask any questions but said she would
go with them to the station. He said that on
the way they asked her many questions as to
her whereabouts during the evening, but that
she had refused to answer and maintained a
dignified silence. He also said that he was
positive he had smelled gun powder on her
hand. This gave rise to some incredulous re-
marks on the part of her Attorneys, and a
general laugh was raised when one of the At-
torney’s referred to them as a “smelling
committee.”
“The fact is her hand was dirty and Dr.
Pontius scraped off the dirt 2" asked Attorney
Welty. “And what was done with the
scrapings?”
It was put in an envelope.
“Did you smell the package P”
“No.”
Further examination failed to develop any-
thing that would indicate any guilt on the part
of Mrs. George There was a spirited alter-
cation between the Prosecutor and the At-
torneys for the defense as to the whereabouts
of the revolver, each charging the other with
a knowledge of its whereabouts.
Policeman Henry Piero gave testimony







CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 65
similar to the officer who was with him at the
time of the arrest, and the questions which had
been asked Mrs. George on the way to Police
head-quarters.
Perry VanHorn, a reporter of the News
Democrat was the next witness. He testified
to a threat made by Mrs. George some months
ago that she would kill axton and of the con-
versation with her as is related heretofore. He
was asked, “ did Mrs. George tell you on that
occasion that she had often seen Mrs. Althouse
and Saxton occupying her room in the Saxton
Block?” -
He answered, “Yes, she said that was the
cause of the trouble at the Block.”
The day having been consumed with this
testimony the examination was adjourned until
the next morning at 8:30 o'clock. -
The first witness called was Harry Noble
who was janitor at the Dannemiller Block, and
he testified that Mrs. George came to the block
about seven o’clock Friday evening and asked
for Attorney Sterling. The street car con-
ductor was also called and he identified Mrs.
George as the woman who got off the car at
Hazlett Avenue the night of the murder.
After this witness left the stand the Prosecutor
announced that no more testimony would be
offered, and that he rested the case.
Thereupon Eva Althouse was called as a
witness to the defense. This created consider-
able excitement as it was known that she had



36 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
figured very extensively in the affairs of Sax-
ton and Mrs. George, and that she had always
been at enmity with Mrs. George, and it could
not be understood why she should be called as
a witness on the part of the defense. Her
testimony was offered however, and when she
took the stand Mrs. George eyed her closely,
and the expression was one of supreme con-
tempt. The witness was exaimned by Mr.
Welty and in answer to preliminary questions
she stated, that she was unmarried and was the
widow of George W. Althouse. That she had
been previously married as has been heretofore
stated. She was then asked:
“How long have you known Mr. Saxton.”
“Since I remember anything.”
“Had you a personal acquaintance with
him before Mr. Althouse’ death º
“Yes, I talked with him, but did not visit
him.” -
“When did you visit him after your
husband’s death?’”
“The first time was at James J. Grant's
office when I sold him some brick stock I
owned.”
“You saw him frequently after that?”
“When I had business I called to see him.”
“We are assuming it was all business,”
blandly remarked the Attorney.
“When you quit calling to see him on
business, he started to call to see you, did he
not?” -
-
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 67
* - Yes. »
“You live alone?”
• * Yes. »
“There is no one except yourself and
visitors in the house?”
- - No.”
“During the past year Saxton called upon
you almost daily?”
& 4 Yes. 22
“And he took you bicycle and carriage
riding, did`nt he?”
“Yes.”
“Did you go tandem or each have your
own wheel?”
“We each had our own wheel.”
“On your return did you stop at his room
or at your house?”
“Always at my house. I never stopped at
the Block cycept on business.”
“As I said before we assume it was all
business. Do you know where Mrs. George's
room was in the block º’”
“I know nothing about it.”
“The living rooms of Saxton were next to
his office were they not?”
‘‘I think so.”
“Did Saxton have a key to your house?”
“He had a pass key that fitted the front
door.”
“Did he frequently unlock the door?”
“I have known of his going there to water

68 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
the plants and feed the birds when I was
away.”
“Were you at home at the time of the
shooting 2"
“No, I was at my mother's.”
“When did you last see Saxton P’’
“On Monday evening before the shooting.”
“Was he at your house all last Saturday
night.”
“No, he was not.”
“When was the last time he was there all
night °
“He was never there all night.”
“How late did he remain º’’
** He never 1 emained later than nine
o'clock.” - -
* Were you ever in Saxton's room all
night º'
“No, sir, I was not.”
The Prosecuting Attorney objected to this
line of testimony, claiming it had no bearing
upon the case, and asked what they expected
to prove by this kind of testimony. It was
claimed by the defense that this testimony was
all important to the defense, and that it would
be made known to the Prosecutor in due time.
That the conduct of Saxton in the case was
of the greatest importance. I hat what he had
done and what his relations were with this
woman will be at issue until the close of the
final trial. That it was very important to
know what Saxton was doing at the door step













CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 69
of Mrs. Althouse with a pass key that he could
use at his pleasure, and that whether or not she
was at home on the night of the murder, and
her relations with Saxton, were all clearly com-
petent it was claimed. The question was fully
argued by Counsel on both sides and submitted
to the Justice for a decision. The Justice im-
mediately overruled the objection made by the
Prosecuting Attorney and admitted the evidence
of Mrs. Althouse. She was further asked :
“Did you ever receive a letter from Mrs.
George?” -
“Yes, she told me what she would do if she
saw me with Saxton again.”
“Your relations with Saxton continued the
same after the receipt of that letter, did they
not P’’
“Yes, sir.”
“She has not killed you yet or attempted
to, has she?”
“No, sir.”
“Were you and Saxton ever engaged to
be married ?” -
‘‘It had been talked of. He wanted to
wait until a business matter was settled.”
“He had proposed marriage to you?”
“Yes, but I had not given him an
answer.”
“You were holding the matter under ad-
visement, were you?”
-- Yes. º -
“Did Mrs. George ever talk to you when

70 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
she came around to your house *
-- Yes. »
“Was Saxton there *
“No, sir.”
“Was that the time he escaped out the
back way ?” -
“He never escaped out of the back way.”
“What did she say ”
“She said she would cut my heart out if
she caught me with Saxton again.” “She
dared me to come outside, calling me nearly
every name in the English language.”
“What were the names *
“Please, is it necessary for me to tell
them º' pleaded the witness, and the Attorney
did not force the question.
“What did you do the nigiit she saw you
with Saxton, after you returned from a bicycle
ride º'
‘’I dropped my wheel and ran, when I saw
her.”
“You and Saxton had both been drinking,
had you not ?”
“I beg your pardon, I had not.”
“That was not the night, then *
“No, nor no other night.”
The testimony was here closed on both
sides and the case was argued at length by the
Attorneys. It was contended on the part of the
defense, that there was no evidence on which
the accused could be held, that the evidence
did not justify even a suspicion that Mrs.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 71
George had committed this murder ; while
the Prosecutor claimed that the evidence
was sufficient to bind her over to Court.
The case was submitted to the Justice, who,
after a careful consideration, rendered quite a
lengthy decision. He reviewed the testimony
fully, holding that the evidence was sufficient to
bind her over to the Grand Jury, intimating
at the same time while the evidence was not
sufficient upon a trial to a jury, yet in a pre-
liminary hearing it was not required to be as
strong as upon trial to a jury. The decision
was that she be remanded to jail of the County
and there confined until discharged by due pro-
cess of law.
Mrs. George sat stolidly by during this try-
ing ordeal without any apparent emotion, only
at one time a tear was seen slowly coursing
down her cheek, but she quickly regained her
composure and began an interesting conversa-
tion with her Attorneys, and afterward talked
interestedly with one of her boys, who was
present during all the time of the trial. He is
a bright, handsome young boy, and seemed to
be very much interested in the fate of his un-
fortunate mother.
Immediately after the decision Mrs. George
was taken from the office of the Justice
through the crowd down to the street. The
sidewalk was crowded with people who were
unable to gain admittance to the trial. She
was the cynosure of all eyes as she passed

72 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
through on her way to the jail. Everyone
tried to get a view of her face, and it was a
trying ordeal for her to pass through, but she
did not wince. While there was nothing
brazen in her appearance, she was dignified,
and with a determined look upon her face she
passed through it all, and was taken to a cell
in the County jail, where she remained from
that time on until she was next brought before
the Common Pleas Court, after an indictment
had been found by the Grand Jury charging
her with the murder in the first degree of
George D. Saxton.
CHAPTER VIII.
President McKinley and Mrs. McKinley at-
tended the funeral. They arrived in Canton on
Sunday morning, accompanied by some of their
immediate friends. They immediately went to
the Barber residence where the body of George
D. Saxton lay. Mrs. McKinley was visibly af.
fected, almost prostrated in fact by the un-
fortunate and untimely death of her brother.
The President too was much affected. The
funeral on Monday was private, it was only at-
tended by the relatives and some of the most in-
timate friends, and was a sad occasion. Every-
EVA. D. ALTHOUSE,
WHOSE ASSOCIATION WITH SAXTON CAUSED COMMENT.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 73
body sympathized with Mrs. McKinley and the
President. They keenly felt the unfortunate
notoriety of the occasion. They remained in
Canton until the next day, when they left for
Chicago on a trip that had been previously
contemplated.
The will of George D. Saxton was afterward
probated. The entire estate was left to the
children of his sister Mrs. M. C. Barber, to
whom he had always been very warmly at-
tached. This will was dated April 11th, 1898.
He had some time previous to the making of
this will, made a will which left the income of
the estate, only, to Mrs. Barber and Mrs.
McKinley, but after the election of Major
McKinley to the Presidency he made a new will
and left the entire estate to the children of Mrs.
Barber, as has been said heretofore. Saxton
was very much attached to his sisters and to
the children of Mrs. Barber. While they did not
approve of a great deal of his conduet yet their
relations were always the most cordial and
that brotherly love which rises higher than the
greatest defects in character, predominated, he
was always very attentive to his sisters and af-
fectionate to the children.
The President has in no way taken any part
in the prosecution of the supposed murderess of
George D. Saxton, but has quietly permitted the
law to take its course without any interference
on his part in any way. He has shown no feel-
ing in the matter but maintained a dignified


74. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
silence upon the subject, all of which is
characteristic of him.
It has been a matter of much speculation as
to how it come that Saxton visited the residence
of Mrs. Althouse on the evening of the murder,
as it is known that she was not at home at
that time and had not been for several days;
that she was at her mother's home attending to
her sick mother, and had been for several days.
It is said that Saxton had a key to her house
and that he was in the habit of going there in
the evening to water the plants and to attend a
canary bird, and it is supposed that he went
there that evening for this purpose. While it is
claimed by others that he went there in response
to a decoy letter that he had received request-
1ng him to go to the house that evening at the
request of Mrs. Althouse. This, however, is
only heresay and it is hardly to be believed. He
had not been seen by any of his immediate
friends after he had taken his supper until the
murder in front of Mrs. Althouse's residence.
He visited the place on a bicycle and was about
to step up on the porch when he met the
woman in black and the shots were imme-
diately fired.
When Mrs. George was taken to the County
Jail she was very much depressed for a short
time. She occupied the apartment which was
set aside for female prisoners. She was
comfortably situated, the room was light and
as cheerful as could be under the circumstances.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 75
She had a good bed and a part of the time she
had her meals furnished her from a restaurant
near the jail. She spent her time mostly in
needle work, reading novels and other general
reading.
A great many persons from curiosity called
to see her but were refused admittance unless
an order was given to them by her attorneys.
She had been strictly advised to not talk with
any person upon the subject of the murder, and
to not talk at all unless it was an acquaintance
who was particularly friendly to her. Her at-
torneys kept a strict surveilance over her and
were careful to see that no person could be per-
mitted to talk to her unless they knew that
such person had not been sent for the purpose
of getting information from her for the use of
the prosecution.
Some time after her incarceration she
seemed more cheerful than she had been for
months before. She regained her health to
some extent and seemed to enjoy herself in her
confined quarters. Her attorneys visited her
frequently in her room for consultation, and in
conversation with them it was surprising to see
the tact that she exhibited in the preparation
of her case.
She is a woman of remarkable intelligence
and sound judgment. It was known that the
Prosecuting Attorney was active in procuring
testimony to present to the Grand Jury at the
commencement of the January term of court,
76 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
at which time it was expected that the case
would be presented to the Grand Jury. The
term opened as usual and the Court in charging
the Grand Jury as is the custom, and as the
Statute requires, called the attention of the
Jury expressly to this case.
A number of witnesses had been summoned
to appear before the Grand Jury in the case,
and while the proceedings were kept strictly
secret it was known that the case was under
consideration and was being investigated.
Mrs. George was very much interested during
this time in what was going on. She could
hardly hope that there would be no indictment
found, for the reason that only one side of the
prosecution would be presented to the Jury, and
she hardly expected that they would fail to in-
dict, however she still had hopes that they
would not. Her attorneys were on the alert
and while they did not know what was going
on before the Grand Jury in detail, they had a
general idea of the character of the testimony
that was procured.
After several days an indictment for murder
in the first degree was presented, charging Mrs.
Annie E. George with the willful, malicious and
premeditated murder of George D. Saxton. As
said before she was not surprised and neither
were her attorneys, but by some means it had
leaked out that the Prosecuting Attorney had a
great deal of trouble to procure an indictment
for murder in the first degree or to procure one

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 77
for any other degree. That some of the jury
were opposed to an indictment and that it was
found upon the bare statutory majority, which
was twelve out of the fifteen members. But as
such proceedings are required by the Statute to
be kept secret even after the indictment has
been returned, it was difficult to get the facts
correctly or to learn what had actually been
done while the case was under consideration.
As soon as the indictment was returned, a
copy was made and furnished to her attorneys
in the case. It was carefully examined and
preparations were made to raise all the
questions which could be available so as to be
in shape to present them to a higher Court if a
conviction was had when the case was tried.
A great number of questions were raised in the
motion to quash the indictment, plea in abate-
ment and demurrer which were filed in their
order.
All of these questions had to be disposed of
by the Court before the accused could be called
upon to enter her plea of not guilty to the
charges. During the presentation and argu-
ment of all these questions Mrs. George was
brought to the Court room so as to be present
during the proceedings. On all these occasions
when she was brought to the Court room great
crowds of people would gather, manifesting the
most profound interest in what was going on.
She would take her place at the counsel table
beside her attorneys, always neatly dressed and


78 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
presenting a very good appearance. While she
knew that the eyes of the crowd were upon her,
and it was a trying ordeal for to pass through,
yet she showed a great interest in all that was
being done on her behalf by her attorneys, as
well as the arguments made by the Prosecuting
Attorney against her. She was modest in her
demeanor, had a serious expression on her face,
and seldom smiled no matter what the occasion
might be.
That public sentiment was very much in her
favor there could be no doubt. Many who at-
tended these hearings were outspoken in her
favor, and in condemning the conduct of the
victim of the tragedy. The questions presented
at all these preliminary hearings were ably and
exhaustively argued by her attorneys. Every
point was carefully guarded and the rights of
the accused amply protected on all sides. The
Court decided however that the indictment was
sufficient and overruled the motions and de-
murrers. Mrs. George was then brought before
the Court to enter her plea. The usual crowd
had gathered and she had taken her seat by the
side of her attorneys as she had at all times
before, and after a few minutes conversation
with them, the Court asked if the accused was
ready to enter her plea.
Being answered in the affirmative she was
ordered by the Court to stand up. She arose
and the Clerk read the indictment.
After the reading of each count she was

CAGTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 79
asked, “Are you guilty or not guilty?” She
answered each time in a clear and distinct voice
“Not guilty.”
After the whole indictment had been read,
and she had responded “not guilty” to each of
the charges, she was told by the court to take
her seat, which she did. She was not excited in
this trying time, but presented a dignified de-
meanor and seemed relieved when it was all
over. After considerable parleying between the
court and counsel on both sides, the time for
the trial was fixed for April 4th, 1899, and a
jury was ordered to be selected in the mode pre-
scribed by the statute, and to be summoned to
appear on the day fixed for the trial to
CO111111ence.
The jury selected consisted of thirty-six men
from whom a jury of twelve were to be selected
to try the case.
CHAPTER IX.
The attorneys on both sides now realized
the great responsibility which they had as-
sumed, and which was now upon them. They
began the preparation of the case in earnest.
Every phase was carefully considered, and
plans were made to procure testimony and ar-
range it in proper order for the trial.
80 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
It was apparent that the officers for the
prosecution were laboring under disadvantage
and were having trouble to connect Mrs.
George with the murder. There was an abund- -
ance of testimony to show that the murder had
been committed; several persons had heard the
reports of the revolver; the murdered man was
found upon the sidewalk weltering in his blood;
but no person had actually see nthe shooting
nor the person who had done the shooting. -
One witness could be procured, as the State -
claimed, who would testify that he had seen a
woman dressed in black in front of the Althouse
residence where Saxton fell, that after the first
two shots had been fired, she walked away
several yards and then returned to where the
body lay, and fired two more shots and dis-
appeared in the dark. The attorneys for the
defense were anxious to ascertain the truth of
this report, and in a short time they learned
who that witness was.
Sometime before the trial, a policeman
found a revolver under a culvert some distance
from the scene of shooting. This created a
great deal of excitement; the newspapers gave
an account of the finding of the revolver, and
the place where it was found, and claimed that
it could be identified as the revolver which Mrs.
George had purchased a year before in Chicago.
A short time after this excitement had subsided,
another revolver was found near the place
where the murder was committed. This it was












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 81
claimed also belonged to Mrs. George. This
revolver was found in a tuft of grass where it
had been secreted, it was claimed, after the
murder, by Mrs. George.
This and other reports kept up a ferment of
excitement until the trial began. The at-
torneys for the defense applied to the court for
an order to take the depositions of a number of
witnesses at Canton, South Dakota; Sioux
City, Iowa, and Detroit, Michigan. The
divorce was procured at Canton, South
Dakota, and testimony was taken there show-
ing that Saxton and Mrs. George had been in
that city for sometime, while that proceeding
was pending and occupied rooms at a hotel.
Also testimony was taken showing their con-
duct toward each other, and that Saxton paid
all the expenses including the costs of the
divorce and the attorney fees. The testimony
of the Goldberg Brothers was taken in Detroit,
Michigan. They had occupied a room in the
Saxton Block as a general store during nearly
all the time the Georges occupied rooms in the
block. One of the Goldberg brothers was
present when Saxton and Mrs. George first
met, and he testified that Mrs. George had
come to their store to do some shopping. That
Saxton was in the store, that he met Mrs.
George there, and after she left the store he
inquired of the witness who she was. He was
told that she was Mrs. George. He seemed
anxious to meet her, and said to the witness

82 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
that he would see more of her in the future, and
that he would make her acquaintance, and
gave the witness to understand that he was
very much impressed with her madner.
These depositions were taken and placed upon
file, and the preparation of the case went on
upon both sides.
A few days before the trial, much excitement
was caused by a report that Mrs. Althouse, an
important witness for the State, had left the
city and would not be present upon the trial.
It was claimed that she was an important wit-
ness on behalf of the State. That she had
absented herself so as not to appear upon the
trial. As heretofore stated, she had figured ex-
tensively in the affairs of Mr. Saxton and Mrs.
George, and it was stated that she would not
appear as a witness, if it could be avoided. A
summons had been issued for her by the
prosecution and placed in the hands of the
sheriff, but she could not be found. This
created a great deal of comment; it was quietly
charged by both sides, that she had been
spirited away so that her testimony could not
be had. There were no grounds for such charges
on either side, because her testimony was
wanted on both sides of the case. She evidently
did not want to testify for the reason that her
conduct had been such that she knew she would
be subjected to severe criticism, especially by the
attorneys for Mrs. George. The Prosecuting At-
torney was somewhat censured for not having



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 83
a subpoena issued in time to procure service
upon her before she left. This would have
compelled her attendance. A great many wit-
nesses were summoned by the defense, who
had known Mrs. George for years, and who
would testify to her good character for peace
and good order. Quite a number were taken
from Hanoverton, where Mrs. George was born
and grew up. Also from Canton and other
places where she had resided and was known.
The case was now thoroughly prepared on
both sides. Every item of testimony that
could be procured was carefully gathered and
placed in order for the trial.
The attorneys on both sides were on the alert
and were very active in the preparation of the
case. The attorneys for the defense are able
and experienced lawyers. Mr. Welty is de-
cidedly the best criminal lawyer in the county.
He had served six years as Prosecuting At-
torney for Stark County and had a large and
varied experience in the trial of criminal cases,
and also of civil business. He is an indefatiga-
ble worker and most successful at cross-examin-
ation. He is an attorney of great ability, and
his management of the case and his argument
to the jury were looked forward to with much
interest and expectation. Mr. Sterling is also
a lawyer of much experience and ability, a good
advocate and a thorough and tactful practi.
tioner. Mrs. George had the utmost confidence
in her attorneys, and she was of great assist-

84. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
ance to them on account of her good judgment
and energy in preparing her case for trial. She
claimed at all times that she was not guilty of
the crime of murder, and that she would be ac-
quitted, and looked forward to the verdict of
the jury as a thorough vindication.
Mr. Pomerene, the Prosecuting Attorney,
was assisted by James J. Grant, who was ap-
pointed by the Court for that purpose. They
are both good lawyers and the interests of the
State were well cared for upon the trial of the
Case.
&

THE TRIAL
CHAPTER X.
As the day fixed for the trial approached,
the excitement became more intense. Never
had there been a criminal case tried in the
county which awakened such an interest as
the case of the State of Ohio against Annie E.
George, charged with murder in the first degree.
The relatives of the murdered man were
among the most prominent people of the
county. He was the only brother of President
McKinley's wife, and while the President did
not seem to take any interest whatever in the
case, yet it was known that he was anxious
that the case should be fairly tried and was sat.
isfied to have the law take its course. The 4th
day of April, the day fixed for the trial to
commence, court opened with Judge Taylor on
the Bench. Crowds of people had gathered in
the corridors of the court house, anxious to
gain admittance as soon as the court room
would be opened.
86 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
At nine o'clock Judge Taylor took his seat
upon the Bench and ordered the Sheriff to bring
the prisoner into court. The court room filled
at once with persons anxious to gain admit-
tance, and the seats were soon occupied and
standing room was at a premium. The
prisoner was brought into Court and took a
seat at the Counsel table by the side of her
attorneys. She looked pale and careworn,
and had an anxious expression on her face. She
was neatly and tastefully dressed. She engaged
in a brief conversation with her attorneys and
then took a look over the vast audience, whose
eyes were all riveted upon her. It was a strange
scene. Usually in the trial of murder cases the
prisoner is a vicious and dangerous looking
person, but in this case the prisoner is not only
handsome, but an innocent, harmless looking
woman without the faintest expression of
cruelty upon her face. She did not seem ex-
cited, but rather looked as if she realized that
she had an ordeal to go through, and that
she was willing to do her part in the drama
that was to be enacted. Counsel on both sides
were present, sitting at their respective tables.
The Court called the case of the State of Ohio
against Annie E. George, and inquired if the
parties were ready for trial, and the Counsel on
both sides responded that they were.
The work of empaneling the jury then
began. This was exceedingly tedious. The case
had become so notorious that men who were


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 87.
called into the Jury box generally had heard
and read of the case, and had formed and ex-
pressed opinions as to the guilt or innocence of
the accused, and that such opinions were so
firmly fixed that it would require evidence to
remove them; all such persons were challenged
by the parties and excused by the Court. Four
days were required to impannel the jury. At
last twelve men were selected whom both
parties seemed satisfied with, and upon whom
the responsibility of the great case depended.
During the time occupied in selecting the jury,
from Tuesday morning until Friday afternoon,
the court house was crowded with people eager
to catch every word that was uttered by the
Attorneys or the Court in the selection of the
Jury. The accused was present and the eager-
ness with which she watched the proceedings in
the selection of the jury was remarkable. She
was consulted at all times by her attorneys as
to the qualifications of the men who were
called as jurors to decide her fate, and her judge-
ment was valuable to her attorneys. She
seemed possessed of remarkable tact in the se-
lection of the jury on account of the qualifica-
tion which she possessed to judge human nature.
Each person called as a juror was sworn first
to answer the questions submitted to them as
to their qualification; upwards of one hundred
and twenty-five were thus called before the jury
was completed.
The State at an early stage of the case ex-
88 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
hausted its two peremptory challenges, the
defense had sixteen peremptory challenges as
provided by the Statute. When a person was
called who was not acceptable to the defense
the juror was challenged if possible for cause,
but if they were qualified by their examination
they were then challenged peremptorily by the
defense.
On Friday afternoon at about 3:30 o'clock,
Joseph Ball was called, the panel was then full.
The State made an effort to get rid of this juror
by a challenge for cause, but the challenge was
over-ruled by the Court and the defense was
then asked if they were satisfied with the jury,
and they promptly answered that they were,
and the jury was complete. The defense then
had eight peremptory challenges left which they
could have used if necessary.
It was a subject of general remark that the
jury selected was composed of good men; they
were generally men of business qualifications,
who had experience in the every day affairs of
life, and were regarded as well qualified to
decide the grave issue between the State of Ohio
and the prisoner at the bar. The jury was
sworn by the Clerk, and the Court directed the
Prosecuting Attorney to state the case on
behalf of the State to the jury. Mr. Pomerene,
the Prosecuting Attorney, immediately arose
and addressed the Jury:
“Gentlemen of the Jury,” the Prosecutor
said, “this indictment charges Annie E. George










WHERE SAxton Resided.
RESIDENCE OF HIS SISTER, MRS. M. C. BARBER.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 89
with murder in the first degree.” He then read
the indictment to the Jury and in describing the
wounds he said; “there were four wounds in
Saxton's body, the one struck him about the
middle of the chest and took an upward course
to the shoulder blade, grazing the skin for a
distance of five or six inches, then entering
under the skin and coming out just on the
shoulder; that was not a fatal wound; the
second wound entered the right chest near the
nipple, entering into the fleshy part of the body,
and made a wound of perhaps two or two and
a half inches in length, the bullet did not enter
the vital parts and that wound was not fatal;
there were two other wounds, one on the left
side (I may not give you the exact point of this
wound) but it entered between the ribs and
down through the vital organs, cut through
the end of the stomach and through the smaller
intestines, probably making four different
wounds through the smaller intestines. I think
the testimony will show to you that that
wound was fatal, but not immediately fatal.
The fourth wound was made by a bullet enter-
ing the left side, went through some of the
intestines and cut off one of the larger arteries,
which was perhaps about the size of a lead
pencil, and that wound caused almost im-
mediate death, so that he bled to such an
extent that at the autopsy the entire ab-
dominal cavity was filled with blood. So much
for the condition of the body as it was shown


90 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
by the post mortem examination.”
“The testimony will show you that this
crime was committed on Lincoln Avenue in this
city on the night of the 7th of October last, a
very few minutes after 6 o'clock. In order that
you may understand what I may say as to the
location of the place where the murder was
committed, I have a plat by the County
Surveyor, which will assist us in the investiga-
tion. At the point where Lincoln Avenue inter-
sects with West Third street is an electric arc
light, which was burning at the time of the
murder; on the south-west corner of the inter-
section of West Third street with Lincoln
avenue is a residence, a property known as the
Glick home.”
The prosecutor then gave the location of
the Althouse residence, and other objects of
interest in the immediate vicinity in detail and
then continued:
“We expect to show you, gentlemen of the
jury, that on the night of the tragedy, about
twenty minutes past five o'clock, the defendant
left the restaurant where she had taken her
supper, and went west on Tuscara was street.
That George D. Saxton, about the same time,
went westwardly on his wheel; the two were
on that street at the same time. We expect to
show you that on this very night at about that
time the defendant was on the hunt for her
victim. She got on the street car westward
bound about ten or fifteen minutes before the
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 91
hour of six. She passed the place where she
lived or where she had rooms, known as the
Oberlin house, which is the first house on the
south side of Tuscarawas street, west of the
bridge.”
She did not stop there, but went across the
bridge and got off the car at Hazlett Avenue.
The testimony will show that as she got off
the car she went in the direction of the Alt-
house residence, when she got to the place the
people were generally at their evening meal;
the first thing to disturb the quiet was the
quick report, twice in succession, of a revolver.
The testimony will show you that Saxton got
off his wheel right there in front of the Alt-
house residence; that this woman approached
him and fired twice almost as quick as you
could count. After she had fired two shots she
started away. There was a call as if for help.
She turned around, walked deliberately back to
Saxton's body, and fired two more shots She
was not content yet, There was a moan; she
went back, stooped down over the body to
satisfy herself that it was beyond mortal help,
and then she ran away. She went down the
sidwalk to one of the vacant lots, the second
one south of the Althouse residence.”
“There is a cross walk over this vacant lot
to the alley, and it was across this walk that
she disappeared in the darkness. Within a few
minutes after the firing a report was sent to po-
lice headquarters and search was begun, but the



92 UANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
woman was not then about her usual haunts.
The testimony will convince you that she took
perhaps the course down Deuber Avenue to
South street, up South street, and the next
thing that is seen of her after leaving that
street, she appears at Mr. Sterling's office. This
is within an hour after the crime was com-
mitted. She then took a course along Fifth
street, finally she went into Tuscarawas street
in the direction of her home, which was at that
time at the Oberlin residence. The officers
were in waiting there for her. They approached
her and she was put under arrest, but not a word
was uttered by her. She did not ask what she
was arrested for, nor anything else. At the
time she was laboring under suppressed excite-
ment, and she was perspiring freely. She was
then taken to the city prison.”
“On the way to the prison, different
questions were asked her but she made no re-
ply. She went to the prison and was there in-
quired of by myself.”
“I will not detail the questions which were
asked, but I think the testimony will show that
the questions were asked in no unkind spirit,
but for the purpose only of eliciting the truth.
There was no reply, except perhaps to one
question, in which she said she would talk
when the time come. It was noticed that eve-
ning that her right hand was discolored by
burned powder, the forefinger and the thumb
particularly; that the conduct of this woman
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 93
from the time that the crime was committed
was that of a woman who was conscious of her
guilt. The testimony will further show as
leading up to the tradegy, that for a couple of
years prior to it and right up to the very day
that this offense was committed, and on the
day that she killed Saxton, that she repeatedly
threatened that she would kill him. There
will be no question when the proof is in, that
this is the woman who done the deed. That
she had thoroughly canvassed the situation;
that she had adroitly laid her plans to do it;
that she laid these plans before different
persons, that she did not care what the conse-
quences were to herself, but that she was de-
termined to kill this man; that she went even
into details as to what she would do with the
revolver after the crime was committed; that
there was deliberation, premeditation, that
there was malice, and there will be no doubt in
your minds, when you have heard this case. A
malice not born of legitimate disappointment,
but it is malice that can only lurk in the bosom
of an adventuress.” -
“It will be contended on the part of the de-
fense, no doubt, that improper relations existed
between Saxton and the prisoner. I care not
what the testimony will be on that point, suffice
it to say that the position of the State is that
whatever may have occured there was no justi-
fication for this crime; there was not even a
legitimate provocation.”


94. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
“The testimony will show further, and I
recognize that the State will be handicapped
somewhat by the fact that one of the parties
to the tradegy is silent in his grave. The
testimony will show, I think, to your satis-
faction, that whatever may have been their
relations, that this woman by her conduct for-
feited every confidence which he, or any other
living man could have in a woman.”
CHAPTER XI.
After this statement had been concluded
Court adjourned until Saturday morning, and
the prisoner was again taken to her cell. She
had given the closest attention to the state-
ment made by the Prosecuting Attorney, and
at times exhibited considerable feeling.
On Saturday morning, at 8:30 o'clock, Court
opened as usual and the jury-men took their
places in the jury box. The Court then directed
the Counsel for the defense to make the opening
statement.
Mr. Welty arose deliberately and addressed
the jury; the statement of facts as detailed by

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 95
him were very interesting. The great crowd in
the Court room listened to every word as it fell
from the lips of the attorney. It was a talk of
surpassing interest told in connected form as a
plain recital of facts. There was no pretense at
oratory; no appeal for approval. It was like a
prelude to a drama and did not reveal as much
as a hint of the actual line of defense. Mrs.
George understood the importance of the
moment; she moved forward in her chair and
rested her head against her hand which held a
handkerchief. Her two boys sat near her
during the statement which told of their
mother's shame. The prisoner was overcome
by emotion as the story told in chronological
order of her connections with Saxton and her
downfall.
The attorney said that she was born and
raised in an adjoining County. She was of
humble, but honest parentage; she lived in the
little town of Hanoverton. There she married
Sample C. George, and three children were born
to them. That they had a pleasant home until
1885. Mrs. George at that time was about
twenty-six years of age. Then they moved to
Canton with a view of bettering their con-
dition. They brought with them their two
boys and moved into the Saxton Block. Mrs.
George prior to this time, had never been so far
from home. She had lived her entire life up to
that time in the little village of Hanoverton,
and she came to Canton an upright and a
virtuous woman.


96 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
One day she was shopping in the Goldberg
store and she met George D. Saxton. That was
a fatal day for her. On that day Saxton got
sight of her and marked her for his own. Saxton
was the proprietor of the block in which they
moved. He had lived in this city all his life
time; he had had every advantage that wealth,
power and influence could give him; he was no
novice in the business which he afterward
followed with this defendant. As the landlord,
he called upon Mr. and Mrs. George. He visited
her family from time to time; no one mis-
trusted what his object was.
Mrs. George had had no experience in
the ways of the world in which Saxton was an
expert. He visited their rooms frequently from
time to time during the years 1886 and 1887.
Gradually he portrayed to Mrs. George the
humble position which she occupied, and repre-
sented to her that she was fitted for a higher
and better position; that she was not only
too good to be the wife of an humble carpenter,
but that she should be the wife of the proprie-
tor of the block. Not only had he represented
to Mrs. George that she was fitted for other
spheres, but he was persistent in his efforts, and
as an evidence of this he commenced to seek her
affections by giving her presents, little trifling
affairs at first, which were scornfully refused
by the accused. He was not daunted, but
he continued, and so persistent were his efforts,
that Mrs. George advised her husband to move


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 97.
from the block. They did so, but he continned
to visit them in their new home. His advance-
ments continued until in 1889, and through his
continued efforts, Mrs. George unfortunately
consented to the alliance.
After he had ruined her, he then secured a
separation from her husband and family. With
his own money he paid the expenses of a
divorce from her husband; he sent her to South
Dakota and kept her there until she procured a
divoree. All this was done on the pretext that
she should become his wife. He had sincerely
promised, that as soon as the divorce was ob-
tained, he would marry her.
He remained with her part of the time in
Dakota. After the divorce was granted, she re-
turned home and took rooms in the Saxton
Block again. Saxton had now won her love
and affections.
“I say to you in the light of the testimony
that will appear, that from that time until the
day he died, he had the affections of Mrs.
George, exclusively. She was willing to do his
bidding at all times. She was but putty in his
hands.”
After she moved into the Saxton block he
supported her; they, in fact, lived together. It
was not long, however, until he began to tire of
her. She noticed a change in his disposition;
she began to realize the true inwardness of his
intrigues. She began to suspect that his pre-
tended love was but for the single purpose of
98 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
obtaining possession of her; she grieved over
this. In a short time she was convinced of the
reality. Litigation began between Mrs.
George and Saxton; her whole purpose was to
become his wife. She now realized that that
could never be. We claim that the testimony
will show, that after accomplishing the ruin-
ation of the family, and the separation of the
family and the divorcement of the wife, he
afterwards turned upon her, turned her out of
house and home, and she was bereft of
husband, home and family, and was an outcast
in the world. She brought an action against
him for a violation of his promise of marriage
in this court, which was pending until 1896.
Other litigation was begun by the former
husband against Saxton for the alienation of
his wife's affections.
Saxton appreciated the necessity of the
friendship of Mrs. George in these cases. He
knew that she would be an important witness
for him, and he sought a reconcilliation with
her, and used her for his purposes in that behalf
until the cases were finally settled; then he
again cast her off and refused to perform his
part in the marriage contract. “I say to you, in
the light of what I believe the testimony will
show, not only did Mrs. George never commit a
crime against George Saxton, but her heart
was always warm for him, and that he
possessed her undivided love and affection. I
can say, gentlemen of the jury, Mrs. George is


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 99.
not guilty of the crime, and when you hear the
proof that will be offered in her behalf, you will
come to the same conclusion.”
During this statement, it could be seen that
the entire audience was in close sympathy with
the accused; in fact, at times there could be
seen and heard a disposition almost on the part
of the audience to applaud, when points were
made in the statement favorable to the accused.
The best of order though was maintained
throughout, and after the statement was
finished the court ordered the attorneys for the
prosecution to call their first witness. John S.
Hoover took the stand.
He testified that he had made a survey of
the premises where the murder had been com-
mitted, and he gave in detail the distances, the
location of certain houses where it was claimed
persons had heard the report of the revolver,
and a plate was produced which he had made
and which was offered in evidence, but on ac-
count of its not being correct, it was excluded
by the court.
The Prosecuting Attorney then moved that
the court permit the jury to view the premises,
where the murder had taken place.
Mrs. George, with the Deputy Sheriff, ac-
companied them in a carriage. She remained
in the carriage while the jury viewed the
premises. She seemed to be very much inter-
ested in what was going on, and after they had
viewed the premises they returned to court.
-
100 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and the court them adjourned until ten o'clock
Monday morning. -
Sunday was a day of rest for Mrs. George,
the excitement of the week had tired her some-
what, but her remarkable spirit did not permit
her to lose interest under the trying
circumstances.
As a matter of fact, there was but once
during the week that her nerves were tried to
their most severe tension, and that was during
the opening statement of the case for the State.
She was also very much affected, but in an en-
tirely different way, by the statement made by
her attorney, so when Sunday came it found
her needful of the rest that had been denied
her during the week. She was visited by a few
friends in the jail on Sunday with whom she
entered into conversation in a cheerful way,
and the day was passed almost before she
realized that she was much in need of rest.
She did not discuss her case with her visitors,
but talked freely on other general matters of
interest.
During the day a New York Herald corre-
spondent called to see Mrs. George by per-
mission of her attorneys, and in conversation
with her, she said she had spent the day as
pleasantly as could be expected. “Unfortun-
ately,” she said “religious services are held
here only once a fortnight, and this is an off-
day. I enjoy the Bible reading, the singing and
the spiritual conversation very much. To-day












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 101
I had my two precious boys, Howard and New-
ton, with me during the morning, and we spent
several hours reading the Bible and praying
together, They are a great consolation to me,
and help me bear up under my terrible burden
and trouble. This afternoon I refused to see
many callers, but I did receive an old school
teacher to whom I went to school twenty-seven
years ago, when I was fourteen years old. His
name is James Hudson, and he was a good
friend as well as preceptor. His words of good
cheer have been very pleasant to me. You ask
me about my pastor ; that has been a subject of
sorrow to me; I have been a member of the
Church of Christ of Canton. The pastor has
evidently accepted the horrible charge against
me as true, and has placed me beyond the pale
of Christianity.”
“He is Rev. Clarence A. Hill, and I have
waited in vain for him to come to see me. I
have always thought him a true follower of the
Master, but he seems to have shunned me, even
me the humblest of his flock, and the one in the
most dire need of the help which can only come
from Him whom we all worship. Perhaps my
name has been erased from the church rolls,
but as I read the Bible that does not make my
case hopeless. It makes me sad to know that
those who have expressed the greatest charity
for me have been those who knew me not in the
Church.”
Monday morning court opened at ten
102 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
o'clock. The jury were all present and took their
places in the jury box. Mrs. George appeared,
very tastefully dressed and looked as if she had
been much refreshed by her rest on Sunday.
The first witness called was Charles R.
Frazier, the Humane officer of the City. He
testified that he was at the Police Station when
the telephone message came that Saxton had
been killed. He went with the officers in the
patrol wagon to the scene of the murder. That
he knew Saxton very well in his life time.
“When we got to the Althouse residence on
Lincoln Avenue, we found a body near the side
walk. The body was lying in a doubled up
position; one foot was on the step, and the other
upon the grass. The body was not lying full
length upon the walk but the right arm was at
full length. The left hand was turned toward
the face, the head was close to the outer edge of
the walk. We lifted the body up but he was
dead. Word was sent to Mr. M. C. Barber, a
brother-in-law of Saxton, for directions where
the body should be taken. His bicycle was
standing at the curb, and it was taken across
the street and left there to be called for later.”
The witness described minutely the position of
the body, and on cross examination said that
only eight minutes elapsed from the time that
the telephone message had been received until
they arrived on the scene of the murder.
He also described the wounds upon the
body; that a bullet had been found when the


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 103
shirt front was opened, “The night was very
dark, and I do not know whether it was raining,
I do not know whether it was foggy or not, but
it was very dark.” Mr. Frazier's testimony was
very important to the defense because it was
claimed by the State that Mrs. George would be
identified by persons who claimed to know her,
and who would testify that they had seen her do
the shooting.
Dr. E. D. Brant was called as a witness.
He had accompanied Mr. Frazier and the officers
on the patrol wagon to the scene of the murder.
He described the position of the body, he said
there were about fifty people on the sidewalk
when he arrived; he saw two bullet marks and
found a bullet loose on the breast; the bullet was
here produced by the Doctor. A piece of the
shirt clung to the bullet, that had been in his
possession since that night. The bullet had
struck a suspender buckle and the buckle was
broken in a number of pieces. He testified that
he had made an examination and found the man
dead, the body was in a relaxed condition and
was still very warm ; he thought he had been
dead six or eight minutes before he arrived.
He said the body was taken to the morgue and
prepared for the post mortem examination. A
description of the wounds was given; there were
four wounds but only three of the bullets were
found. The first two wounds were merely
superficial, the third wound was a very danger-
ous one, but the victim might have lived for

104. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
some time. The fourth was fatal and would pro-
duce death in from three to five minutes. An ex-
amination of the vital organs showed that they
were in a normal condition. Dr. Brant testified
that death was due to gun shot wounds entering
near the umbilicus and tearing its way through
the abdominal cavity, which cavity was filled with
blood. Other physicians assisted in the post
mortem examination.
Here the Prosecutor introduced the clothes
that Saxton wore on the night of the shooting.
The vest was closely examined; it was a black
vest and somewhat worn.
* There are more holes in the vest now than
there were then, one of these holes seems to
have a discoloration around it, which was caused
by the fire from the revolver.” The coat was
also shown to witness, and a powder marked
bullet hole was found in it, the coat was soiled
and considerably worn. A little flower, dried
but yet remarkably well preserved was still in
the lapel of the coat. The suspenders and the
shirt were also shown to witness who identified
them fully.
On cross examination the Doctor testified
that he did not know in what order the shots had
been fired, that the fourth wound as described
by him was the one which caused death.
The bullet which caused that wound had not
been found. He again described the post
mortem examination at some length and the re-
sult of that examination. That a satchel was
ANNIE. E. GeoRGE's CELL IN THE County JAIL.




CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 105
found nearby the body, and that it contained a
bottle of champagne, and that there were several
cigars in his vest pocket. That the first two
wounds could not have caused death; they could
only have contributed to the shock. He would
not say that the third wound would not have
caused death. Death might have followed in a
few minutes and he might have survived
twenty-four hours. The fourth wound was
necessarily fatal in three or four minutes.
Dr. A. B. Walker, Dr. A. C. Brant and Dr.
Gans of Massillon, who had been present at the
post mortem examination also testified; their
testimony however, was substantially the same
as that of Dr. E. D. Brant. -
Dr. McQuate, the County Coroner, was next
called as a witness. He testified that he was as-
sisted in the post mortem examinations by the
Doctors whose names have been heretofore
given. The clothing taken from the body of
Saxton the night of the tragedy was identified
by the witness, who said that the clothing had
been kept in a vault in the County Treasurer’s
office since the night of the murder. There was
some controversy about the vest ; it seemed as
though the vest had more bullet holes in it
than it had the night of the murder, and the de-
fense objected when the prosecution offered the
vest in evidence. After considerable argument
the court ruled that the vest should be excluded
from the evidence.
Frank M. Wyant was next called. He is en-
106 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
gaged with the Wrought Iron Bridge Company.
He said he had seen Mrs. George pass on West
Tuscarawas street at 5:30 o'clock, going west.
That she was dressed in black and carried a
black cape. In cross examination he said that he
had not noticed the color of her hat, and that he
did not notice anything unusual in her appear-
ance. The witness identified the photograph of
Saxton, which had been taken some time before
the murder.
E. J. Landor, chief engineer of the
Wrought Iron Bridge Company, was examined.
About 5:45 o'clock on the evening of the tradegy
he left a west-bound car at High street. A
woman dressed in black got on the car as he
left. He did know the woman and could not
give a description of her. His attention was
called to this fact by the conductor of the car
the next morning. -
Another witness, a street car conductor,
testified that he had seen Mrs. George on his
car some time after it left the square. That he
knew her, that she wore a sailor hat, but he did
not know how she was dressed, but said, how-
ever, that she was not dressed in black. That
she had got off the car west of the bridge at
Hazlett Avenue (this is within one block of the
scene of the murder), about six o'clock.
William Choffin testified that he saw George
D. Saxton on the evening of October 7th
between half past five and six o'clock, when he
crossed Market street from the Saxton Block.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 107
He entered the south door of the Saxton Block
and took his bicycle and rode north on Market
street.
J. A. Shanafelt said that on the evening of
October 7th, he left the office where he done
business about fifteen minutes past five o'clock,
and went home riding on a car. He saw Mrs.
George on the car, and he thought she had got
on the car at the square. She remained on the
car until it reached Hazlett Avenue, about six
o'clock.
He thought she was dressed in black, and
that she carried a black wrap. After supper he
came up town and saw a woman he believed to
be Mrs. George. She was in front of the First
Presbyterian Church, and was in the charge of
officers at that time. Court here adjourned
until half-past eight o'clock.
CHAPTER XII.
On Tuesday morning testimony was offered
by the State, as to the conduct of Mrs. George
after her arrest. The State attempted to prove
that she had been interrogated by the officers,
and that she refused to answer any and all
questions, which had been propounded to her in
reference to the murder, and what she knew
- -

108 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
about it. This testimony was objected to by
the attorneys for the defense. It was claimed
by the attorneys for the prosecution that the
conduct and appearance of the accused, and her
refusal to answer questions was indicative of
guilt, and could be shown for that purpose, and
authorities were cited, holding that silence
under certain circumstances is equivalent to
confession. The defense took the position that
a person in prison or in charge of officers was
under duress and restraint, and therefore their
actions, appearance, conversation or silence
were not admissable in the trial. This question
was thoroughly argued by the attorneys, and
the court, after due consideration, excluded all
this class of testimony, and refused to permit it
to be given to the jury.
Jesse C. Taylor was then called and testified
that he was an employee of the Street Railway
Company, that on the night of the tragedy he
was riding to the car sheds, that Mrs. George
got on the car at High street; the car left the
square about five forty-five o'clock; there were
few stops made by the car on the way west.
That Mrs. George had on a dark dress and a
light sailor hat, and that she carried a dark
colored cape. He afterwards saw her opposite
Holwick's Shoe Store some distance east of the
Oberlin residence, where she had rooms, about
five minutes before her arrest.
Charles Rittenhouse, a motorman on the
street car line said: On the evening of the


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 109
- -
7th of October he was on duty on the Tusca:
rawas street line, that his car left the square as
near as he could tell about five forty-five o’clock.
A woman got on at High street. She was
dressed in dark and wore a light sailor hat. She
remained on the car till it reached Hazlett
Avenue, which was about five fifty-five o’clock.
There was no signal to stop the car between the
Valley crossing and Hazlett Avenue. At that
place a man and a woman got off. He did not
know Mrs. George. He did not notice which way
the woman went after getting off the car on the
north side of the street.
At this point Judge McCarty was called as a
witness. He is one of the judges of the court,
and had sometime before this granted an injunc-
tion restraining Mrs. George from visiting the
Saxton Block, or in any way annoying or inter-
fering with George D. Saxton. That this in-
junction was still in full force, and that on the
night of October 7th, Mrs. George called at his
residence about five thirty-five o’clock, and she
said, “Judge, I called to see you if I may not go
to the Saxton Block and see Mr. Saxton 2'' I
told her the injunction against her going there
was in full force, that she ought not to go. She
said “Saxton promised to have that injunction
dissolved.” I said, “I know nothing about
that.” She then said, “That is like some of his
other promises.” She said that she was
anxious to see Saxton, and that he advised that
she send a note asking for a meeting. She did
110 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
not know whether he would meet her or not,
and asked if she could go to his house to see
him. “I said,” continued the Judge, “now
Mrs. George, you had better leave Saxton
alone.” She then said. “I will not go, I do not
want to disobey any of the rules of the court.”
Then she left and I returned to supper.
Cross examination, “Did you observe any
thing as to her manner P’’ I can only say that
I did not notice anything unusual. I had never
talked to her but once before, and was not ac-
quainted with her manner.”
M. J. Hogan testified that he lived at No.
216 Lincoln Avenue, and that his residence is
but a short distance from the scene of the
murder.
That he had heard three or four shots on
the evening of October 7th, in a direction
north of his home, the first two were in quick
succession and then there was a brief interval;
this was six ten o’clock. He fixed the time by
having noticed the clock in front of him.
Harry Noble said that he was elevator
man and janitor of the Dannemiller Block,
which is a building on the public square, and
where Mr. Sterling has his office, that his wife
assisted him in the work. That he knew Mrs.
George, that she came to the building about
seven o’clock the night of the murder. That
Mrs. George took the elevator and said she
wanted to go to Mr. Sterling's office. She went
to his office and tried the door and it was










CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 111
locked. She then returned and went down the
elevator, and afterward he saw Mrs. George
on West Fifth Street opposite the jail, that
Mrs. George had on a dark dress, and a light
hat, and carried a cape on her arm.
Henry J. Piero was examined. He was a
policeman and knew Saxton very well. On the
evening of the murder he was on West Tusca-
rawas Street, that he heard of the tragedy
about fifteen minutes after it happened. He
started west, met the patrol wagon and went
to the scene of the murder; the night was an
ordinarily light one. He reached the place
about six thirty o'clock. He searched about
the vacant lots in the vicinity of the murder
to find the person who had committed the
crime. That he went to the Oberlin House
about seven o’clock, where Mrs. George had
rooms; he asked for Mrs. George, and went to
her room with another officer and Mrs. Oberlin,
and looked through the rooms. He visited
several other places and returned to the Ober-
lin House; other officers were there at the same
time. Soon afterward Mrs. George approached
from the east on the sidewalk. She spoke to
Mrs. Oberlin and went into the house at the
side entrance. The officers all followed into
the house, and Mrs. George was told that she
was under arrest on suspicion, and would have
to go with them. She said, “I will go.”
Here an effort was made to introduce the
questions asked Mrs. George by these officers,


112 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and her refusal to answer the questions, by
the prosecution, and after the argument as
heretofore referred to, the court excluded this
class of testimony.
The court remarked, in passing upon this
question, that the law of Ohio allowed the ac-
cused to go on the stand in her own behalf,
but if she did not do so it was not to be re-
garded as prejudicial to her. It was equally
true that officers were not to be permitted to
constitute themselves a trial court, put the ac-
cused on the rack and force him or her to tell
why they did not do this or did not do that. It
could not be done in an improvised, self-consti-
tuted court of policemen opened on a street car
or a street corner. It did not appear to the
court that such was the law, and the objection
was sustained and all of the testimony which
the State relied on, as to the silence of Mrs.
George when she was questioned by the officers
was excluded. -
Piero then testified further that after they
had arrived at police headquarterſ: Dr. Maria
Pontius was sent for to search Mrs. George.
The officer testified that she was taken in a
room and in the presence of three officers she
was searched by Dr. Pontius. Part of her
clothing was removed but nothing damaging
was found upon her person; that Spanish
needles and burs were found on her skirt,
(showing as the State claimed that she had
passed through a vacant lot and near the scene
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 113
of the murder after the shooting ), and that
one of her hands was discolored with some-
thing like burnt gun powder; that the discolor-
ing matter was removed by scraping, and that
the officers smelled the substance and pro-
nounced it burnt powder.
The three police officers who were present
at the time of the arrest and searching of Mrs.
George also testified to substantially the same
as officer Piero. Several other witnesses were
called to testify that they had seen Saxton on
his wheel about six o'clock, going in the direc-
tion of the scene of the murder on West Tusca-
raw as Street.
Court now adjourned until eight thirty
Wednesday morning.
Court opened Wednesday morning at the
usual time with the usual crowd in the court
room. Many women were in attendance.
Patrolman Dickerhoof was called and testi-
fied that he was a police officer at the time of
the tragedy, that on the night before Saxton
was killed that he was detailed by the Mayor,
at the request of Mrs. George, to assist her and
to be present at an interview that she expected
to have with Saxton; he met Mrs. George on
Cleveland Avenue about three fifty-five o’clock
in the afternoon. She said that she had been
to see the Mayor and that he had been detailed
to take her to the Saxton Block, that she was
afraid to go alone and wanted him to protect
her, she said she was afraid of Saxton. That

114. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
he went to Police Headquarters to tell the
turnkey to mark him on special duty for the
afternoon and evening. He went to South
Market Street, between Eighth and Ninth
Streets and met Mrs. George there. About six
o'clock she went down Ninth Street to Pied-
mont, and he walked around in front of the
Herbst residence, and that he remained there
to see if he could find Mr. Saxton.
She told him that she wanted to see Saxton.
He met her later on Ninth Street, and she
asked him if he had seen Saxton yet. He told
her flhat he had not. He then said that he
looked up at the windows of the Saxton Block
to see if there was light in the window of Sax-
ton’s room. Mrs. George was there at the time
with him. There was no light in the windows
of the rooms Saxton occupied; Mrs. George
said he was not there. We then went into the
Herbst lot, the witness continued, going
through a gate way. We walked back by the
house at the rear of the lot and stayed there
for five minutes, and then we came out to Ninth
Street, and I left. I stayed on Market Street
for a half hour or so. I went back again and
told her I could not find Saxton. I walked
along Market Street again and went to her a
third time and reported. I then saw a light
in Saxton’s room and said to her that he might
be at home then. She asked me if I could
come back the next evening. I told her I could
if the Mayor said so. She asked me to come

















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 115
back and I told her I would. She did not ask
me to go up in the Saxton Block to his room,
and I did not go, neither did she go up into the
block. She told me she was not allowed to go
there on account of the injunction which re-
strained her from entering the block. It was
about eight o'clock when we separated.
She did not say what she was going to do,
and I do not know where she went. When I
left her there was nothing said as to the time I
should come back. The next night I reported
at Police Headquarters about six o'clock, and
went to Market and Ninth Streets. I waited
there for three quarters of an hour. I heard of
the death of Mr. Saxton an hour later. I went
to Police Headquarters after I heard of his
death, and then to the public square, and went
on duty. I made a search for Mrs. George
after the murder, about the square. This was
about seven o’clock. On cross examination he
said that Mrs. George had told him that she
was afraid to go to see Mr. Saxton for fear he
would commit violence upon her. She said she
had no anger or ill feeling towards him. She
made no threats of violence against him. She
had got the Mayor's consent to have him go
along with her to protect her. She said she
was afraid Saxton would abuse her when she
went to see him.
Edward J. Rex was next called, and his
testimony corroborated the statements of the
witness Dickerhoof, as he had seen Dickerhoof

116 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and Mrs. George together the evening before
at places testified to by Dickerhoof.
William F. Cook was next called. His
testimony was very interesting and took the
defense somewhat by surprise as it was not
known to them what his testimony would be.
He is almost entirely deaf and it was very diffi-
cult to examine him. Some of the questions had
to be written out and it was tedious. He said
that he had lived in the Saxton Block in the
latter part of 1896. That he had seen Mrs.
George the night after Thanksgiving in 1896,
that he had been to the theater and came up to
his rooms in the Saxton Block from the Opera
House. As he entered the hallway upstairs, he
saw Mrs. George standing opposite the radiator,
opposite the entrance to Saxton’s rooms she
had a revolver in her hand and was looking at
it intently and seemed to be fixing it in some
way. As soon as she saw him she put the
revolver under her coat. He passed on and did
not see her again that night.
He did not know whether Saxton was in
his rooms at the time or not, but he thought he
was not. That he saw her after that one night
in the spring of 1897, she was standing in the
hallway. He also testified that he had seen
her one night in 1897 at Myers' Lake; that Sax-
ton and Mrs. Althouse were on a seat near the
water front of the Lake, that he went into the
hotel and when he came out he noticed a
woman behind a tree. He walked close to her




CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 117
and saw that it was Mrs. George. She stood
behind a tree and watched Saxton and Mrs.
Althouse closely. That Saxton and Mrs. Alt-
house moved away toward the lunch room and
took another seat. Mrs. George also moved and
took her position behind a stump of a small
tree. Saxton and Mrs. Althouse remained on
the seat talking for about half an hour. All this
time Mrs. George stood there watching them
intently. Saxton and Mrs. Althouse then got
on their wheels and rode away; that witness
was within forty feet of Mrs. George at the
time she was watching them. On cross ex-
amination witness said that he had had no ac-
quaintance with Mrs. George at the time he
had seen her in the hallway of the Saxton
Block; that he knew Saxton very well and that
he told Saxton at one time that Mrs. George
might shoot him. That at the time Mrs.
George was watching Saxton and Mrs. Alt-
house he did not see that she had a gun. There
was no revolver in her hand that he had seen,
and she made no attempt to disturb them. He
had never seen her with a revolver but the one
time.
Lorin C. Wise was called, and testified
that about five forty-five o’clock, October 7th,
he got on a car at Dewalt Street, that he had
seen Mrs. George get on the car at High Street,
and that she got off the car at Hazlett Avenue.
This was about five minutes before six o'clock
when she got off the car. She had on dark
-
118 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
clothing but the witness could not describe it.
The next witness was W. O. Werntz.
This testimony was highly sensational. It had
been foreshadowed and it was generally known
what it would be. He is an attorney and was
a partner of Mr. Sterling, who was engaged
in the defense. They had done business for
Mrs. George in her troubles with Saxton, and
the State proposed to show conversations which
she had with the witness Werntz.
This testimony was in reference to threats
which she had made against the life of Saxton.
The witness testified as follows :
That he was a lawyer, that he had known
Mrs. George for three years; first met her in
the office of Sterling & Werntz, since that time
he had seen her a number of times. The wit=
ness said, “I remember the occasion of Saxton's
death; I was in my office at the time. n Mon-
day of that week I saw Mrs. George twice;
once at her residence and again at my office.
An attachment suit had been commenced by
Mrs. Finley against Mrs. George. I had a talk
with Mrs. George about Saxton at her home
that day.” -
“What was that conversation?” asked the
Prosecutor.
“I claim a privilege,” said the witness,
“my conversation was of a privileged
character and I refuse to testify to the conver-
sation unless ordered to do so by the court.”
Counsel for the defense immediately ob-


- _
-
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 119
jected to his testimony, and a question arose as
to the competency of the testimony. The de-
fense claimed that the conversation being of a
confidential character between attorney and
client that it should be excluded, while the
State claimed that there was no such thing as a
confidential relation when a crime was in con-
templation. The witness was then interro-
gated as to the nature of the conversation so
as to enable the court to determine whether it
was confidential or otherwise The question
was argued at length by counsel on both sides,
and after due consideration the court decided
that the testimony was competent.
While this testimony was being given Mrs.
George watched the witness intently. She knew
that this was probably a critical point in her
trial, and that her life or liberty might depend
upon it. When reference was made to her
boys during the argument, to whom she is
greatly attached, she lowered her head and her
drooping eyelids made her eyes appear to be
closed. This was but momentary however, and
it cannot be said that she lost her composure on
account of the weight of the evidence itself.
It was by odds the strongest piece of evidence
the State had yet produced.
The witness said, “I had a conversation
with Mrs. George on the Monday prior to
Saxton's death, at her rooms on West Tusca:
rawas street, sometime in the forenoon. We
talked about the Althouse case. She said she

120 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
was going out to the Althouse residence to raise
h–ll with Saxton. I told her not to go, and she
then said that she would not go. I do not know
how long I was at her rooms at that time,
probably a half-hour. She said that she had a
thirty-eight calibre revolver in her trunk; she
had bought it in Chicago. She did not say
what she was going to do with it. I had another
conversation with her in my office in the after-
noon of that day.”
She said, “When the suit of Sample C.
George was settled, there will be a funeral or a
wedding.” She asked me what effect it would
have on the suit, referring to the George suit, if
she killed Saxton? I told her the result might
be the same, but if she was going to kill him,
she had better wait until the case was settled.
She said if she shot him she would make a good
job of it, that she would give him all the balls
she had.
“What did she say as to what she would do
with the revolver, if she shot him º' -
She asked, “If it would not be a good plan
to have two revolvers; throw one at his feet and
shot him with the other º’’
I told her, in view of the threats she had
made against Saxton, no one would believe that
she killed him in self-defense. She asked me
how it would do to shoot him in the back and
throw the revolver away. I told her she had
better let Saxton alone, that she had two bright
boys, and if she had no respect for Saxton, she


NEWTON GEORGE,
ELDEst SoN or THE Accused.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 121
ought to have for her family. I do not re-
member that she told me what she was going to
do with Saxton; that is as to whether she was
going to shoot him or not. The witness was
cross examined very rigidly. He said that
he fixed the date of his conversations
with Mrs. George by the court records; giving
the date of the suit to which he referred. Mrs.
George told him in the same conversation that
Saxton had promised to marry her as
soon as she got a divorce, and that he had
abandoned her and he was persecuting her by
bringing the suits that had been spoken of in
the examination in chief. She also told him
that she was without a home, was separated
from her husband, that Saxton had sent her to
South Dakota to get a divorce and had paid
her expenses in that proceeding. She also told
him in the same conversation, that Saxton had
promised to dismiss the injunction suit against
her restraining her from going to the Saxton
Block and from interfering with him. She asked
me why the suit had not been dismissed ? I told
her I did not know. She told me that in 1896
she and Saxton had met at the Hotel Federal,
in Allegheny, that they had remained there
three days, and agreed to dismiss all suits;
that in persuance of that arrangement she had
dismissed her breach of promise suit against
him, and that she wanted him to keep his
promise and dismiss the suits against her.
She seemed very much enraged and excited
122 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
during these conversations; I do not know that
she was crying. She told me that Saxton had
agreed to support her, and that he had mis-
treated her and had kicked her from the house;
she asked me if proceedings could not be
brought to recover the goods that Saxton was
keeping which belonged to her, that the goods
were in the Saxton Block.
She said that nearly all of her goods,
naming some of them, her mother had given
her and she wanted to get pessession of them;
that Saxton was keeping them from her as
security as he claimed, for what she owed him.
She said that when Saxton went to the
Althouse place, that he would ride past her
home on his bicycle nearly every day. In the
conversation at my office, she repeated what
she had said in the morning about his failure
to keep his promise to marry her; she also said
that Saxton was the only man she had ever
loved; that she once loved her husband, but
that Saxton had alienated her affections. She
was crying when she said this, but I did not
observe that she was in anger. She always
said that she expected to marry Saxton, that
Saxton had been after her for years to get her
to leave her husband before she consented to
do so. She told me of a number of places
where they had stopped together and
registered at hotels, as man and wife : among
the places named were Sioux City, Iowa,
and Canton, South Dakota, where she said







CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 123
Saxton had stayed a week with her. She said
she had lived for a long time in the Saxton
Block, that Saxton lived in her rooms at night
and was there a good part of the time during
the day. That he had sent her presents, that
along at first when he would visit her and give
her presents that she sent them back to him,
and that she refused to accept them.
She said she resisted his overtures until in
1889, at the Casino, at Myers Lake, when he ac-
complish her ruin. She told me all that, but I
am not sure as to the time. She did not cry or
become excited when she talked of these
matters in these conversations, except the one
time, that was in the office in the afternoon.
She was excited on all occasions when she
would talk about Saxton. She said to me that
Saxton had renewed his promise to marry her
at Allegheny. She said that he had made this
promise in order to get certain letters from her,
and that she gave up the letters to him, and
that this promise or settlement at Allegheny
was brought about by him so as to enable him
to get these letters.
She further said that Saxton had agreed
with her to give her boys property in Canton
worth not less than $3,000.00. She also said
that saxton had supported her in Cleveland for
quite awhile; that he had paid her expenses
there for more than a year. On re-examination
witness said that the settlement of the case
against Saxton, instituted by Sample C. George,



124 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
was made two days before Saxton's death. It
is my recollection that this was but a few days
after my conversation with Mrs. George, but I
am not sure.
“What was Mrs. George's manner when
talking about Saxton’’’
“Sometimes she was kind and sometimes
she was not ; sometimes she showed anger.”
She asked me one time about the penalty on
the subject of murder. She said that if she did
not get more than ten years in the penitentiary
she would kill him or shoot him; he did not
remember just which term she had used.
Re-cross-examination. At the time of this
third conversation, she was nervous and ex-
cited ; she told me she loved Saxton as she had
never loved any other person; she told me that
she was actually in want, that she had her
boys and nothing to live on. She told me that
Saxton had hired decetives to take her to
Massillon, where she found a note telling her to
go to Mansfield to attend the marriage of a
friend ; that she went there in company with
this detective; that the detective, instead of
taking her to a hotel, took her to a house of
questionable reputation; that immediately after
her arrival at this house she was arrested ; that
she had deposited her watch to get money to
come home.
That Saxton had done this to injure her
reputation. That when she went to Allegheny
with Saxton at the time that they had made up
-



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 125
their troubles, that he had given her
money to redeem her watch, and that he had
acknowledged at that time that he had ar-
ranged the Mansfield affair. She said that she
had suffered everything but death from
Saxton. In conclusion, the witness said that
she did not get the property she claimed in the
Saxton Block, and the boys did not get the
property in Canton. The witness did not
know when the promised property was to be
given to the boys.
Also, Mrs. Mary Finley was called, and
testified that she resided on South Walnut
street, that she had been acquainted with Mrs.
George since the spring of 1896, that she had
rented a front room to her in which she had
lived for over two years. During that time
Mrs. George talked to witness often about
Saxton. In September or October, 1897, she
first spoke to her about Saxton. She said,
“Just wait till the case of Sample C. George
and Saxton is settled ; I will see Saxton. I am
going to ask Mayor Rice to go with me to
Saxton's office. I am going to ask Saxton
what he will do for me, and if he does nothing
I will shoot him so full of lead that he will
will stand stiff.” I said, “Mrs. George, you
must not do that, you will go to the peni-
tentiary.” She said, “Only a few years if I
do, and what is that ?”
In the early part of 1898, she said in my
kitchen, “I wish I could see Harry Clark. I

126 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
want to buy a revolver. He often goes to
Chicago and can buy one without anyone
knowing where it comes from.” She said she
wanted a self-acting revolver, and that if
Harry would not get her one she would go to
Mayor Rice and get one ; that he had lots of
them taken from men who were arrested for
crime, and she would make him give her one.
In February, 1898, witness said that she had
teased Mrs. George, saying that she believed
Saxton would marry Mrs. Althouse yet, and
Mrs. George said, “Just wait till that suit with
Sample George is settled ; I will fix him. I
will not do it like a coward either. I will go
up in front of him and let him know who did
it.”
- Witness then said that she asked Mrs.
George if she would shoot herself then. Mrs.
George said, “No.” Witness said, “That is
customary.” “In February or March, in the
kitchen at my house,” the witness continued,
“Mrs. George said, ‘ I am not through yet, I
will fix him yet.’” She also stated that she re-
garded her as a peaceable woman. The ex-
amination was very lengthy, and while the
witness became very much excited at times,
and showed a great deal of feeling as against
Mrs. George, yet her testimony was not
materially shaken.
Something was also said about the
time to shoot; was when Saxton broke
his promise of marriage. At another



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 127
time Mrs. George said she had asked
Saxton to send her revolver back. She told
him that if he did not send it back that there
would be plenty of others. At another time
Mrs. George told the witness at one time, in
front of the Althouse residence, Saxton came
up with Mrs. Althouse, and she said to him,
“You are not going into that house to-night.”
He tried to go up the steps but she held him,
and said to Saxton, “Go home with me to-
night.” He turned away and Mrs. George
went with him. She held to him and he tried
to push her away. They walked together for a
long time. Mrs. George said she did not know
where they had been, and finally they reached
Ninth street. Mrs. George said, “George,
don't you remember how we used to walk
around together having a good time?” He
looked around and said to her, “Who are you,
I don’t know you.” Finally they reached the
Saxton Block, and Mrs. George said she was
prevented from going in there by the injunc-
tion. That Mrs. George had told her of writ-
ing a letter August 27th, 1897, asking Saxton
to send back her revolver. This is the letter
on which the United States Court indictment
was based, and witness told of the arrest in
that proceeding.
This witness was severely cross examined
by the defense. The witness said she had been
married but was not married now. That she is
not mad at Mrs. George. She did have a suit
128 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
against her. She said Saxton had been to her
house a number of times, but not to see Mrs.
George. Witness knew that Saxton paid part
of Mrs. George's board. During rapid and
emphatic questioning, witness evidenced some
confusion, and seemed fixed on dates. She
was asked to give other parts of the conversa-
tion from which direct evidence had been
quoted. Little additional testimony was
brought out by this process. Witness said
that counsel for the State had seen her
Wednesday night, and talked over the matters
which she was to testify to. She had also
talked with them on the same line about a
week ago. She said she did not say to Mrs.
Grable, in the witness room, that counsel for
the State had told her what to say. She did
not say to Justice Robertson, upon the trial of
a peace proceeding, that she had never heard
Mrs. George make threats against anybody.
Mrs. Mary Nauman was next called. She
testified that she had a talk with Mrs. George
about Saxton in August, 1897. “She said she
went out to the Althouse residence and sat on a
neighbor's porch until Saxton and Mrs. Alt-
house rode up to the residence on their wheels.
Mrs. Althouse got off her wheel and went into
the house, and Mrs. George with a pistol in her
hand made Saxton go away with her. That
she had dropped the pistol in some way and
Saxton picked it up. On their way to town, in
crossing the Tuscarawas bridge, she stopped

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 129
and asked Saxton if he wanted to die
then, and he walked on and said nothing. Mrs
George said she could have killed him then, but
she wanted Sample George to get some of his
money first. She told me, in another con-
versation, that she had written an ugly
threatening letter to Saxton, and she said,
“Now let them prove who did it.” She said
that if Saxton did not marry her, after he
settled with Sample George, he would not walk
the streets of Canton another day. She was
very much excited at the time, and emphasised
what she said with her clenched fist. She also
used profane language.
The witness was asked to repeat these
oaths as near as she could, but she asked to be
excused from repeating them. The Court said
he would not insist if the language was profane
or obscene, and she said it was. In February,
1897, a quilting was had at the home of the
witness. Mrs. George was there, Mrs. George
then said “After the case is settled there will be
a wedding or a funeral,” referring to the George
case. “If he does not marry me, he will not
walk the streets of Canton another day.” She
said she would shoot him, and that Clark
would get her a revolver to do it with. The
witness said she told Mrs. George not to do
that, that she would get into trouble. Mrs.
George said she always got out of trouble, and
would get out of this; that if she went to the
Penitentiary she would knock everybody's eyes
out there.

130 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Cross examination. Witness said she was
often at Mrs. Finley's house and saw Mrs.
George there some times. She said that some-
times she sat on the porch with Mrs. George;
that she sent her tea cakes once, but did not
send her other delicacies. Did not give her a
handkerchief on Christmas in 1896. Mrs.
George did not tell her of the Allegheny visit.
Witness said she had seen and talked with the
Counsel for the State last night. Mrs. George
had said to the witness that if Saxton was
going to marry her, she did not want him
running with Mrs. Althouse. She said she
could have done him on the Tuscarawas
bridge if she had wanted to. The witness was
then interrogated as to other incidents
narrated by Attorney Werntz. The witness
could not recall just how the conversation
with Mrs. George started, but she said that
Mrs. George had said that if she did go over
the road she would not stay long, meaning that
if she went to the penitentiary she would not
stay there long. She said she would soon get
out. Witness said that she did not advise Mrs.
George to write a letter to scare Mrs. Althouse.
“I did not tell her what to put in the letter.”
“I did not give her the paper and envelope.”
That Mrs. George had not been in hiding at
her house, when the U. S. Marshal came for
her to arrest her for sending the threatening
letter. Mrs George had done sewing for
witness; had made a cape for her ; that she
















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 131
had often talked with Mrs. Finley about her
troubles with Mrs. George.
Mrs. Nettie McAllister was next called.
She said she lived on South Cherry St., not far
from the home of Mrs. Finley. She knew Mrs.
George and had conversations with her at the
home of Mrs. Finley, probably in March, 1896.
Mrs. George had told her that if Saxton did
not marry her after he settled with Sample C.
George, she would shoot him. Another con-
versation occurred in August, 1897, about the
trouble at the Althouse residence. Mrs.
George said that she had been at the Althouse
residence and had made trouble ; that she had
made Saxton walk home with her. She
pointed a pistol at him. She dropped the
revolver, and picked it up. On the South St.
Bridge she asked Saxton if he would like to
die there. He said nothing and walked on.
She said Saxton had the revolver, and she
could not do anything with him. The witness
said that Mrs. George had written a letter ;
that she had written in that letter that she
would fix him, and cut Mrs. Althouse's heart
out and hang it on a telephone pole.
The witness was cross examined, and the
first question asked her was, “where is your
husband?” “He has left for parts unknown "
was the answer.
Witness said she went to the Finley house
occasionly to see Mrs. George. Had not talked
with her since the latter left Mrs. Finleys


132 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
house. In one conversation Mrs. George said
Saxton had promised to marry her, and after-
wards he threw her out of his building, and
Policemen had taken her to the Hurford house
and secured her a night's lodging. The
witness said that she had told her that Saxton
had broke up her home, that he had induced
her to get a divorce, had promised to marry
her, and she further testified to substantially
the same as the witnesses, Mrs. Finley and
Mrs. Nauman.
In another conversation with the witness
Mrs. George had told her about her Allegheny
trip, that Saxton had renewed his promises
there to marry her as soon as the suits were
dismissed. That Saxton had paid her ex-
penses for the divorce, and had kept her, and
that he had ruined her entirely, and that she
did not know now what to do. That she had
made Saxton come away from the Althouse
home, that he said, “who are you, I don’t
know you, go away.” She had been in Mrs.
George's room often ; saw her dressed and un-
dressed. Never seen a revolver in her
possession. Witness said she had fallen out
with Mrs. George shortly before she left the
Finley home. She had a disagreement with
her and had not spoken to her since. She told
me that she had never cared for her husband,
that she never liked him from the day she
married him. Mrs. George had asked the
witness to write a letter. She told her that she


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 133
would not do so, that she was afraid she would
get into trouble.
John L. Jackson, colored, testified that he
knew Mrs. George ; had know her for ten
years, that he knew Saxton about the same
length of time, that he remembered the date
of Saxton's death. He saw Mrs. George at the
Davis Block about ten o’clock of that day.
Had a talk with her for about twenty minutes
or a half hour. She asked him for some
writing paper. “I tore a sheet from a book
and gave it to her. She said she wanted to
send a boy for an umberella. She spoke of the
settlement between Saxton and Mr. George.
She said they had settled for between eighteen
and nineteen hundred dollars. She said she
wanted to see him (Saxton); that she had not
seen him since the settlement, that he had
promised so marry her after the settlement.
She talked of plans to see him. I advised her
not to do it but to write him. She did not
think he would answer her if she did write
him. She said to me, “Jack, I am beginning
to realize what you always told me, that he is
not going to marry me.” She said she was
tired of being baffled about. She said some-
thing about getting revenge. She said (He
will get his deserts in h--- or in eternity.)
Witness said Mrs. George often came to the
Block to see him ; once or twice a week for
several years. Her manner was determined.
A few days, possibly a week before she was

134. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
at the Block, she talked about shooting Saxton
if he did not marry her, and quit going with the
Althouse woman. She spoke of shooting both
of them. She swore and called Mrs. Althouse
names, but I cannot recall the words she used.
Witness had a great deal of difficulty in re-
membering the substance of the conversation.
She said she would wait until Saxton settled
with Sample George, and then if he did not
come to time as he agreed—the witness here
hesitated and did not pretend to say what she
said. This was repeated several times, finally
the Court said that these tactics should be
tolerated no longer; that he had gone to the
limit in the matter of latitude, and that this
kind of conduct on the trial would have to be
stopped. The Court said it seemed to be an
effort on the part of the State to get in in-
competent testimony. The witness continued,
“Mrs. George seemed very much excited at
times when she talked about Saxton.”
Upon cross examination the witness said
Mrs. George complained of Saxton's attentions
to Mrs. Althouse, and said she did not want
him to go with that woman. Attorneys for
the defense had the same trouble that the State
had in getting him to detail the substance of the
conversation with Mrs. George. It developed
however, that in the course of the conversation
he had with Mrs. George, she had told him of
many of her relations with Saxton. In such of
these incidents as he related them, he merely re-












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CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 135
lated what had been previously introduced by
other witnesses.
Dr. Maria G. Pontius was called to the
stand. Dr. Pontius is a physician and has a
large practice in the city and vicinity. She
testified that she saw the defendant, Mrs.
George, at Police Headquarters. That she had
been summoned there by a policeman; that she
had searched Mrs. George at the request of the
Prosecuting Attorney. “I found her right
hand was not so clean as her left hand. I
scraped the cuticle of the left hand and placed
the scrapings on a clean piece of paper. There
was a very small amount of it. I sealed it up
in an envelope.”
Witness was here shown the envelope and
identified it.
“I gave the envelope to the Prosecuting At-
torney on November 20th, in my office. It had
been in my possession up to that time. Three
police officers were present at the time I ex-
amined her hand and scraped the cuticle.”
On cross examination she said that Mrs.
George was in custody at the time she searched
her, and had no Counsel at the time that she
knew of “The amount was so small that you
could scarcely see it on white paper,” referring
to the discoloration of the hand. “I think it
was too small to stand a chemical examin-
ation.” The Prosecuting Attorney then asked
her, “Did you not say to me that you did not
know how gun powder smelled ” The witness


136 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
answered, “I said I did not have as much ex-
perience as gentlemen had with gun powder,
but I could tell burnt gun powder, and I say it
was not gun powder to the best of my knowl-
edge.”
This testimony was in direct contradiction
of the testimony given by the State on the
subject of the discoloration of Mrs. George's
hand.
Dr. Alfred B. Smith was next called. He is
a chemist, and in the employ of the Case School
of Applied Science, of Cleveland. He had ex-
amined the little bit of dirt that had been
scraped from the hand of Mrs. George. Counsel
for the defense objected to the testimony on the
ground that there was not enough of the sub-
stance upon which to predicate a judgment as
to what it was. Another objection was that
Mrs. George was under arrest at the time, and
that the right of search did not extend so far.
The court decided that the accused could
not be compelled to submit to an examination
of her hand and furnish her own identification.
The objection was sustained and the Prosecutor
said what he intended to prove with a view of
excepting to the decision of the court.
Charles Lloyd was next called. He testified
that he was a reporter for the Repository. He
had known Mrs. George for four years, and had
been intimately acquainted with her during that
time. Had frequently talked with her. “A few
years ago, at her home on West Tuscarawas
HOWARD GEORGE,
Youngest Son of the Accused.

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CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 137
Street, I talked with her.” The witness testified
that she had told him of her troubles with Sax-
ton, and that if the Sample C. George case was
settled, and Saxton did not marry her, that she
would kill him. “At another time she asked
me to write a letter for her to the Supreme
Court Clerk, and inquire of him about a case
that was in the Supreme Court that had not
yet been decided; a case in which she was inter-
ested. A day or two after that she said it was
not necessary to write, as she had received
word that the case had been decided. At the
Myers Block at one time she showed me a
pocket for carrying a revolver. She did not say
that she had a revolver or that she carried one.
On cross examination the witness said, “I
do not know what color her dress was or
whether she really had a pocket in it. She said
she had. I called upon her that time for news,
and she told me the history of her life. Mrs.
George never told me Saxton had promised to
marry her.”
The witness gave other testimony that was
the same as that of some of the other
witnesses.
Perry VanHorn was next called. He was
also a reporter for the News Democrat. He said
he had a conversation with Mrs. George at her
home some time before the homicide. “She sent
for me to come to see her, as she said she sup-
posed I would hear of the trouble at the Alt-
house place, and she wanted it stated correctly.

138 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
I had another conversation with her after that.
She told me that Saxton and Mrs. Althouse
were in her room in the Saxton Block at several
times. She objected to this, and said she did
not want them to visit her rooms; that they
had had trouble about this. She said no one
had overheard this trouble that she knew of. I
did not write it up for the paper. She said
Saxton was not treating her right; that he was
running around with other women; that he had
promised to marry her, and she objected to this.
She said she would shoot him or kill him if he
did not marry her. The witness told her she
had better not kill him as she would get into
trouble if she did. She said she did 'nt think a
jury would do much with her if she did kill him.
The witness said he talked with Mrs. George
after the shooting; that he went to the jail to
see her twice; once was at the instance of the
Prosecuting Attorney. He was then asked the
question by Counsel for the defense, “You was
to report to him, were you?” “Yes, sir.”
The court held that the witness was not
compelled to answer the question if the con-
versation was in the jail after she was arrested.
Upon cross examination the witness testified
that Mrs. George told him that Saxton had her
household goods; that he had been taking lewd
women into the Saxton Block, into the room
that she had furnished with her own goods.
That Mrs. Althouse had been in there with
Saxton. She also mentioned other women that
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 139
Saxton had been in company with. “Mrs.
George told me that Saxton came up to her
room when she first moved into the Saxton
Block, and was very attentive upon her; gave
her presents and made himself agreeable in
every way, was kind to her children, and that
his visits were generally in the absence of her
husband; and that after a time she had formed
an affection for him; and that she finally left
her husband and went with Saxton. She de-
tailed the history of their whole transaction,
and claimed that Saxton had persecuted her
more than she could bear.”
The witness gave evidence of other facts
which is the same as that which has been here-
tofore given by other witnesses.
Mrs. Mary Grable testified that she had
talked with Mrs. George at the Grable Sanitar-
ium in West Tuscarawas Street. Mrs. George
had rented a room for her. She told her that
Saxton had ruined her life, and that if he did
not marry her she would riddle his body with
bullets. At another time she said if Saxton did
not do justice to her she would shoot him.
On cross examination she said that she had
nothing against Mrs. George, that she did not
have much acquaintance with her, and had
talked with her but a few times.


140 CANTON'S GRFAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER XIII.
Two or three persons were now called for
the purpose of identifying the hand writing of
Mrs. George. It was claimed that she had
written a letter to Saxton at one time, making
threats of his life. These witnesses testified
that they knew her hand writing, and identified
it. The letter was afterward introduced in evi-
dence, but later this letter was ruled out before
it was read to the jury.
E. E. Willis was next called. He had had a
conversation with Mrs. George on the morning
after her arrest. This testimony was excluded.
In the prison next morning witness was reading
a paper containing the account of the murder,
and Mrs. George made a remark to him. The
witness was not allowed to testify as to what
the remark was. In passing on the exclusion of
this testimony, the court said, “The remark had
no semblance of a conſession.” The witness
was reading a paper and had come to a de-
scription of the wounds. Mrs. George
shuddered, and asked him to omit that portion
of the account of the tragedy.
Jacob Oberlin was next called. He described
the location of the house where Mrs. George
had rooms, and where she stopped at the time
of the tragedy. The witness also described the
interior of the room in which Mrs. George was


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 141
arrested. The dress worn by her on the day of
the murder was next described. Witness said
Mrs. George had been rooming in the other
part of the house, which was occupied by Mrs.
Taylor; that she had given up her rooms three
days before the murder, and gave some of her
goods away, and sent the remainder to
Hanoverton. She occupied a room with Mrs.
Oberlin in the meantime. That Mrs. Oberlin
had bought a carpet from Mrs. George and
paid for it by room rent.
Mrs. Christena Eckroate was next called.
She is a small, pale faced woman, with a weak
voice. In answer to questions by the Prose-
cutor she said, “I live on Lincoln Avenue. My
husband runs a grocery store; the Althouse
residence is south of the Glick house, and just
north of the Quinn house, and a very short dis-
tance from where we live. I knew Saxton and
Mrs. Althouse. I also know Mrs. George. I
commenced to know her by sight at the time of
the peace proceeding. I saw her about the Alt-
house home very often; several times after dark.
I saw her once go to the door of the Althouse
residence, rap on the door and call, “George are
you not through; will you not come out?” She
would walk up and down in front of the Alt-
house residence when Saxton was there; then
she would call for Mr. Saxton. Before the
peace proceeding brought by Mrs. Althouse, I
saw her out there a dozen times or more; one
time I heard her talk to Mrs. Althouse and call


142 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
her a bad name. I saw Mrs. George at Squire
Robertson's office at the time of the peace pro-
ceeding. I saw her after that at the Althouse
place. On the night of the shooting I was at
my home. I was in the east side of the house.
I was sitting at the supper table. I heard four
shots. I heard the first shot, and then when
the second shot was fired I was at the bed room
window. I went there to look out. I opened
the window and leaned out. I saw the flash of
a revolver. I saw a figure come up and step
forward. I saw the flash of the revolver, and
the person standing shot twice down toward
the ground. The person then walked away a
few steps, and then came back and stooped
over the body. Then the person started down
the street and went off. I went through the
house to the other side, and saw the person
walk down the street and to the vacant lots
near the Althouse residence. Then the person
started to run and was soon out of sight. I
recognized the figure of the person whom I seen.
I had seen that person about the house before.
It was Mrs. George. We had a light in the
house, and also in the grocery store. There was
a light in the Glick house. I went to the house
across the street where the shooting took place
and I saw Mr. Saxton lying there. He was
lying on his face near the steps. The person
who did the shooting was dressed in a dark
dress. I think I saw her throw a little wrap
over her arm as she walked away.
-

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 143
On cross examination the witness said, “I
never spoke to Mrs. George in my life. I was a
witness for Mrs. Althouse in her case against
Mrs. George. Mrs. Althouse and I were friends
and are yet. She has been to my house often.
I testified before "Squire Robertson, in the Alt-
honse suit, that I did not know Mrs. George
and had never seen her. I said this to the best
of my knowledge. The leaves were on the trees
at the time of the shooting. They were pretty
thick on the trees. The night of the shooting
was a dark one; it had been raining in the
evening. There was a light in my husband's
store and also in the Quinn house. Yes, the only
light in my husband's store was a lamp in the
rear of the store.” (As this answer was given
there was a sound of applause in the court
room; it was very damaging to her other state-
ments.) The figure was on the sidewalk when I
first saw it. I could not tell who it was that
was laying on the sidewalk at first, not until
somebody lit a match. The arc light on Third
Street did not shine on the place where the body
fell. There was no light in fact that shone on
the spot.
“You say you recognized the figure of the
one who shot, by the flash of the gun ?”
“I saw a slender waist, the figure was all
black ; there was a screen on the window I
looked out of ; the screen was nailed there. I
had to remove the screen before I could look
out. I did not tell this story until they began

14.4 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
to hunt it up. I did not tell it until the Grand
Jury met.” “That night was dark. I recog-
nized the figure that done the shooting, it had
a slender waist. I have been in the habit of
eating opium ; have been using opium for
eight or nine years. I bought it from all the
drug stores.”
Mrs. Louisa Huigg testified that she lived
in Cleveland, that Mrs. Eckroate is her mother.
She was visiting her mother at the time of the
murder. She was in the Eckroate house at
the time of the shooting. She heard two
shots, and then she went out of the house to
the gate. She saw a form across the street.
Two more shots were fired, and she saw the
form stoop down and then get up and walk to
the corner of the street, and then come back
and stoop down again; then the form disap-
peared. It was tall and slender, and had an
erect carriage. The person did not seem to be
excited, but was cool. The electric light was
burning, and witness then described the lights
about the place. I have seen this same figure
since. I have seen what seemed to be the same
figure that I saw that night.
Objection was made to this testimony but
the court admitted it.
“I have seen a form that resembled the one
that I saw there. I have seen that same form
since. It was Mrs. George.”
On cross examination she said she would
not say that she recognized the figure; that she



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 145
could not have recognized anyone across the
street. “What I saw was the indistinct form;
it was the form of a woman or a man dressed
in woman's clothes. I did not know Mrs.
George. I had no acquaintance with her before
this.”
Court here adjourned until 1 o'clock P. M.
At the Saturday afternoon session of court,
Mrs. Huigg was on the stand again. Mrs.
George wore the same composed demeanor as
before the noon adjournment, though her case
was given a severe shock by this testimony.
Mrs. Huigg had testified to facts which
came near identifying Mrs. George with the
shooting; so had Mrs. Eckroate. Her testi-
mony in the afternoon was substantially the
same as given above.
The next witness was Ex-Sergeant William
J. Hasler. The testimony of this witness was
looked forward to with a great deal of interest,
for the reason that he had created quite a
sensation some time ago by claiming that he
had found the revolver which Mrs. George had
used at the time of the murder of Saxton.
About the 10th of January last, this wit=
ness reported that he had found a revolver. He
was interviewed by the representatives of the
city papers, and in these interviews it was
learned that the revolver had been found by
him two or three days after the murder, and
that he had suppressed the information until
the beginning of the term of court in January.

14.6 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Various reasons were given by him for sup-
pressing this information, and some claimed
that it was for the purpose of enabling him to
get a reward from the commissioners of the
county. He claimed, however, that it was for
political purposes; that is, that he was a candi-
date for city marshal, and that he had in-
tended, at the proper time, to give out the in-
formation that he had found the revolver, with
a view of assisting him in his political aspir-
ations. The Sergeant had been placed in a
very undesirable position by the press for the
part he had taken in this matter. He had re-
signed from the police force at the suggestion of
the Mayor, and had he not resigned it is sup-
posed that he would have been discharged by
the Mayor. At the time he testified, and for a
long time before, he was very bitter in the de-
nunciation of the action of the Mayor, and he
had given out the impression that he had got
the information from the Mayor as to the
whereabouts of the revolver; that is he claimed
that the Mayor, who was at first one of the at-
torneys for Mrs. George, had indicated to him
the place where the revolver could be found,
and that upon that information he had found
the revolver under the culvert, the place in-
dicated by Mayor Rice.
During his examination he was very
anxious to testify that he had got his inform-
ation from the Mayor, as to the whereabouts
of the revolver, and an effort was made by the
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 147
attorneys for the State to show by him that he
had gone to the place indicated by the Mayor,
and there found the revolver.
The court, however, excluded all of this
testimony as to the Mayor's connection with
the matter. He testified that on the night of the
10th of October, about two o'clock A. M., he,
with another party, went to this culvert.
That he had stooped down, looked under the
culvert, found the revolver, and that it was not
loaded at the time. That the chambers were
filled with dirt, and that it was covered with
mud. That he had put it in an old stocking,
and that he had afterwards hid it away in the
garret of his house, and kept it there ever since.
That he had never told any person that he had
found the revolver until the meeting of the
Grand Jury on January 10th. That about that
time he had had a talk with the Prosecuting
Attorney, and at his instance and request he
had gone to the jail to see Mrs. George. That
he was admitted to her cell; that she spoke
kindly to him and ask him to take a seat. He
said, “No, he did not have time to stay.” He
said to her, “Mrs. George, what shall I do with
the revolver that I found under the culvert, the
one that Mayor Rice told me about; what
shall I do with it?” She answered, “Go and
see my attorney, Mr. Welty; he will advise you
about it.”
The part of his testimony that referred to
Mayor Rice was stricken out.


148 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
On cross examination he said, among other
things, that he had first told the Prosecuting
Attorney about the revolver on the 10th of
January, that he had not told any other person
about it except his brother, Mont Hasler. He
was then asked if it was not a fact that he had
tried to have his brother use his influence with
the commissioners to have them offer a reward
for the revolver. This he denied. He admitted,
however, that his brother was in the employ of
the Canton Bridge Company, and was very
intimate with the County Commissioners. He
said he did not know why he suppressed the
finding of the revolver. He did not do it to
procure a reward, but his object was to have it
assist him in his candidacy for marshal more
than anything else. He further said that he
had resigned from the police force at the insti-
gation of the Mayor; that he had no enmity
towards Mrs. George that he knew of; that
when he went to see her in the jail he was sent
by the Prosecuting Attorney; that his object
was to get her to tell him something about the
revolver, so that he could use it against her in
the trial of the case. He did not take the
revolver with him at the time he testified before
the Grand Jury.
The cross examination of this witness was
very severe, and his testimony was very much
weakened. It is not necessary to give it any
more in detail, as the foregoing is the substance
of what the witness testified to. After this

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 14.9
witness left the stand Court adjourned until
Monday morning at ten o'clock.
Court opened at the time appointed,
promptly at ten o'clock. Judge Taylor took
his seat upon the Bench and the jurors were
called as usual. There was an immense crowd
waiting for the opening of the doors of the
court room, and the room was filled up im-
mediately to its fullest capacity. A great many
Attorneys were present. Mrs. George entered
the court room, accompanied by the Deputy
Sheriff, and took her seat as usual at the table
with her attorneys. She looked very much
care-worn. The constant strain upon her
nerves was having a great effect upon her. At
first, when the case began, she was in very
good health; her eyes were bright, and she
looked to be in perfect health. It could be seen,
during the progress of the trial, that the
constant nervous strain was having its effects
upon her. It had now been thirteen days since
the trial began, and during that time she was
in a constant strain of excitement during the
day time. She had taken a great interest in the
trial; in the impaneling of the jury, and every
witness that was called upon to testify was
carefully listened to by her, and every word
spoken was noticed and weighed by her.
Sergeant Hasler was again called, and a
few questions asked him by way of cross-ex-
amination. On Saturday an effort had been
made by the Counsel for the Prosecution to
150 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
have a certain letter admitted in evidence,
which it was claimed, had been written by Mrs.
George to Saxton, and which contained threats
against his life. This letter was regarded as
important testimony for the State, and the
Counsel for the defense was very anxious that
it be excluded.
There had been arguments on both sides on
Saturday, and the Court remarked that he
would hear further from Counsel on Monday.
Brief arguments were again made on both
sides, and the Court held however, that the
letter was not competent and excluded it. This
was a decided victory upon this point for the
defense.
Uriah Henry was next called. He had
accompanied Sergeant Hasler when the
revolver was found on the night of Oct 10th.
Mrs. McAllister was recalled and testfied to
some minor matters which had been omitted in
her examination on a former day of the trial.
Augusta Susky was next called. She said
on the evening of October 7th she was em-
ployed at Mr. Abt's Millinery store; that she
1eft the store about 5:30 o'clock P. M. and
walked west on Tuscarawas St. to Hazlett Ave.,
and on Hazlett Ave, to Third St. Passing the
Weiss home, on Hazlett Ave., she heard three
shots; in front of the Bederman house on Third
St., she heard two more shots. She was then
two houses from Lincoln Ave. She had a view
of Third St., and of Lincoln Ave., and could see
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CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 151
on Lincoln Ave., as far south as the Althouse
residence, but not below it. She could have
seen anyone going north, east or west; that
she saw no person pass.
On cross examination the witness testified
that the night was very dark. She said she
could recognize people around the body at the
place where the murder was committed, across
the street.
Louise Susky was also called. She accom-
panied her sister, who had just testified, and
her testimony was the same as that given by
her sister.
Two or three other witnesses were called
upon minor points which the State claimed had
been overlooked, and at three o'clock in the
afternoon Counsel for the prosecution an-
nounced that they rested their case, and that
that was all the evidence that would be offered
on behalf of the State
The closing day of the State's evidence was
not as interesting as it had been expected it
would be. It was supposed that some of the
strongest testimony in the case had been re-
served for the closing of the case, but it seemed
as though the State had nothing on hand for a
startling finish. The testimony during the day
was irksome and the idea seemed to be to fill in
the time, and to not close the case until
Tuesday morning. This they would have done,
no doubt, had it not been for the rulings of the
Court upon the evidence which had been ex-

152 UANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
cluded during the day. The Counsel for the
Prosecution seemed to be anxious, for some
cause or other, to bring Mayor Rice into the
case, and this they would have done but for
the rulings of the Court.
During the examination of Policeman
Hasler, the State made an effort to have him
say on the witness stand that Mayor Rice had
sent him for the revolver, and had told him it
was concealed under the culvert where the
Policeman found it, but the Court said such
testimony was not competent, for the reason
that the accused would not be bound by any-
thing said by any other person in her absence.
In view of this ruling the witness was not com-
pelled to say to the jury that the Mayor had
appointed him to secure the revolver. It was
but a short time after this decision by the
Court until the State offered the letter in
evidence which has heretofore been referred to.
This was rejected also, and the State seemed to
close its case under a cloud, rather than the
startling finish which it had contemplated.
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CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 153
CHAPTER XIV.
The State introduced testimony to show
that Mrs. George not only had a motive to
induce her to commit the mnrder, but that she
had also made threats against Saxton, all of
which was partially admitted in the opening
statement of the case by the defense. A number
of days were consumed in getting in the testi-
mony on these two points of the case. It was
also shown that Mrs. George was looking for
Saxton on the evening of the murder, that is,
Judge McCarty had testified that she had called
upon him the evening of the homicide, and had
asked permission of him to have an interview
with Saxton. The State also had established
the fact that Mrs. George had went west on
Tuscarawas St., on a street car, and had left
the car at Hazlett Ave., two blocks from the
scene of the tragedy, at about six o'clock on
that evening. It also introduced persons who
claimed to positively identify Mrs. George as
the person who fired the shots that caused the
death of Saxton, but there were some points
which the State had totally failed to prove.
One of the most important of these was as to
the ownership of the revolver found under the
culvert. A great deal of excitement then
existed among those who had been present


154. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
during the greater part of the trial, and wild
speculations were indulged in.
The defense had so completely covered the
line adopted by it, or to be offered, that no
person aside from the attorneys seemed to know
anything about it. The way was open for any
defense that they seen fit to adopt. The case
had been well managed on the part of the de-
fense. They had adroitly, in the cross examin-
ation of the witnesses for the State, kept from
indicating positively what the defense would
be. There was no doubt now however but
what an effort would be made to deny positively
that Mrs. George had anything to do with the
killing of Saxton. In the plea of not guilty the
defense had the right, under the rulings of the
court, to show the relations that existed
between Saxton and Mrs. George. This would
give the defense a great advantage. It would
enable them to offer testimony to show Saxton's
conduct toward her from the time of their ac-
quaintance down to the time of his death.
During the cross examination of the witnesses
for the State this was the theme of the defense,
and they did not lose an opportunity to get
from the State's witnesses the declarations of
Mrs. George on all occasions as to his harsh
treatment of her. This, then, in connection
with the testimony that would be offered on the
part of the defense, would get before the jury
frequently this important point in the case.
The weakness of the evidence of the State was


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 155
very much in favor of a verdict of Not Guilty.
The first testimony that was offered by the
defense were depositions of witnesses taken
before the trial. Depositions of a number of
persons who testified to the relations between
Saxton and Mrs. George. This testimony was
only interesting in that respect. There was
other testimony however, taken in these dep-
ositions of witnesses, who had seen Mrs.
George and Saxton in Dakota at the time that
the divorce was granted.
The deposition of J. E. Goldberg was read.
He testified that he is now engaged in the dry
goods business in Detroit, Michigan, and is a
member of the firm of Godlberg Bros. That his
firm was in business in Canton from 1881 to
1892. He knew Mrs. George very well. He did
not know her prior to the time she and her
husband moved into the Saxton Block. He
remembered the circumstance of Mrs. George
being in their store at one time before they
moved into the Saxton Block, shopping; that
George D. Saxton came into the store while she
was there. -
Also Charles M. Seeley testified, that his
age was forty-one years, that he is proprietor
of the hotel at Canton, South Dakota. Mrs.
George was a guest at his hotel during the
winters of 1891 and 1892. During that time
she occupied room No. 10 on the first floor.
Saxton was a guest for a week during the time
that she was there. His room was No.

156 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
14 on the first floor. There were three
rooms intervening between their rooms.
They took their meals together and the witness
thought they were very well acquainted, but
saw nothing unusual in their conduct. He
never saw them in any one room together.
They left the hotel at the same time. Mrs.
George paid her bills at the end of each week
regularly and she always had money. While
she roomed at the hotel she was very well
dressed, and even stylishly dressed. Witness
saw nothing improper between them.
N. E. Rudolph, of Lincoln County, South
Dakota, testified that he is forty-five years of
age, and is engaged in the practice of law at
the Lincoln County Bar. That he was the at-
torney for Sample C. George, the husband of
Annie E. George, in the divorce suit pending at
that time in 1892. He had seen Saxton and
Mrs. George after the divorce suit had ended;
they were standing on the upper porch of the
Harland House. Mrs. George seemed to be
pointing out places of interest in Canton, South
Dakota. Witness had no recollection of seeing
them on the streets or at the hotel afterwards,
and could say nothing as to their actions.
Oscar K. Brown, a resident of Canton,
South Dakota, testified by deposition that he is
the cashier of the Lincoln County Bank, at
South Dakota, that he is acquainted with the
defendant, Annie E. George; that he knew
that she resided in South Dakota in 1891 and

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 157
1892, and was boarding at the Harland House;
that she had no occupation that he knew of at
the time. He cashed some drafts for her.
There were nine drafts in all to the amount of
$450.00. All of them were endorsed by George
D. Saxton; or at least reported to be so en-
dorsed by him—such a signature was upon the
drafts preceding hers.
A number of drafts drawn by the City
National Bank, of Canton, Ohio, for sums from
$25 to $100 are also enumerated in the depo-
sitions, which had been cashed for Mrs. George.
In answer to cross interrogatories, witness
said that the only recollection he had as to
dates, numbers and amounts of drafts he had
testified to, was from the books of entry of the
bank; but he also had a distinct independent
recollection of having negotiated a number of
drafts for Mrs. George, payable to the order of
George D. Saxton, and by him indorsed to Mrs.
George.
Claude Treet is a hardware business man at
Canton, S. D. He testified that he knew Mrs.
George in 1891 and 1892. He saw her at the
Harland House in Canton, South Dakota; that
she was simply stopping at the hotel. She had
no particular occupation, so far as he knew.
He knew of her making neckties, and saw her
embroider the front of two gentlemen's
japanese silk nightshirts; at least she said that
was the material. Witness testified that he
knew George D. Saxton; had met him in the


158 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
hallway of the hotel, and had seen him once at
the hotel with Mrs. George. He saw them in
the parlor of the hotel and noticed that they
were in there together, and the witness with-
drew and did not interrupt them. He saw
them once or twice together on the street going
to and from the post-office; that they seemed
to be very affectionate toward each other.
Charles E. Judd testified that he is Presi-
dent of the First National Bank, of Canton,
S. D. He had held the office of Mayor,
member of the City Council, etc. That he had
seen Annie E. George and knew her while she
was in Canton in 1891 and 1892, when she
was living at the Harland House. He had seen
her two or three times in the dining room of
the hotel, as he was boarding there with his
family during the latter part of 1891. Saw her
probably on an average of three times a week
after he left the hotel, on the street. He had
never met her personally; never had any con-
versation with her. He afterwards met her in
the dining room of what was then the Booge
Hotel, now Mondamen Hotel, at Sioux City,
Iowa. She was passing out of the dining room
just ahead of the witness into the hall leading
toward the parlor. A gentleman was with her.
He did not know who, but he afterwards
learned that it was George D. Saxton. He
learned this by inquiring, and from circum-
stances that occured. Witness described Sax-
ton, and said that the couple passed along the

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 159
hall from the dining room into the parlor, and
into the room on the right of the parlor known
as No. 201. Witness further said, I observed
the room into which they went. I also made
an examination of the register for the purpose
of ascertaining, if possible, who was assigned
to this room. I was prompted to do this by
curiosity, simply to know who could be with
Mrs. George; having understood that her
husband was not in this part of the country,
and she being reputed to be in Canton, South
Dakota, to obtain a divorce. I noticed on the
register, opposite the indication of assignment
to room No. 201, the entry, “Geo. D. Saxton
and wife,” or “George D. Saxton and wife,
Canton.” Witness further testified that room
No. 201 was a private bedroom, and that he
had observed nothing of the conduct of the
couple except that they had left the dining
room together and went to room No. 201, and
closed the door after they had got in. I never
saw them before or after the time referred to.
It was between one and three o'clock in the
afternoon at the time I saw them as above
stated.
Robert Hunter in his deposition testified
that he is a lawyer of Sioux City, Iowa, that
he called at the Booge Hotel shortly after
February 16th, 1892; that he went there to
examine the register of the hotel to see if
George D. Saxton was stopping there, or had
been stopping there about that date. He made

160 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
an examination, and found on the register
under date of February 16th, 1892, the entry
“George D. Saxton and wife, Canton,” and op-
posite the same, “room 201” he believed. Wit-
ness testified that he was shown what pur-
ported to be a leaf taken from the guest regis-
ter of the Hotel Booge, of Sioux City. He
testified that he saw the leaf in the register on
March 10th, 1892. He saw it again not latter
than April 12th, then again in July, when the
entry and part of another leaf were cut out.
The entry of George D. Saxton and wife, of
Canton, was cut out, and he had made a tracing
of the signature, and the hotel register leaf was
attached to the deposition. The signature had
been taken on thin paper put over the signature
and drawn or sketched. T. F. Ronayne, the day
clerk of the hotel, was present when the tracing
was taken. In answer to the cross interrogato-
ries, Mr. Hunter said that Mr. M. E. Rudolph
directed him to go to the Hotel Booge, on Febru-
ary 16th, 1892. He had made a tracing of the
names at the request of Rudolph, and sent the
tracing to Mr. Rudolph. He returned it and he
used it in the Annie E. George divorce
proceeding.
Witness identified the paper marked “De-
fendants Exhibit No. One" as being the tracing
which he made of the the register of “Geo. D.
Saxton and wife,” on the hotel register.
Leslie M. Foote testified that he resided in
Inwood, Iowa; that he was clerk of the Harland

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 16.1
Hotel; that his duty was to meet trains both
day and night ; and to attend to a part of the
business about the hotel, assigning rooms, and
the general duties around the office. That he
knew the defendant, Annie E. George;
that she occupied room No. 10 in the Harland
House; and that No. 10 was four rooms from No.
14; which room was occupied by George D.
Saxton. As to their meeting at the hotel and
their disposition toward one another, the wit-
ness said they seemed to him to be very af-
fectionate toward each other, and were just as
intimate as he expected they would be from
what he had heard her say of him. That in
fact they were very intimate, and their conduct
very affectionate. They accompanied each
other to the dining room, sat at the table
together, and he knew of their taking walks
together, and going to ride, and he knew that
she was very frequently in his room, No. 14.
They sat there with the doors open for hours at
a time, and that they were in that room with the
door closed. There were bottles left in that
room that were emptied when he saw them, and
he knew they were taken in by Saxton, because
no one else could have taken them in there if he
had not. “At one particular time, when my
wife was out at Inwood, Mr. Saxton got a livery
team and cutter and started to take Mrs.
George to Inwood to see my wife and her folks,
but the roads were so bad that they turned
around and came back.”
162 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
- I know that Mr. Saxton and Mrs. George
both spoke to my wife in regard to sending a
valuable horse of his out here for Mrs. George
to use. He also talked about sending the horse
out here for sale ; sometimes he talked about
sending it out here to sell, and for her to use
both. I was asked by one or the other of them
to try to see if I could sell this horse for him.
I observed that Mrs. George was in his room
very frequently, and I think I remember once,
at least, of seeing him in her room ; but I would
not be positive as to this.
I do not know of any presents outside of
the drafts that she received that I can recollect,
except a box of Gunther's candy, which I
understood was ordered by Mr. Saxton from
Gunther to be sent direct to Mrs. George. In
regard to cashing checks or drafts bearing the
signature of George D. Saxton, the witness
said he believed there was one draft of $100.00
drawn in his favor to get cashed, and returned
the money to Mrs. George. The reason that it
was drawn to him was that she could get the
money better; it was not necessary then to
have her identified. In regard to her dress,
the witness said she dressed very well, but not
elaborately. She wore no jewelry, but wore
very good and becoming dresses. As to the
matter of the horse above mentioned, Mr. Sax-
ton and Mrs. George both spoke to him about
the horse.
In cross examination the witness said


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 163
he remembered the matter of the checks and
drafts, but that he could not recollect anything
in connection with it, but just merely had the
recollection of such a transaction; but it was
not plain enough in his memory to state just
how he recollected it. Witness said he had
knowledge of at least one check sent her by
George D. Saxton, from the fact that he saw the
check. This check called for $100, I am
positive. I saw her use this money in various
ways. She traveled some, and paid her travel-
ing expenses herself, and she seemed to have
money whenever she wanted to buy anything,
and always paid for what she bought. I have
seen considerable money in her possession from
time to time.
Mrs. Mary Foote is the wife of the former
witness. She testified that she saw Mrs.
George a number of times and became very
well acquainted with her. She also spoke of
the candy which Mr. Saxton had sent to Mrs.
George, and to the making of the nightshirts,
and a number of other things corroborated the
statements of her husband, who had just
testified.



164: CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER XV.
Tuesday afternoon court opened at one
o'clock. The first witness called was Joseph
Eckroate, the husband of the woman who testi-
fied on behalf of the State that she recognized
Mrs. George at the time of the shooting, and
said she was able to identify her as the person
who done the shooting ; that she was enabled to
see her by the electric light and by other
lights, which were on the place at the time
the shooting took place. -
This witness testified that he keeps a
grocery store across the street from the Alt-
house residence. That the night of October
7th, was very dark, that the light in his store
on that night was a lamp which was upon
the table in the rear part of the store;
that he had heard the shots while he was
at the store. He went out into the yard and
saw his daughter standing at the gate. When
asked what he had seen across the street he
said, “I did’t see much of anything ; some men
were across the street, but I did not recognize
them as it was too dark. I did not go across
the street. The limbs on the trees in front of
my residence were lower than they are now. I

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 165
made an experiment since from the store room.
I could not see across the street on the following
night to recognize anyone at the point where the
body lay.
The following night, I with others, made ex-
periments so as to determine what could be
seen at that point. I placed myself in the same
position my wife was in on the night of the
shooting, and I could not see across the street
to the Althouse steps without looking through a
cherry tree.
Upon cross examination the witness said
that he had but one eye, but that he could see as
well as most men; that he could see a great
distance as well as he could before he lost his
sight. He did not see his wife go into the room
from the supper table. He said that his
daughter had screamed when he went out into
the yard and told her someone had been shot.
There is a large light in the window of my
grocery store in front, but it was not lighted
that night; it was too dark to recognize anyone
across the street.
The witness further said, “I testified
before the Grand Jury. I have talked with Mr.
Welty and Mr. Sterling, and also with Mr.
Pomerene since. I have not been trying to keep
witnesses from testifying.”
The witness made a decided impression for
the reason that his testimony was frank and
seemingly truthful, and he was cheerful and
created considerable amusement among the



166 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
audience at his manner in the witness box.
This testimony seriously effected the
testimony of his wife, who had said that
she could recognize Mrs. George, and who
identified her as the person who done the
shooting.
John Berger was next called. He resides
in the city. He was in the kitchen at his home
reading a paper when he heard the shots. He
said the leaves were falling from the trees at
that time, but there were a good many leaves
still on the trees. When the witness heard the
shots he remained in the house a short time, and
a boy came in and told him a man had been shot
and was in front of the Althouse residence.
The witness said, “I went over; there were
several others there when I got there. I did
not recognize who the man was until he was
put in the patrol wagon. We lighted matches
so that we could see. The street was not very
muddy for I did not get any mud on my shoes.
The night was very dark and cloudy.”
On cross examination he said : An elm tree
sheds its leaves earlier than a maple tree. The
leaves had been falling ; I think about one-
third of the leaves were off the trees. The
body of Saxton was lying with the head down
near the edge of the sidewalk. I went through
the fields, or a vacant lot that night, and my
feet did not get much muddy. There was a
little mud on them but not very much. I did
not get my clothes wet, but I did get some burs
on my clothes. -

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 167
August Boroun is a son-in-law of Joseph
Eckroate who had just testified. He clerks in
the Eckroate grocery. He testified as follows:
“Was at the back end of the store when I
heard the shots. There was only a small lamp
in the store; it was standing about fifteen feet
back from the window. I went out and went
across the street. There I saw a body lying on
the sidewalk. I lit a match and saw that it
was the body of George D. Saxton. I had seen
him before; he came to the Althouse place
several times a week. The night was very dark
and cloudy. I could not recognize anyone
across the street. There were no lights about
there that shone upon the spot where the body
lay. There was a light at Third street, but it
did not shine on Saxton. The trees were in the
shade so that the body could not be seen. The
body lay in the shade of these trees.
* I have made an examination of the con-
ditions that existed that night between the
third window of the Eckroate residence and the
Althouse steps. I leaned out of the window
on Monday to determine whether I could see to
the south side of the steps. On account of a
tree that was there, I had to lean far out to see
the steps.”
On cross-examination he said that the
leaves were falling from the trees, but one-half
of them had not fallen as yet. Witness said
that the big lamp in front of the window of the
Eckroat store was not lighted that night. The

168 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
limbs of the trees hung down somewhat low.
In making our experiments we tried to de-
termine whether or not a person could be rec-
ognized across the street, and we found they
could not ; you could not recognize anyone.
Mrs. Francis Bederman was next called.
She is the wife of Henry Bederman, and lives
near Lincoln Avenue. She heard the shooting
the night of the murder, that it was a very
dark night. The ground was damp and muddy.
It was so muddy that it would stick to our
shoes. I could not recognize anyone across the
street. I could not recognize Mr. Saxton until
a match was lighted. I had seen Mr. Saxton
about the Althouse place. I had seen him
come there often. He seemed to go in and out
as he pleased, and he seemed to have a key of
his own.
On cross-examination she said that the
people around Saxton's body obstructed her
view of the body, and the leaves on the trees
interfered with the view. “I have known
Mrs. George about five or six months. I have
called upon her since she was in jail. I never
seen her about the Althouse residence that I
remember of. I did not know her prior to the
murder.”
Charles Huth testified that he is an express
messenger. He said he was in the habit of
meeting trains at the Valley Railway Depot.
“The evening of October 7th, I met
the train going south. It was the last
ATLEE POMERENE,
Prosecuting Attorney of Stark County.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 169
day of the Akron fair. It was 5:56 o'clock
when I first saw it. It came in and stopped
four or five minutes. I did not notice that
the rear coach obstructed traffic on Tuscarawas
Street. I got my stuff off of the train, loaded
it on the wagon, and then started away. The
car was going west after the train pulled down.
It stopped before crossing the railroad track.
It was 6:04 or 6:05 o'clock when this car crossed
the railroad track. I did not see Mrs. George
on the street car going west. I did see Mrs.
George coming up with the officers later in the
evening near the Valley Depot. I saw her
pass with the officers; she was holding up her
skirt on account of the wet or mud. I looked
at her skirt as she was passing, but saw nothing
unusual about it. It did not appear to be
soiled or muddy, as though she had been off
the sidewalk.
Mrs. Huth, the wife of the former witness,
had accompanied her husband to the Depot
that evening, and she testified to substantially
the same as her husband.
At this point Court adjourned until 8:30
o'clock Wednesday morning.
Court promptly convened at 8:30 o'clock.
From the line of defense made Wednesday
morning, it was apparent that the main point
in the defense would be to prove an alibi. In
other words, it was said Mrs. George would not
only deny having killed George D. Saxton, but
she would go further and try to prove that it was

170 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
an impossibility to have committed the
murder.
The tactics of her attorneys had been such
as to keep the State mystified, and this line of
action made the prosecutors unable to prepare
any special line, or to combat any particular or
definite defense.
They made an effort during the day to
have the attorneys for Mrs. George show their
hand, but the attorneys for the defense were
too cautious, and refused to commit themselves.
Efforts were made to show that Saxton had a
number of pistols in his room; several of them
of the calibre of the weapon with which he
was killed. This evidence was objected to, and
Judge Taylor demanded to know if it was pro-
posed to connect this fact with the shooting as
had been intimated by Counsel for the defense.
At this critical moment they gracefully with-
drew the objection, leaving the State’s At-
torneys still in the dark.
sº
--esº-



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 171
CHAPTER XVI.
The evidence submitted on Tuesday, in
support of the alibi, was very strong, and more
evidence of that character no doubt was ex-
pected to be produced that day. One of the
interesting incidents of Tuesday was the ar-
rival of Sample C. George, the prisoner's
former husband, in the city, with Howard
George, his youngest son. They were joined
by Newton George, the oldest son, who had
been with his mother daily since the trial
commenced.
Howard George went at once to his mother.
It was not known as yet whether Mr. George
would be placed upon the stand. Mrs. George
was prompt in her appearance in court, and
took her place at the Counsel table between
her attorneys, as usual. She looked somewhat
careworn but confident. The long, tedious
trial was having its effect upon her. After a
few minutes conversation with her attorneys
the next witness was called.
Jacob Adams testified that he was working
at Kensington Place on the day of the murder.
He came in from his work about six o'clock in

172 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
the evening. It had been raining that evening;
the ground was wet. He waited at the Marble
shop, near the entrance of the cemetery, and
then went home along the west side of Lincoln
Avenue.
He met a man going west on West Tusca-
rawas Street; it was George D. Saxton; the
witness asked him if he had been to the
Minerva Fair. “I passed a man half way
between Third and Tuscarawas Streets at six
o'clock,” the witness continued, “I did not know
him at the time and it was too dark to recog-
nize him. A little later I met Saxton on Tusca-
rawas Street. The night was very dark. I
met Mrs. George at Lynch and Tuscarawas
Streets, about eight o’clock. She was walking
west and appeared natural. I did not see any-
thing about her to attract attention.”
On cross-examination witness detailed
where he had worked for a number of years.
“On the day of the tragedy,” he said, ‘‘the
workmen lost an hour and a half in the after-
noon by rainfall.” He further said that he had
quit work about six o'clock sun time, and
stopped at the Marble shop for a half hour.
The witness was cross-examined critically
about the man he said he had met on Lincoln
Avenue. He said it was about half way down
the Avenue. “I know,” the witness said, “a
great many people in the City, but I did not
know the man I met. I knew Saxton very
well; he was on Tuscarawas Street when I

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 173
-
met him. I have talked with the Counsel for
the defense about this case. I went out with
others to hunt for a revolver. I talked with
the Prosecuting Attorney about the case but I
did not tell him about the man I met on Lincoln
Avenue for the reason that he did not ask me;
neither did he ask me about meeting Saxton.
He seemed to be anxious to inquire about
Nauman when he talked to me.”
Ex-Mayor George Rex was next called.
He had made an experiment at the Eckroate
house for the purpose of determining whether
it was possible to see from the third window of
the house to the Althouse steps. He said a
tree was directly in the way. He described the
tree and said he leaned over the casing of the
window and the Althouse steps were directly
through the tree. Witness said that he had
stood outside of the window and leaned his head
against the casing to try the line with which
he had made the experiment, that he could not
see the ground south of the steps, from where
he stood.
Several other witnesses testified to obser-
vations made, and who had experimented for
the purpose of determining the probability of
the testimony of the witnesses who testified
that they had seen the person and identified
her at the time of the murder.
Frank Hildebrand said he lived in the west
part of the city, was at home the night of the
tragedy, he heard the shots and went to the

174 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
scene. Some woman said to him as he was on
Lincoln Avenue, “My God, there is a man lying
there dead.” The night was very dark, I could
not recognize anyone across the street. I could
see the body of Saxton, but could not recognize
him. I went across the street, but could not
see who it was until I lit a match. I would say
that it was an unusually dark night, it had
been raining up until five o'clock. The soil
about the place, where the body lay, was
muddy. Witness said he could not have seen a
woman standing on Lincoln Avenue, if she had
not worn a light skirt. He went across the
street because the woman told him where the
body was. The witness described the condition
of the body, and said there was no light shin-
ing from the Eckroate grocery.
Upton Shutz was next called. He lives on
West Tuscarawas Street, he said that it was
raining on the day of the tragedy, and that it
was a foggy night. He had been gunning
during the day, and had come home by way of
the Valley Railroad track. The ground was
wet and muddy, the trees had leaves on them,
the foliage on the trees in the western part of
the city was quite dense. I noticed burs along
Tuscarawas street about that time; there were
plenty of burs between Lynch and Newton
streets on a vacant lot: between the bridge and
the Valley track, there were burs along the
south side of the street. There were some near
the Benskin property and the Oberlin property.
--
-


















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 175
I saw Mrs. George on that night about 8:15
o'clock. She was walking west on the street.
Adam Jackman was next called. It will be
remembered that C. C. Loyd had testified on
behalf of the State, to a conversation he had
with Mrs. George in the presence of Jackman.
Lloyd testified that Mrs. George had
threatened Saxton with violence on that oc-
casion. Jackman on behalf of the defense
stated that he knew Charles Lloyd, that he
was at Mrs. George's house with Lloyd and
Mrs. Streeter. Lloyd and I went there
together and came back together. I heard a
conversation between Lloyd and Mrs. George,
it was about a sui; that Saxton and Mrs.
George had. Mrs. George did not say to Lloyd
that she would kill Saxton. She did not say
anything about that.
I was at the Saxton Block one time to
serve some papers as constable. Saxton
ordered me, as an officer, to put Mrs. George out
of the block. I went into the room where the
goods were that I was to seize in a replevin
suit. Mrs. George said to me that she thought
she had a right to go in where the goods were.
The replevin suit was brought by Mrs. George
against Saxton to recover the goods. Saxton
said that he had a note for $300 against Mrs.
George, and it was a lien on the goods. Mrs.
George and Mr. Werntz left the building with
me. I heard Saxton testify upon the trial of
that case. He said Mrs. George owned the

176 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
goods but he had a lien on them. I did not
hear all of the testimony in that case. I was
there while Saxton was testifying. I heard
Saxton speak about some letters. The letters
were shown him upon the trial, and he said the
letters were written by him to Mrs. George.
When Saxton was shown the signature to the
letters he said that they were his ; that he had
signed the letters; they were in typewriting,
but Saxton had signed his name in ink.
When court convened at one P. M., the
witness, Jackman, was called for further ex-
amination. He said “Mrs. George told Saxton
that she had goods in the room in the Saxton
Block that her mother had given her, and she
thought she was entitled to them. Saxton said
they would be worn out before she would get
them by process of law. She said something
about her sewing machine, and Saxton said
something had fallen on it and broken it.
Grant came in while they were talking about
the machine, and Grant said, “She has taken
everything but the paper on the wall, and now
she wants that.’” Witness then spoke of
another conversation that took place when he
and Mrs. George went to the block to replevin
the goods.
“I went into Saxton's office and spoke to
him about the papers I had He said I could
not go into the room where the goods were. I
said I would have to go in and if he did not
give me the key, I would have to break in the
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 177
door. He said I might go in, but Mrs. George
could not go in. She said she had a right to
go in there as it was her home, and the only
home she had. Saxton said he did not want
her around the block at all. Saxton’s manner
was very abusive, and he was angry. Mrs.
George was excited and positive in her
manner. She made no threats against Saxton,
and I do not recollect just what she said.” I
had a talk with Mrs. George about Saxton.
Another conversation was inquired about, but
was objected to and the objection sustained.
The witness was cross-examined. He said,
“I do not recollect of Lloyd having such a
conversation as he has related.” He said the
goods were not all enumerated in the writ. I
do not know that I said to you, that if her
writ was not definite enough it would not be
necessary for you to take Mrs. George into the
room. You may have said something of that
kind, but I do not remember it. I did not take
more goods out of the room than the writ
called for. I did not know Mr. McKinley was
coming home the day that this suit was com-
menced ; I didn’t know anything of the kind.
This testimony was objected to by Counsel
for the defense, and the court ruled that it
was not competent. Counsel for the State
claimed that it was competent to show that
the suits were brought by Mrs. George against
Saxton for the purpose of annoying him at the
beginning of Mr. McKinley's Presidential


178 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
campaign. The testimony was excluded by
the court.
Mr. Welty remarked, “We don’t want to
bring the relatives of Mr. Saxton into this
suit, but since you desire it,” addressing
Counsel for the State, “we will open the door
if you want it open.” This was the first time
that Mr. McKinley's name was mentioned
during the trial, and it came from the
prosecution.
The witness further said that Saxton had
told him that Mrs. George must pay the note
which he held against her for $300, before she
could get her goods. Witness denied that he
had harassed Mr. Saxton with a bill for costs,
and said he had nothing against him.
An effort was made on the part of the
Counsel for the defense to show by this witness
that other women had visited Mr. Saxton, in the
Saxton Block, during the time that he and Mrs.
George were having their trouble, and a number
of witnesses had been subpoenaed for this
purpose. This line of testimony was objected
to by the prosecution, and the ruling of the
Court upon this question necessarily shortened
the trial, as this testimony was excluded. The
Court held that if it was intended to show that
the prisoner was at times in a state of frenzied
emotion, it must be shown that it was on
account of the Althouse woman alone, and that
other women were not to be dragged into the
case. This would prevent these witnesses

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 179
from being called.
- Katie Groetzinger was next called. She
had been employed in the Zoar Hotel. She
testified that Saxton and Mrs. George were at
the Hotel. They had rooms with a door com:
municating between them. Saxton had fre-
quently been at the Hotel and Mrs. George had
been there twice. Witness did not know how
long Mrs. George remained there, and she did
not know that they occupied the same room.
* I heard a conversation between Saxton and
Mr. Ruff about the propriety or impropriety of
them being together there at the Hotel. The
conversation was not about Mrs. George; it
was about—an objection was here interposed
and the remainder of the sentence was cut off.
It was a narrow escape for some person that
Saxton was talking about.
Adam Sheppard was next called. He had
formerly been janitor of the Saxton Block, and
now lives at Coshocton. He described the
rooms of the Saxton Block and the manner of
reaching them. He said he had often seen Mrs.
George about the Block. On one occasion, in
1896, Saxton was at the St. Louis Convention.
Mrs. George went into his office and examined
the waste paper basket. She picked out some
scraps of paper, wrapped them up in a news-
paper and carried them away.” The witness
was asked if there were any other women who
frequented the Block, “Do you intend to show
they visited Saxton, for unlawful purposes,”


180 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
asked the Court. “We don't care what they
visited him for’’ said Mr. Welty, all we want is
to show that they were there. We expect to
show that when W. F. Cook said he saw Mrs.
George with a revolver, that he was mistaken
and that he saw some one else.” “Well it must
be near the time that was fixed by the witness
Cook,” remarked the Court. The testimony did
not then develop as was expected, and the testi-
mony that was given upon that point as to the
names of other women other than Mrs. Alt-
house was excluded.
Several other witnesses were called to
testify that the night of October 7th, was very
dark.
Charles Sommers (colored), who now
resides in Columbus, was next called. He
testified that he knew Mrs. Althouse, and that
he had seen her about the Saxton Block, witness
said, he supposed a hundred times. She did not
have any regular time of going there that he
knew of. She would go there at any time of the
day or night, and go to Saxton's office. I have
never seen her there in the morning ; yes I
saw her go out of the office at six o'clock in the
morning, I know of them taking their meals
there on Sundays. I would smell the coffee and
the cooking, and would very often find a basket
of dishes and empty beer bottles. I did not see
Mrs. George there. I have seen other women
go through the halls often. He said he had no
feeling against Saxton.
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 181
At this point the defense called a witness
who was of more importance than any yet
called by them. This witness was Mrs.
Lena Lindeman.
Mrs. Lindeman had been engaged at the
Saxton Block during the life-time of George D.
Saxton. It was her duty to take care of Sax-
ton's office and sleeping room, and to do his
laundry work. She was also a very good friend
of Mrs. George. Mrs. George had been in the
habit of visiting the house of witness, who done
her washing at times.
If the testimony of this witness was true,
it could not have been possible for Mrs. George
to have been at the scene of the murder at the
time it was said to have occurred ; consequently
her testimony was of the greatest importance.
She said she lived on South Market St., No.
1525. That she had charge of Saxton's rooms.
She did the laundry work for the rooms. There
was a folding bed in the private office. At one
time the partition between rooms 7 and 8 was
down, so that these rooms communicated. It
was attempted to prove by this witness that
Saxton had revolvers about his rooms and
carried them up to a time shortly before his
death. The Court ruled that this was not
competent unless it was claimed that the shoot-
ing was accidental, or that there was an element
of self defense in it; the defense was not pre-
pared to take that position, and the Court
excluded the testimony.

182 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
The witness said, “I seen Mrs. George on
the day of the 7th of October.
She came to my house at 12 o'clock that
day, and remained until 5:30 o'clock, my house
is on South Market St. near the Valley Railroad
crossing. When Mrs. George left my house I
handed her cape to her ; there was no revolver
in the cape. If there had been, I would have
known it. I had been washing for Mr. Saxton
that day. I washed his clothes. Mrs. George
helped me some. The tidies for the office
needed some trimming, and Mrs. George
trimmed them ; while she was engaged at that
she said, “Now you see if he takes notice to
this being trimmed.” She said “when Toby
(meaning Saxton) is settled he will marry me, I
know he will not go back on his word.”
“I examined Mrs. George's waist and
dress while she was there that day. There were
burs and spanish needles in the back part of my
lot. “Mrs. George went out through the lot
at one time.” Witness was here shown the
revolver that had been offered in evidence, and
she said it could not have been on Mrs George's
person when she was at her house. “Mrs.
George was in good spirits,” the witness said,
and seemed happy when she left my home.”
On cross-examination witness said that Mrs.
George had walked up from her house, she said
she would not take a car as she had time to walk
and arrive at supper time at the Star Restaur-
ant. There was a big crop of Spanish needles


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 183.
and burs in her yard. -
J. C. Moore was next called. He said that
he was a collection and insurance agent, and
that he had called at the home of Mrs. Lindeman
and that Mrs. George was there. This was
between four and five o’clock.
Jacob Lindeman also testified to the spanish
needles and burs in the lot at his brother’s
house. He described the lot and its
surroundings.
Court then adjourned until Thursday morn-
ing at 8:30 o'clock. Mrs. George appeared at
the hour to which Court had adjourned looking
somewhat refreshed, she appeared to be feeling
better than on Wednesday morning.
\S’ \9)/
e =


184 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER XVII.
The first witness called on Thursday morn-
was J. C. Eymann, an expert. He is Super-
intendant of the Newburg Hospital, and was
called for the purpose of giving testimony as to
the effect the opium or morphine habit has upon
a perSOn.
It will be remembered that Mrs. Eckroate,
testified that she had recognized Mrs.
George at the time of the murder, and also
admitted on the stand that she was addicted
to the use of opium. Dr. Eymann said that a
person addicted to the habit is unreliable as to
truthfulness; the length of time required to fix
the habit depends upon the individual, but the
rule is for physicians not to prescribe the drug
for more than thirty days at one time. The
person using the drug is subject to halluciua-
tions and they resort to every artifice for the
purpose of obtaining the drug.
On cross-examination the witness said that
he did not know of a case where a person took
opium regularly without a noticeable effect that
they usually became haggard and pale. It is
possible for a person to use opium for years
without it becoming noticeable but such is not
JAMES J. GRANT,
WHo Assisted IN THE Prosecution.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 185
my observation. I have had experience with
the insane, the per cent of opium patients is
small in insane hospitals. The woman is not
likely to do her own housework in the same
manner as usual after taking opium for years.
The effect of the drug leads finally to halluciua-
tions. Witness described this to be a sort of
idea created by the brain without external
effort, and one imagines that she sees something
that does not exist. -
The length of time as to the use of the
drug varies before they suffer such vagaries.
Unreliability and disregard for the truth are
among the first effects. The habit of untruth-
fulness is not confined alone to an effort to get
the drug. -
Alva Whipple was next called. He lived
on West Third street, his residence is near
Lincoln Avenue. The witness said, “I was in
the rear room of the house when I heard the
shots. I went over to the Althouse residence
right away ; a small number of people were
there; I was there before the patrol wagon
arrived. I saw an inanimate object on the
ground; it was necessary to have a light
before we could recognize what the object
was.”
The witness testified that he had made
an examination of Lincoln Avenue and the
number of trees on the street, and he testified
that it would be next to impossible to see the
place where the body lay from the Eckroate
186 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
house. Other witnesses were called upon the
same object.
W. B. Deweese testified that there were
burs and Spanish needles growing on a vacant
lot near his home in the vicinity of the Ober-
lin house where Mrs. George had her room.
Mrs. Maud Randall also testified to the
same thing. Several witnesses here testified
that burs and Spanish needles could be seen on
Tuscarawas street.
Squire F. H. Darr was next called, and
testified about a replevin suit between Mrs.
George and George D. Saxton. “ Saxton testi-
fied in my court,” the witness said, “during
the trial some letters were offered in evidence.
Saxton testified that the signatures to these
letters were his signatures. One of the letters
was in typewriting and the other was in his
hand writing.” Saxton was inquired of upon
the trial as to the ownership of the goods,
and he said some belonged to him and some to
Mrs. George. “I wrote the letters,” Saxton
said.
During the cross-examination the Prosecu-
ting Attorney arose and said that the witness
was looking at the defendant, Mrs. George,
and that she was shaking her head and
making signs to the witness whether to say
“yes” or “no” to the questions. Mr. Welty
on the part of the defense said that nothing of
the kind had occurred, and protested against
such a statement by the Prosecutor, and asked

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 187
that it be excluded. The court immediately
ordered that the statement be excluded from
the record.
The next witness was James Huddell, a
clerk in the Hotel Federal, of Allegheny,
Pennsylvania. He testified that he knew Mrs.
George, had seen her at the Hotel Federal, he
did not know George Saxton, but when he
was shown a photograph of Saxton he said
that he and Mrs. George came together to the
hotel and asked for a room ; they were given
room No. 8. He said the gentleman had a hat
on when they came in but he left his hat in the
office. They registered as “G. B. Smith and
wife, Toledo, Ohio.”
The register of the hotel was here pro-
duced and he was asked to point out the
names on the register. He said the leaf had
been taken out. This leaf was attached to a
deposition that was wanted in Canton, and
was returned to the hotel. It afterwards got
lost in some way ; the date of the leaf was
March 24th, 1896.
On cross-examination the witness said he
did not intimate that the leaf was destroyed
by anyone interested in Mr. Saxton. It was
destroyed by parties around the hotel who
cleaned up, he thought. He further said that
Mrs. George went with Saxton to the room;
she made no objection that he noticed. The
witness had seen a photograph at the hotel
and also at Mr. Sterling's office.

188 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Freeman Lesser, of Canal Fulton, testi-
fled that he is a school teacher and weigher of
mails. That he was at the Hotel Federal and
a man who looked like Saxton's photograph
was there ; that Mrs. George came into the
dining room with Saxton and they eat break-
fast together. He had since met Mrs. George
at the jail about a month ago.
On cross-examination he testified that he
was in Pittsburg on business at the time,
that he went over to Allegheny and there saw
the parties. He said Mr. Saxton was a man of
good appearance, and he was about five feet,
nine inches tall.
“I was attracted to the circumstances on
account of the woman who was with the man,
she was a mighty fine looking woman, she was
an attractive woman. I am not married. The
next I heard of Mr. Saxton was when he was
shot. I did not know his name when I saw
him at the hotel. I saw his picture afterward
in the papers.”
Mrs. William H. Miller was next called.
She testified that she had seen a man on Linden
Avenue. “It had grown dark and I went out
to call my little girlin. I noticed a figure ap-
proaching very rapidly, I thought at first it
was a woman, but as it came in sight under
the light I saw it was a man with a mackin-
tosh on; the mackintosh had a cape. The man
continued to walk rapidly. This was about
6:30 o'clock in the evening. I did not recognize


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 189
the person nor know who it was, it was no one
that I had ever seen before. It was a dark,
hazy night. She further testified that she had
resided in Canton for twelve years, and was
married about eleven years ago. Prior to that
time she lived in Cleveland.
On cross-examination she said that the man
she saw wore a light straw hat, with a black
bandon. The light was a Sun Vapor light on
the street. The man came from the direction
of the water works park to Newton Street.
The witness said she lived two doors west of
Newton Street. Every effort was made to con-
fuse the witness, but the story she told seemed
to be entirely true The testimony was sensa-
tional in its character, and it had a great effect
on everyone who heard it. The witness said
she had never talked to Mr. Welty until that
afternoon, and that she did not know Mr.
Sterling or Mrs. George.
W. O. Werntz was next called. This
witness it will be remembered gave testimony
for the State. He testified that he knew Mrs.
Finley; that at the hearing of the case of Mrs.
Finley against Mrs. George before Squire
Robertson, that Mrs. Finley said that she never
knew Mrs. George had a revolver, and if she
had one that she, (Mrs. Finley) would have
known it. Mrs Finley also testified at that
time that Mrs. George was entirely harmless
and would’nt hurt a cat. Witness was also
asked about the hearing in Squire Darr's

190 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Court when the letters from Saxton to Mrs.
George were presented in the replevin case.
He was shown a copy of these letters, they
were printed in the Stark County Democrat.
Mr. Werntz identified them from the files
of the Democrat, and he said that Saxton had
said on that trial that the signatures to the
letters were genuine; that they were his signa-
tures. Mr. Weintz further testified that he
had been with Mrs. George and the Constable
at the Saxton Block during the time of the last
replevin suit. “Saxton and Mr. Grant told us
there that we could not go into the rooms and
they ordered us all out of the block. I told
them that we would go when we got ready,
and if they did`nt open the door so we could
get the things, we would kick the door down.
They then conferred together, and it was finally
agreed that we could remain in the Block. I
insisted that Mrs. George should go in and pick
out such things as belonged to her.
On cross-examination Counsel intimated
that the first replevin suit was filed by Mrs.
George, so as to get into the rooms and see
what was there, so that another suit could be
instituted afterward. Mr. Werntz denied this,
and said that such was not the case. He said
that the letters from Saxton to Mrs. George
were turned over to Mr. McLean, and he de-
clined to give them up.
Miss Fannie McLean was then called. She
is the daughter of Attorney McLean who is












canton's GREAT TRAGEDy. 191
now deceased. She identified the letters pub-
lished in the News-Democrat at that time. The
originals, she said, were in Mr. McLean's
hands at one time, but that they had dis-
appeared from the office since. She said her
father had looked for them several times but
could not find them.
Squire J. H. Reigner was then called. He
testified that at the time of the replevin case,
in Squire Darr's Court, that he was a reporter
on the News-Democrat. He testified that he
copied the letters before referred to, carefully,
and turned them in to the city editor of the
Democrat. He looked over the proof after-
ward, and found that the letters were correctly
printed. He identified them in the files of the
Stark County Democrat as the same that he
had seen in the Justice Court. Here the letters
were offered in evidence. Objection was made
by the Prosecution on the ground of improper
identification. The Court held however that
the letters were admissable and they were read
to the Jury. -
Mr. Welty then stated that he wanted the
documents that set forth the terms of the settle-
ment between Saxton and Mrs. George. He
further stated that Mrs. M. C. Barber, a sister
of Mr. Saxton, had been summoned, and that
the summons called for that settlement among
other things. That since it was served upon
her, that her attending physician filed an affi-
davit that Mrs. Barber was too ill to come into

192 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Court. Counsel for the defense then desired
to have her deposition taken, and Counsel for
the State objected to this, stating that they had
no knowledge of a settlement in 1896, nor at
any other time, and declined to permit the
State to be held responsible for it; being out of
Court. Mr. Welty said that in Allegheny,
Saxton and Mrs. George had an agreement as
to the withdrawal of certain suits that were
then pending. This settlement was reduced to
writing, and that they now wanted it in Court
upon this trial.
Newton George was next called. He is a
son of the prisoner and has been very much in-
terested in his mother’s case. He testified that
he now lives in Alliance, and is now seventeen
years of age. “I lived in the Saxton Block,”
the witness said, “in this city, on the third
floor, and I lived with my father and
mother then. I know Mr. Saxton and saw him
often at our rooms. I would see him most any
time during the day. I do not believe that my
father knew that he visited us or when he
visited us. We afterward moved to Ninth
Street. I did not see Mr. Saxton at the house
on West Ninth Street after we moved. After
that some time, we went to Hanoverton, and
then we came back again to the Saxton Block.
My mother, my brother and myself moved into
the Saxton Block at that time. It was in 1890,
I think. Mr. Saxton came to see us very often.
I remember the separation of my father and
















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 193
mother when we lived on West Ninth Street.
Mr. Saxton often came to our rooms when we
lived in the Saxton Block the second time. We
had two rooms as I remember, one we used for
a kitchen, and the other for a sitting room and
bed room. Mr. Saxton gave us boys candy
and other presents. He gave mother candy
and fruit also. Both rooms were used for
sleeping purposes, my brother and Islept in the
kitchen most of the time. Mr. Saxton would
often order us to bed.”
“Saxton and mother were very friendly to
each other. I have seen my mother sit on
Saxton's lap often. Mr. Saxton frequently
took his meals with us, and he and mother
went out riding together.”
The witness was cross-examined briefly.
He said he did not recollect a woman by the
name of Theresa Hull, neither did he know
whether she was in Saxton's Block or not. He
was nine or ten years old when they lived there
the last time, and three or four years when they
lived there the first time. Here Court ad-
journed until 8:30 o'clock Friday morning.
194. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Court met pursuant to adjournment, and
the first witness called by the defense was
Joseph Eckroate. He is the husband of the
Mrs. Eckroate whose testimony has heretofore
been given. He was asked as to the condition
of his wife, and as to conversations he had had
with her concerning her use of morphine. “I
first saw her use a white powder, at Navarre;
she used this powder very often. She began the
use of morphine at Navarre. The powder
was wrapped up in paper. She has been
using the drug for ten years. My wife, myself
and the children live together. It had a very
peculiar effect upon my wife; it made her drowsy
and irritable, but not so much then as it has
1ater on. We afterward moved to Canton. I
have seen her use this powder since we came to
Canton. It resembled in color and appearance
what I saw her use at Navarre. The paper
that contained the powder was in the pos-
session of my wife. It made her drowsy and
irritable, and her memory is not as good as it
used to be; she is getting worse all the time in
a good many ways.”















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 195
The witness seemed as though he did not
care to answer the questions, but he was told
that he must answer the questions that were
asked. He said that the drug had done his wife
a great deal of injury. He said that Mrs.
Eckroate was his second wife. “We have not
had many family troubles. I have no feeling
against my wife. I did not oppose her giving
her testimony on behalf of the State in this
case. I did not say that she knew nothing
about the case. I did not tell Mr. Pomerene
that the drug had any effect on my wife.”
On re-direct examination the witness said
that he and Mr. Pomerene talked over the
question of the morphine at his store a couple
of days ago. That he told the Prosecutor there
that the drug made her drowsy and irritable.
Dr. E. J. Schlabach was next called. He
said that he had been in the Court room a day
or two ago and saw Mrs. Eckroate, “I had
seen her before. I think the first time I seen her
was about seven years ago. She used to be a
very good customer at my store; she bought
morphine. It is a very white powder, almost
like quinine in appearance. Three or four years
ago she used to buy it as often as once a week,
or once in two weeks. She has not bought
much of me lately. She said she was buying it
for somebody else. She got it elsewhere also.”
Witness showed a bottle of morphine holding
fifty cents worth, an eighth of an ounce. She
bought it in bulk.

196 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Mr. Garver, of Navarre, also testified to
selling her morphine when she lived at Navarre.
Miss Effie Darr was the next witness. She
said she had been to school on the day of the
tragedy, and that she had left the square at
5:05 o'clock P. M. “I met Mrs. George at the
first street south of the Ft. Wayne Railroad,
on South Market St. She was coming up town.
I think it was about twenty minutes after five
when I first met her.
Mrs. Ellen Fink testified that she resides
near the Valley Railroad, on South Market St.,
near the home of Mrs. Lena Lindeman. She
saw Mrs. George at the Lindeman home in the
afternoon going through the back yard. Later
she saw her standing at the side porch talking
with Mrs. Lindeman; that was about 5:30
o'clock. She also said there were lots of
Spanish needles and burs in the Lindeman lot.
When the name of Florence Klingler was
called there was a suppressed excitement in the
court room. It had been known for two or
three days that an effort would be made on the
part of the defense to prove an alibi, and that
this witness was to testify to facts which
would establish that defense. She took her
place upon the witeess stand. She was a very
respectable looking lady. She was well dressed,
and made a good impression.
She said in answer to questions, “I have
known Mrs. George for several years ; I
roomed at Mrs. Finley's house when Mrs.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 197
George lived there. I was very well ac-
quainted with her. I went with her to the
Saxton Block at one time. We met there a
colored man whom they called Shep.' I did
not remain. I went up town then and later I
went home. The last time I saw Saxton was
on the night of October 7th, the night of the
murder. I was going west on Tuscarawas
street. He passed me in front of the New
Bank Building. I was out off the pavement
going around the rubbish that was occasioned
by the erection of that building. Mr. Saxton
passed right beside me on his bicycle. I
walked on to Cleveland Avenue, he went on
the west side, and I went to my home on
Marion street. I was just unlocking the door
when the clock struck six. I remained there
until seven thirty o’clock. Mrs. George came
to my house, as near as I can remember, about
twenty or twenty-five minutes after six. She
left my house a little after seven o’clock, and
said she was going to Mr. Sterling's office.
While she was at my house Mr. Howenstine
came in.”
The cross-examination of Mrs. Klinger
was severe, but her testimony was not
materially affected. An effort was made to
discredit her testimony, by showing that she
had been divorced from her husband on the
ground of unfaithfulness, and some very in-
sulting insinuations were flung at the witness,
but she answered the questions in a modest,

198 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
unassuming manner, which left a good im-
pression on those who heard her. The pecul-
iarity of the examination was that the State
claimed that the testimony of the witness did
not only not effect them, but that it was in
the main correct, because it showed that Mrs.
George was in the vicinity of the place where
the revolver had been found, and that no other
testimony had placed her so near that place as
the testimony of this witness; but the
peculiar point of this examination was that
the State asked her to be believed as to the
position they occupied, and to be discredited as
to what she said about the alibi.
The next witness was Ira Howenstine.
He testified that he was at Mrs. Klinger's
house on the evening of October 7th; that he
got there about six thirty-five o'clock, that
Mrs. George was there when he arrived; that
there was nothing unusual about Mrs.
George's appearance, and she seemed about as
she always did. He held a conversation with
her, and she talked in her usual manner, and
showed no excitement that he could see.
On cross-examination he said that he had
an engagement with Mrs. Klinger at six thirty
o'clock, and that he knew positively that it
was no latter than six thirty-five when he got
to the house; that he thought he was about
five minutes late.
He was asked if he did not contribute to
the support of Mrs. Klinger and he answered

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 199
most emphatically that he did not. After a
number of questions upon further examination
the witness was excused.
Another witness testified that he was as-
sociated with the management of the Zoar
Hotel, a place of resort about twelve miles
from Canton. That Mr. Saxton and Mrs.
George came to the hotel at one time and re-
mained about a week. They occupied the
same room together. The same witness also
testified that Mr. Saxton and Mrs. Althouse
had come to the hotel last snmmer. They
came there on their bicycles.
Michael Burke was next called. He knew
Mrs. Eckroate. He lived at Navarre during
the time they lived there. He said that Mrs.
Eckroate was in the habit of using morphine;
that her step daughters were obliged to come
to his house on several occasions for refuge
because Mrs. Eckroate became so quarrelsome
and abusive toward them. That Mrs.
Eckroate had left her husband at several
times and went to Navarre. He asked her at
one time why she did not quit eating morphine;
and shq said she could not quit the habit. Her
husband came to Navarre at the time she left
and tried to get her to go back. She said she
would not go back unless she got some money,
for the reason that he would not give her
money when she wanted it. Her husband
said that she would steal everything she could
get her hands on to get morphine. Witness
200 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
said that the morphine caused her to become
wild at times and drowsy at other times.
On cross-examination he said that he lived
at Barberton, that he had lived a private life
for the past three years, that he used to keep a
dry goods store at Navarre, that he had a
saloon in connection with his dry goods store.
The witness was asked many questions by Mr.
Grant, who insisted upon an answer. “I am
going to have an answer,” Mr. Grant said,
“if I can get authority in this Court.”
Whereupon the court sternly looked at the at-
torney and said, “What do you mean by that
remark º’ “I want nothing, but I want the
witness to answer,” said Mr. Grant. The wit-
ness left a good impression and his testimony
was not shaken upon cross-examination.
Miss Laura Burke, of Barberton, was also
examined. She is the daughter of the former
witness. She said she knew Mrs. Eckroate
and knew that she took morphine, that she
wanted to give out the impression that she did
not use it. She ran away from her husband at
one time and went to Navarre. The witness
said that she had taken a knife away from Mrs.
Eckroate at her home at one time. Mrs. Eck-
roate's daughter told her at that time that if
she was not crazy with morphine that she
would not have acted so. She tried to kill her
daughter with a knife, and throwed her down
the stairway. After awhile she became quiet
and the next morning she did not know what


JOHN C. WELTY,
WHo DEFENDED THE Accused.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 201
had happened the day before. Mrs. Eckroate
said that the morphine was the whole trouble;
that she had tried to quit it but could not. On
cross-examination witness said that Mrs. Eck-
roate imagined things and related several oc-
curances. She always acted queer, and the
only time she appeared at all natural was real
early in the morning. The witness did not
know what her condition had been during the
past year.
The next witness was Sample C. George.
It will be remembered that he was the former
husband of Mrs. George. As soon as the name
was called there was a great stir in the court
room. Everybody was anxious to get a view
of the former husband of Mrs. George. He
came forward to the witness stand and took
his place. He is a tall, thin man, about forty-
five years of age, He has rather a plain face
and in all is a respectable looking man. It was
a strange scene. As has been heretofore stated
he is married to another woman and resides in
Alliance. There was a good deal of speculation
as to what side of the case he would take.
When Mr. George took the witness stand, Mrs.
George immediately dropped her head and re-
mained in that position until he left the witness
stand. She did not look up, and at no time
during his testimony did she look at the
witness.
He said, “I am a carpenter by trade, and
live in Alliance. I married my former wife, the

202 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
defendant here, at Hanoverton. Our home was
pleasant and happy until George D. Saxton
came into it.”
The boy Howard was then called by Mr.
Welty, so that the jury could see him,
and Mr. George was asked, “Do you recognize
this boy, Mr. George?” He said he did, that it
was his boy and that he was a good boy.
On cross-examination the witness was
asked whether James A. Saxton was living
when he moved into the Saxton Block. The
witness said that he did not know, that he had
rented the rooms from George D. Saxton.
“You say your relations have always been
pleasant, Mr. George. Did you ever quarrel
with your wife?”
“Oh, we have had little quarrels like a man
and his wife have.”
Where were you at the time of the birth
of that boy you say is such a good boy?”
“At Salem.”
“You were not even with her then?”
“No, sir.”
“How far is Salem from Hanoverton?”
“Ten miles.”
“You were not there for some time after
the birth of this boy?”
“I got there the same night.”
“You had not been there for ten days or
two weeks before?”
“It was over two weeks.”

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 203
“Did she not complain to you then about
your not being at home?”
“No, sir; I left her in good care, I was at
work.”
“You did not have differences after that
for some time?”
“No, sir.”
“Don’t you remember the time you wanted
her to go away from you, and that you directed
her to go back home?”
“No, sir.”
“You never had any differences after
that!”
“Only such differences as I have told you
of.”
After this witness had left the stand, Coun-
sel for the defense requested the Counsel for the
State to produce the paper which had been ex-
ecuted at the time of the settlement of the case
between Mrs. George and George D. Saxton.
When Mr. Grant said he thought he had the
paper in his possession, and would produce it.
The court took a recess for fifteen minutes to en-
able him to go to his office for the paper. He
returned and the paper was offered in evidence.
It read as follows:
Received of George D. Saxton the sum of
One Dollar, and other valuable considerations,
the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, in
full satisfaction of all claims and suits against
him whatsoever. By this is meant particularly
the two replevin suits against him, and the
breach of promise case now pending in the

204. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Court of Common Pleas, of Stark County,
Ohio. This settlement is in full of everything
against him.
(signed). ANNA E, GEORGE.
It was claimed that the consideration named
as “valuable consideration” was the additional
promise to marry Mrs. George as soon as the
case of Sample C. George against Saxton had
been settled. Upon the introduction of this
paper, Counsel for the defense announced that
their testimony had all been offered, and that
they then rested their case; thereupon Court ad-
journed until 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning.
At the opening of Court Monday morning,
Counsel for the State requested that Mrs. Lizzie
Miller, who had testified on behalf of the de-
fense, should be called for further cross-examin-
ation. A certificate was produced by her at-
tending physican, sworn to, that said that she
was too ill to appear in Court. It had been
said that after she had testified a day or two
before, and as she was leaving the court room,
she had fallen in a faint and was
taken home very ill. This certificate was pro-
duced to show that she was not able to attend
court without endangering her health. She was
then excused.
Surveyor Hoover was next called for the
purpose of showing the distance from the scene
of the murder to the Klingler residence. The
Court permitted the Surveyor to testify to the
distance, which he said was nearly a mile, some-












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 205
thing over 5000 feet. The State then sought to
show other distances which the Surveyor could
testify to, but they were regarded by the Court
as immaterial and were excluded.
Michael Barr was next called in rebuttal.
He was the witness who testified to the hand
writing of Mrs. George. He is an employe of
the post office. He said that he had seen Mrs.
George in the post office exactly at three o'clock
on the day of the murder.
It will be remembered that Mrs. Lindeman
had testified that Mrs. George was at her house
from noon until 5:30 o'clock in the afternoon.
The witness was then shown two letters
which he identified as the handwriting of Mrs.
George. These letters were offered by the State,
and upon objection by the defense, were
excluded.
S. A. Kirk was next called. He is the pro-
prietor of the Star Restaurant. He testified
that Mrs. George took supper at his place
between four and five o’clock on the afternoon
of the murder. -
Sample C. George was again called. This
time by the State, in rebuttal. He was asked
to identify the contract of settlement between
him and George D. Saxton. He identified the
paper and said that it had been signed by Sax-
ton two or three days before the murder. The
paper was then offered in evidence. It read as
follows:

206 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
SAMPLE C. GEORGE,
vs.
GEORGE D. SAxton.
Canton, Ohio, October 4, 1898.
Received of George D. Saxton, defendant in
the above entitled action, the sum of Eighteen
Hundred and Twenty-five Dollars ($1825.00),
in full satisfaction of any and all claims and de-
mands of any nature whatsoever against the
said George D. Saxton, and more especially in
full settlement and satisfaction of the claim and
demand set out against the defendant in the case
aforesaid, except Docket costs amounting to
$13.59 to be paid by the defendant. It being
further agreed by me, Sample C. George, for the
consideration aforesaid, that the above action
shall be marked “Settled without record.”
(signed) SAMPLE C. GEORGE,
by JAMEs STERLING,
WELTY & ALBAUGH,
and NAT C. McLAIN,
his Attorneys.
Dr. A. C. Brant was then called in rebuttal.
He testified that he had made a special study of
mental diseases, and had been called as an
expert in several cases; that he had studied the
effect of morphine on the human system, and
had considerable experience in that line. He
then said, “I have known Mrs. Eckroate for
some years. She is the daughter of Dr. Sheets.
She has nursed patients of mine. About eight
years ago I first saw her as a nurse, I saw her
at the time she testified in this case. I also
saw her at Dr. Walker’s office Wednesday
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 207
evening of this week. I seen her also at her
home. I made an examination of her with Dr.
Walker. I examined her physically as well as
mentally. Her pulse was regular and normal,
her eyes were good, she read well, pupils re-
sponded to light and her eyes were in a normal
condition. Her nerves were normal, she had
no muscular tremulousness, her walk was
steady and normal; her memory seems to be
very good, she remembers incidents of years
ago, that I had forgotten myself. She was not
nervous or excited in any way; she seemed in-
telligent and correct in her answers. There was
no expressions on her face that would indicate
that she was anything but a healthy woman.
If I relied on my examination, I would say
that she never used any morphine at all. I did
not see any symptoms of the use of morphine.
On cross examination he was asked:
“Is it not laid down as a rule that morphine
users are unreliable 2"
“Yes, that is the rule for those who use it
to excess.”
“Is it not true, doctor, that there may be no
physical symptoms and yet the patient be an
habitual user of morphine *
“There may have.”
Dr. A. B. Walker was next called on behalf
of the State to testify to Mrs. Eckroate's con-
dition. His testimony was substantially the
same as Dr. Brant's. Court here adjourned
until 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

208 cANTON's GREAT tragedy.
Court convened at the hour to which it had
adjourned, and the first witness called was Mrs.
Nettie McAllister. She was asked about Mrs
George's conduct with other men when she
lived at the Finley House. The question was
objected to and the objection sustained by the
Court.
Also Mrs. Griffin was asked the same
question as to the conduct of Mrs. George with
other men when she lived in the Saxton Block;
this was also excluded.
Two or three other witnesses were then
called upon minor matters and their testimony
was excluded. Thereupon at 2:30 o'clock
Counsel for the State announced that their
testimony was closed.
Judge Taylor then said that ourt would
be adjourned until Monday morning at 10
o'clock. He further said that owing to the
great importance of the case he would not
limit Counsel in their arguments, and that
Counsel could arrange for themselves the order
of the arguments. -
Immediately upon the adjournment of court
the crowd dispersed, and Mrs. George was es-
corted to her room in the County Jail. She was
surrounded by friends, and she seemed to have
a good word for every person who spoke to
her. She felt relieved that the case was at an
end, so far as the testimony was concerned.
She was cheerful, and expressed the greatest
confidence that she would be acquitted. The





CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 209
rebuttal testimony was not as strong as had
been expected. The testimony as to the alibi
was now left uncontradicted, and the jury had
the full force and effect of it as given by the
witnesses, The effort on the part of the defense
to discredit the testimony of Mrs. Eckroate,
who had testified that she had recognized Mrs.
George as the person who did the shooting, was
attacked by the prosecution.
Drs. Brant and Walker testified in rebuttal
that they had examined Mrs. Eckroate, and
they could see no evidence that she had been an
habitual user of morphine, and in that way
strengthened her testimony to some extent, but
several witnesses testified that she had used the
drug for years, so that the testimony of the
physician had but little effect.
The rebuttal testimony in the main was dis-
appointing to the State; and the case was closed
favorably to the defense. Mrs. George realized
this, and was cheerful and confident.
She spent Sunday as usual in the jail.
Several persons called to see her, and she ex-
pressed herself freely to them, and said she was
entirely confident she would be acquitted. She
also spoke of her entire satisfaction with
the conduct of the case. She needed a rest on
Sunday to nerve herself for the attack which she
expected the attorneys for the State would make
upon her in their argument, and in all spent
Sunday more cheerfully than any since the trial
began.

210 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Her case had been ably and fairly tried, the
rulings of the court upon questions of law which
arose during the trial from time to time, had
been decided by the court fairly, and showed
that the court was not only entirely impartial,
but that he had studied the case carefully, and
was thoroughly posted as to the law which
governed the questions submitted to him.
The fair and unbiased manner in which
Judge Taylor presided was the subject of
general comment during the trial. Never was
there a case more carefully and impartially
tried in the County than the case of the State
of Ohio vs. Annie E. George.


THE ARGUMENTS.
CHAPTER xix.
THE STATE.
Court opened on Monday morning at ten
o'clock. It was generally known that the evi-
dence had been closed on Saturday, and that
the arguments would begin at the opening
of court on Monday morning. -
The crowd of people at the opening of
court was greater than at any other time
during the trial, as there was a great anxiety
to hear the arguments of the attorneys inter-
ested in the case.
Mr. James J. Grant opened the case on the
part of the State. Mr. Grant arose and first
addressed his argument to the court upon the
questions of law involved in the case. He
quoted at length from the authorities on the
various degrees of murder, and especially dwelt
on a case known as the Barberi case; this case
is very much like the one at bar. It will be
212 UANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
remembered that several years ago, a young
Italian girl murdered her lover in New York
City. The defense undertook to show upon the
trial of that case that the murdered man had
seduced the girl, under promise of marriage.
That when he was taken to task for his refusal
to marry her she stabbed him to death. She
was convicted of murder in the first degree, but
the judgment was afterwards reversed and she
was again tried, which resulted in a verdict of
manslaughter. Mr. Grant claimed and empha-
sized the fact that at no time in that case had
the murder been denied, and the broken
promises claimed by the defense, and the grief
and frenzy which the defendant experienced on
account of the breach of promise had provoked
her, and this was admitted in evidence in miti-
gation of the degree of the crime.
He claimed that the introduction of such
testimony in this case was equivalent to a con-
fession; that Mrs. George had committed the
murder, and that such testimony could only be
considered in mitigation of the offense.
He spoke with much force, and commanded
the closest attention from all in the court room.
He was impressive in his delivery, and in de-
scribing the death of his friend, George D. Sax-
ton, was quite tender. He was also emphatic
in his declarations of Mrs. George's connection
with the crime, so much so that the counsel for
the defense called him to order, and claimed
that his language was erroneous, and de-

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 213
manded that it be taken down, so as to appear
in the record, and that exceptions would be
taken.
The court remarked to Mr. Grant that he
should confine his argument to the evidence.
He then took up a review of the case as it
had been presented by the evidence.
“There must have been a murder,” he said,
“and there must have been malice in its com-
mission. There must have been deliberation,
and there must have been premeditation.
These four elements must be established by the
State to constitute murder in the first degree.”
In speaking of malice he said there were two
kinds of malice; first, that which is implied by
the act and which shows depravity; the second
is expressed malice which results from a long
established feud; or thoughts manifested by
laying in wait for opportunity; laying plans
for the execution of the crime, or in the cruelty
of its execution. In this connection he read at
some length from some well established law
authorities. The attorney continued,
“Any time prior to the act is sufficient to
constitute premeditation and deliberation, if
sufficient to give the slayer an opportunity to
consider and to think about the act which he is
about to perpetrate. A purpose and a de-
sign may be formed and constitute premedi-
tation and deliberation, without any particular
period of intervening time.”
He then referred to the Barberi case again


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and said the error had been found in that case
by the higher courts in the exclusion of testi-
mony on behalf of the accused, which tended to
show the condition of her mind at the time of
the commission of the murder. He said, “The
State insists on the distinction between that
case and the present case. In the Barberi
case the murder was admitted; it was not
denied that she committed the murder, and the
state of mind of the accused, by reason of her
grief and disappointment over the failure of her
victim to keep his promise to marry her, was
admissable in that case as bearing on deliber-
ation and premeditation in the admitted
murder.” In the present case he claimed that
in admitting the testimony that was offered by
the defense, to show the conduct of the de-
ceased and the accused, amounted to a con-
fession of the crime; and the only effect that
such evidence could have would be to mitigate
the degree of murder. It could not be admitted
in a general denial, in the plea of not guilty;
such testimony cannot be admitted and con-
sidered as to whether the accused committed
the crime, but only to show how dark and how
deep the degree of the crime in fact was. The
labor with which the defense presented this
testimony is in itself a confession. Insanity in
any degree, even by implication, can only be
pleaded for a confession of guilt, and the State
will ask the court to charge the jury “that this
testimony which has been admitted in this case



cANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 215
can only be considered as bearing upon the
degree of an admitted murder.”
Mr. Grant then began the argument of the
questions of fact which were to be presented to
the jury. He reviewed the tragedy on the eve-
ning of October 7th. He said that for years he
had seen the clouds gathering over the victim,
George D. Saxton. He had seen them grow
darker and darker as time passed, until the eve-
ning of the murder. “Two days before the
death of Saxton I went to him,” he said, “and
I said to him, ‘George, old boy, give me your
hand, the case has been settled (with reference
to the seduction case), your trouble is now over;
I congratulate you,' but I was mistaken; it was
not settled. Her darkest purpose in her plans
were not yet executed. I say to you that Annie
E. George slew George D. Saxton.”
Mr. Welty here interrupted the speaker and
said, “Wait a moment, I want a stenographer
to take that statement down, unless it is
withdrawn.”
The court: “Counsel has the right to
argue the case in the light of the evidence.”
Mr. Grant: “I make the statement on be-
half of the State, according to the evidence.”
Mr. Welty: “Do you withdraw it?”
The court: “Counsel should speak in the
light of the evidence.”
Mr. Grant: “I am not here as an indi-
vidual, I speak for the State and of the
evidence.”
216 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Mr. Grant then spoke of the night of the
tragedy, of the crowds that had gathered at
the Althouse residence, and also about the
home of Mrs. George. “The officers waited
until she arrived, and she was arrested; then
they dispersed and went to their homes; the
murderess was found.”
Mr. Welty again objected to the last
sentence, and insisted that there should be a
limit to such argument.
The court said that when the proper time
came he would charge the jury that the accused
was not to be convicted on the suspicion of the
crowds, or simply because she had been
indicted.
Mr. Grant reiterated that the murderess
had been found at the Oberlin House, and then
passed to the threats of Mrs. George as testi-
fied to by the witness,
Speaking of the threats he said, “It had not
been denied by the defense that she made
threats; no effort was made to deny them; they
began in 1895, and continued up to the time of
the murder. The testimony of William F.
Cook, of finding her in the Saxton Block with
a revolver in her hand, was not denied. The
testimony of Mrs. Finley, of Mrs. Nauman, of
Mrs. McAllister, was not disproved. Then the
statements of the accused to Mr. Werntz, the
attorney, of the plans she had made for the
murder, were reviewed. William O. Werntz
spoke the truth when he said that this woman












JAMES STERLING,
WHo DEFENEED THE Accused.



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 217
had said to him that she would kill Saxton.
She was then beyond a passing thought. She
was then planning, deliberating and pre-
meditating. She said to Werntz, should she
take two revolvers, throw one at his feet, and
give to the world the impression of self defense?
She not only killed him, but she undertook
to give out to the world that he was the victim
that was guilty of murder. She undertook to
send him to the grave with the implication of
having died in an attempt to commit a crime.”
He gave special attention to the last threat
offered in testimony, that of Janitor John L.
Jackson of the Davis Block, this was the very
day of the murder.
“Have you thought, gentlemen, of what
happened the night before the death of George
D. Saxton P Policeman Dickerhoof testified that
he was met by the accused, that she told him
that he was specially detailed to go with her on
a special mission, and he went. This is the
most thrilling incident of the case, barring the
moment that George D. Saxton was killed. Did
she go to the Saxton office, did she go to the
Saxton home? No, the policeman was not to
stop or to talk to Saxton, he was to tell this
woman of his presence. She claimed that she
was afraid of Saxton. She did not stay in the
protection of the officer, no she went parading
alone in the darkness around the block; finally
a light was seen in Saxton's office. You would
naturally have supposed that they would have

218 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
gone to the office, but they did not. She made
an appointment with the policeman for the next
night. Why, if she wanted to see Saxton, did
she not go to his office when they saw the light
in the office? Why did she not go to his office
during office hours? No, she lurked around in
darkness with this policeman.”
At this point court adjourned until 1
o'clock. -
At the opening of court Monday afternoon,
the Judge cautioned the attorneys against out-
breaks of abuse or condemnation of any kind;
that it would not be tolerated from either side.
Mr. Grant resumed his argument, continuing
a review of the threats of which he had spoken
before the noon adjournment.
“It is a remarkable case,” he said, “that
from 1895 to 1898 these threats were made
from time to time, threats to kill. They were
not threats to sue, not threats to raise an alter-
cation with him, but threats she intended to ex-
ecute; threats to take his life.”
Mr. Grant then took up the testimony of W.
O. Werntz again. “In the giving of this testi-
mony,” he said, “it was the bounden duty of
the attorney, who had taken an oath to uphold
and defend the law; he could have done no less
and dome his duty;” Then from the record he read
the threatening portions of Mr. Werntz' testi-
mony, and dwelt upon this testimony at length.
“She inquired as to the effect of killing Saxton;
the effect it would have upon the suit of Sample

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 219
C. George against him, and the plans of ex-
ecuting the murder.” He argued that this was
conclusive evidence of premeditation and de-
liberation, in planning the crime.
He then spoke of the testimony of Mrs.
Finley; the threats that Mrs. George had made
to her; the manner in which she was to procure
the revolver, so that no person would know
where it was got. “I say to you,” he continued,
“the fact that she waited for Sample C. George
to settle, as she said to John Jackson, leads me
to say that she wanted money; that there was
no love in it; she cared nothing for love. In
1896 she went to the Althouse place with a
revolver. She laid there in wait for Saxton and
Mrs. Althouse to return from a bicycle ride, on
which they had gone in an ordinary and lawful
manner. What do you think of that I ask you
where is there proof in or out of the record in
this case, except the second hand conversations
of this woman; that George D. Saxton con-
ducted himself other than as a good man?
Where is the proof of the pretense, (it is only
a pretense) that he ever laid hands on this
woman 2. He was hounded and chased about
by a woman who had no respect for him or for
herself; how she must have loved him Then she
sent for the reporters of the newspapers of the
city, and told them of the incident; what had
taken place at the Althouse residence, and urged
them to print it; how she must have loved and
revered him!


220 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
“How she respected him God deliver me
and you, gentlemen, from such love as that!
Don't you think he would have been arrested if
he had ever kicked her down stairs; if he had
ever laid violent hands on her P Would this
woman, who had been piling up law suits
against him, have hesitated had he ever offered
her any violence? She met him at the Althouse
place; he tried to get away from her, but she
said “I hung on to him.” She followed him,
hung to him, to the out skirts of the town and
back again to the door of his block. Did he
offer her any violence then 2 No, she knew he
would not, and this is the woman who wanted
Policeman Dickerhoof to protect her from Sax-
ton's violence. Is not this just a little bit
diverting, gentlemen of the jury 2 This woman
afraid of George D. Saxton, is the one who went
to the Althouse residence, and with a revolver
prevented him from going into the house; made
him go away with her, as she said to Mrs.
Nauman. “Are you ready to die now” she
asked him at the bridge as they were coming to
town, as she was hanging onto him and drag-
ing after him. There is a picture for you gentle-
men; she could have ‘done him then, she said,
but she wanted Sample C. George to get some
money first. There it is again, that is what she
said to Werntz, there was money in her pros-
pect. The witnesses who told of these threats
had no interest in this case; they came here to
tell the truth, and they told it in a frank, open
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 221
way, that must have commended it to you.
Here stands a woman who cares not for our
laws; cares nothing for the penalties. She had
got out of every trouble she had ever got into,
and she would get out of this. That if she did
go over the road she wouldn't stay long. What
do you think of this, as a law abiding woman?”
He then spoke of the testimony of Mrs.
Nettie McAllister. “She told this witness to
just wait until after thesettlement of the George
case. Yes, wait until Sample C. George coins
his affections into money at the expense of Sax-
ton, then she will kill him.”
John Jackson's testimony was again re-
ferred to. “She told him she would get revenge
or she would shoot him, wait for the settlement
with Sample George,” “I will get some money;
he will marry me, if he don't I will kill him.”
She said that she would go up in front of him
and let him know it; that is the way she would
kill him. She did. Look at the coat (holding up
the coat taken from Saxton's body) see the
powder burns! See how well she carried out her
threats! I suppose the defense will claim it was
that all abiding love that led her out to the Alt-
house residence, and with pistol in hand, to lay
in wait for Saxton and Mrs. Althouse, and then
to drag after him all over town, but when they
tell you that, remember what Perry VanHorn
said; not content with the scene in the west end,
and with having held up Saxton to ridicule
among the people of that section, she sends for



222 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Perry Van Horn, out of her malice, and wants
him to publish the scene to the rest of the world.
Talk of love in such conduct as that! It is all
bosh. Again she sends for Perry Van Horn. She
had had another scene and this time in the Sax-
ton Block. There were few people, if any, saw
it, and yet she wants it printed. Do women
who love, resort to such means? No, the woman
loves does not seek to humiliate, to annoy, to
bankrupt, to disgrace the man she loves. How
could deliberation and premeditation be
stronger than in these threats? They talk about
how she will get the weapon and how she will
execute the murder.”
Mr. Grant then made a touching reference to
Mrs. Grable and Mrs. Eckroate, who had testi-
fied on behalf of the State. “They showed
nothing in their examination, and in their cross-
examination, which Mr. Welty made very vigor-
ous, but the infirmities of age, yet the defense
has heaped calumny upon them, and tried to
prove that they were not to be believed; and
that they were not reliable. Is it not a pity
that a woman must grow old?”
“I say to you that the conduct of Policeman
Dickerhoof, and of the accused the night before
the tragedy was moving to its conclusion as
regularly and surely as ever a tragedy moved
across the stage. They lurked about the block,
on the street and in the yards. Saxton is in his
room, they know by the light that appears in
the window, but they do not go to him there.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 223
“Wait until tomorrow night” she said, “meet
me tomorrow night.” The officer kept the ap-
pointment, and he stood at the corner waiting
for Mrs. George. She did not come. She was
going to Hazlett Avenue.”
Dickerhoof stayed at his post until he heard
of Saxton's death. Then he left. Why? Because
he knew when he heard that Saxton was dead
that Annie E. George and George D. Saxton
had met. In no other way could his leaving
the meeting place be justified on the news of the
death of Saxton.”
“There was no blood on the strange figure,
the he, she or it, which Mrs. Lizzie Miller saw
on Linden Avenue, (speaking of the unknown
man which this witness claimed she had seen on
the night of the murder). This evidence was
drawn into this case to appear as something
more than it was. This is a large city, gentle-
men; there are many strange people walking
along the streets.”
“All through the cross-examination you
heard of the railroad switch, and of West
Third street, but you have heard nothing about
the switch since the cross-examination. The
fact seemes to be that the defense concluded
that that was not a very good route, and it
was abandoned. Then they took up this
Linden Avenue matter, and traced the strange
figure along that street, which had been torn
up all summer for water pipes. He walked on
the plank, on the side where the houses are
224. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
located. Would a man in disguise, seeking to
run away from a crime, be likely to take such
a route as this P’’
Some attention was then given to the
testimony of Jacob Adams. He testified to
passing the strange man on Lincoln Avenue.
“All this amounts to nothing,” the attorney
said, “when you come to secure the one who
committed the murder. But where was she
who said, “Wait until that suit with Sample
George is settled.’ This case was settled, it had
been settled three days; the climax of the
tragedy was due. We find from Frank Wyant
that she was passing Copthorne's store at five
thirty o’clock. We find from Judge McCarty
that she was at his home at from five thirty-
two to five thirty-five o'clock. She was there
seeking permission to go into the Saxton Block.
Why does the witness remember these hours
and minutes? Murder! The memory of seeing
her is burned into their minds by the cry of
murder flashing across the city a few minutes
later. The testimony of others, tracing the ac-
cused on a car at High street along Tuscar-
awas, and leaving the car at Hazlett Avenue
was next spoken of, and reference was made to
the high standing of the witnesses who gave
this testimony. The defendant never came
back on the car that night; she did not get
back to the Oberlin house until long afterward.
We thought when the conductors were asked,
‘Don’t you often carry people past that point,
-
















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 225
didn't she try to stop the car?" that there was
going to be some effort made to show that she
was carried past her home, but there was no
such testimony offered. If she did not go to
the scene of the tragedy where was she going?”
“It was not the usual hour for calls.
Dickerhoof was waiting for her down town;
she had told him to meet her there, why was
she going away from him, going in an opposite
direction? What evidence were you given to
show why she was not there? This coat, it
tells no stories. This tells you how he met his
death. See this hole (holding up the coat) it is
burned, it is not shot alone; it is burned by the
powder, and see the sleeve; see on it where the
powder burned George Saxton was standing
with his arm over his breast in this position,
with not so much as an arm raised to ward off
the blow. That the first two shots fired in-
flicted the fatal wounds was contended on the
ground that the other wounds were mere flesh
wounds, and that from them the victim could
have escaped while the assassin walked to the
lot below, or could have called for help or given
alarm. The mother and the daughter (speak-
ing of Mrs. Eckroate and Mrs. Huig) stand-
ing there looking at the man die; looking at
the commission of the murder; the mother
looking up at the form she had seen parading
the street by night, menancing the people.
They were not mistaken! They received im-
pressions at that time which can never be re-

226 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
moved. They say there was no light that
shown upon the place where the murder was
committed. I say when you illumine a scene
with such torches as this, you need no light.
But this mother and daughter say there was
light; that they could see. Samuel Howenstine
says it wasn't so very dark. The Susky sisters
say they could have recognized people with
whom they were acquainted. Hildebrand, the
witness for the defense, says it was a dark
night, but the electric light illumined the upper
half of the steps. Mrs. Glick says a lighted
lamp stood in the window not fifty feet away,
shedding its rays upon the spot where Saxton
met his death. Why didn’t they bring wit-
nesses on the question of light, if what was
said by the State's witnesses was not true.
Where was Bederman and where were the
others P’’
“Whoever killed Saxton did not go through
the alley to Linden Avenue, where Mrs. Miller
saw the mysterious man, if whoever did it had
gone that way; he or she would have been seen
by the Susky girls, and Mr. Berger too would
have been passed.”
Mr. Grant spoke highly of Dr. Eymann, the
expert who had testified on behalf of the de-
fense as to the effect of the morphine habit, but
he said, “Dr. Eymann had not been given a fair
opportunity to judge of the condition of Mrs.
Eckroate. He was given no opportunity to ex-
amine her or testify as to her condition; he

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 227
was merely allowed to testify theorically.
Against this was the evidence of Drs. Brant
and Walker, who knew her personally and had
examined her. They spoke of her as she is, not
as a theory; not a neighbor was called to im-
peach Mrs. Eckroate for truth; they could have
called witnesses to impeach her if she was un-
worthy of belief. No witness had been called
who had known her lately, except the husband,
whose conduct towards his wife was severely
spoken of by the attorney. Michael Burke, a
neighbor of years ago, was brought down by
the defense from Barberton, for the purpose of
stating what he knew of Mrs. Eckroate.”
Mr. Grant then added that he “was not
sorry that the testimony of Mrs. Klinger had
been introduced; he had no doubt the accused
had gone very near the place as testified to by
this witness, where the revolver was found; he
had no doubt she had gone to the corner of
South and High streets. This was the point
where she had secreted the revolver.” Mr.
Grant then insisted that, in spite of the
calumny that had been directed against the
witness, Hasler, the ex-sergeant who had
found the weapon, that his story was true.
The weapon was the agent that caused Sax-
ton's death. Hasler testified that when he
went to see Mrs. George in the jail, ‘I have
found the revolver that you hid at South and
High streets; the one Rice sent me for; what
shall I do with it?’ said Hasler to the accused.
228 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
She said, ‘See Welty about it.' The State in-
sists that she avoided Tuscarawas street, that
she avoided the street cars; that she did not
come by Linden Avenue, but she did come by
South street. The State did not care whether
she went to Klinger's or not.”
At this point, Attorney Grant closed his
argument, and in conclusion he thanked the
jury for the attention that had been given by
them to the testimony, and so far as he was
concerned he said, he left the case with them
with full confidence that the cause of justice
would be served.
º º


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 229.
CHAPTER XX.
THE DEFENSE.
Court then adjourned until Tuesday
morning at eight thirty o’clock. It had been
arranged that Mr. Sterling would open the
case on the part of the defense, and that Mr.
Welty would follow, and the Prosecuting At-
torney would close. This was the order in
which the arguments were made. Mr. Grant's
argument was regarded as an able effort and
was well received.
Court opened at eight thirty o’clock, and
Mr. Sterling began his argument. He occupied
all of the time until three o’clock in the after-
noon. Mrs. George took her place at the
counsel table as usual. During the entire time
occupied by Mr. Grant in his argument she sat
motionless as a statue, and seemed to pay no
attention whatever to his argument, although
she keenly felt the effect of the scathing arraign-
ment of the assistant prosecutor. She now ex-
pected to hear her side of the case presented to
the jury. It was no doubt a pleasant change
from the terrible ordeal which she had just
passed through, to hear her attorney resent the


230 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
abuse which had been heaped upon her in the
opening argument. If the arraignment by
counsel for the State was severe, that of the
character of George D. Saxton by Mr. Sterling
was frightful indeed. Mr. Sterling has a repu-
tation for biting sarcasm, which was well
sustained in his argument.
“The death of George Saxton,” he said,
“was in his judgment a public benefaction; the
air is purer since his vile soul took its flight
before the Maker whose laws he disregarded;
our wives, our sisters, and our daughters, are
safer since his death.” -
Mr. Sterling then spoke of the relation of
Saxton to the President of the United States, of
his wealth and position, and then scathingly
remarked that he was a disgrace to his family,
who did not weep for his death but for the
manner in which he died.
His portrayal of the breaking up of the
home of Mrs. George, of her husband and
family, was dwelt upon at length, and the de-
scription was so vivid that one of the jurors
began to show emotion through the tears
which unconsciously rolled down his cheeks.
In beginning his argument, Mr. Sterling took
occasion to score the opening remarks of Coun-
sel for the State, who was the friend and legal
adviser of George D. Saxton. “The remarkable
speech of the assistant prosecutor,” he said,
“should be carefully noted in this case. He de-
clared that there was no necessity for a trial,



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 231
that the prisoner had already been convicted by
the public and the police, according to the
opinion of the Counsel who had preceded him.
He wanted her convicted on suspicion, a re-
markable talk indeed for one who is represent-
ing the dignity of the law. The public and the
police knew who had been the victim of the
wrong doings of George Saxton, who
had been the sufferer by his persecutions for
years, persecutions in which he was assisted by
the very man who is here to-day representing
the State in this case.”
Mr. Sterling then spoke of the celebrated
New York case heretofore referred to, and
especially dwelt upon by Mr. Grant in the
opening argument. He denied the statement
that the offer of the relation of evidence
between the accused and the deceased was in
fact an admission of guilt. He said that such
a situation did not exist in this case, that the
evidence submitted was applicable only to the
threats made by the accused, and to explain
the conduct which has been regarded by the
State as suspicious.
Mr. Sterling then entered upon a dis-
cussion of the law of circumstantial evidence.
He quoted from a formidable array of authori-
ties on threats, and he argued that it was
necessary that every link in the chain of circum-
stantial evidence should be furnished, and that
if one important factor or link was lost or
broken, that no case could be made out. “We

232 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
propose to show,” the speaker continued,
“that a few links are gone, and that others are
mighty weak.”
The doctrine and definition of reasonable
doubt was next discussed and argued at great
length, forming, with the argument of circum-
stantial evidence, the foundation of the speeches
for the defense.
He launched into the account of the medical
testimony upon the morphine habit of Mrs.
Grable and Mrs. Eckroate. The testimony of
these two witnesses was thoroughly dissected,
and the testimony as to their condition and their
habits was freely discussed. Mr. Sterling then
spoke lightly of the testimony that had been
offered by the State to support the testimony of
these witnesses Mrs. Grable and Mrs. Eck-
roate. He said the examination made by the
physicians and the testimony given by them
was truly absurd to say the least. The ex-
amination made by them was a physical one,
and Mr. Sterling's description of attempting to
ascertain if a person was truthful by looking
at his tongue and feeling his pulse, was ex-
tremely ludicrous. He devoted some time to
calling the attention to the fact that at no time
had the State offered to claim a motive for the
killing of George Saxton, and that no testimony
had been produced by the State upon that point.
“It seems as though an effort were being made
to railroad the case through without a motive.”
Mr. Sterling then passed to the question of
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 233
threats, which he again stated were not direct
evidence, but simply guides to determine the
degree of the crime, after the murder had been
established by other testimony.
He called attention to the failure of the
prosecution to bring out in the evidence, facts
to support the statements made by the Prosecu-
ing Attorney, in his opening address to the
jury. Not a witness had ever stated during the
trial, that Mrs. George had turned into Hazlett
Avenue, after she left the street car, although
the prosecutor had said she did. Neither was
there any testimony to show that Saxton cried
out for help after he had received the first two
shots of the revolver. No one had heard him
cry out, even those who were directly across the
street did not hear any such thing.
The introduction of the revolver story, he
declared, was an after thought. He excused
the prosecutor from being the originator of
that story, and called attention to the fact that
the weapon was not mentioned in the prelimin-
ary statement to the jury by the prosecutor.
Sergeant Hasler, who testified that he had found
the gun, came in for an oral castigation from the
speaker, who insisted that a man who would
juggle with life and death in order to serve his
mean political asperations, could not be safely
trusted as a witness. -
The tracing of Mrs. George westward,
from the public square, on the evening of the
murder, was taken up by the speaker, and gone



234. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
over for an additional purpose. He showed
that her actions were perfectly natural, and her
condition normal. He endeavored to show that
she went out on the street car much later than
the State had tried to prove. He argued that the
railroad men were much better qualified to
speak as to the time than the casual observers
who were on the street car. These railroad
men were watching for an over due train, and
they say that the car could not have reached
Hazlett Avenue before six five o’clock, or ten
minutes later than the State claimed.
Mr. Sterling then passed to the character
of the dead man, predicating his remarks on
the declaration of Mr. Grant, that Saxton had
lived the life of a gentleman. He referred to
Mr. Grant's address as a drama in which the
characters had not been identified. “First of all,
gentlemen of the jury, who was George D. Sax-
ton? Mr. Grant says he was a prominent
citizen of Canton. He was not prominent for
anything that was noble, true or good. He was
the son of James A. Saxton. He had the
distinction of being a brother-in-law of William
McKinley, President of the United States. He
was a man of wealth. He had farms, a magnific
cent block and a bank account. He was a
bachelor, an unmarried man. He was not a
home builder, he was a home destroyer.’’
“He never legitimately called a woman by
the dear name of wife, although the evidence
shows that he sometimes registered at various
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 235
hotels with different women whom he called
wife.” When he looked upon the fair face of
the defendant for the first time, he said, “There
is a deuced pretty woman, I am going to get ac-
quainted with her.' He followed up that design.
She was inveigled into the Saxton Block to live;
from that hour her peace of mind departed
from her home. Discord, bickering, and pain
entered her family. I said that George Saxton
was the destroyer of homes. There would be
no such thing as home in this beautiful land of
ours, if all men were like George D. Saxton.
He ignored public sentiment, and violated
public decency, by publicly consorting with
women whom he had not married. He died
with his feet on the steps of the house of a
woman of shady character. George Saxton
defied and scorned Christian civilization;
although well bred, he never entered a house of
worship, save in pursuit of his prey. His
relatives may have wept at the manner of his
death, but they must have felt glad that he died.
He was a most prominent citizen, Mr. Grant
had said. Yes, he was prominent for the vice
he possessed. I repeat to you, gentlemen, that
it is my deliberate judgment that the death of
George D. Saxton was a public benefaction.”
“I do not justify the taking of a human life,
unless it be for the public good or the public
safety; but there never has been an American
jury however, that has ever passed a sentence
of guilt upon a man who slew the destroyer of


236 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
his wife, daughter or sister.
Mr. Sterling, then described another
character, Sample C. George; he pictured the
life and marriage of the man in the little
country village and their unfortunate journey to
Canton.
He described the woes of the husband, who
waived all at the last moment to come to the
court room and claim that his fallen wife was a
pure woman until ensnared by Saxton. (As he
spoke of this subject in this strain, tears were
seen rolling down Mrs. George's cheeks. She
began to sob and was completely broken down,
sitting with her face buried in her hands.) Re-
ferring again to Saxton's conduct as he cast her
off, he described how Saxton had fought for ten
years against granting to the husband he had
wronged, the justice that was due him. Another
eloquent reference was made to the meeting of
the little family for the first time in ten years,
met but not re-united, for that never could be,
(and this brought fresh tears to the prisoners
eyes.) “When you look upon that wrecked
family,” he said, “that ruined home, you will
realize that there are worse crimes than
murder. If Saxton had killed the wife instead
of seducing her; how much better it would have
been for her, how much less the shame, pain
and disgrace for her husband; how much better
in every way for her children.”
Mr. Sterling claimed that the presumption
of guilt which Mr. Grant had insisted upon was
-
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 237
entirely inconsistent with the facts, that as fair
minded men the jury should consider the case
according to the law as given to them by the
Court, and that the accused should be regarded
as innocent until her guilt was fully established.
He said that the State had at the beginning
promised to show that Mrs. George had left the
car at Hazlett Ave., and had walked toward
Lincoln Ave. “The fact of her leaving the car,”
he said, “was wholly insignificant in itself, and
there was not a word of evidence showing that
she had walked towards Lincoln Ave. They
had also promised that the proof would show
that Mrs. George had come to the heart of the
city by way of South St., but there was not a
word of testimony offered that showed it. Mr.
Grant had argued that the gun was the con-
necting link in the evidence. I think that the
gun story was about the thinnest story I have
ever heard in a Court of Justice, and as I said
before, I think the Prosecuting Attorney, Mr.
Pomerene, should not be charged with
originating that story or having anything to do
with it.” Mr. Sterling then spoke of the
witness Hasler, the ex-sergeant of the police
force. He was especially bitter in his de-
nunciation of this officer.
Passing on, the testimony of Dickerhoof
was next taken up. The speaker insisted that
this testimony showed that Mrs. George was
calm and peaceable and without agitation at the
time that Dickerhoof had spoken of in his


238 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
testimony, and that her only desire was to see
Saxton on lawful matters and that she desired
and felt the need of the officer's protection.
“She knew the result of her meeting with
Saxton, that she was not safe unless she had
some person upon whom she could depend to
protect her from his cruelty.” As to the
testimony he said that no one would dispute a
word of what Judge McCarty said, unless
possibly he had been mistaken to the extent of
a few minutes of time, which was entirely
immaterial. The testimony of Judge McCarty,
regarding Mrs. George's call at his home on the
evening of the tragedy, and her request for
authority to call to see Saxton, was spoken of at
length, and the testimony was reproduced to
the jury.
“It seems to me,” said Mr. Sterling, “that
there is nothing malignant in the story in what
she said to Judge McCarty, no desire to kill
anybody or to injure anybody. She was
perfectly willing to abide the orders of the
Court which had been made in the injunction
case, and she said to Judge McCarty when he
advised her to not see Saxton and to have
nothing to do with him, that she did not want to
interfere with or violate the Court's order in
that case.” -
Mr. Sterling next spoke of the testimony
of the witness Mrs. Lindeman. “Will anybody
disbelieve this witness when she says that Mrs.
George was at her house that afternoon and












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 239
evening up until 5:30 o'clock or near that hour?
Mrs. Lindeman is corroborated by at least two
other witnesses who saw her there and who met
her as she was leaving the Lindeman residence
to go up street. What was her conduct while
at Mrs. Murphy’s Did she seem excited? Did
she seem as though she had any notion of per-
petrating such a horrible tragedy as occurred
that evening? Her conduct was as it had been at
all other times. She was calm; no excitement of
any kind. She talked to Mrs. Lindeman about
her affairs, spoke kindly of Saxton, trimmed
the tidies and said to Mrs. Murphy to ‘now
notice and see if Mr. Saxton would take notice
that the tidies had been trimmed.” Did this
look as though she was contemplating murder,
ps though she intended to kill him that night 2
I have not the volume of voice of my friend
Grant, but I will endeavor to give you a more
truthful version.”
Referring to the testimony of Florence
Klingler, Mr. Sterling denounced the cross
examination of this witness, and said that she
was the victim of an uufortunate marriage,
that she had been obliged to work here and
there at nursing to gain a livelihood, and then
was insulted upon the witness stand by Counsel
for the State in their cross-examination.
No greater injustice has occurred during
this trial than the insulting cross-examination
by the Counsel for the State. Mrs. Eva Alt-
house was referred to as one of the characters
240. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
in the case, one who knew much about this
case, one for whom the State found it necessary
to prove an alibi on the night of the tragedy,
and who absented herself when she was wanted
to tell what she knew about the case.
Again speaking of the accused leaving the
car af Hazlett Avenue, and being at the scene
of the tragedy at the time of the shooting, as
claimed by the State, Mr. Sterling said; “There
has not even been a preponderance of the evi-
dence to show that she was near the place
where the tragedy occurred ; not even such a
preponderance of evidence as would be con-
vincing in a civil action, much less was there
evidence beyond all reasonable doubt, such as
is necessary where a human life is at stake.”
He next spoke of the testimony of Jacob
Adams, and argued from it that had Mrs.
George passed along the road from Hazlett
Avenue to Lincoln Avenue, she must have
passed and been seen by Jacob Adams.
This was followed by a reference to other
witnesses. That of Mrs. Huwig, who claimed
to have witnessed the firing of two of the shots
from the front of her father's home, the Eck-
roate residence. The insufficiency of the
identification, owing to the darkness, and the
lack of acquaintance with the accused, was
claimed by the speaker. He then spoke of Mrs.
Eckroate as an object of pity, because of her
alleged intemperate use of morphine, and in
this connection the evidence of Michael Burk


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 241
and his daughter was cited, as showing without
any doubt, the use of the drug, and the slave
to it which she had become. He asked the jury
to carefully scrutinize the testimony of Drs.
Walker and Brant on her appearance and her
complexion.
He said it was to be remembered that a
woman’s complexion was not always what it
seems to be. He would not pretend to say that
she had been given just enough of the accursed
stuff to brace her up and make her appear
natural. He would not pretend to say that
her eyes were not bright. -
Doctors know just how much of the stuff
to give to produce the desired result ; they
knew how to patch her up so she could walk a
chalk line and pass the examination. These
doctors teſtified in rebuttal that from the ex-
amination of Mrs. Fekroate, that in their
opinion, she did not and had not used morphine;
that from her appearance they would say that
she was free from the habit, and that she did
not use morphine at all, while at the same time
the jury will remember that she admitted, while
upon the witness stand in cross-examination,
that she had used it for years. -
Many other witnesses were called who
testified that she had used the drug. At least
three druggists testified that they had sold her
the drug for years, and is it not strange, then,
that in the face of all that testimony, that the
physicians would say that from their examin-
242 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
ation of her there was no evidence that she did
use morphine at all?
Mrs. Eckroate does not say she recognized
the features of Mrs. George; she said she
recognized the form, the same form that she
had seen on the street before. She pushed the
screen out of her window. You remember she
was’nt asked to tell much about how the screen
was fastened; it was like describing the shoot-
ing, which she could not do, and then she
looked through the opening and saw and recog-
nized, with her aged and defective eyes, what
could not be recognized by the younger eyes of
her daughter; the unimpaired eyes of young
Hogan, who could not tell whether the form
was that of a man or a woman.
How much of such testimony as that
would you believe? Yet the State depended
upon a conviction in this case, upon this
testimony.
In fact, this is all the testimony they have
upon the subject of identification. Deprive
them of the testimony of these two witnesses,
and they have nothing upon which the jury
could base a conviction.
During the two hours in the afternoon Mr.
Sterling discussed the testimony in almost
every phase, closing at three o'clock, after
having talked five and one-half hours. In his
close he made the statement that the life that
George D. Saxton had led, had but one end and
that in blood.

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 243
“Who knows how many outraged hearts
there were who were wishing for the death of
Saxton, who knows that some revenge seeking
person slew him, knowing when he died that
blame would be placed upon the prisoner.”
Mr. Sterling having concluded his great
speech took his seat. He was complimented on
all sides for the argument he had made, and he
felt that he had ably done his duty.



244 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
CHAPTER XXI.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN C. WELTY.
The speech of Hon. John C. Welty had
been looked forward to by his friends as
the greatest effort of his life. He is a forcible
and eloquent speaker. His confident and
candid manner had the effect of impressing
every person who heard him, that he believed
every word he uttered. - -
He addressed the Court for nearly an hour
upon the questions of law involved in the case.
He read authorities on circumstantial evidence,
and spoke of the absolute necessity of es-
tablishing every link, quoting liberally from
some of the tragic mistakes that had been
made through a too confident acceptance of
such testimony as proof of guilt.
He then passed on to a review of the in-
cidents surrounding the death of Saxton, and
the arrest of the prisoner. It was not long
before he reached the personality of Saxton,
and his strictures upon the life of George D.
Saxton were more severe, if such a thing was
possible, than those of Mr. Sterling.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 245
In slow and measured tones, he compared
Saxton to a Brazilian vine, that grows rank in
the tropical forests, and is known in that Country
as the “murderer.” This vine creeps over the
ground until it reaches a tree or plant, and in-
siduously entwining itself about it, chokes it to
death. All along its course is death and ruin
to plant life; it’s seemingly innocent tendrils
carry destruction throughout the forests :
such was Saxton in Canton.
With polished words and graceful style, he
then attacked the theory of Attorney Grant
that Mrs. George was a mercenary woman, who
hounded Saxton simply for the money she
hoped to get from him. Her husband had been
successful in this respect and she wanted a
settlement. “If it was for money, as Mr.
Grant said, why did she kill him 2 Living she
might have got money : dead, she never could
have expected any.”
This fact was emphasized to the jury in all
its phases, and had the effect of destroying the
favorable impression that Mr. Grant had made
with his theory. Then Mr. Welty took up the
answering of the question as to whether or not
Mr. Saxton loved Mrs. George ; whether he had
made her a promise of marriage. He skillfully
sketched the wiles of the wrecker of homes,
the meeting, the temptation, and the fall; the
journey to South Dakota, the return, and the
trip to Cleveland, to live under his protection.
Then he produced the letters that were read


246 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
upon the trial, and repeated their contents,
stopping now and then to comment upon the
sentences contained in the letters, and bring
out the meaning with more emphasis. Every
term and word of endearment was made to
sound with full force.
The threats were next referred to, and it
was shown that they were simply the gossip
of women. They were made, all but two of
them, four years ago, before their was a recon-
cilliation between Mrs. George and the dead
man. They would not have been thought of
perhaps afterward, had it not been for the
introduction of Mrs. Althouse into the case.
The most dire threat made by her coupled the
name of this woman with it, and was made at a
“quilting bee” in response to teasing queries
put to her by friends.
The threat made to Saxton on the bridge
was quickly disposed of when it was shown that
he had a revolver, and that she was totally un-
armed. Mr. Welty had only fairly begun his
argument when the hour for adjournment
arrived, and he was compelled to stop for the
adjournment of Court.
Mrs. George immediately passed out of the
court room when Court adjourned, and went to
her cell in the jail. There is no doubt but that
this day had been the most severe upon her
nerves of any during the trial.
Court then adjourned until 8:30 o'clock
Wednesday morning. It had been supposed



CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 24,7
that the arguments of the case would have been
closed in time to enable the Court to charge the
jury on Wednesday, but the length of time
occupied by the attorneys made that impossible.
Court convened on Wednesday morning at
the usual hour. Mrs. George came into the
court room looking sad and careworn. She said
however, that she had fully rested. She took
her seat at her usual place.
Mr. Welty resumed his argument, and said
that in the short time he had talked on Tuesday,
he had briefly described the incidents leading
up to the relations between the accused and the
deceased. Before he began a review of the
testimony, he spoke to the jury as to the
verdicts that could be rendered in the case.
He said, “this woman stands accused of the
gravest offense recognized by the laws of our
State, murder in the first degree. The penal-
ties for this, under the law, is death, or im-
prisonment for life. If you, gentlemen, shall
find her guilty, and recommend her to mercy,
the penalty will be imprisonment for life, with-
out the hope of pardon, but for her sake and for
my sake, I beg of you that if you do find her
guilty of murder in the first degree, you will
not recommend her to mercy, but send her to
the electric chair, for we do not ask for mercy,
we do not want it.”
He then spoke of the other verdicts which
could be rendered in the case and their penal-
ties, and said that under the evidence a verdict
248 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
of acquittal was the only verdict, that, in his
judgement, could be rendered.
He then spoke of circumstantial evidence
again, and claimed that in this case the links
of the chain were weak or missing, and he spoke
of the case of the execution of an innocent man,
and read from a book upon that subject, saying
that it was but one of many cases that could be
cited. He said, “The people do not demand
that you convict this woman, they do not want
it. She is presumed to be innocent until she is
proven guilty. She is entitled to the benefit of
every doubt, and so long as any of you have any
doubt about her guilt; about the links in the
chain of circumstantial evidence, she must be
regarded as innocent.”
Mr. Welty then said that his intention was
to review the chain of circumstantial evidence,
as presented by the State. This chain, he said,
was made up of the threats, of the whereabouts
of the accused near the time of the murder, the
arrest, the revolver, and the burs that had been
found in her clothing.
As to the threats, he said, some had been
made before 1896; before the settlement was
made in Allegheny, and they were no doubt
settled when the suits and the other difficulties
between them were settled, and the reconcillia-
tion had been effected. He said the receipts of
settlement between Saxton and Mrs George,
and Saxton and Sample C. George cut a very
important figure in this case.


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 249
As to the threats testified to by Attorney
Werntz, that Mrs. George was going to Eva
Althouse's place to raise H–1 with Saxton, Mr.
Welty said he knew of no more fitting place for
such a proceeding; no more appropriate place
for such men as he, to meet his death than on
the steps of the home of his partner in wrong
doing. As to the other threats he said they
were mere ejaculations, made with no intention
of their execution; that if there had been any
intent of executing these threats, they would
not have been made at “quilting bees” and
before acquaintances. Mrs. George had reason
to believe, and she did sincerely believe, that
Saxton would keep his promise to marry her.
There is no evidence in this case to show that
he had ever refused to marry her. She wanted
to meet Saxton and was trying to see him
almost up to the hour of his death ; not in a
threatening manner, or in company with an
officer ; the last person in the world that would
be selected to accompany her on a mission of
crime. -
He then undertook to explain why she
failed to meet Dickerhoof the second night, the
night of the murder. It was in evidence,
testified to by Judge McCarty, that he had
advised her not to call on Saxton.
He told her that the injunction was still
pending. She said to him that she did not want
to violate the order of the Court; that is the
reason why she did not go to the Saxton Block



250 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
the second time, that is the reason why she did
not meet Dickerhoof on the night of the murder.
The threat testified to by William F. Cook,
who said he found her in the Saxton Block at
midnight with a revolver in her hand, was next
spoken of Mr. Welty said that it was merely
the imagination of the witness, nothing more.
He did not believe that Cook had ever seen her
at that time and place, with a revolver.
The testimony of Mrs. Nauman was next
taken up. She had testified to some threats;
that she has a hostile feeling and prejudice
against the accused, there can be no
doubt. All through the discussion of the
threats he insisted that when they were made
Mrs. George was weeping and lamenting her
condition, brought about by Saxton.
That she loved Saxton, there is no
question. He had won her affection and her
love completely. She was devoted to him.
She had no hatred for him. She had no reason
to kill him, but her only desire was to live for
him and with him. If she could have become
the wife of George D. Saxton she would have
been the happiest woman in the world.
“Threats made under circumstances of the
kind, that has been shown by the evidence,
were never made with the intention of ex-
ecuting them.”
The speaker next took up the subject of the
alibi and spoke of the testimony of Mrs. Linde-
man upon that subject. Mrs. Lindeman testi-
-
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 251
fied that Mrs. George had spent the afternoon
of the 7th of October with her.
“When that lady was doing the laundry
work for Saxton, Mrs. George was present.
You will remember the testimony of the tidy.
Mrs. George said that the tidy needed trim-
ming, that she would trim it, and then that the
witness should see whether Mr. Saxton would
notice that it had been trimmed. Was that the
work of a person who did not love him * Would
she have had any regard for such little at-
tentions; the happiness and contentment of the
accused on that afternoon, as described in the
testimony, her talk of the settlement with
Sample C. George, and her expected early
marriage to Saxton did not indicate that she in-
tended to kill him that evening.”
The discrepancy as to the time was ex-
plained by the speaker, on the ground of the
treachery of memory, and not because of a de-
sire or intention to misrepresent, and that most
of the witnesses, when speaking of the time,
used the word “about.”
Mr. Welty said Mrs. George had been seen
at most of the places mentioned by witnesses
for the State, but he claimed that there was
error as to the time that she had been at the
Star Restaurant that evening as testified to by
the manager, and by some other witnesses.
Mr. Welty reviewed the testimony as to the
time of the run of the street car on which Mrs.
George rode to Hazlett Avenue, and he insisted


252 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
that there was more than a reasonable doubt
that the time of her arrival there was such that
she could have reached the scene of the murder at
the time it was claimed by the testimony. The
mere fact that the accused had rode past her
home upon a street car, and that she had got off
of the car on the wrong street was not to be re-
garded as evidence of the guilt of murder.
The darkness of the night was next spoken
of, and he insisted that the testimony had
established the impossibility of recognizing a
person, even at a short range of distance, in
that darkness; that their attempts at recogni-
tion were based upon the figure, form and move:
ments of the person who did the shooting.
“Mrs. George,” he said, “is not the only
woman in the city that was gifted in this way;
there are hundreds of them.” He also claimed
that Mrs. George could not have gone along the
route claimed by the State, through the public
thoroughfares of the city, without having been
noticed by the policemen and the people, who
Mr. Grant said, were looking for her. “She
did go to Mr. Sterling's office, and she had a
right to go there. She did not go through
the dark streets to her home. She walked
directly in the direction of her home, and
when she arrived there she found four stalwart
policemen ready to arrest her on suspicion.
Yes, on suspicion; she had been tangled up
with Saxton’s affairs for years. When she
arrived there she was perspiring. Why not *

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 253
She had been walking, and it was a warm
night. She had a few burs and Spanish
needles on her clothing. I think we have
shown you by overwhelming testimony where
the burs and needles came from.”
The shoes worn by Mrs. George, at the
time of the arrest, were described as being in
such condition as to show that she could not
have gone through the vacant lot near the Alt-
house residence on such a wet, muddy night ;
such as the state claimed this was. The testi-
mony of Dr. Pontius was represented as fully
disproving the testimony of the policemen,
that there was any burnt powder on the hands
of Mrs. George, and the testimony of the
policemen was discussed, and they were
severely censured for remaining in the room
while Dr. Pontius was searching Mrs. George.
“Why did you not learn where this gun
came from ; the factory that made it; where
it had been purchased, and in short, learn
something about it You had it long enough
in your possession (addressing the counsel for
the State). Who ever sold it to Mrs. George 2
No person testified that she ever had it. It is
not identified as ever being in her possession.
Any officer, who with a full knowledge that
the whole town was being searched for the
gun that shot George Saxton, and finds it,
takes it to his home and hides it in an old
stocking for months in the garret of his house;
I will ask you to think about it, gentlemen.
254 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
- - -
What is there about this revolver that connects
Mrs. George with this crime?”
The testimony of Hasler was then re-
viewed, showing that the knowledge of find-
ing the revolver had been concealed, and that
he had told no person about it except his
brother, during all of which time he had heard
talk of a reward. He kept quiet until after
the nomination for marshal, kept quiet for fear
that it would injure him. He was afraid of
the people ; afraid that the people would not
believe his story. That is the reason the
prosecutor consented to keep it quiet. That is
the reason it was not told to the grand jury.
Was it for the purpose of helping Hasler to
get the political influence that this was done?
If it was, it is a good thing it resulted as it did.
If you believed his story and had confided in
him, why did you send him to Mrs. George
with a lie in his mouth 2 He went there to
entrap her. She was alone in her cell in her
misery.
Gentlemen, do not convict anyone on such
scheming as that. If you have’nt confidence
in your own witnesses, for God’s sake don’t re-
sort to such means. -
Mr. Grant says, “Why don’t you call
Rice,” and that is the most unfair thing he said
during his whole argument. He knows and
you know, that the Court has said, during this
trial, that everything connected with Mr. Rice
is excluded from this case. Why don’t we call










CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 255
Rice º There was nothing to call Rice for. He
could shed no light on this case. He could tell
nothing about the conversation that was had in
the jail between Mrs. George and Hasler. But
when Hasler went to Mrs. George in the jail
and tried to entrap her, what did she say: she
said to him “See Welty, he will tell you what
is necessary.” Is that a crime? What could she
say? She had been instructed to not talk about
her case. What could she say to him when he
undertook to talk about her case? The only
thing that she could say was to see her
Attorney.
Hasler claimed that he had told the story
to save himself. Why was he to save himself,
if he had done nothing wrong 2 Who told him
he had violated his oath, that he was in danger?
Let the Counsel for the State answer that
question. You never got that revolver nearer
Mrs. George than when she went to the home
of Florence Klingler. -
They have undertaken to abuse Florence
Klingler. They have insulted her ; they have
called up her unfortunate domestic trouble.
She was cast upon her own resources at a
tender age. She, as many others, has had an
unfortunate marriage, but a fairer, clearer and
more direct witness has not testified in this
case. Her cross-examination was an insult to
her, and would be an insult to any respectable
perSon.
We have given you the truth, gentlemen ;





256 UANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
and we have proven to you that Mrs. George
was with Mrs. Klingler within four blocks of
where the revolver was found, but the revolver
was’nt at that place at that time. It had not
been planned yet. No plan had yet been
figured out for getting a reward. Mrs. Kling-
ler said that Mrs. George came to her house
about 6:25 o'clock. If this is true, it would
have been a physical impossibility for her to
have arrived at that time, and have been at the
Althouse place at the time of the shooting, a
mile and a quarter away.
The testimony also shows that when she
arrived at Mrs. Klingler's she was natural.
She was not excited ; she was not warm even.
There was no evidence that she had been
walking fast : nothing to show that she had
just come from the scene of a murder in:which
she had participated as the principal actor.
This proof is important in this case, it is
convincing.”
“It would have been impossible for Mrs.
George to have concealed a weapon of the size
of the one presented here, about her person
while she was at Mrs. Lindeman’s, Mrs.
Lindeman says that she did not have it, that
she had handed her cape to her when she
started from her house, that it was not in the
cape. It was not upon her person. There is
no proof that she stopped on the way at any
place where she could have picked it up.”
The speaker then referred to the burs

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 257
and Spanish needles again. “These were
shown to have been got by Mrs. George in Mrs.
Lindeman’s yard, or along the vacant
lot near the Oberlin residence. Mrs.
Lindeman says that there were Spanish
needles in her back yard, that Mrs. George
had been in the back yard. Is it not reason-
able to suppose that she got them there *
Again, if she had gone over the route claimed
by the State, through the vacant lot, through
the mud and dirt, the white underskirt she
wore would not have been as clean and un-
soiled as testified to by the witness Huth.”
The speaker then referred to the testimony
of Mrs. Eckroate again. “If Mrs. Eckroate
saw Mrs. George, would’nt she have said so
that night, when everybody was looking for
her. Everybody was hunting her ; would it
not have been natural for her to have spoken
up and said that she seen Mrs. Grorge do the
shooting * Mrs. Eckroate said that she identi-
fied her as the woman who had been parading
the street. The proof shows that Mrs. George
had not been parading the street from
April until October. Speak of Mrs. Eckroate
only in charity, and for her misfortune in pity.
Mrs. Eckroate could not have seen the place
where Saxton fell. There was no light that
shown upon the place. The trees interfered ;
she never did see the figure that done the
shooting. Is that the kind of testimony you
would base a conviction upon for murder?”
258 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
Hogan testified that the shots were fifteen
seconds apart ; the Susky girls claimed to have
walked a considerabie distance between the
shots. The Susky girls were also mistaken in
recognizing the first two men who appeared
upon the scene.
Mrs. Eckroate’s recognition of Mrs.
George was wholly imaginary, due to the use
of morphine ; and that the doctors who had
testified as to her condition were either biased,
or else they had not made such an examination
as to show them what her condition actually
Was.
At this point court adjourned until one
o'clock P. M. It had been supposed that Mr.
Welty would close his argument at the noon
hour, but he was not through when court ad-
journed, and expected to occupy some time in
the afternoon.
Court opened pursuant to adjournment,
and Mr. Welty resumed his argument. He
immediately took up the testimony of Mrs.
Eckroate again.
“They say she would’nt harm anybody.
She would’nt harm a member of her own
family, but she did try to harm one of them as
is shown by the testimony, and when her at-
tention was called to it the next morning she
remembered nothing of it. Mrs. Eckroate did
not want to tell a lie. She did not willingly
tell a lie, but as the experts say, when
morphine is taken, as it had been by her for


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 259
years, the brain becomes diseased and the
mind irresponsible.”
He then quoted from several medical text
books and commented upon them. The in-
cidents of the night of the tragedy were then
spoken of in detail. Mrs. George had gone to
Hazlett Avenue on the street car. “Why did
she not get off the car at her home 2 I cannot
answer that except to say, why should she
She had no home then at that place ; only sleep-
ing accomodations. Why did’nt she go to
Klingler's instead of getting on the car 2 How
easy it is to change the mind How easy to
turn back and retrace one’s steps on impulse
or on reflection º’’
The distances were then spoken of
between the place where the murder had been
committed and Mrs. Klingler's residence, and
the speaker argued that the accused could not
have covered this distance in the time claimed
by the State.
“Why did they not search the house of
Eva Althouse,” argued Mr. Welty, “why was
not suspicion directed against her ? I know
not what her relations to Saxton were, at this
time, but I do know that she is the one who
ran away under fire. She left the county to
avoid the service of summons. She was
wanted as a witness. She could not be got.
She is not here now ; she is beyond the reach
of the authority of the State to get her;
beyond the knowledge of the defense.”


260 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
The testimony of Jacob Adams, and Mrs.
Lizzie Miller, in regard to the mysterious man
was next spoken of. “It proved that there
was a form, a figure corresponding to a woman
dressed in black. It turned out, however, to
be a man with a mackintosh on. We do not
know who it was, but his conduct was suspi-
cious, to say the least. It is a matter that you
have a right to consider in determining who
the guilty party was.”
Mr. Welty then said, “There is not a
scintilla of proof to show that Mrs. George
was not a pure and innocent woman until she
met George D. Saxton.”
The speaker then paid an eloquent tribute
to the sacredness of the home, and to the
author of “ Home, sweet home.”
At 2:05 o'clock Mr. Welty concluded with
an earnest appeal on behalf of his client. It
was the subject of remark that the speech of
Mr. Welty, on this occasion, was one of the
greatest arguments that was ever made in a
Stark County Court.
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 261
CHAPTER XXII.
THE STATE.
As soon as Mr. Welty had taken his seat
Mr. Pomerene, the Prosecuting Attorney, arose
and began the closing argument for the State.
The Prosecutor had a great work to do.
The arguments for the defense had been forcible
and exhaustive, and if the jury were influenced,
or could have been influenced by argument,
they were certainly in a condition at that time
to require a great effort on the part of the
Prosecuting Attorney. -
Mr. Pomerine is a young man who has had
considerable experience, and is a forcible
speaker. At the outset he took occasion to ob-
ject to the request offered by the defense, as to
the instructions to the jury, on the subject of
morphine, which, it was claimed, Mrs. Eckroate
was in the habit of using. He claimed that
the Court could not charge the jury, as a
matter of law, as to the effect that the
morphine would have upon Mrs. Eckroate, but
that it was a question of fact to be submited to
the jury. That is, the question should be left
to the jury as to whether the drug had affected

262 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
her to such an extent as to weaken her
testimony.
Passing on, he claimed that the conduct of
the defense was mystifying, and that in their
argument and cross-examination of witnesses,
they had gone outside of the merits of the
case, and when it came to offering proof, they
presented a vague, elusive kind of evidence.
“If they claim emotional insanity, it should
have been plead.” He said to the jury that
there was a difference between rage, and
viciousness, and insanity ; and that the law
contemplated them as things widely apart from
each other. -
“There would be no safety,” he claimed, if
people would be allowed to lash themselves
into a fury, or rage, and then commit acts of
violence.
“As to the matter of circumstantial evi-
dence, it does not follow that because there was
aſ weak link in the chain of circumstances, that
the whole case should fºl: that the Courts
held that a case may be proved from a mass of
circumstances taken as a whole, many of which
are not susceptible of withstanding an attack
as independent elements.”
As to the denunciations of Saxton's
character, by the Attorneys for the defense, he
said they were not an excuse for murder.
“Saxton’s life was dear to him, and he had the
same right to it that all men have.” He next
took occasion to deliver to the jury some sound


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 263
advice upon their duties, and the danger of
being swayed by public sentiment ; quoting
from the remarks of a Judge in the recent
South Carolina lynching case ; he declared that
such conduct was subversive of good
government.
He also reminded them of their oaths
which they had taken when they were chosen
in this case. As to the questions of public
opinion; he said that he had remarked at the
outset that if the prisoner at the bar had at any
time a claim on Saxton, she had forfeited it.
That if public opinion had once favored her,
since the facts had become known, this opinion
had been wiped out, and the people cried out
for justice. He said he was appalled when
Attorney Sterling justified Saxton's killing;
when he said that it had been rightfully done.
It was monstrous to think of an Attorney up-
holding murder.
Next he drew a beautiful word picture of
the happy home, prº ided over by a pure wife.
“There is no motive that will cause a true wife
or mother to forget her marital vows and defile
her home. They talk to me of the villainy of
George D. Saxton’’ he cried, this Saxton was
not the Saxton that I knew They have over-
drawn the picture, and it is only a picture after
all.” - -
Turning around, and facing the prisoner,
who sat with her head bowed upon her hand,
he began to sketch her career. Her claim of

264. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
two year’s resistance to the wiles of Saxton was
spoken of at some length. “Where was that
devoted husband while these advances were
going on 2 That pure wife, that lovely mother!
Why did she not tell her husband that Saxton
was making unlawful advances to her ? He
must have known it, or he was entirely inno-
cent, which was it 2 A loving mother and a de-
voted wife, they say. Rather, I would say, a
vile, designing woman, who was not content
with her lot | No woman can be lead from her
husband and children, unless she is willing ;
unless she wants to be. Noman is bold enough
to force himself upon a pure woman, who
raises her hand and says, “Thus far shalt thou
go, and no further.” A lovely, pure woman,
this, truly.
Mark the witnesses who testified to her
threats. They were couched in such language
that these witnesses refused to repeat it, and
the Court held that they might not be forced
to do so on account of its obscenity. Words
so vile that they could not be repeated in a
ourt of Justice, and this is a lovely, pure
woman If she had deceived the South
Dakota Courts, as she must have done, in order
to secure the divorce, how much more de-
ceptive to this Court will she be when her life,
not marriage vow, is at stake
She talked of her life with Saxton in South
Dakota. We admit all of it. Was he the
sinner and she the saint 2 Was he all black,
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 265
and she all white º Was he all corruption, and
she all incorruption ? It is but one side of the
story.
George D. Saxton is lying cold and silent
in his grave, and cannot speak for himself.
Will you judge of him by that woman’s tongue?
There was not a single witness that testified
that Saxton had ever harmed Mrs. George, and
all the testimony that was given as to his con-
duct came from her own lips. They tell you
about the character of Mrs. Althouse ; speak
of her as you will, her hands are not yet
stained with murder. Seven hours before the
bullets sped their way into the vitals of Saxton,
you were telling the negro Jackson that you
would kill him, and that he would get his
deserts in Hell ' You who loved him so well /
(turning to the prisoner.)
In tracing the prisoner on the night of the
killing, the Prosecutor said that it was six
o'clock when she reached the corner of Hazlett
Avenue. It takes but a walk of from three to
four minutes to reach Lincoln Avenue, so that
she had plenty of time to reach the scene of
the murder. He believed that Mrs. George
was at the home of Mrs. Klingler ; especially
that she reached there at 6:20 P. M. She had
plenty of time to kill Saxton and get there
within ten minutes.
He made a strong point of the fact that
after leaving Mrs. Klingler's to go down town,
she did not go by the place where the police-

266 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
man Dickerhoof was waiting for her ; instead
of that, she went to her Attorney’s office,
hecause she had met her victim, and he was
beyond all human aid. “She did not need the
assistance of Dickerhoof It was an Attorney
she needed more than anything else, for she
had already begun the work of covering up
her deed. Why did she go to Sterling's office
if not for that ? I ask, why did she go there 2
He then spoke of the prisoner's wander-
ings between the time of the shooting and her
arrest.
“She must have heard of the killing of Sax-
ton ; she must have heard it discussed. Yet,
when apprehended, she was stoically silent.
When placed in custody, she could have, had
she been innocent, cried out, ‘What did I do :
why do you arrest me?” Instead of that she
merely said, ‘I will go with you,” and she
would talk when the proper time come.” She
did not ask why she was made a prisoner.”
He then claimed that the defense had got
themselves into a trap by attempting to show
that it was 6:05 o'clock when Mrs. George got
to Hazlett Avenue. -
“If this was so, it would have been impossible
for her to have reached Mrs. Klingler's home at
the time she says she did. The distance from
Lincoln to Hazlett Avenue is so short as to
make very little difference.” He then asked why
the defense had not accounted fully for the
prisoner's whereabouts between 5:55 and 6:25


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 267
P. M. They do not trace her. They take her to
Hazlett Avenue and Tuscarawas Street, and
leave her there, to appear at Mrs. Klingler's at
6:25 P. M. Where was she during that time?
The Counsel for the defense knew, he supposed,
but they did not desire to let it be known upon
the trial. At this point Court adjourned until
Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock.
When Court opened, the usual crowd was
present. Mrs. George appeared, pale and
nervous. She took her seat at the Counsel
table, and the Prosecuting Attorney arose and
resumed his argument. He seemed refreshed;
his voice was good, and he talked freely and
eloquently. He defended the witnesses for the
State on the matter of authorities as to the
identification of Mrs. George as the person who
committed the murder. In speaking of the
attack by the defense on Saxton's character, he
said:
“The fact still remains, that he had not an
enemy on earth who desired his life, except the
prisoner. The defense have talked of his dis-
regard for family virtue. George Saxton never
insulted a virtuous woman in his life. I believe
that Mrs. George, walking on Tuscarawas
Street that evening, saw Saxton going west-
ward on his bicycle, and suspecting his desti-
nation, she boarded a street car, and followed
him to the scene of the murder. At Hazlett
Avenue she crossed over the lots to the street on
which Mrs. Althouse resided, and met him at

268 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
the steps, where she slew him.” -
“The painting black of the dead man's
character was simply to divert attention from
the facts. How many hearts ached when
George D. Saxton died? He had a family and
friends too. There were many who had been
objects of his charity, and they wept for him.
His friends who loved him will always remember
him, even were his character as black as paint
could make it, yet his life is as dear to him as it
is to any other man.”
“Granting that Mrs. George had wrongs,
that Saxton had mistreated her, the Courts
were open to her; but she had made up her
mind to kill him, and kill him she did. Is she
now to go acquitted, and inciteothers to commit
crime?”
As to the alibi, he said that the defense had
not accounted for a half hour of her time that
evening. Her failure to establish an alibi ought
to be considered as a matter of fact by the jury.
At this point the Prosecutor intimated that Mr.
Welty had induced Mr. Eckroate to go home
and to intimidate his wife, so that she would
not testify for the prosecution. Mr. Welty
jumped to his feet and cried “that is absolntely
false and unfair.” There was a wrangle between
the Attorneys, and the language was modified
by the Prosecutor,
“I stated when we opened this case, that
we would show that this woman, by her con-
duct, had forfeited any confidence Saxton or
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 269
any other man could have for her. Mr. Welty,
in his argument, said that we did not prove it.
No, we didn't prove it, but we were ready to
prove it; our witnesses, as to her conduct were
called, but counsel for defense objected, and the
mouths of our witnesses were sealed. That is
why we didn’t prove it.” -
Speaking of the divorce in Dakota, he said
that she was untruthful in getting that divorce.
If she had truthfully given evidence on that oc-
casion, she would not have got her divorce.
“No witness was produced,” he said, “to say
that Saxton had ever threatened and abused
this woman, except her own declarations; the
statements that she made to the witnesses pro-
duced by the defense.”
The testimony of former policeman
Dickerhoof was taken up. “They say she did
not dare to go to the Saxton Block. She did
go there and search Saxton's office, and
carry away papers which she found there at a
time when he was not present. She was not
afraid then. She is afraid of nothing but
justice. She did not want to see Saxton on a
legitimate errand or on a mission of love, but
she stood in the back yard in the rear of the
block. Dickerhoof was not forbidden to go to
Saxton, yet he was not sent to the office to
call upon him. Her trip west on the street car
the night of the tragedy, the arrival at Haz-
lett Avenue, and the hour of the shooting, as
given by the testimony of witnesses for the


270 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
State, was conclusive evidence that she was
upon the scene of the murder, and the
principal actor in it. There was an interval of
ten or fifteen minutes that she does not ac-
count for herself in the alibi.”
“They do not pretend to say where she
was when the shots were fired. It was not
shown where she was at that momentous
period. There was ample time, as shown by
the evidence, for her to leave the car at Hazlett
Avenue and go to Lincoln Avenne, fire the
fatal shots, and return to the Klingler place,
according to the testimony of the witnesses
who testified as to the alibi. They have not
fooled anybody by this alibi, except
themselves.” -
He then spoke of the burs and Spanish
needles, and said that it was inconsistent that
she could have gathered the burs in passing
along the sidewalk, which was ten feet wide.
“She could have got them in Pike Township,”
he said, “but she wasn't there. She could have
got them, and she did get them, in the vacant
lot near the Althouse place. Again they claim
her shoes were not muddy. It is no wonder.
There was no mud. It was not raining at the
time the shooting occurred, and there was no
mud along the route over which she passed.
The policemen, the street car men, the women
who testified, say that they did not get their
shoes muddy.”
The prosecutor now reviewed the threats at

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 271
great length, and continued; “Were these
threats, these flourishes of the revolver, this
letter, the evidence of love and affection? She
sent for a newspaper reporter and asked him to
publish to the world her encounter with Sax-
ton. Would any refined and virtuous woman,
who became engaged in a fight, rightfully or
wrongfully, seek to have the details of that
fight paraded before the public? She wanted
to annoy him, and humiliate his family and
friends!. She wanted Saxton roasted, she said,
when she spoke of the alleged disagreement of
which the public knew nothing, and which she
wanted to publish to the world. She told wit-
ness after witness that she had a revolver
pocket in her sleeve, and that she would kill
Saxton. She told these witnesses, time and
again, that as soon as the ease of her former
husband against Saxton was settled that she
would kill him. Why did she say this? What
was in her mind? Why was she saying these
things, if she did not intend to do so?”
Referring to the testimony of Mr. Adams,
who said that he had seen a man near the
scene of the tragedy, the prosecutor said,
“There are forty thousand people in Canton.
It would be no uncommon thing for a person to
meet a man along the sidewalk. Adams did
not say that the man he had met had any con-
nection with the Saxton tragedy, nor was there
any testimony to show that he had.”
The testimony of Mrs. Lizzie Miller, who

272 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
testified that she had seen a strange man, was
reviewed. “First she thought it was a woman,
then a man with a mackintosh on, and then it
faded away. She said she had a strange im-
pression. I do not know whether she had just
come out of a trance or not, but I suspect this
ghost story will not be believed by you. The
things the defense have attempted to prove to
you shows the weakness of their case, as well
as do the the things they have left uproven. In
my judgment, the testimony of Mrs. Eckroate,
corroborated by that of Mrs. Huwig, is enough
to convict this defendant. The circumstantial
evidence alone is enough to convict this
defendant.”
Speaking of the testimony of Hasler, as to
the revolver, he said: “One reason of the de-
lay in giving the information as to the revolver
is explained by his absence at Zanesville. There
had been ample reason shown why he had not
testified before the grand jury. Then the con-
versation in the jail between Hasler and the de-
fendant speaks volumes in this case. He said
to her, “What shall I do with the revolver
Mayor Rice sent me for.” What did she say?
Did she say, ‘what revolver?” Did she say,
‘what do you mean,’ or anything of that kind?
No, cooly and calmly she said, ‘See Mr. Welty
about it.’ Why wasn't Mayor Rice put upon
the stand to deny that he had sent the officer
for the revolver ?”
Referring to the smell of gun powder upon
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 273
her hand, when she was arrested, he said, that
this had been established by the testimony of
policemen familiar with powder, and that the
testimony of Dr. Pontius was merely negative
upon this subject. She said there was no odor
of powder, because she had not recognized such
odor. At the same time she admitted that she
was not as familiar with gun powder as men
are. The Prosecutor here began to sum up his
case, and his arguments were very forcible.
“The State has showed that the accused
went out there that night, she reached Hazlett
Avenue at 5:55 o'clock, at 6:10 the shots were
fired, and in 25 minutes after that time she was
at Mrs. Klingler's residence. Where did she go
when she left the car at Hazlett Avenue? What
was she doing? Why does this alibi not account
for this interval 2 Is it not clear that she went
to the scene of the tragedy, that she was there
and fired the fatal shots? Why was she out
there at all when she had the engagement with
Dickerhoof?”
“If she was going home, and was carried by
her home, why did`nt she return to her home
when she left the car? If she is innocent why
did`nt she go to Dickerhoof and tell him that
she did`nt need him nor his services that night,
and release him from his engagement? Why did
she not ask the reason she was arrested 2 Why
did she refuse to say where she had been during
the evening 2"
The Prosecutor then spoke of the inconsist-

274 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
ency of such conditions and relations as had
been claimed by Counsel for the accused. The
Prosecutor here, at 11:12 o'clock, closed his
argument.
He thanked the jury for their attention, and
the interest that they had manifested in the
case, and plead with them that they regard the
sanctity of the law, and that their verdict
would be such as would be a thorough vindi-
cation of the law.
The argument of Prosecutor Pomerene was
an able effort, and while he was very severe
upon the accused at times, his grouping of the
testimony upon the material points showed a
great deal of tact, and it was delivered with
great force and effect. The speech was the
subject of much favorable comment, and Mr.
Pomerene was highly complimented.
It had been supposed that as so much of the
forenoon had been occupied by the argument,
and the noon adjournment was so near at hand,
that the Court would not charge the jury until
after the noon adjournment, but immediately
after the Prosecutor had closed his argument,
the Court began his charge to the jury. The
charge was remarkable for its clearness in de-
fining the law of the case. While it was not
lengthy, the language used by the Judge in ex-
plaining the legal propositions involved, was so
clear and forcible that the jury was greatly aided
in their deliberations. While neither party had
requested the Court to charge the jury in
















cANTON's GREAT TRAGEDy. 275
writing, he had written the charge out in full
and read it to the jury. A great interest was
manifested by the spectators in the charge, and
its delivery was listened to by all with much
interest.
N/~
}
3.
lº/WN_




THE CHARGE.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Gentlemen of the Jury:
The indictment in this case charges, in legal
phraseology, that the defendant Annie E.
George, on or about the 7th day of October, in
the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight
hundred and ninety-eight, at the county of Stark
and state of Ohio, then and there being, did un-
lawfully, purposely, and of deliberate and pre-
meditated malice, shoot and kill one George D.
Saxton, he then and there being. The indict-
ment contains four counts, each charging, in
legal form, the defendant with murder in the
first degree. Except its formal parts, it has
been read in your hearing, and you will have it
in your jury room, and to it you may refer for
a particular description, in legal phraseology,
of the offense charged. Upon this indictment
she is on trial before you.
To this indictment and the charges con-
tained in it, the defendant Annie E. George,
pleads not guilty. This plea by her puts in issue
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 277
every material allegation and averment in the
indictment. She is presumed to be innocent
until proven to be guilty beyond the existence of
a reasonable doubt. While a reasonable doubt
exists in the mind of any one or more of the
jurors, the defendant cannot be convicted and
found guilty. -
Before she can be found guilty every juror
must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt
of the guilt of the defendant. She comes into
this court protected, as every citizen of the state
is, by the presumption of law that she is inno-
cent of any crime, and particularly that she is
innocent of the crime charged against her in the
indictment, and this presumption remains with
her until overcome by full proof–such as will
exclude all reasonable doubt of her guilt.
That she had been suspected and charged
with the perpetration of a crime does not tend,
in any degree, to show her guilt, or remove from
her this presumption of innocence which the law
casts about her.
Something has been said in the argument
by counsel for the state that on the evening of
this alleged homicide, several persons gathered
in front of the Oberlin and Althouse properties,
and that such bystanders believed the defendant
to be the guilty party. No such evidence was
admitted; no such evidence would have been
competent, and such claims, so made, should be
entirely disregarded by you. This defendant is
not on trial and not compelled to defend herself

278 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
against suspicion, or what a few bystanders
might have believed; but her fate is to be de-
termined solely from the testimony as permitted
to be given before you, and the law as given to
you by the court.
That she had been indicted by a grand jury
is no evidence of her guilt. So careful is the
State of the life and liberty of its citizens that
it will not allow that one of them shall be
brought to trial for a grave offense against the
criminal law, except upon an indictment by a
grand jury. An indictment is, however, only a
formal written accusation of crime, required as
an essential ingredient to a trial, but which is
not any evidence of crime, but is merely a
formal charge for the purpose of putting the de-
fendant upon trial. So I repeat, a verdict of
guilty against the defendant cannot be, and
should not be returned by you without convinc-
ing evidence of her guilt. The law is too
humane to demand a conviction while reason-
able doubt remains in the minds of the jury or
any one of them; and if you, or any of you
are not fully satisfied, but find only that there
are strong probabilities of guilt, your only safe
course is to acquit.
Before you can find the defendant guilty as
charged in the indictment, the State must
prove, beyond the existence of a reasonable
doubt, to your satisfaction, and to the satis-
faction of each one of you:
1. That George D. Saxton is dead.








CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 279.
2. That he came to his death on or about
the 7th day of October, 1898, in the county of
Stark and state of Ohio.
3. That Annie E. George did unlawfully,
purposely, and of deliberate and premeditated
malice, kill and murder him, on or about said
7th day of October, A. D. 1898, by the means,
or some of them, charged in the indictment.
If the State has failed to establish any one
of these facts beyond the existence of a reason-
able doubt, to your satisfaction, and to the
satisfaction of each one of you, as I have ex-
plained, you cannot find the accused guilty of
murder in the first degree as charged in the
indictment.
Before you can be authorized to find the de-
fendant guilty of murder in any degree, you
must, from the evidence introduced find beyond
a reasonable doubt, that the accused killed
George D. Saxton, in the manner and by the
means charged in the indictment and at the
time and place alleged, and this you must find
from the evidence and circumstances in the case.
You will look to all evidence in the case,
direct or positive and circumstantial, for the
purpose of determining whether the accused did
kill said Saxton at the time and place and by
the means charged in the indictment; and if
you do not find beyond the existence of a
reasonable doubt, that she did, your verdict
should be not guilty. But if you do find that she
did, you will proceed to determine the degree of

280 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
the crime of which you find her guilty. Direct or
positive evidence is evidence to the precise point
in issue, as in case of homicide that the witness
saw the accused inflict the blow that caused the
death. Circumstantial evidence is that which
relates to the series of other facts than the fact
in issue, which by experience has been proven so
associated with that fact that in the relation of
cause and effect they lead to a satisfactory con-
clusion. Circumstantial evidence in criminal
cases is the proof of such facts and circum-
stances connected with, or surrounding the
commission of the crime charged, as tends to
show the guilt or innocence of the party
charged; and these facts and cirumstances
must be sufficiently conclusive to convince the
jury, beyond the existence of a reasonable
doubt, of the guilt of the defendant as charged
in the indictment, before the jury can convict.
And if the facts and circumstances shown by
the evidence in this case, standing alone or
together with the positive or direct evidence,
are sufficient to satisfy the jury of the guilt of
the defendant, beyond a reasonable doubt, then
such evidence is sufficient to authorize the jury
to find the defendant guilty. The law demands
a conviction wherever there is sufficient legal
evidence to show the defendant guilty, beyond
a reasonable doubt, and circumstantial evidence
is legal evidence. Before the jury can legally re-
turn a verdict of guilty on circumstantial
evidence alone, they must find the existence of
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 281
every necessary circumstance indicating guilt,
beyond the existence of a reasonable doubt,
and if there is a reasonable doubt in the mind
of any juror of any material fact in the chain of
circumstantial evidence necessary to make out
the crime charged, the defendant cannot be con-
victed on circumstantial evidence alone.
Circumstantial evidence must be weighed with
great caution, and it must not only be incon-
sistent with the defendant's innocence, but in-
consistent with any other hypothesis than that
of her guilt.
The accused is indicted under a section of
our law against crime, which reads, among
other things: “Whoever purposely, and either
of deliberate and premeditated malice, or by
means of poison, or in perpetrating or attempt-
ing to perpetrate any rape, arson, robbery or
burglary, kills another, is guilty of murder in
the first degree.” So far as the charge in the
present case is concerned we may read it for the
sake of clearness: “Whoever purposely and of
deliberate and premeditated malice kills another,
is guilty of murder in the first degree.”
Murder in the first degree is the killing of
another purposely, unlawfully, and of de-
liberate and premeditated malice.
This degree includes all the lesser degrees of
homicide. One charged with murder in the first
degree may be convicted of murder in a less
degree, and even of the offense of assault
and battery, or of assult only, if the testimony


282 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
does not satisfy the jury beyond the existence of
a reasonable doubt, that the accused was
guilty of any offense greater than an assault or
an assault and battery; or may be found not
guilty, and under this indictment you may find
the defendant guilty of murder in the first
degree; or, you may find her not guilty of
murder in the first degree but guilty of murder
in the second degree; or, you may find her not
guilty of murder in the first or in the second
degree, but find her guilty of manslaughter; or,
you may find her not guilty of murder in the
first or second degree or of manslaughter but
may find her guilty of assault and battery or of
assault, or, you may find her not guilty at all.
This is not a mere discretion; but it is your duty
to return such a verdict as the testimony under
the law as the court has given and may give it
to you, demands. And you must specify in your
verdict whether you find her guilty of murder
in the first degree, or of murder in the second
degree, or of manslaughter, or of assault and
battery, or of assault only, or not guilty. And
your verdict, as I have said, should be such a
verdict as is demanded by the testimony, under
the law as I have given and will give it to you.
Let me now call your attention to the
several degrees of crime charged or included in
the indictment in this case: Murder in the first
degree, us I have already said, is the killing of
another purposely, and of deliberate and pre-
meditated malice. In order to constitute the

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 283
crime of murder in the first degree, the act must
not only be premeditated with the malicious
intent to kill, but also with deliberation and
premeditation. These three elements must exist
in every case to constitute that deliberate malice
and malignity of heart which is the essential in-
gredient of the offense. Deliberation and pre-
meditation imply the capacity at the time to
think and reflect, sufficient volition to make a
choice, and by the use of these powers to refrain
from doing a wrong act.
If the defendant did kill George D. Saxton,
did she inflict the wound in a sudden transport
of passion, excited by the preceding events
claimed for her during the trial, coming into her
mind suddenly on meeting the deceased, and
which for the time disturbed her reasoning
faculties and deprived her of the capacity to re-
flect? Or did she do it, if at all, while under the
influence of some sudden, uncontrollable im-
pulse, excited on suddenly seeing deceased by
the final culmination of her alleged wrongs and
misfortunes, as indicated by the train of events
claimed by her, if you find from the evidence
that they are true? Or did she kill him, if at all,
after having formed the design to do so, and
having deliberated and premeditated upon it?
These are questions of fact for you to determine
—in the light of the evidence, and in the light of
all the circumstances—in fixing the degree of
crime, in case you find the defendant guilty.
Evidence of the alleged relations of the de-


284. CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
fendant and the deceased, George D. Saxton,
since 1889, and prior to the death of said Sax-
ton, has been permitted to go to you, not
because the said relations of said Saxton and the
defendant are any excuse or justification or de-
fense or the offense of killing of deceased by de-
fendant, if you find from the testimony that she
did in fact kill said Saxton, as in the indictment
set out, there are no justification, or excuse, or
defense, but for the purpose of enabling you to
determine whether or not said homicide was
committed with deliberation and premeditation,
if you find that the accused in fact did commit
said homicide. The alleged wrongs and mis-
fortunes of defendant, or the failure of deceased
to keep any of his alleged promises, or both of
these together, would furnish no justification for
the taking of his life, if the accused did in fact,
take the life of the deceased.
Neither did the defendant have any right to
take, if she did take, or attempt to take, if she
did so attempt, the law into her own hands to
right any wrongs, which she may have suffered,
or claims to have suffered at the hands of said
George D. Saxton.
As to the purpose orintent to kill, I instruct
you that the law presumes that every person
intends the necessary or probable consequences
of his own voluntary and intentional act. The
purpose or intention to kill may be proven by
circumstances; by what the party does or says,
by the manner of inflicting the wounds, or of
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 285
the killing, by the means or instrument used, if
one was used, or if the means were used. If an
instrument was used, was it such as was likely
to produce death Was its tendency to destroy
life?
If in the present case you find from the proof
beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused
voluntarily and intentionally did what is
charged in the indictment, in such wise that
death would be the natural and probable result,
and that the deceased was thereby actually
killed, you may find that the killing was
purposely done and intended by the accused.
As I have already said, the killing must be
shown to have been done by the accused of her
deliberate and premeditated malice.
To constitute deliberate and premeditated
malice, the intention to do the injury must be
deliberated upon, and the design to do it formed
before the act was done; though it is not re-
quired that either should be done any consider-
able time before. This supposes that the party
by reflection knew what she was about to do,
and intended to do it in order to do harm. A
premeditated design or purpose is the right of
thought and reflection; and a design conceived,
and afterwards so deliberately considered as to
become resolved and fixed, is regarded by law
as premeditated. When the design to take
human life is formed after deliberation and pre-
meditation, and where there is time for deliber-
ate thought, then no matter how soon the


286 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
malicious and felonious killing may follow the
formation of the settled purpose, it is murder in
the first degree. When the purpose to malic-
iously kill with premeditation and deliberation
is formed, the length of time between the design
so formed, and its execution is immaterial. It
is only necessary that the act of killing be
preceded by the concurrence of the will, by de-
liberation and premeditation on the part of the
slayer. But where there is not time for the
purpose of deliberation and premeditation, the
unlawful killing cannot be murder in the first
degree. The act must be reflected upon, de-
liberately determined before it is done.
If the passion was excited, has the blood
had time to cool? Has reason had time to
assert itself? Premeditation and deliberation
are operations of the mind, and require an ex-
ercise of reason, reflection, judgment and de-
cision; and are to be determined by the acts
and conduct of the accused. They may be in-
ferred from the facts and circumstances sur-
rounding the transaction; they may be
established by circumstantial evidence. If a
person has actually formed a purpose to kill,
and deliberated and premeditated upon it,
before she performs the act, she is guilty of
murder in the first degree, however short the
time may have been between the formation of
the purpose and its execution. It is not the
time that constitutes the distinctive difference
between murder in the first degree and murder


CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 287
in the second degree, but the actual existence of
the formed and deliberate purpose to kill. It
matters not how short the time, if the party
had turned it over in her mind, weighed and de-
liberated upon it. In deliberating and forming
a design, it is not necessary that the accused
was not laboring under excitement, that the
passion had not been aroused; but if aroused,
was there time for the blood to cool? Was it
at the time of forming the design sufficiently
cool that the mind could have reasoned? If the
passion was aroused did the accused have time
to reason and determine what she would do,
before she in fact did it, if she did in fact do it?
In the crime of murder in the first degree,
and I may also say in the second degree, (and I
will explain to you hereafter what constitutes
the crime of murder in the second degree)
malice and an intent to kill are essential in-
gredients. Malice does not necessarily mean
hatred or ill will. It may include both, but not
necessarily so. It is the doing of wrong to
another purposely and intentionally. Where
one wrongfully and purposely injures another,
the law presumes that he intended the necessary
or probable result of the act, and that it was
malicious. It is not necessary that express
malice be shown, although in this case the state
claims, that it has shown express malice; and
as tending to show this, evidence of threats
claimed to have been made by the accused
against the deceased, has been introduced in


288 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
evidence. Whether they were made or not and
what they were if made, you must determine
from the evidence. But malice may be shown
or inferred from the facts and circumstances at-
tending the killing, facts and circumstances
that have a tendency to show that the accused
acted maliciously; such as that the killing was
wilfull and inexcusable, or without great
provocation, when the blood was up, or not
upon a sudden quarrel, when the passion had
not had time to cool, and the like. It may be
shown from previous hatred or ill-will.
Malice is defined to be the dictate of a
wicked depraved and malignant heart; a threat
regardless of social duty, and bent on mischief;
depravity of the human heart which determines
to take life either from no provocation, or upon
slight or insufficient provocation, without
knowing or caring to know who may be the
victim.
While, to constitute the offense charged in
this case the intent alleged in the indictment is
necessary to be shown, yet direct and positive
testimony is not necessary. In may be inferred
from the facts and circumstances shown by the
evidence, and if you believe from the evidence,
beyond a reasonable doubt, that the assault al-
leged in the indictment was made deliberately
by the defendant, on the said deceased, and was
likely to be attended with dangerous con-
sequences, then the intent necessary to make
out the case, so far as it is required, will be
presumed.
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 289
One may be convicted of murder in the first
degree although no motive for the crime is dis-
closed, nor any previous ill-feeling shown to
have existed, the act having been apparently
one of unlawful, malicious, deliberate and pre-
meditated killing without provocation; though
proof of motive is of more or less importance
in cases of purely circumstantial evidence. But
when the act is purposely, intentionally, and
the indisputably done, by the perpetrator of al-
leged crime, there is no occasion on the part of
the State, for explaining the reason for the act.
Threats, if any, may tend to show motive.
If you and each of you are satisfied by the
evidence in the case and under the instructions I
have given you, beyond a reasonable doubt
that the accused unlawfully, purposely, and of
deliberate and premeditated malice, killed
George D. Saxton, at or about the time named
in the indictment, by the means charged in the
indictment, and in said county and state, then
it is your duty to return a verdict of murder in
the first degree, and that will end your labors.
If from all evidence and circumstances in
the case you are satisfied beyond the existence
of a reasonable doubt, that the accused, on or
about the time named in the indictment, at the
place therein named, and by the means therein
charged, did in fact kill said Saxton, yet if you
are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt
that she did it with deliberation and premedi-
tation, you will turn your attention to murder
in the second degree.

290 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
The statute provides: “Whoever purposely,
and maliciously, without deliberation and pre-
meditation, kills another, is guilty of murder in
the second degree. The difference between
murder in the first degree and murder in the
second degree, is that in the second degree de-
liberation and premeditation are not necessary.
An intention to kill, however, is an essential in-
gredient of murder in the second degree. When
the act of killing is proven to have been
purposely and intentionally done by the
accused, malice is to be presumed ; and all the
circumstances of justification or excuse or ex-
tenuation must be made out by the accused,
unless they appear from the evidence adduced
against her.
In order to convict the defendant of murder
in the second degree, you must find beyond the
existence of a reasonable doubt, that on or
about the day charged in the indictment, in the
county of Stark and State of Ohio, the defend-
ant purposely and maliciously and intentionally
killed George D. Saxton, in the manner and by
the means charged in the indictment; and if the
state fails to satisfy you beyond the existence of
a reasonable doubt that the defendant did so
purposely and maliciously, and intentionally
kill said Saxton, then the defendant is not guilty
of the crime of murder in the second degree.
All that I have said to you on the subject of
purpose and malice in the crime of murder in the
first degree, is applicable, and essential to the















CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 291
crime of murder in the second degree, except
that the killing is not deliberate and
premeditated.
If you find from the evidence beyond the
existence of a reasonable doubt, that the accused
did unlawfully, purposely, maliciously and in-
tentionally kill George D. Saxton, in the manner
charged in the indictment, at the time and place
and by the means therein named, and that it
was not an excusable or justifiable killing, then,
malice is presumed by law, and the crime is
murder in the second degree.
If you do not find the accused guilty of
murder in the first degree or guilty of murder
in the second degree, you will proceed to inquire
whether or not you find her guilty of
manslaughter.
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a
human being without malice either express or
implied, and without excuse. It is distinguished
from murder by the absence of malice, either
express or implied, which is the basis of murder.
To constitute manslaughter the killing must be
done when reason is disturbed or obscured by
passion to an extent which might render ordi-
nary persons unable to act reasonably without
reflection, and from passion rather than judg-
ment. There must be an adequate provocation
for the passion, and the killing must be without
previous malice. The provocation by the de-
ceased must have been the great and controlling
cause of the passion, and it must have been such



292 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
as naturally and instantly to produce in the
minds of persons ordinarily constituted, the
highest degree of exasperation, rage, anger, or
sudden resentment, and to make the mind in-
capable of cool reflection.
A sudden transport of passion, caused by
adequate provocation, if it suspends the exer-
cise of judgment and dominates volition so as to
exclude premeditation and the previously formed
design, is sufficient to reduce the killing to man-
slaughter; although it does not entirely dethrone
rea,SOIn.
If you find from the evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant, Annie E.
George, did take the life of said George D. Sax-
ton at the time and place and by the means de-
scribed in the indictment, and that the killing,
if any, was done in the heat of blood, and in a
sudden and uncontrollable transport of passion
excited by the preceding events of deceased's
alleged wrongs to defendant, coming into her
mind suddenly on meeting the deceased, and
which for the time suspended her exercise of
judgment and dominated her volition so as to ex-
clude premeditation and previously formed de-
sign, and that there was adequate cause for such
sudden and uncontrollable transport of passion,
and that the killing was without malice, express
or implied, and if you should find that it was not
excusable or justifiabie, she is guilty of man-
slaughter. But if you find from the evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 293
did take the life of said deceased at the time and
place and by the means stated in the indictment,
and that the killing was done purposely and
maliciously, then she would be guilty of a higher
crime, as I have already explained to you, than
manslaughter.
Let me define now an assault and battery,
and an assault: “Whosoever unlawfully assaults
or threatens another in a menacing manner, or
unlawfully strikes or wounds another is guilty
of an assault or an assault and battery. And an
assault is an act done towards the commission
of a battery, with the present ability to complete
it.”
Evidence has been introduced which the
state claims tends to show that prior to the
alleged homicide the accused threatened the life
of the deceased.
What threats, if any, were made by her
against him, their nature and character, the
circumstances under which they were made, if
made at all, and the weight to be given to them
are all matters for you to determine in the light
of the evidence and circumstances in the case.
This testimony is admissible as tending to show
malice and motive, and the deliberation and pre-
meditation with which the crime charged was
committed, if you find beyond a reasonable
doubt that it was committed by defendant. To
the question of motive and malice and pre-
meditation and deliberation I have already called
your attention.
294, CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
The question of the general character, or
general reputation of the defendant for chastity,
virtue or morality is not an issue in this case,
and testimony as to this question was not ad-
missible. The fact that such testimony was not
offered is not to be considered as a circumstance
against the defendant.
Some testimony has been introduced tend.
ing to show that persons addicted to the
habitual use of morphine or like durgs, of
which class are opium or laudanum, as a
stimulant, are usually unreliable and untrust-
worthy; and that the habitual use of such
drugs for any considerable length of time
generally produces a diseased and disordered
condition of the perceptions an imagination, and
that such persons are generally devoid of a
proper regard for truth. It is for you to de-
termine in the iight of the testimony whether
the witnesses for the state, Christina Eckroate
and Mary Grable, or either of them, has used
morphine or like drugs in such quantity and for
such length of time as to affect her moral per-
ceptions and imagination and reliability for
truth telling ; and what if any weight is to be
given to their testimony or the testimony of
either of them.
The fact that the defendant was not called
as a witness in her own behalf, and did not
testify in her own behalf is not to be considered
by you as any evidence or even a circumstance
against her, and must not be considered by you












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 295
in your deliberations or conclusions in this case.
The law provides that the defendant shall not be
called to testify in her own behalf in criminal
cases, and her not doing it is not to be construed
by you, or even a circumstance of guilt, and
must not be considered by you to influence or
prejudice you in your findings and conclusions
herein.
Should you find the defendant, Annie E.
George, guilty of murder in the first degree,
you may in your verdict recommend mercy for
the said defendant, in which event the punish-
ment will be imprisonment in the penitentiary
for life.
If the testimony proves beyond a reason-
able doubt, that the defendant is guilty either of
murder in the first degree or of murder in the
second degree, or of manslaughter, you should
so find, nothwithstanding the fact that the de-
fendant is a woman.
If the testimony shows that the deceased
was guilty of illicit relations with the accused,
or with any one else other than the accused,
that cannot form any justification or excuse or
defense for the accused, if you should find that
she is guilty of the killing of the said George
D. Saxton.
While an alibi is a legitimate and proper de-
fense to make, and if satisfactorily made is con-
clusive, yet it is essential to the satisfactory
proof of an alibi that it should cover the whole
time of the alleged homicide or that it should
296 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
satisfactorily prove that the accused could not,
with ordinary exertion, have been at the place
where the homicide was committed, at the time
it was committed. The defendant's attempt to
prove an alibi is no admission of the body of the
crime charged, nor does her failure to prove an
alibi, if she has failed to prove it, necessarily in-
fer any presumption that she was present at the
time and place and when and where the crime is
alleged to have been committed.
Many times during these instructions I
have used the phrase, “beyond a reasonable
doubt,” and it is necessary that I now explain to
you what is meant by a reasonable doubt. It
means what its name implies—a doubt based on
reason. Such a doubt as a reasonable man
would have, after weighing and carefully con-
sidering all the facts in the case, actuated by the
single desire to arrive at the truth. You will be
justified and are required to consider a reason-
able doubt as existing, if the material facts
without which guilt cannot be established may
be fairly reconciled with innocence; yet in
human affairs absolute certainty is not always
attainable; from the very nature of things
reasonable certainty is all that can be attained
on many subjects. When a full and candid con-
sideration of the evidence produces a convic-
tion of guilt and satisfies the mind beyond a
reasonable doubt, a mere captious, or ingenious,
or artificial doubt is of no avail. -
In weighing the testimony to determine

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 297
where the truth is, and what weight you should
give to it, you have a right to take into consider-
ation the character and standing of the wit-
messes, their occupation, their appearance, their
conduct on the witness stand, their interest in
the deceased or in the accused, or in the result
of the trial, the reasonableness or probability of
the story they tell, any statement which they
have made at other times and places with re-
gard to the matter they testify to, which are in
conflict with the statements made on the witness
stand, and their motive for testifying.
If, after giving all the evidence in the case,
such weight as you think it is justly entitled to,
and under the rules I have given you, you or
either of you have a reasonable doubt as to the
guilt of the defendant, your duty must be to
find her not guilty.
I may now call attention to the form of your
verdict. If from the testimony in the case and
under the law as I have given it to you, you find
the accused guilty of murder in the first degree
as charged in the indictment, you will say so by
your verdict. If you do not find that she is
guilty of murder in the first degree, but guilty
of murder in the second degree, you will say so
by your verdict. If you do not find that she is
guilty of either murder in the first or in the
second degree, but guilty of manslaughter only,
you will so find. And if you do not find that
she is guilty of either of these three preceding
offenses which I have mentioned, but is guilty




298 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
of assault or of assault and battery, you will so
find. If you do not find that she is guilty of any
of these offenses contained in the indictment,
you will return a verdict of not guilty.
When you retire to your jury room, you will
appoint one of your number foreman. When
you agree upon a verdict, you will reduce it to
writing, have your foreman sign it, and return
With it into court.
You may now retire.”
25%
º
º

THE VERDICT.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Immediately after the charge was finished,
the Court directed that the jury be conducted
to their room for deliberation, and ordered that
at the noon hour the Bailiff, who had the jury in
charge, should provide their lunch. The Court
at the same time ordered that the jury should
be kept together until a verdict was reached,
unless it would appear that they could not agree,
and that their meals would be taken to them by
the Bailiff. The jury left the Court room in
charge of the Bailiff and the crowd began to
disperse.
Mrs. George, who had listened with great
eagerness to the charge, arose, and after having
greeted a number of her friends, as was usual
when she left the Court room, she was con-
ducted to the jail by the deputy sheriff. She was
apparently cheerful, and seemed anxious to get
away from the crowd that filled the outside of
the bar of the Court room.

300 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
About one o'clock the court room was filled
with persons who seemed to be determined to
await the verdict. The Court officers and the
members of the press were in the places occu-
pied by them during the trial, and were awaiting
the verdict. Various speculations were indulged
in as to the length of time that the jury would
require in reaching a verdict.
It was generally thought and expected by
those who were anxious for an acquittal, that
the jury would not remain out very long, while
others claimed that there would either be a
verdict of guilty or disagreement. Very few
indeed expected a verdict for more than
manslaughter.
Time wore away, until at 5:30 o'clock
P. M., Judge Taylor left the court room for the
hotel. He remarked that he would return some
time during the evening. He also said that he
would not retire until midnight, and would be
in reach of the Court Bailiff if a verdict was re-
turned. A great many persons remained until
1 o'clock A. M., and then they retired, leaving no
person in the court room but the Bailiff and a
few of his friends. Hour after hour time passed
and still no verdict.
At 7 o'clock in the evening some of Mrs.
George's friends called upon her at the jail. She
said that during the whole afternoon she had
been encouraged by friends who had remained
with her, and who had encouraged her in ex-
pressing themselves to the effect that the verdict

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 301
would undoubtedly be in her favor. Upon
entering the jail she would ask her friends at
once “Has the jury done anything yet?” On
being told that no verdict had been rendered she
said, “Well, I don’t believe they will hang meat
any rate, but it is hard to tell what twelve men
will do.”
She spoke of some of the witnesses who had
testified against her and criticised them severely,
saying that their testimony was entirely un-
true. She also spoke of the severe arraignment
by the Counsel for the State, and remarked that
she did not think that such arguments would
aid them in procuring a verdict. She further
said that if the verdict would be against her
that she would not ask for a new trial. She did
not seem to be down hearted at all, and all her
actions and what she said indicated that she
had the greatest confidence in a verdict of
acquittal.
After the jury had been served with their
breakfast in the morning, the court room again
filled with anxious people. Mrs. George was
seen again that morning, and seemed to feel
less confident than she had during the day
before. She was discouraged. The fact that
the jury had failed to return a verdict, during
the whole night, she regarded as a bad omen,
yet she remarked that she could not see how she
could be convicted, and she seemed to nerve her-
self to meet the final act in the proceeding.
During the whole forenoon the court room

302 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
was occupied by curiousity seekers who were
anxious to be present when the verdict was an-
nounced. About 9 o'clock some person came
from the Court House upon the street and an-
nounced that the jury had agreed. Immediately
people could be seen running upon the streets
for the court room, and in less than a minute,
the room was filled with people. It was then
learned that it was a false report, and a great
many people left; others remained to await the
verdict.
At 10:26 Friday morning the electric bell in
the court room rang, announcing that the jury
required the presence of the Bailiff who had
them in charge.
Judge Taylor, who was present at the time,
took his seat upon the Bench and directed the
Bailiff to wait upon the jury. He done so and
immediately returned and announced to the
Court that the jury had agreed upon a verdict.
The Court ordered the Bailiff to conduct them
to their proper places.
The news again spread rapidly, and before
the jury had taken their places, the room was
crowded with spectators, Attorneys, Court house
attaches, who all crowded promiscuously inside
of the bar, and wherever they could find stand-
ing room.
Mrs. George was sent for, and in a few
minutes she was seen with the Deputy Sheriff
forcing her way through the crowd to the
table she had occupied for so many days during
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 303
the trial. Her Attorneys were already in their
places at the table.
When Mrs. George entered she was very
pale, and there was an expression of great
anxiety upon her countenance. She evidently
was greatly excited, but had determined that
she would suppress her feelings and excitement,
and meet the stern reality that awaited her,
with composure. It was some minutes before
the jury were in their proper places, and as
soon as Court opened the Judge remarked that
he wanted it distinctly understood that there
should be no public demonstration by the spec-
tators, no matter what the verdict might be.
The Court ordered the Bailiff to inquire of the
jury if they had agreed upon a verdict, and it
was announced by the foreman that they had.
The verdict was then passed to Clerk Casselman
by Foreman Zang, of the jury. The Clerk then
took the verdict from the envelope in which it
was sealed, and began to read in a loud, clear
tone of voice as follows:
THE STATE OF OHIO,
Stark County, ss.
THE STATE OF OHIO, |
Plaintiff,
VS. * CRIMINAL
ANNIE E, GEORGE, ACTION.
- Defendant.
“We, the jury impanelled and sworn to well
and truly try, and true deliverance make,
between the State of Ohio and the prisoner at
the Bar, Annie E. George, do find the defend-
ant Not Guilty.” JULIUS ZANG,
Foreman.

304 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
No sooner was the verdict announced than,
in defiance of the order of the Court, just given,
a wild shout rang out in the court room from
hundreds of spectators. Mrs. George arose to
her feet, and immediately shook hands with and
thanked her Attorneys for the able manner in
which she had been defended. Then she passed
to the jury, and shook hands with each juror,
and thanked each one separately for the verdict,
which not only gave her her liberty but saved
her life.
It was an exciting scene. She was sur-
rounded by her friends, and for fully ten
minutes she received congratulations; not only
her friends but nearly every person in the court
house, except those who had been engaged in the
prosecution, shook her hand and congratulated
her.
After the verdict had been read and a note
made by the judge upon his docket of the
verdict, Judge Taylor announced that the jury
having found the defendant “Not Guilty,” she
was discharged from custody.
The crowd began to disperse, and after
some time she left the court room in the
company of her friends, and went again to the
jail to prepare for leaving the place she had
spent so many sad and weary days. She then
in the company of relatives left the jail for the
Conrad Hotel. Hundreds of people had
gathered in front of the jail, and when she












CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY, 305
came out, a shout went up as she passed
through the crowd.
Thus closed one of the greatest and most
sensational criminal cases that has ever been
tried in Ohio, and thus closed the last act in the
sensational and tragic death of George D.
Saxton. - -
That a most heinous crime had been com-
mitted, there never was any doubt, and it was
a case, which, under the law, demanded a most
rigid and careful investigation. Anything less
would have been a disgrace to the fair name
and reputation of Stark county.
The case was well and ably tried on both
sides. The prosecution exhausted every means
to procure all the proof which could be had to
convict the accused of murder, but they failed;
whether rightfully or not, may never be known.
One thing is quite certain, that if there was a
miscarriage of justice in the decision of the
jury, as to the facts, it is not likely that the
murder of George D. Saxton will ever be
avenged.
The trial had occupied the attention of the
court for twenty-two days, during which time
there was a great deal of speculation among
those who had been in daily attendance as to
what the verdict would be. Public opinion was
not equally divided as to the result of the trial.
There was a decided majority in favor of the
accused, and who were very anxious for an
acquittal.

306 CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
º
There was a free expression of sentiment in
and about the court house among those who
heard the testimony, and at times it seemed as
though nearly everybody who had no im-
mediate interest in the result, and who had
watched the proceedings of the trial, were
anxious that Mrs. George would be acquitted.
There were a number of newspaper re-
porters present during the entire time, from
the time of the impanelling of the jury, down to
the return of the verdict. All of the proceed-
ings of the case were taken in detail and tele-
graphed to their respective newspapers. They
were very courteous and clever gentlemen, full
of fun, and their presence had a very cheerful ef-
fect upon those who regarded the case from a
more serious standpoint. These reporters were
careful in their expression of individual
opinions, which might be prediudicial to either
side, as the proceedings were sent to their
papers. New York, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve-
land and Pittsburg papers were represented.
While they were nearly all in full sympathy
with the accused, and privately expressed a de-
sire that she should be acquitted, the news as
published was entirely impartial, and both
sides were well pleased with the manner in
which the proceedings of the trial was
reported.
After the verdict was rendered, Mrs. George
went to the jail, as before stated, and she then,
with her relatives who were with her, took

CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY. 307
dinner at the Conrad Hotel. She was the
cynosure of the crowds who had not been
present at the time of the trial, and who had
gathered on the sidewalk in front of the hotel
anxious to get a view of her. She remained at
the hotel during the afternoon with her
relatives. A great many persons called upon
her and congratulated her upon the result of
the trial. These relatives had been with her
during the whole time and remained with her
several days. During the afternoon she re-
ceived a number of telegrams from theatrical
managers in which they tendered her engage-
ments in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Columbus.
She was offered liberal inducements if she
would consent to take a position on the stage.
One enthusiastic manager came to see her
from Columbus, and offered her $500 per week
for several week's engagement at Columbus
and Cincinnati.
Mrs. Blanchard, president of the Woman's
Right Club, in Pittsburg, also wrote her and
offers her $500 for one week's engagement in
Pittsburg, to lecture on the subject of Woman’s
Rights. Mrs. George consulted her attorneys
on these matters and she was advised by them
to not accept any of the theatrical engage-
ments. She concluded however to accept the
proposition offered by Mrs. Blanchard to
lecture, and arrangements were perfected, and
the time was fixed for her to lecture in
Pittsburg, the next week. As soon as it was
CANTON'S GREAT TRAGEDY.
known that she had accepted this engagement,
some of the Pittsburg daily papers published
articles condemning her action, and thestrictures
upon the subject of Woman's Rights were
so severe, that the lecture was canceled.
Mrs. George felt very much discouraged
about this, as she concluded from these reports
that her presence as a lecturer would not be ac-
ceptable, and that the people did not care to
hear her. She gave up this date and afterward
made arrangements to give her first lecture in
Steubenville, Ohio, on the same subject, on
Wednesday evening, May 10th, and on Thurs-
day evening, May 11th, she was to deliver her
lecture in Akron at the Grand Opera House.
Whether her lecture enterprise will prove a
success remains to be seen.
While her education has been somewhat
neglected, she will no doubt prepare herself
thoroughly if she concludes to fill her en-
gagements upon the platform. She has had
a wonderful career. She has experienced great
trouble and difficulties, but as she is yet a
young woman, she certainly has an oppor
tunity to so conduct herself that the afternoon
of her life may be much happier than the
former part of it. She is undoubtedly the
keeper of her own destiny, and should she
meet with success which she anticipates, she
may have the opportunity yet of pleasing her
friends and surprising her enemies.
upon her and the impropriety of her lecturing












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