In late August 1911, a barroom fight at the Erdman Hotel in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, resulted in the death of Samuel Erdman, a farmer from near Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The accused was Alexander Klinger, also from near Klingerstown. The injured Samuel Erdman was taken to his home where he died. Erdman’s daughter then sought to have Klinger arrested, but could not get any satisfaction from Klingerstown authorities because the crime had taken place across the county line. So, in bad weather, she rode to Gratz in Dauphin County, where a posse was organized to go to Klingerstown to arrest Klinger. The delay allowed Klinger to flee and created a problem for the two counties in determining who had jurisdiction in trying the case. After Klinger turned himself in, it was decided that Dauphin County would try the case in Harrisburg. While awaiting trial, Klinger unsuccessfully attempted suicide. Eventually, Alexander Klinger pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eighteen months in jail. The trial took place in a crowded docket that included four other murder cases and more than fifty other cases of lesser charges.
One of those other cases was against an African American charged with running a gambling joint in Harrisburg. The testimony of one of the frequenters of that establishment, in which he described to the jury the way to play craps, was presented in phonetic dialect by the Harrisburg Telegraph to give levity to that trial. Previously though, in describing the way of speaking of a Pennsylvania Dutchman of Gratz was similarly made fun of by the Harrisburg Daily Independent, when it described how the local constable tried to get a commitment to hold Klinger for trial.
The story of the death of Samuel Erdman and the trial of Alexander Klinger is told through local and area newspapers of the time.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 30 August 1911:
A BRAVE GIRL SEEKS SLAYER
Beulah Erdman Drives Over Mountains for Constable
MURDER IN DAUPHIN COUNTY
Samuel Erdman Goes to Erdman, This County, and is Killer in Fight With Alexander Klinger, of Klingerstown – Information Made Before Squire Klinger – This County Washes Hands of Case – Prisoner Makes His Escape
Special to the Star-Independent
Gratz, Pennsylvania, 30 August [1911] – Refused aid in Schuylkill County, Beulah Erdman, 17 years old, drove six miles last night across heavy mountain roads for a constable to arrest her father’s murderer. The foolish superstition that an officer of the law dare not interfere when a crime is committed in another county, even though the criminal and his victim are residents of the constable’s bailiwick, had sent the girl across the county line for help. A constable sat at home, in the meantime, in the very town where the murderer lived. Needless to say, when a posse of Dauphin countians was formed and drove back to Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, their quarry had flown.
Mud-splashed and her horse panting for breath, Beulah Erdman drove into Gratz last night and told a strange tale to the crowd that quickly gathered in Squire J. S. Klinger’s office. Last Saturday night her father, Samuel Erdman, a 65-year-old farmer, living a mile out of Klingerstown, had gone to Erdman, Dauphin County. He entered the solitary saloon there and after drinking for some time became embroiled in an argument with Alexander Klinger, a carpenter, of Klingerstown. He father was knocked down, jumped upon by Klinger, the girl said, until his chest was battered in, inflicting fatal wounds. He died last night.
Squire Klinger, of Gratz, is not a relative of the Klingerstown Klinger, nor is Erdman closely linked with any of the Erdman residents.
Erdman did not die until last evening at 5 o’clock, and then his plucky 17-year-old daughter got busy. She was the only one to act. Her mother had died seven weeks before and her father had taken to drink following that event. There were two other little Erdmans there. They remained with the dead man while Beulah hitched up and started for Klingerstown, a mile distant. Arriving, she besought the constable and the justice to arrest Klinger. At that time Klinger was still at his home in Klingerstown.
“Oh, my no,” the excited girl was told, “how can we arrest him? Didn’t the fight occur in Dauphin County? Get a Dauphin County constable.”
Started for Gratz
The girl knew no better, so she started for Gratz. Constable Jacob Witmer, after getting Greem Williams for a deputy and taking along Constable Snyder of Wiconisco, started for Klingerstown. The posse got to Klingerstown late and searched Klinger’s house, but naught could be found of him.
Erdman, where the fight took place, is just across the Dauphin County line. It boasts of a saloon, and beside that and a general store there isn’t very much of Erdman. What incentive there was for a brawl is not known, though it is supposed both men were pretty deep in their liquor. Erdman was trampled; the upper part of his body was crushed by the shoes of his assailant.
He was kept in the hotel until the next day, Sunday. Dr. Sminkey, of Mandata, was called over and dressed the wounds as best he could. The dying man was removed to his home near Klingerstown the same day. There he died last night at 5 o’clock, surrounded by his three children. All this time Klinger remained at-large, just because the Klingerstown authorities were afraid they might be trespassing on the sacred rights of the Dauphin County authorities. The crime was committed in Dauphin County. What right had the Schuylkill Countain to interfere? They argued.
There are about 100 houses in Klingerstown, tenanted mostly by members of the Klinger-Wiest freundschaft.
Klinger is described as being about 34 years old, five feet tall or little over that; weighing 130 pounds and having a light complexion. He wore a dark slouch hat and suit when last seen. He is a good carpenter when he doesn’t drink.
Washes Hands of Case.
Dauphin county’s Board of Commissioners took immediate action on the Erdman murder when apprised of it this morning by Michael E. Stroup, Assistant District Attorney. Mr. Stroup had got a wire by long distance, saying that Schuylkill County washed its hands of the murder, the murderer and all concerned. This case came from the District Attorney of Schuylkill County.
A precedent that will enter into the controversy is afforded., Mr. Stroup told the Commissioners. The case of the Commonwealth vs. Kahoe in 1885, was a similar one. It was one of the famous Molly Maguire cases. Kahoe killed a man in Carbon County. Both he and his victim were Schuylkill countians. Schuylkill tried to shirk the responsibility that time, but the trial was ordered to be held there nevertheless, and it was.
“Schuylkill County cannot expect Dauphin to bear the brunt of the expense of trying Klinger, if he is captured,” said Mr. Stroup. “We have jurisdiction to a certain extent, the crime being committed on our side of the line. However, the Dauphin County Coroner has no right to conduct his inquest. That would mean, were he to be put on the case, that the body would have to be brought back into this county. Now, that’s foolish. Surely it is Schuylkill’s case.”
The Commissioners told Mr. Stroup to notify the Schuylkill County District Attorney to this effect and that they would stand back of him, Mr. Stroup.
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From the Wilkes-Barre Evening News, 31 August 1911:
GIRL IS REAL HEROINE
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 31 August [1911] – The time-honored opinion of the bucolic officer of the law that he cannot go outside his district in administering justice has led to the escape of an alleged murderer and strained relations between Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties. A feature of the case is the story of the heroism of a 17 year old girl.
Last Saturday night Alexander Klinger and Samuel Erdman, both of Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, met in the only saloon in Erdman, Dauphin County. The two towns are not far apart, though separated by the county lines.
While at the place Erdman’s chest was battered in. It is alleged that Klinger and he had a fight and that Klinger jumped on Erdman with his feet. Erdman died at his home last evening, a mile outside of Klingerstown.
Beulah Erdman, 17 years old, daughter of the dead man, at once started for Klingerstsown. She says Klinger was there at the time and that the justice and constable to whom she appealed refused to act, saying that they could not because the alleged crime was committed in Dauphin County.
Then Beulah made a wild dash of six miles across the mountains through rain and wind to Gratz, Dauphin County. Constable Jacob Witmer organized a posse, but by the time it reached Klingerstown no Klinger could be found. As yet he has not been apprehended.
The Dauphin County Commissioners today ordered Assistant District Attorney Michael E. Stroup to notify the Schuylkill authorities that Dauphin County regards the case as belonging to Schuylkill.
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From the Mount Carmel Item, 31 August 1911:
Kick Causes His Death
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, 31 August [1911] – Samuel Erdman, an aged farmer, died at his home at Klingerstown, this county, from the effects of kicks alleged to have been inflicted upon him in a barroom quarrel at Erdman, near the former place, by Alexander Klinger, who fled toward Harrisburg. A detail of the state police are in search of the fugitive.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 31 August 1911:
SLAYER KISSED BABIES GOOD-BYE
Upper End Posses Search in Vain for Alex Klinger
LEAVES NO TRACES BEHIND HIM
Murderer of Samuel Erdman Disappears As Completely As If the Earth Had Opened and Swallowed Him – Girl Who Sought Constable Cares For Her Orphan Brother and Sister
Special to Star-Independent
Klingerstown, Pennsylvania, 31 August [1911] = The man-hunter to-day continued their search for Alexander Klinger, wanted for the murder of Samuel Erdman. They met with no more success. It is supposed that Klinger for to a railroad and is now many miles away, though the posse, headed by Constable Witmer, of Gratz, is still searching in the mountains, reluctant to abandon the hunt.
This and nearby towns are much wrought up over the murder and Klinger’s escape. It is the only subject discussed in town. David S. Klinger, the fugitive’s 84-year-old father, talks continually of it and daily holds court surrounded by those who are willing to gossip.
One of Klinger’s brothers lives here to-day. The fugitive’s wife and three children will have to be provided for soon, as Klinger never had very much surplus cash about the house and what little he did have he took along when he bade his family farewell last Tuesday night.
“Good-bye,” he is said to have told them Tuesday night on getting word of Erdman’s death. “Good bye,. I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again. I must go now. I might be back some time,” One by one he kissed the babies, aged 3, 5, and 10 years. Then he hugged his wife, choked down a gasp and was gone. Johnnie, the smallest, cried and clung to this father’s trousers leg, but Klinger did not stop.
Three children, orphans, are occupants of the Erdman farm house, a mile outside of town. Beulah, the plucky girl who dove six miles in search of an officer Tuesday night, is making a good mother for her brother and sister. She is 17 years old, but she can cook and she won’t ask for help from the neighbors.
There is not a railroad station within twenty miles of Klingerstown. Klinger had to wade through the muddy roads for miles and miles before he could board a train. If the earth had opened and swallowed him Tuesday evening his disappearance could not have more mystified the people hereabout.
There are 125 people living in Klingerstown, many of whom are related to the fugitive. As yet the local Justice and his constable have not lifted a hand to find the man. They freely discuss the affair, but are letting all the work for their brother officers from Dauphin County.
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From the Mount Carmel Item, 31 August 1911:
KICK CAUSED HIS DEATH
On Monday afternoon, at Erdman, just on the Dauphin County line, bordering Schuylkill County, Alexander Klinger, aged 35 years, and Samuel Erdman, aged 60 years, got into an altercation and Klinger kicked Erdman in the stomach with his heavy boot. Peritonitis set in and Erdman died Tuesday night. Klinger fled but the State Police are on his track.
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From the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 31 August 1911:
FATAL BAR ROOM FIGHT
One of Principals Dead, Other Flees To Avoid Arrest
By Associated Press
Pottsville, 30 August [1911] – Samuel Erdman, a well-to-do farmer residing near Klingerstown, this county, is dead and Alexander Klinger, a carpenter of Klingerstown, is a fugitive, as a result of a fight in a bar room at a hotel at Erdman, Dauphin County, on Monday. Erdman, who is 48 years of age, died Tuesday afternoon as the result of internal injuries said to have been inflicted by Klinger who it is charged jumped on Erdman after knocking him down.
Erdman was a widower while Klinger is married and about 38 years old.
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From the Philadelphia Inquirer, 31 August 1911:
Killed in Barroom Discussion
Special to The Inquirer
SUNBURY, Pennsylvania, 30 August [1911] – Samuel Erdman, a widower, 65 years, residing at Erdman, was kicked to death in a barroom at that place early today, it is alleged, by Alexander Klinger, 35 years. The men were engaged with a number of others in discussing political affairs when Erdman took objection to remarks made by Klinger. The latter, bystanders say, threatened several times to strike Erdman, and finally felled him with a terrific blow on the jaw, following it up with several vicious kicks in the abdomen. Klinger escaped to the hills, while Erdman was taken to his home, where he died a short time later.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 2 September 1911:
NEITHER COUNTY WANTS SLAYER
Dauphin and Schuylkill in Wrangle Over Klinger
SLAYER NOW IN JAIL HERE
Assistant District Attorney Stroup Goes to Schuylkill County for Purpose of Getting Authorities There to Prosecute Klinger – Five Prisoners in “Murderer’s Row.”
Farther than ever from a solution, the question of which county should have the disposition of Alexander Klinger, accused of killing Samuel Erdman in a quarrel one week ago, would be ludicrous were it not so serious. Klinger is in the Dauphin County Jail, a voluntary prisoner, while two counties, Dauphin and Schuylkill, are bickering, not over his possession, but in the effort to palm him off on one another.
A nice question of law enters into the controversy. Section 48 of the Penal Code provides that “to obviate any difficulty as to where the alleging of a crime takes place” each county shall have jurisdiction 500 years on the opposite side of the boundary line. That is, if any felony committed within 500 years of a county line, that county has the power of calling the criminal to acco9unt.
It is a fact that the Erdman Hotel, where the fight took place, is about 200 yards from the Schuylkill County line, being situated in Dauphin County. Furthermore, the fact that both men were residents of Schuylkill County, it is argued by Michael E. Stroup, the Assistant District Attorney, in charge of the Dauphin County end in the absence of his chief, John Fox Weiss, puts the question directly to Schuylkill County.
Between two constables, Klinger was brought to Harrisburg last night from Gratz, arriving at 7:10 o’clock.
“Ve half valked Gratz-town ofer yet to get one commitment, und nopody vould gif ity to us,” explained Constable Witmer to Mr. Stroup on reaching the latter’s office. After keeping his prisoner all day in Rogers’ Saloon, Gratz, he got tired and on failing to get a commitment from a justice of the peace, in desperation he came to Harrisburg.
“Please take him,” he pleaded with Mr. Stroup. So Klinger was lodged in the county jail on Walnut Street, without any commitment. Underkeeper Hummel took him on the technical charge of safe-keeping. He was put in the “murderer’s row,” where there are four other occupied cells.
To-day Mr. Stroup took a trip to Schuylkill County to see William F. Lyons, the District Attorney. He had failed to reach him by wire. Coroner L. F. Donaghue, of Schuylkill, has said he will conduct the inquest over Erdman’s death Monday at Klingerstown. The man’s funeral will be held Sunday.
Of course, if Schuylkill refuses to take charge of Klinger, Dauphin County will try the case, although it is argued by the Assistant District Attorney, this hardly seems fair. The accused man is from Schuylkill County, the crime was committed on the border, and Erdman, also a Schuylkill County native, died in his own home.
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From the Reading Times, 2 September 1911:
MUST ANSWER TO CHARGE OF MURDER
Young Man Gives Himself Up When He Hears of the Charge Against Him
By Associated Press
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1 September [1911] – Alexander Klinger, who gave himself up today when he heard that he was accused of being responsible for the death of Samuel Erdman, in a quarrel at Erdman’s, was committed to the Dauphin County Prison tonight. Klinger was brought to this city tonight and stayed in the custody of the district attorney.
Both Klinger and Erdman lived in Schuylkill County and Erdman died in that county. Negotiations are now pending between the two counties regarding the disposition of the case.
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From the Pittston Gazette, 2 September 1911:
Accused Man Surrenders
Harrisburg, 2 September [1911] – Alexander Klinger gave himself up to the authorities when he heard that he was accused of the death of Samuel Erdman and was committed to the county jail. Klinger and Erdman lived in Schuylkill County and Erdman died in that county from injuries received in a fight with Klinger.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 7 September 1911:
KLINGER IN PRISON AT HARRISBURG
Verdict of Coroner’s Jury
Alexander Klinger, the man who fatally injured Samuel Erdman at the hotel in Erdman, south of Klingerstown, a week ago last Monday, delivered himself up to Constable Witmer at Gratz last Thursday night, and on Friday evening the Constable and his prisoner left Elizabethville for Harrisburg and committed the accused to jail.
The crime was committed in Dauphin County but only a short distance from the line of Schuylkill County. Both Erdman and Klinger lived in Schuylkill County, and Erdman died there, but the trial of Klinger will be held in Dauphin County, probably during the September Quarter Sessions.
The Coroner’s Jury sat at Klingerstown on Monday and heard a number of witnesses and rendered a verdict that Erdman came to his death from wounds inflicted by Klinger.
A preliminary hearing will perhaps be held at Squire Tobias Klinger’s office, Gratz, in a few days.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 7 September 1911:
Klinger Is to Be Tried in This City
At a preliminary hearing yesterday afternoon, Alexander Klinger, of Klingerstown, was committed to jail to await trial before the Dauphin County Court for the murder of Samuel Erdman, more than a week ago. The hearing was held at Gratz, a few miles from the town of Erdman, the place at which Klinger is alleged to have killed Erdman during a quarrel. The binding over of Klinger for court on a charge of murder makes the total number now awaiting trial on homicide charges five.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 8 September 1911:
Klinger in Custody
Alexander Klinger of Klingerstown, a farmer, who killed his neighbor, Samuel Erdman, by kicking him in the pit of the stomach a few days ago, has surrendered to the authorities, Klinger, after being a fugitive for a few days, surrendered to constable Jacob Witmer of Dauphin County. He was taken to Dauphin County prison. His trial which will come up shortly, will take place in that county.
Klinger claims that he and the dead man were engaged in a friendly bout when the accident happened which resulted in Erdman’s death. If he can prove this statement it will help his case wonderfully. Klinger also says that he ran away because there has been so much talk of a lynching that he feared such a fate and he therefore went in hiding until the excitement had cooled down.
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From the Lykens Standard, 8 September 1911:
Klinger Held on the Charge of Murder
Alexander Klinger of Klingerstown, who is charged with the death of Samuel Erdman of Erdman, was taken from the county jail Wednesday morning for a hearing before ‘Squire Tobias Klinger of Gratz. Only four witnesses were called, and the evidence being deemed sufficient he was held for the grand jury. The prisoner, who was in charge of County Detective Walters, was brought to this place [Harrisburg] from Gratz after the hearing and lodged in the borough lockup until the departure of the 5:25 P.R.R. train on which he was taken to Harrisburg and placed in jail.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald (Tremont, Pennsylvania), 16 September 1911:
Klinger Committed
After hearing four witnesses at Gratz, Squire Tobias Klinger committed Alexander Klinger to the Dauphin County Jail for the murder of Samuel Erdman, at Erdman. Klinger sought refuge with his brother at Shamokin who advised him to give himself up.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 25 September 1911:
Alexander Klinger, who is charged with having shot [sic] Samuel Erdman at the Erdman Hotel, during the latter part of August, is the last man to get a cell in Murderer’s Row in the Dauphin County Jail. Klinger, it is alleged, shot [sic] Erdman during a quarrel over some lumber. Because the crime was committed so close to the county line, both the Schuylkill and Dauphin County authorities were puzzled for several days as to which county should require Klinger to pay to penalty.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 29 September 1911:
THREE TRUE BILLS IN MURDER CASES
Claybaugh, Gilbert and Klinger All Indicted
TRIALS IN OCTOBER
True bills were found by the grand jury this morning against Harry A. Claybaugh, Leonidas Gilbert and Alexander Klinger, all of whom were charged with murder, but it is doubtful if any one of the murder trials will be called before the special term in October.
At any rate, the trial of Joseph A. Stott and Sidney Ware will probably have right of way on the list even then, inasmuch as these men had been indicted by previous grand juries and consequently take precedence on the list.
John Fox Weiss, District Attorney, will know definitely tomorrow whether he will be able to call any one of the murder cases this week or not, but from the general appearance of the trial list and the way the cases are dragging, it is not considered likely that this can be done. At any rate, Joseph Shott will be tried first.
Neither Judge Kunkel nor Judge McCarrell disposed of any great number of cases today and those that did go to juries were largely of the minor class, larceny, assault and battery, etc.
One trial, that of “Cap” Carter, the negro keeper of a gambling joint at 513 Walnut Street [Harrisburg], had got pretty well along when the defendant changed his plea to “guilty” and was sentenced to pay a fine of $50, the costs and to serve eight months in jail.
A feature of the trial was the testimony of Harry Hogan, a negro frequenter of the place, during the course of which he had played and gambled at craps, poker and pool in Carter’s place. At the suggestion of District Attorney Weiss, Hogan gave the jury a lesson in the mysteries of crap.
“It’s just this way,” explained the witness. “Yuh have dice, see? Well, if Ah shot a seben, then Ah wins the cake – dat’s the money.” But ef Ah shoots a nine first, ‘fo” Ah shoots sebeb, then Ah gotta shoot another nine again ‘fo” Ah can shoot a seben to git mah cake, see?”
“Who is ‘Phoebe’?” inquired Mr. Weiss.
“Dat’s fo’!”
“And ‘Little Jo’?”
But then Carter’s counsel announced that Carter had changed his plea.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 12 October 1911:
Murder Case To Be Tried
Sidney Ware, the Lykens Miner who was recently pardoned by Gov. Tener, and again arrested upon another charge will again be brought to trial in the Special October term of Court on the 25th.
In addition to Ware’s trial, Stott, Claybaugh, Gilbert and Alexander Klinger will also be brought before the Court. Fifty-five other cases are also on the list, all of which have been continued from the September sessions.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 12 October 1911:
KLINGER FAILS TO TAKE LIFE
Preferred Death to Facing a Murder Charge
Alexander Klinger, who is being held in the Dauphin County jail to await trial to answer the charge of having murdered Samuel Erdman at Erdman se3veral weeks ago, attempted suicide in his cell late Saturday night. An incision on his wrist was made with a broken mirror, which he had taken to the cell with him. A physician later dressed the wound, which was not of a serious nature.
To Warden Meetch, Klinger said that he had considerable trouble and was afraid he would not be able to tell the complete story of the affray, which resulted in Erdman’s death, at the court trial.
“Why did you do this, Klinger?” Warden Meetch asked. “Why I thought you would be the last man in here to do such a thing.”
“Well, you see I had much trouble already, and I am afraid that I will not be able to tell the complete story, when the case is called. I have a family and I am afraid that I will have to suffer a long sentence for this. I don’t have an idea that I will be found guilty of murder in the first degree, but it is that sentence that worries me. I am sorry that I have done this.”
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 12 October 1911:
Accused of Murder, Attempts Suicide
The gashes in the wrists of Alexander Klinger, charged with the murder of Samuel Erdman, near Lykens, which were dressed at the county jail Saturday night, and were said to have been caused by broken pieces of glass, were made by Klinger himself in an attempt to commit suicide. The prisoner’s purpose was not discovered until last night. Klinger said last Saturday night that the cuts were caused by an accident. Last night he told a fellow prisoner the truth.
Warden Meetch immediately questioned the prisoner and Klinger admitted that he had tried to commit suicide as he feared his story would be believed when he is called for trial. Klinger said he had broken a small pocket mirror and cut each wrist with a piece of the broken glass. Klinger’s injuries are not dangerous, and after a conference with his attorney, Frank B. Wickersham, to-day Klinger said he would not make any further attempt, and added:
“The only reason I did do this thing was because of my family who are suffering worse than I am. I did not expect that I would be charged with murder in the first degree, but I am not guilty of any crime and was afraid that the jury would not believe me.”
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 13 October 1911
Dauphin County Murder Trial
Alexander Klinger, of Klingerstown, this county, will be called for trial in the Dauphin County Court at Harrisburg on Wednesday [25 October 1911]. He is charged with the murder of Samuel Erdman of the former place at Erdman, Dauphin County. Death resulted from injuries alleged to have been inflicted by Klinger during a quarrel in a barroom.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 19 October 1911:
Harrisburg – Alexander Klinger, who is being held in the Dauphin County Prison awaiting trial on a charge of murder, made an attempt to cut his wrists with bits of broken mirror. Klinger was discovered in time to prevent injury.
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From the Mount Union Times, 20 October 1911:
Harrisburg – Alexander Klinger, who is being held in the Dauphin County Prison awaiting trial on a charge of murder, made an attempt to cut his wrists with bits of broken mirror. Klinger was discovered in time to prevent injury.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 26 October 1911:
MURDER CASE WOUND UP
Two murder cases were disposed of last evening in the Dauphin County Court within a few minutes of each other. At 5:35 o’clock, President Judge Kunkel sentenced Alexander Klinger of Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, to eighteen months in jail….
There was a heartrending scene when Klinger was sentenced. His wife and several small children were in the court room and they all broke into sobs. On being taken into the hall adjoining the court room, Klinger asked if he could not see his family a minute. There he kissed them good-bye, and their protestations of grief were plainly audible to the court room operators.
Klinger is the prisoner that gave himself up and neither Dauphin County, where the crime was committee, nor Schuylkill County, where he lived, wanted him. The crime he was charged with was the murder of Samuel Erdman, a farmer, living near Klingerstown, on 28 August 1911, at Erdman, a Dauphin County town just across the border from Schuylkill County. Both were residents of the latter county. They were drinking in a hotel at Erdman and began an argument over the election of School Directors, both being candidates for nomination. Erdman was kicked and died two days later of his injuries.
Klinger was allowed to plead guilty yesterday to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced accordingly….
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 26 October 1911:
Alexander Klinger, who has been awaiting his trial at Harrisburg, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday, and was sentenced to eighteen months in the County Jail….
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From the Scranton Republican, 26 October 1911:
THREE HOMICIDE CASES DISPOSED IN ONE DAY
Dauphin County Court Makes Record For Getting Calendar Cleared In Hurry
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, 25 October [1911] – Three homicide cases were disposed of in a day in the Dauphin County Courts today for the first time in the history of the county and tomorrow a fourth will be started.
Sydney Ware, who shot two men in Lykens in 1889 and who served nearly twenty-two years for the murder of Morris Miller and was then granted a pardon, was arraigned on an indictment accusing him of the murder of Frederick Kindler, his second victim. He pleaded guilty to second degree murder and his plea was accepted.
Harry A. Claybaugh, was convicted of murder in the first degree for cutting the throat of Mrs. Mary A. Goudy in this city [Harrisburg] last summer. The jury was out less than two hours following a trial of three days.
Alexander Klinger pleaded guilty to manslaughter in causing the death of Samuel Erdman by kicking him in a brawl in the upper end of the county several weeks ago, and was given a sentence of not less than eighteen months.
Tomorrow Leon Gilbert will be arraigned for the shooting of Daniel F. Miller.
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From the West Schuylkill Herald, 3 November 1911:
Eighteen Months for Klinger
Alexander Klinger, when called for trial in Harrisburg, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and he was sentenced to serve eighteen months in the Dauphin County jail. Klinger, who lives at Klingerstown, this county, in a barroom quarrel at Erdman, Dauphin County, on Labor Day, inflicted injuries upon Samuel Erdman of Klingerstown from which he died shortly afterward.
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