The story of the murder of Morris Bender of Orwin, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, as told in the pages of the Lykens Standard, August 21, 1980, August 28, 1908, and September 18, 1908:
Suspected Murder at Orwin
Morris Bender, a miner of Orwin about 45 years old was found dead with his throat cut from ear to ear on the street near his home on Wednesday night at about 12 o’clock. He and Ralph Reedy, a neighbor, were seen together at about 10 o’clock and were discussing some matter in a lively manner and when the dead body of Bender was found a search was made for reedy but he could not be found. A razor case was found by the side of Bender’s body and a revolver in his pocket; but the revolver had not been used, as all the chambers were still loaded.
Mr. Bender leaves a wife and four children, the youngest about 8 years old.
LATER
It is alleged that reedy shortly after 12 o’clock went to the home of a man named Sheafer near Kalmia, and told him that he would not be out to work that day, because he had killed Bender and would have to take to the mountains. Searching parties are scouring the mountain for him but up to the time of going to press (Thursday noon) he had not been apprehended.
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REEDY CAPTURED AT LEBANON
Says He Struck Bender With His Fist and Then Cut His Throat
Ralph Reedy, who murdered Morris Bender Wednesday night of last week by slashing his throat with a razor at Orwin, was captured on Saturday at the Union brewery, Twelfth Street and the Philadelphia and Reading Road, Lebanon.
Reedy was first seen in the mountains at Inwood, near the Schuylkill County line. He had left his hiding place and was walking toward Lebanon, where a brother resides. A telephone Message from Inwood to Jonestown told of Reedy’s approach, but no attempt was made to apprehend him at Jonestown. William Coyle and Miles Koons, both of Swatara township, followed and overtook Reedy on the road some distance near Jonestown. Accompanying his to Lebanon they notified the police by a trick while he was drinking with them in the brewery.
Reedy declared that he and Bender quarreled, and the latter kicked him. He then struck Bender with his fist in self defense, and fearing that Bender would kill him he cut the throat of Bender with his pocket knife.
Sunday morning Reedy was taken to Pottsville and landed in the Schuylkill County Jail. It was testified at the hearing that Reedy has been twice a deserter from the United States Regular Army. He some time ago told Charles Sheafer, a witness at the hearing, that he received a blow on the head in a skirmish in the Philippines, which surgeons told him, left him mentally unsound, particularly after drinking liquor. Edward Keiter and Henry Weaver testified that three weeks ago, they took Reedy away from the throat of Grant Bender, a brother of the murdered man, who was already black in the face. Reedy often whipped his wife and threatened others, it is alleged.
The case of Reedy will be called for trial on Monday, September 7 [1908], the first day of the coming term in the Schuylkill County Courts. Reedy was visited by a brother from Lebanon on Tuesday and it was decided to engage counsel immediately and prepare for the trial.
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Reedy Escapes With 20 Years
Ralph Reedy of Orwin, who last month murdered Morris Bender, his wife’s uncle, by crushing in his head with a stone and almost severing the head with a razor, Thursday morning of last week pleaded guilty to second degree murder, as the jury was ready to retire to deliberate.
Reedy committed the murder on the public road shortly before midnight near the Bender’s home and was captured several days later near Lebanon. His defense was that he had been followed by Bender and acted in self defense and that his mind was clouded from the effects of liquor. Judge H. O. Bechtel gave him the full penalty of the law, 20 years in solitary confinement, pay the costs and a fine of $100.
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