An article in the April 10th 1890 Altoona Tribune describes his execution, noting "Andrews never flinched during the whole time, and it was the opinion of all present that it was the greatest exhibition of nerve ever seen on the gallows."
The first thing Andrews did once he climbed the scaffold was ask for a drink of water. Then he said:
"Well, gentlemen, I am going to read you the fifteenth chapter of Romans. I want you all to do as I have done - repent and come to the Lord. I hope you will heed my warning. I know there are some in this crowd who are not as well prepared to die as I am. There are some here who would take me and throw me into the lake of fire, but, thanks be to God, through the holy merits of the Bible, my Jesus has saved me and I rejoice in Him."
After reading Romans chapter 15, he said "I am sorry I took the life of that innocent young girl, but I am willing to pay the penalty and I hope to meet her in heaven."
Andrews then knelt down and joined earnestly with the ministers in prayer, before rising and shaking the hands of everyone on the scaffolding, thanking the sheriff and county commissioners, saying goodbye to all, before the noose was adjusted around his neck.
The Crime
On November 21 1889, 16 year old Clara Price was walking towards her hometown of Karthaus, carrying a basket of butter, intending to visit her family. Clara was the daughter of David Price, a well to do and well respected citizen of Karathaus. She had been staying at the home of Mrs. Eugene Meeker, serving as a companion for her while Eugene was traveling for work.
Alfred Andrews had come from Cornwall England, to America, in 1885, when he was 17 years old. He bounced around from job to job, in the mining districts of Pennsylvania. In 1889, he lived in Brisbin, Clearfield county, with his wife and young daughter. He often stole and committed petty crimes, but had never been caught. He first admitted many of his crimes while awaiting his execution.
On November 21 1889, according to his own confession, Andrews left his wife and young child at home and started out on a tour "with the sole object of robbing and plundering as opportunity would offer."
Shortly before 10am, Andrews passed the beautiful Clara on the road to Karthaus, as was witnessed by several who lived nearby. After passing her, he laid in wait in a secluded area around a curve, and attempted, in 1890 newspaper language, "to force familiarities" upon her. She resisted, screamed, and ran from him. Afraid that her screams would alert others, or that she would identify him, he shot her 5 times as she ran. One shot went through her ear, one through the basket of butter, and one through her back.
Witnesses recalled hearing the shots.
James Marsteller and WIllaim Oswalt had left Snow Shoe that morning, headed on a hunting expedition, in a two horse spring wagon. On their way to Karthaus, they "saw the body of a woman lying in the road: I thought it was some Hungarian woman who had been drinkigna dn had laid down to sleep, but when we got near her I saw blood oozing our of her back; we examined her and found she was dead. I think it was 11'oclock. I sent the driver ahead for assistance and then started back with Hoedollar and Oswalt; got asstance and went back. We found some women there who identified the girl as Clara Price.
The testimony of Marsteller and Oswalt at Andrews trial was included in newspaper accounts, as the trial was well covered in papers around the state. At first Andrews proclaimed his innocence, but the witness testimony was overwhelming and he later confessed fully to the crime.
Clara's grave is two miles away in Keewaydin Cemetery.
It is inscribed:
Clara Ida Price
Born June 16, 1873
Died November 27, 1889
Age 16 years, 5 months, 11 days
Murdered near Karthaus PA
by Alfred Andrews
Virtue Hath Its Rewards In Life,
As Well As After Death
My Life For My Honor."
The original roadside marker was reported to be "crumbling away" and was replaced by the Burnside Twp with the new marker, shown at the beginning of this post.
The January 26, 1939, Bellefonte Centre Democrat newspaper includes a full copy of a poem written by jailhouse poet Hugh McGrath -
"It was on the road to Karthus,
upon that fateful morn,
never thinking for a moment
that she never would return.
But cruel fate was sore against her,
and there she had to die,
not even having opportunity
to bid her friends goodbye."
Now Andrews is convicted
, his death warrant is now here,
and he must rue that fatal day,
and his knees should quake with fear.
On the ninth of April next,
'Tween the hours of 10 and 3,
the friend will have to pay his debt,
upon the gallows tree."
Now to say in conclusion,
For I have encroached upon your time,
I hope none are offended
with this, my horrid rhyme.
But one request I'll ask of you,
Pretty maidens one and all.
Pray think a moment of poor Clara's fate
, and how she came to fall."
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The Lancaster Extra
April 16 1890
The Altoona Tribune
April 10 1890
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