In August of 1899, Oliver Delaney was killed when a horse kicked him in a head. Just three months later, his 30 year old widow married 50 year old rag peddler William Hummel, and just a week after that marriage, Hummel brutally murdered his new bride, and also her three children ages 5, 4, and 2.
The murders would go undiscovered for more than a week, before bodies of the mother and two of her children were discovered under hay in a field "not 25 feet from the public road." Frances would remain missing for three more months, her body eventually being found buried in a stable. Tried in March of 1900, it took a jury just 5 minutes to convict Hummel of first degree murder. He was hung in the Williamsport prison yard on June 5, 1900.
Sarah [Yeagel] Delaney and her children, as sketched for a newspaper story after their murders.
Sarah's husband, Oliver Delaney, died in August of 1899, leaving her a widow with three young children
Just three months after her husbands death, she married the local rag peddler, who had pursued her relentlessly even before her husband death. A week or so after her marriage, her new husband ruthlessly killed her and her children, hiding their bodies around his property in Montgomery Pa.
On January 30 1898, Oliver and Frances had their 3 children baptized in Christ Lutheran Church in Brady Township. John W. Delaney, age 4, Olive Francis Delany age 3, and Harriet Florence Delaney, age 1. Although John's age was recorded as as old as 9 in some newspaper reports, based on the birth dates in those records, on November of 1899, the children's ages would have been: John 5, Olive 4, Harriet 2
Oliver Delaney was killed in August of 1899, when he was kicked in the head by a horse. The night after his burial, Hummel through a rock through the window of the Delaney home, but Sarah refused to let him in. A neighbor testified that Hummel had been visiting several times before Olivers death, with an obvious intent to seduce Mrs Delaney.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer on November 26 1899:
"A short time after Oliver Delaney died, Mrs Delaney and her children went to live in Hummel's house. Neighbors shunned them, and finally Mrs Delaney left.
"Hummel talked freely about the matter... stated that he had ceased to care for the woman because of her intimacy with another man... That Hummel has about determined to allow Mrs. Delaney to drift is supported by the fact that he endeavored to get a Mrs. Buck to keep house for him. A letter which he received stating that she was willing to do so was shown by Hummel to Mr. Berger of Montgomery.
It was, therefore, with some surprise that those in whom he had confided heard of his marriage to Mrs. Delaney."
Born in 1849 in Montoursville, the son of Jacob & Lydia [Covenhoven] Hummel, William enlisted in the civil war at the age of 15. He served in the 5th regiment, Company D., Pa Calvary. By all reports, Hummel married four times, with his first wife "gone missing", and him deserting wives number two and three. His fourth marriage lasted a week, ending in murder.
William Hummel
Newspapers reported that Hummel came from poor parents, and had been slow witted from boyhood, that he was "the butt of his fellowman."
After the war Hummel returned to Montoursville, where he married. He soon deserted that first wife, setting out for Nebraska. His bride attempted to follow him, and was never heard from again. Hummel claimed she had been killed in a train wreck.
Hummel then returned to Montoursville, and married again. But before long, he left this wife as well, again heading west. At the age of 40, in Nebraska, Hummel married Mrs. Lucinda [Brown] Barker, on December 7th 1889.
He claimed that, while in Kansas, he was robbed and drugged, stuffed into a barrel, and shipped back to Pennsylvania on a freight train. After his arrest in 1899, local newspapers set out to investigate that claim, and found it to be a lie. In the process of their investigation, they found evidence that implicated Hummel in a strong of robberies in Loyalsockville.
In 1899, William Hummel lived in a 4 room wooden house on the edge of the town of Montgomery, known as Black Hole Hollow. Around 50 years of age, he was a "rag peddler", a man who earned his living by peddling junk and rags. He was employed by T.G. Lowry, the city junk dealer.
According to Mrs. Cal Shaffer, a neighbor to Sarah and Oliver Delaney, Hummel was infatuated with Mrs. Delaney. He visited the home numerous times before Oliver's death. Mrs. Shaffer believed his visits were an attempt to seduce Sarah Delaney.
The Brief Marriage
Of Sarah [Yeagle] Delaney & William Hummel
The widow Sarah Delaney married William Hummel on November 10th, 1899. The following day, Mrs. Wilson Crawford saw Hummel hauling some of his new brides household goods to his house. Hummel stopped in front of Mrs. Crawfords house, and she said "Well, have you taken up the widow?"
Hummel replied "yes, and she'll have to behave herself and stop her tearing around or I'll put a stop to her and anyone who comes around here. I won't have any more of her tearing around my God she'll have to do just as I say."
"On cross examination, Mr Crawford and Mrs. Strieby had some few little tilts, but she stuck to her story."
Joseph Moon, husband of William Hummels sister, lived near the Hummel residence. On November 16th he saw the new Mrs Hummel outside, watching her husband chop wood. The two older children were playing nearby.
It was the last time anyone would see Sarah and her children alive.
On Friday evening, Harriet Moon, daughter of Joseph Moon, went over to the Hummel home and rapped on the door two or three times. She thought she heard someone come partially down the stairs and go back up again, but no ne came to the door. Through the window she could see a red hot fire in the stove, but after knocking a few more times, when no one came to the door, she returned home.
Around 10pm, Hummel was spotted in his wagon, heading towards Montgomery. Something was in the back of of his wagon, covered in sacks, but what it was, no one knew. He was seen by his nephew, Ernest Moon, and also by Cornelius Harman and his daughter Lottie. Harman had taken his daughter to the box social, and they saw Hummel as they returned home that evening.
On Saturday, William Hummel was seen outside about half way between his home and barn. He kept a large fire burning near his home, all day long, and stayed near it tending it.
Moon hollered hello to his brother in law, and Hummel volunteered that his "woman had gone away Thursday night". Surprised, having just seen her outside the night before, Moon asked how she came to go away. Hummel told him that two men called with a carriage and took her away, to nurse a woman in New Columbia. He then asked Moon if he hadn't heard the racket during the night, but Moon had not heard a thing. Finding the situation odd, Moon then made a search for wagon tracks, but did not see any from the public road.
Later, when asked about his wife going to New Columbia, Hummel claimed to not know the men that had taken her. When asked if he didn't think it a bit strange to send his new wife off with two men he did not know, Hummel said she had promised to go care for one of the men's wives, during the woman's upcoming confinement, before they were married, and he thought she should keep her obligation. He thought she had called one of the men Harry.
Hummel then said that he followed the wagon to the public road, where he overheard one of the men ask Sarah why she had gotten married. "Why, I got married for spite" the new Mrs Hummel replied, according to William.
To another neighbor, Hummel said only one man had some to take his wife away. When the neighbor said it must be very lonely with his wife away, Hummel replied " Yes, but I'd rather not say anything about it, it will all come out in time."
The two story frame Hummel home was located in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, near where the Sports Complex stands today. The simple, four room shingled structure, was built by Hummel.
Around midnight, Mrs Herbert Moon, who lived beside Joseph Moons place, spotted Hummel driving his wagon in the direction of his home. It was a clear night, and she was certain there was no bundle in the back of his wagon at that time.
When he was later asked where he went that night, Hummel said he had gone to the store in Montgomery for coil oil. Harry Hughes, proprietor of the Montgomery store, said he was at his business that entire evening, and he never saw William Hummel.
On Saturday, November 18th, Eva Moon, 13 year old niece of William Hummel, came to the Hummel house as usual to help with the cleaning. She said that "Uncle Will" was with her the entire time, and would not allow her to make the beds, he did that himself. She noticed a hole in one of the bed ticks, but did not say anything about it.
Later that day, Hummel showed up at the Moon home asking to stay there. He said it was lonesome at his house. He remained at the Moon home Saturday and part of Sunday. Moon reported that Hummel was restless and nervous, walking to and from between the house and barn. However, Moon said that was not unusual for Hummel, that he often behaved in an erratic manner.
George Mercer, the Pennsylvania Freight Agent at Montgomery, testified at Hummels trial. According to his testimony, Hummel had come to the station sometime either November 17th or 18th to ship some junk and rags to Mr Lowry. Mercer noticed spots of blood on Hummels clothes and remarked "What have you been doing Corporal [a nickname of Hummels], butchering?" Hummel calmly replied "Oh, go on, I haven't time to monkey with you today." Mercer said Hummel appeared to be in a great hurry, but otherwise showed no signs of agitation. Charles Hall, who worked at the freight station, also noticed blood stains on Hummels clothing.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 people visited the scene of the murder a few days after the bodies were found, according to the Gazette and Bulletin. [This hay stack was on the farm of Joseph Moon, brother in law and neighbor of William Hummel]
Frances & Her Children Go Missing
Later, neighbors would report that they noticed within days that the house appeared deserted. But no one stopped in to check on the family.
It wasn't until November 23rd that John Mauke, walking along the public road, noticed two burlap sacks laying in the field. Concerned that the mower would strike them in the spring, he picked them up and carried them to the road. He did notice at the time that it was stained with blood, but he thought nothing of it, assuming it was from the slaughter of a pig or chicken.
Mr Kimery, walking by and seeing the sacks, was much more concerned. Kimery had heard stories of the mysterious rag peddler, and had noted that the house had seemed deserted. When he spotted the blood on the burlap, it made him uneasy. Kimery and a man named Wertman took the burlap, and their concerns, to Constable, William Meyers. One of the bags bore a tag with the name T.G. Lowry.
The three men went to the area of the Hummel home, and soon discovered the body of a young boy below a stack of hay just twenty five feet from the public road. Removing more hay, the bodies of Sarah, and Olive were discovered nearby.
Near a wood pile, about 30 feet from the house, a pole axe was found, splattered in blood.
County Detective Munsun was called in, and when he went into the house, he found blood splattered on the upstairs walls and mattresses.
Two year old Florence was still missing.
This is a portrait of William Hummel that was included in the special “Hummel Edition” of the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin. The edition was a comprehensive look at the murders from start to finish, released on the day Hummel was hung on June 5, 1900.
Hummel Captured, Proclaims His Innocence
William Hummel had last been seen several hours before the burlap was discovered. He was at the barbershop in town, getting a shave.
Any outraged mob of local citizens, armed with guns and rope, set out to find the man.
Early Saturday morning, William Hummel was sitting down to breakfast in Allenwood Pa, at the home of John Russel. Constable Meyers testified that he gave a short rap of the door, walked in quickly and said "Hummel, I want you, I'm looking for you", laying his hand on Hummels shoulder. Hummel immediately replied "I'm not guilty." Meyers replied that a man that has killed his wife and three children shouldn't say that, and Hummed responded "That wasn't me, that must have been the other fellow."
On the ride back to Montgomery, the constable asked Hummel what he had been doing upstairs with a certain club. Hummel replied that it was used as a sauerkraut stomper. Then when the constable asked Hummel where the baby was, Hummel replied "Oh, the baby's all right, you can't put that on the sauer kraut stomper."
After being brought before a judge, where Hummel plead not guilty, he was taken to the undertaking parlor to view the bodies.
Hummel showed no emotion whatsoever, and then began to argue that the remains were of different people entirely, not his family. Another town resident came into identify the bodies.
Hummel then remarked "Hmmm, it does look a little something like her, doesn't it?"
Hummel was taken to the train station, escorted to the county prison in Williamsport.
An angry mob met Hummel at the train station. They threw bottles and rock, chanting "Lynch Him", and "Get a Rope". The scene was similar at the station in Williamsport, where a crowd of more than 500 gathered at the station, to curse and spit upon Hummel as he was led to his jail cell.
[Note - the stone church is where the residents of Alvira were called to meet on March 7th 1942, exactly 42 years from the first day of Hummels trial. There the residents were informed that the government was confiscating their land for the war effort. A TNT plant was constructed in the area, the bunkers are still there, on what is now sate game lands. The church is now part Allenwood Federal Prison grounds, and as such is only open to visitors on certain days of the year for special events.]
Article dated June 6 1900, the day after the hanging
The Mysterious Harry Smith
When Hummel finally agreed to tell his story, for the first time, he claimed that a man by the name of Harry Smith had committed the murders. His account was reported in the Sunbury Gazette on December 1 1899:
"Last Thursday night a week ago I and my wife made sauerkraut. After we finished my wife took the three children upstairs and put them to bed. She returned to the lower floor, and then we had something to eat. While enjoying the lunch a stranger drove up to the home and was admitted after rapping. He and my wife appeared to be acquainted. He requested her to go with him to his home at Kelly Cross Roads, Union County, where he said his wife was sick, and he wanted my wife to nurse the woman. My wife agreed, and it was arranged that she could take the children along. I was told the man's name was Harry Smith. My wife dressed herself up finely in a brown dress and neglected to dress the children, whom she put in the wagon in their night clothes."
George E. Graff, a newspaperman from Williamsport, was present, taking notes. Hummel recounted that he had given his wife $9.50 to make some purchases, and said he believed that Harry Smith had killed Sarah for the money.
Graff immediately piped in with a description of Smith, which he made up on the spot, to which Hummel replied "Yes, that's him exactly!"
When the police invesitaged, they did find that man by the name of Harry Smith that there had been a vagabond by that name living in the vicinity. He could not be located, even after commissioners put up a reward for his capture.
During the trial, "Harry Smith" was revealed to be a peddler by the name of Isaac Lipstein. He had an alibi for the night in question and could not possibly have been in the area of the Hummel home that week.
Baby Frances Delaney, Age Two, Still Missing
The two year old Frances was still missing. Bones were discovered in an ash pile on the Hummel property, but they were much too large to be of a baby. At the time, a woman was missing from New Columbia, and it was speculated that Hummel had killer her as well. That woman however was later found, safe and sound, and the bones were proven to be from an animal.
A Williamsport spiritualist by the name of Mrs E.J. Demorest had repeatedly stated that Florence would be found wrapped in rags and buried under the floor of an outbuilding south of Hummels house. In 1925, Harry Houdini came to Williamsport to debunk the spiritualists, but Mrs Demorest got it right at least twice in her lifetime, predicating both the location of the Delany baby, and the the death of a Reading congressman from a "throat ailment". The man choked to death days after her prediction.
The Spirit Letter
On March 10, 1900, a guard at the county prison testified that Hummel asked him, ” ‘Do you believe in these things which go up and come down and back? … Well, my wife came back to me the other night. She made an awful noise. She told me I was in a tight place. Every man has a downfall and this is mine. Yours will come.’"Hummel, illiterate himself, claimed to be haunted by spirits. "
Hummel told Sheriff Gamble that the spirit of his dead wife had visited him, and that she wanted to reveal the location of the baby's body, in order that it could be properly buried, "and that its finding could materially aid him to establish his innocence"
Hummel said that in order to have the location revealed, he must first send a letter "incorporating certain interrogations to be sent to certain parties", and when the letter was answered, she would be free to reveal the location.
Gamble agree to send such a letter, and on Wednesday evening, he read the reply to Hummel.
"Hummel then pretended to relapse into a state of trance, in which he declares the spirit of his dead wife told him where the baby's corpse had been hidden, and who had buried it there."
Hummel went on to say "you will find the baby in Hummel's barn, six feet from the southeast door."
His intent was to frame another man, but instead, his words condemned him, as only the murderer would know where the baby had been buried.
Sheriff Gamble, he district attorney, and the deputy sheriff went to the Hummel farm, where, working by lantern light, they dug up the floor of the barn.
Nearly three months after the first bodies were discovered, on Thursday January 18th 1900, the remains of the missing baby, Florence Delaney, were finally recovered.
Taken to the undertakers establishment, they were there put on display, where hundred came by buggy and train to see the dead child with their own eyes.
The Trial
In February of 1900 Hummels attorney filed a change of venue, attempting to have the case moved to Sunbury. According to several papers, this was a common tactic because "Northumberland County has a reputation for letting its killers go free." The motion was declined, and the trial began in Williamsport on March 7 1900.
So numerous was the crowd that the judge was obliged to crawl through a window to preside over the trial. Snyder also said, “Several jurors were passed over spectators’ shoulders to be present.”
One of the first to testify for the prosecution was Dr Heller, who had performed the post mortem on Frances. The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote "Hummel showed much interest in this, leaning forward, stretching his neck and dodging around side to side to get a view of it."
Newspapers throughout the nation covered the trial, and the Williamsport paper published a special Hummel Edition.
On December 6th, Hummel told the district attorney that his children were alive and well, living with a man named William Smith, at 243 East Mine Street in Hazelton.
Policemen went to Hazelton, where they found a man named Smith at that address, with three children who perfectly matched the description of John, Olive, and Florence. The man at that address professed to have no knowledge of William Hummel and the Delaney children.
It's unlikely that this was pure coincidence, but it appears to remain unknown how William could have known about the Smith family in Hazelton.
The trial came to an end on March 12, five days after it had begun. It took the jury only 5 minutes to reach a verdict. They declared him guilty of murder in the first degree.
As Hummel was being lead away from the jail, to return to his cell, he broke away from the sheriff and rushed into the crowd of spectators to kiss one of the women.
Suspected In Ritter Murder
In September of 1897, Amos Ritter was brutally murdered on his farm outside of Watsontown, across the river from Montgomery.
In late March of 1900, local papers theorized that Ritter may have been a victim of the recently convicted murderer William Hummel. Hummel was known to have been in the vicinity of "the old blacksmiths home" the night that Ritter was killed. Hummel, a rag peddlar, had left the home he was staying at early in the evening, and he did not return until Midnight. When asked where he had been, he replied "Oh, I was just calling".
Hummel however, adamantly denied any involvement, even as he faced the gallows for murdering his wife and children. "I can only die once" he said, "so what need I be afraid of it? If I did it, I would say so, but I didn't."
The Ritter murder was never solved.
The Confession
A week after his conviction on March 19th, Hummel finally confessed. Graff, the Williamsport newspaper reporter, was credited with obtaining the confession. The Wilkes Barre newspaper reported that Hummel had sold his confession to the paper for $50.
According to Hummels confession, his wife had admitted that she had married him not for affectio, but because she thought she could "work" him.
He said that on November 16th Mrs Hummel had went away, and when she returned she had "the devil in her". She told Hummel she had seen three men - well-known Deckerton residents, two of whom were at the trial as witnesses - and the men all said that if she would leave Hummel they would take care of her.
About 9pm, Mrs Hummel and the children went up to bed. Hummel followed, then he began to think about some money, about $38, that he had hidden in a clock downstairs. He went down to check on the money, and found that was gone.
"A blind rage filled his heart and mind". He found a small hand axe, which Mrs. Hummel used to break up boxes. HE took it with him up the stairs. "The devil was in him now."
He said he killed his wife with one fatal blow, then "dispatched the little boy and girl in the same manner."
When asked if the children were afraid of him, Hummel replied:
"Well, it is a long while since then. I don't know where the rabbits jumped or not. And I was awful mad."
Hummel said he then tried to sleep in the house the remainder of the night, but he had trouble doing so.
The next night he hitched up his horse and wagon, while carrying out the bodies. "And that's where I made my mistake. It took too much time."
When burying the bodies in the straw pile, he forgot he body of the baby. The next morning he buried the baby in the stable.
Hummel In Prison
"Hummel is confined to a steel cage at the jail. He sleeps well and eats hearty. No one is allowed to see him." The Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov 1899.
Hummel gained twelve pounds while in prison, and appeared to be in fine spirits throughout his stay.
After his conviction, Penniless, and enjoying his new found fame, Hummel asked to be allowed to hang a curtain over his cell so that he could charge ten cents a head for visitors to come see him. That request was denied.
On March 13th, he proposed that if the people would sign a petition to have him pardoned, he would then hold a supper where he would tell them "all about it [the muders]".
He also claimed his wife visited him, in spirit form, and that she had forgiven him, and was waiting for him in the hereafter. But not the children, because "children don't go to the same place".
"Hummel trained like a prize fighter doing the final weeks of his life"
Hummel engaged in a boxing match with Deputy Sheriff Smith, and the following day, bested Smith in a 100 yard dash ran in the prison yard. He woke up early each day, to work out with dumbbells and medicine balls.
According to an article in the Williamsport Grit, Hummel’s last hours in jail were spent joking with guards and reporters, sharing a cigar with his attorneys, and praying with ministers.
GRAPHIC PHOTOS WARNING -
In all of my local history research, I have found this to be the most photographed trial and execution in our area. One of the photos actually shows Hummel hanging from the gallows. It's included below, , and I didn't want you to come across it without warning you first. My goal is always to portray the history of the time, not to make excuses for it, but in my humble opinion, when such brutal acts are committed, the public finds some solace in seeing justice. They may have slept a bit better knowing this man was no longer on this earth. That opinion is bolstered by the fact that his corpse was dug up later, to be sure he was really in the casket. Although we may judge the crowds who showed up for the execution, those spectators may possibly have the same harsh judgment for the scenes we view on our televisions on a daily basis.
The Hanging Of William Hummel
"William Hummel, degenerate, closed his melodramatic career at 11 o'clock this morning in the yard of the Lycoming County jail. His last words framed a rambling prayer, his last look was towards heaven, and the last sound that greeted his ears may have been the kindly words of his spiritual advisor, but was more probably the jeers and curses of the crowd, irreverent even in the shadow of the grave."
William Hummel was hanged at Williamsport prison yard, on June 5, 1900
Hundreds of spectators lined the streets and tops of buildings, the day of the execution.
"Williamsport was Hummel crazy. It has been drifting that way for some days, and the mania, fed on the stories about the mans strange conduct and stranger words, reached its climax with the day of the execution. " The exact time of the execution would not be released to the public, but the execution was scheduled for between 10am and 3pm, and crowds gathered early that day.
"The feeling against the murderer was intense. His crime had been so cruel as to even rob him of the usual solace of murdered morbid sentimentality. There were no foolish women to weep over this wretch, to send him flower and otherwise run the gamut of asinity."
The location and construction of the scaffold were such as to make privacy impossible. It was as near a public execution as has been seen in this state since public executions were forbidden as detrimental to public morals. The sheriff charged admission to the hanging at 10 cents a person.
Hummel’s last haircut, his attitude each day before and his two last meals were all reported in the media.
The open scaffold, erected in the corner of the jail yard, was visible from every surrounding roof on three sides of the jail. The best view was commanded by the roof of a nearby stable, the owner of which improvised a grand stand on the roof and sold seats. He charged between $2 and $5 a seat, and "they sold like hotcakes"
"The roofs round about were crowded, and the men hung like flies on the side of trees and telegraph poles." Lineman rather monopolized the latter, making themselves comfortable by taking a seat on the high crossbars."
Two hundred ticket holders crowded into the yard.
First steps into the yard Captain Paris, in full police uniform. Behind him are Sheriff Gamble and Rev Mr. Rupley. Then Hummel, flanked on either side by Deputy Smitha nd the Secretary of the YMCA, Bricker.
"Hummel was dressed in black and carried a black felt hat in his hand. He whispered something to one of this spiritual advisors, the attendants stepped back and Hummel moved forward to the rail. He grasped the rail with his right hand, and twirled his soft had in his left hand as he began to talk. There was no sign of nervousness in either is voice or figure. He did not even twirl his fingers."
Hummel's Speech From The Gallows
"Gentlemen," he began, "I am glad to say a few words to you from the feeling that is in my heart. I feel the power on earth to forgive sins. I want you to feel and know that I am now ready to meet my God." "Amen," called out one of the ministers fervently. A few of the crowd, as though half ashamed of themselves, bowed their heads. Perhaps a few hearts echoed a silent prayer.
"I want you to step from the narrow-gauge road to the wide-gauge road that leads to the home above. With the help of mv spiritual advisers I expect to go to that home arranged for me. I am so glad that Jesus died for you and for me., I am glad to know that He has power on earth to forgive sins." "Amen," again echoed the ministers. "All sins are alike to Him," the figure on the scaffold rambled on. "He says that if you have only looked at something you ought not to you are as bad as I have been. My hope is strong in the faith of my Redeemer. He has pardoned me, and I am ready to meet Him.
I can see Him there now, hanging on the Cross, the nails in His hands and feet. May you look up and see Him and be pardoned for your sins.
"I want to thank you fellows for your attention to me and for having done so much for me. I want you to pray for me, and I am praying tor you while yet alive, and for anything I have done against you forgive me. God is waiting for me across the river. Jesus died for my sins. How glorious I feel."
Hummels arms were snapped behind his back, the noose was thrown over his head. "You're pinching me," he grumbled as the knot was pulled taut. "Keep praying for me," the murderer called to the clergymen, who were now looking up from below. His legs were tightly bound;
"Look above, old man, look above; we are praying for you," enjoined the ministers. The sunken eyes turned towards heaven, the black cap was adjusted and Deputy Smith stepped back.
Hummel, hanging from the gallows.
"Death was merciful in it's swiftness.. The life that the law exacted for the fourt that the wretch blotted out was taken almost instantly. If Hummel suffered other than from terrible panorama that must ahve been passing though his sluggish brain, there as not a muscular tremor to show it. In less than five minutes after the trap was sprung, the final heart throb had ceased."
"There is little to tell of the execution itself. There was no hitch in the laws mandate. The unpleasant details do not vary from those of thousands of other executions that have preceded it.
Hummel Buncoes The Showman
An undertakers wagon, sent by George H. Bubb, arrived to collect the body.
Bubb, manager of the Lycoming Opera House, has made an agreement with Hummel to give his body a burial, after placing it on exhbiton, for which he would charge and admission fee.
Murderer Sells Body to Showman
Williamsport, Pa. June 4- A gruesome contract has been made by Murderer Hummel, who dies tonight. He has sold his body to a showman for a new suit in which to be hanged, a coffin, and a burial place. The showman expects to exhibit the body at museums.
The following circular was circulated before Hummels death:
"Hummel's last official act was to bunco the promoter wo had contracted to five his body burial."
At noon the next day, Assistant Secretary Bricker of the YMCA, and two ministers, arrived at the Opera House to inform Bubb that Hummel had left a will directing that his body be turned over to Mr Bricker.
Bubb pointed out that this was a breach of contract, and that he had already furnished the murdered a new suit of clothes, had paid to have his grave dug, and had agreed to settle the undertakers bill.
The clergymen however held their ground, telling Bubb that his proposed exhibition was a violation of public decency and that the mayor and City Solicitor were prepared to use force if necessary to stop the show.
Bubb had faced opposition from authorities in other towns he had hoped to take the body to for exhibits, and he soon gave up the argument, accepting his loss and handing the body over.
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The Burial. And The Reburial
In March of 1900, a riot had nearly erupted in Montoursville when it was learned that Hummels relatives had purchased a lot in the town cemetery. The residents of Montoursville did not want the murderer buried in their cemetery. Over 100 hundred residents attended an emergency meeting, where a lawyer drew up a petition banning Hummel from being buried anywhere within the borough limits.Joseph Moon, married to Hummels sister, agreed to have Hummel buried on his farm. The same farm where Hummels victims had been found hidden under a stack of hay.
Tombstone records indicated that a stone was provided for Hummel as a civil war veteran.
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At the age of 40, in Nebraska, Hummel married Mrs. Lucinda [Brown] Barker, on December 7th 1889.
Various others mentioned in newspaper accounts and court records:
- Harry McCormick, employed by Jerry Kemery, part of the party who found the bodies
- George Derr, another member of the search party.
- Daniel Shollenberge of Montgomery was in the party that broke open the door of the Hummel house & discovered the blood stained mattress and walls.
Random Facts:
- More than 100 women applies for tickets to watch the execution.
- Sheriff Gamble was "besieged by women who wanted the privilege of springing the trap"
- One "woman of good social position" offered $20 for the privilege of shooting the murderer "into eternity with her own slender hands"
- A mock test of the gallows was done by boiler workers of the E. Keeler Company.
- In one of many strange coincidences surrounding Hummel, on March 14, two days after Hummels conviction, Constable Meyers was attacked by five tramps in Montgomery. he was beaten severely, suffering a fractured skull and a broken leg.
- Hummel was one of 11 to be hung in Lycoming County from 1836 and 1914.
Ghost Stories:
The alleged nightly appearance of a figure in black- presumably a woman- on the road between Montgomery and Clintonville, near the graves of the murdered wife and children of William Hummel, has caused much excitement among the superstitious people in the vicinity who believe it is the ghost of the murdered woman. (The Bloomsburg Columbian, November 7, 1901)
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Excellent article. William Hummel was buried in my back yard where I grew up as a child. Every year, either a veteran's group or the DAR would come and place a new flag on his grave since he was a Civil War Veteran. I had five other brothers and sisters and wee were scared stiff about getting near his grave after dark. It sure was a fun time growing up there. I still have a photo of his headstone and the foundations for his home and shed still remain there along with the well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article, my grandfather had told me about the axe murder when I was growing up. I have always loved history. Does the headstone and grave site still exist?
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