Schuylkill County PA News - Crimes
John Zimmerman
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
December 24, 1823 Page 1
Murder
A most unprovoked and barbarous murder was committed in Westpenn township, Schuylkill county, on the 24th ult. by John Zimmerman, on the body of his daughter, a young woman aged about 22 years. The particulars, as we have learned them, are as follow: the deceased was in the employ of some of the men engaged on the Canal, in the neighborhood, as a housekeeper, whilst thus employed she had contracted a matrimonial engagement with one of the men, and which was shortly to be confirmed; her father however disapproving the match, resolved to frustrate it in the most effectual manner. His daughter having come home for some purpose, he drove all but her out of door, and upbraiding her for her procedure, seized her by the throat with both hands and choked her to death. He has been committed to the jail of the county at Orwingsburg, where he will probably receive his trial the first of next month. He does not deny having committed the murder. - Reading Chron.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
April 14 1824
Reading, Pa., April 7
On Tuesday of last week, at the Court of Schuylkill county, John Zimmerman was tried for the murder of his own daughter in December last. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, but the court has granted him a new trial. - Times.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
August 18 1824
Orwigsburg, Pa., July 30
John Zimmerman, who was indicted for the murder of his daughter, was on Tuesday last brought before the court of Schuylkill county, and a jury empanneled to try him. The prosecution was conducted by John W. Rosebury and Frederick Smith, the Attorney General of the Commonwealth. The defense by James B. Hubley, James L. Dunn and Charles Evens, Esqs. The testimony was closed on Wednesday at noon, when the counsel for the prisoner addressed the jury in speeches which lasted till 10 o'clock in the evening. On Thursday morning the Attorney General, made a long and able speech in support of the prosecution. The jury retired about 12 o'clock, and at half past 5 returned into court with a verdict, "Guilty of murder of the first degree."
On Friday, judge Franks pronounced the sentence of the law upon the prisoner which is death. The Governor appoints the day of execution.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)
September 15, 1824
The German York Gazette states that the Governor has issued a warrant for the execution of John Zimmerman, of Schuylkill county, for the murder of his daughter, on Thursday the 30th instant.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) October 13 1824
Zimmerman, the unfortunate man who was to have been hanged at Orwigsburg on the 30th ultimo, for the murder of his daughter, has been reprieved for one month. - Frank. Gaz.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) October 20 1824
John Zimmerman
The execution of this unfortunate culprit for the murder of his daughter, was to have taken place on Thursday the 30th ult., but his Excellency Gov. Shulze saw proper to reprieve him for the space of 30 days. We understand the most unremitted exertions have been made to induce the Governor to grant his pardon, by petitions from the citizens of the several adjoining counties, but, as yet, without effect. The usual plea of insanity, is used in behalf of the criminal, but with what justice we cannot pretend to say. He underwent two fair trials by the court and jury of his county, and in both instances was found guilty and in the last sentenced to die. The claims of mercy are indeed powerful, and which no doubt induced the governor to grant him a respite, but the demands of justice we think were superior, and it would have been better had Zimmerman been executed at the time appointed. He was then certain of dying and no doubt felt prepared; but he is now in painful suspense. The messenger bearing the reprieve did not arrive at Orwigsburg, until within about two hours of the time appointed for the execution. It is said that when the multitude who had assembled to witness the event, learned the fact of a reprieve having been granted, they became outrageous, and many were for taking the execution into their own hands. They were for tarring and feathering the attendants of the prisoner and all who did not join in denouncing the governor and those who were instrumental in making them "September fools;" and it was with considerable difficulty that they were prevented from doing mischief and prevailed upon to disperse recomposed.
We have seen the "Dying Confession", purporting to have been made by Zimmerman, with the "Copy-right secured according to law." It is printed in German, by Rheim and Thomm, and appears to be a good model of the celebrated Lewis' confession by the late Auditor General. In the alleged confession of Zimmerman, the author has attempted to stigmatize Gov. Shulze and the democratic party, in a similar way to the attempt made by Duncan upon Gov. Findlay, though with less pitiful effect, for its appearance was rather premature. - Reading Chron.
Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) December 8 1824
John Zimmerman, the unfortunate man who has been under sentence of death from the court of Schuylkill county, since July last, and whose execution was postponed by the Governor, in consequence of his feigned insanity, will be executed on Thursday the 30th of December next. He must have played his part pretty well to dally so long, with the credulity of his neighbors and those who visited him, without their discovering his sanity, until a deputation of physicians declared it. It has amused us, for some time since, to see his spurious confession in almost every paper we opened, for we do not suppose Zimmerman ever saw it or uttered a word of its contents. But such is the propensity of some for marvelous things, that we should not be surprised to see the same papers publish another confession of Zimmerman, as the genuine one, notwithstanding the "copy right secured according to law." - Reading Chron.
John J. Barnes Killed Patrick Kerns For Alienating Wife
Evening Republican, Pottsville, PA
Monday, June 19, 1913
Contributed by Tammy Clark
Shot and killed for being in the company of another man's wife, was the fate met by Patrick Kerns, aged 30 years at Shenandoah about midnight, Saturday, John J. Barnes, the husband of the woman did the shooting and is now in Pottsville jail, awaiting a hearing at the September Term of court on the charge of murder.
The shooting took place on N. Coal St., almost opposite the home Chief Burgess Strolis, and from what can be learned it is claimed that, Kerns has been intimate with Barnes' wife which caused a separation several weeks age, and Saturday night Barnes was watching for the couple and discovered them in Joseph Paskey's dining parlors, on N. Coal St. He entered the place and they had some words, after which he left and went to his boarding house, where he secured a 38 caliber revolver, when he returned and laid in wait for the couple to come out. When they appeared on the street, he walked up to Kerns and they had some words, when he pulled the revolver and fired two shots, the one entering Kern's left breast near the heart and the other going through his wife's skirt near the hip, but did not injure her. Cleo Gessley, who was passing at the time grabbed Barnes, and another man took the revolver from him. Mrs. Barnes ran west on Coal St. to Jardin,w here she was arrested and Kerns, after being shot, ran south on Pear Alley and dropped in front of Heilner and Master's garage.
Chief of Police Walsh and his officers were on the scene early, and arrested both Barnes and his wife and place them in the lockup. Kerns was carried to the office of Dr. C. Grubler, where he died in a few minutes.
John Barnes, the murderer, is 40 years of age and about four years ago he married Eva Alhesa, aged 31 years at Centralia. They lived at Mt. Carmel and about a year ago moved to Wm. Penn, where they occupied the basement under the home of Kerns. While living there, it is claimed that Kerns was intimate with Barnes' wife which caused them to separate about seven weeks ago, both going to Shenandoah. Barnes was employed as a carpenter by John O'Hearn, and boarded with a family by the name of William, on N. White St., Mrs. Barnes was employed as a servant at the home of Carl Miller, on N. Centre St. She was born in Pottsville where she lived for some years.
Patrick Kerns, the murdered man, was a resident of Wm. Penn, and was employed as boss carpenter at Packer No. 4 colliery. He was a school director in W. Mahanoy Twp., and also treasurer for the district. He is a son of Mrs. Rose Kerns, a widow and besides his mother, is survived by a brother, Michael of Shenandoah and an adopted brother Joseph.
Dept. Coroner Dr. S.M. Feler had the body of Kerns' removed to the new addition to the borough building, after which he notified Coroner Moore of the shooting and received instructions to hold an autopsy and arrange for the inquest.
Sunday afternoon at three o'clock Barnes was given a hearing before Justice Berstein, on the charge of murder, Chief of Police Walsh being the prosecutor. The prisoner and his wife were represented by J.J. Bell Esq.
Barnes pleaded not guilty, after which Chief Walsh was sworn, his evidence being as above stated.
The prisoner was committed to jail and his wife was held in $500 bail as a witness.
This adds another to the already large list of murders committed this year, and if we have as many in the next six months as we have had in the past, the year of 1913 will go down in history for the largest number of murder cases in any one year in Schuylkill County.
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