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Alfred Andrews
One of the most dastardly and brutal crimes ever committed in Pennsylvania was the killing of Miss Clara Price by Alfred Andrews. The murder took place in Burnside township, Centre county on the 27th of November 1889. That morning Miss Clara Price left the house of Eugene Meeker, in Burnside township, to go to Karthaus, about two miles distant, to do some shopping and visit her parents.
She was seen passing down the road that morning by several different individuals. Within a few minutes, witnesses also saw a man wearing a black derby hat and light colored suit with short coat was seen walking down the road in the same direction. The several witnesses noticed a peculiarity in his walk and others recognized him as Alfred Andrews, a young man who had lived at Karthaus some time before. The last person who saw Clara going down the road that morning was a Mrs. Watson, who lived in the last house which Clara Price would have passed.. When she saw Clara last, she noticed the same man going the same direction and a short distance behind. A short distance from the Watson residence, the road enters the woods and becoming very winding.
Later that morning James Marstellar, William Oswalt and James Bechdel, while traveling the same road, found the body of the girl lying in the middle of the road about a mile beyond Watson's house. Her body was face down with blood coming from her month. The body was still warm but she was already dead. Everything indicated that there had been a scuffle and the girl broke loose and while running away was shot.
A half on hour later Andrews was seen at Moyer's lumber job about a mile distant and pretended to be after work but left without seeing the foreman. From there he went on to his home, Brisbin, Clearfield county.
Detective Harry Simler of Philipsburg, arrested Alfred Andrews at his home in Brisbin, the following Sunday and he was at once brought to Bellefonte, where he was held for trial.
The trial of Alfred Andrews took place at January term of court 1890. Excitement ran high and the town was thronged with people for several days interested in the outcome - some even feared some type of violence should the court not convict him.
The trial of Andrews was one of the most remarkable events in Centre County court. As there were no witnesses to the actual murder, his conviction was secured purely upon circumstantial evidence in which the late Hon. John H. Orvis was leading counsel. He wove around the man a network that was so complete and convincing that the jury had little difficulty in arriving at a verdict. His address to the jury is remembered as being a masterpiece.
Shortly after the trial Andrews made a complete confession, in which he declared that the crime in its very details occurred precisely as Mr. Orvis had proven it in court and presented it to the jury. Andrews soon professed Christianity and at times became "happy" under his strong religious fervor.
The execution of Andrews took place Wednesday, May 9th, 1890 under the direction Sheriff Robert Cook. The night before the execution be asked to see his coffin and the rope by which he was to be hanged. He was pleased with the coffin; the rope also interested him and he placed it around his neck, to see how it would fit. Andrews enjoyed a sound sleep, ate a hearty breakfast and spent the last hours in religious exercise with his advisors.
Contrary to expectation, he went to the scaffold without a sign of fear. From the scaffold's platform he read a chapter in the scriptures and addressed the gathered spectators on the importance of a Christian life. He regretted the crime and among other things said," I trust I may meet the blessed girl whose life I have stolen from the world. May I meet her in heaven and clasp her hands and say, 'I know you'."
As his arms and legs were being pinioned he kissed Sheriff Cook good bye and thanked him and Deputy Wilson for the kindness they had shown him.
This time the, unlike the previous two, the execution was more successful.
Sources:
Bellefonte Republican
Democratic Watchman
Weekly Keystone Gazette
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