PODCAST: A MOST ATROCIOUS MURDER COMMITTED BY HIGHWAY MEN

PODCAST: William B. Legg is shot down in Cold Blood by two highway men - first murder occurring within Sidney City Limits (Ohio) in last 25 years.

Kelley Amstutz

Jan 11, 2025

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TITLE: A Most Atrocious Murder Committed by Highway Men

Time: Saturday, April 20, 1907 at about 10:30 PM

Criminal(s): Frank Earl aka Frank Dalton* aka FRANK WEST - and Frank Walker aka FRANK WHITING

Victim(s): William B. Legg

Crime: William B. Legg is shot down in Cold Blood by two highway men - first murder occurring within Sidney City Limits (Ohio) in last 25 years. William was murdered in his meat market by men bent on robbery. He was shot through the heart and instantly killed.

Motive: Robbery

Brief Story of the Crime:

Shortly before eleven o’clock on Saturday night, April 20th, 1907, William B. Legg, a prosperous and well respected BUTCHER whose place of business was well on the outskirts of the city of Sidney, Ohio, was preparing to close his place for the night, and just after he had stepped to the front of his store and pulled down the window blinds, two strange men appeared in the door and commanded him to throw up his hands.

Instead of complying with their demands, and notwithstanding the fact that each held a pistol leveled at him, he kicked at one of them and as he did so received a BULLET in the leg, coursing upward, bearing out the statement of WALKER, one of the murderers, as to the acts immediately preceding the shooting.

The next moment another shot rang out and LEGG fell DEAD on the floor of his shop, shot through the HEART.

A PATRON who had left the place a few minutes before and who had gone but a short distance when the FIRST SHOT was fired, turned back to figure out the cause, and was met by a SHOT with the admonition to “move on,” which he discreetly did.

After murdering LEGG the HIGHWAY MEN looted the money drawer, securing about $60, and hurriedly left town.

The Report and Capture:

Before twelve o’clock, and within about an hour of the time the crime was committed the RUMOR of what had happened was circulating, with calls to Sidney on the telephone, securing as good a description as it was possible for anyone to give, the gentleman who was shot at and ordered to move on catching a glimpse of them that showed one to be short and rather heavy while the other was rather tall and slender and wore a stiff hat. This information was given to CAPTAIN WINGATE, of the local POLICE FORCE as soon as it was received and was published in the local newspapers the following morning. The next day, Sunday, April 21st, the men reporting to duty at seven o’clock, including Detective Dan Kelly, they read the Captain’s written report of the crime, along with the description of the murderers.

Shortly after, Detective Kelly spied two strangers coming across the Square and accosted them, and upon their failure to give a satisfactory explanation of their whereabouts the night before, ordered them to go to the station with him.

The men attempted to resist Detective Kelly, the taller of the two, whom Kelly had by the sleeve shouting to the other: “SHOOT THE ….” Just as this happened, EARLE BRESSLER, who had connections with the Hover Lee Company, and well known about the city as a nervous small man in the town, was around the corner at the First National Bank, and came to Detective Kelly’s aid as Detective Kelly smashed EARLE (one of the HIGHWAY MEN) in the face with his fist and knocked him down, while Bressler at the same time buckled into the shorter one, who proved to be WALKER (the other HIGHWAY MAN), and they were both landed in the city jail.

When the Highway Men were searched, each had a loaded pistol on him, with an extra supply of cartridges. The gun carried by EARLE was a fine long barreled expensive COLT, 38-caliber with pearl handles, and was later identified by J.J. EWING as being one stolen from a show window at his store one night a short time before the murder.

Kelly, on the morning in question had left home and forgotten his pistol, which is a colt double action, regulation police model, and when reporting at the station, had borrowed Detective Heffern’s automatic pistol for the day. The method of manipulation is entirely different from the revolver and Kelly forgot or neglected to learn how to work it, and when the crisis came was practically unarmed, for while having in his possession the very latest, most rapid firing and most vicious small firearm in the world, did not KNOW how to fire a shot from it. And had it not been for the prompt assistance of BRESSLER, the murderers might have added another crime to their deed of the previous night.

Legg Murderers in Jail

The alleged murderers of William B. Legg - FRANK EARL (EARLE) and FRANK WALKER - locked up in the Shelby County Jail (April 23, 1907). https://www.newspapers.com/image/919863137/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

EARL occupied a cell in the down stairs part of the jail and WALKER occupies a cell in the upstairs part. The men will be kept separated and not allowed to converse with one another in ANY manner, shape or form. They were brought to SIDNEY, Ohio Jail on Monday night about 10 o’clock. Chief of Police O’Learly, Louis F. Wagner and Prosecuting Attorney Marshall went to Lima, Ohio late Monday afternoon in an endeavor to secure more evidence against the two men and to bring them to Sidney, Ohio. EARL was turned over to them by the Lima officials and they started for Sidney stopping at Wapakoneta to get the other prisoner.

The news that the two men were to be brought to Sidney, Ohio on the 9:45 traction car spread like wild fire, although the officials desired to keep the time they were to be brought to Sidney a secret, and when the car arrived a BIG CROWD had congregated at the Jail corner - numbering in the hundreds. Instead of bringing the two men down into the city, Chief O’Leary and his assistants got from the car with their prisoners at the Big Four crossing, and when the car came into the city a disappointment awaited the crowd as they saw no one in the car. In the meantime, the officials with their prisoners walked east on the railroad to Miami avenue, then came south to the south side of Court street and quickly up to the jail and the alleged murderers of Mr. Legg were soon under lock and key in their cells.

After the men were arrested at Lima, Ohio and before the Sidney, Ohio officials arrived at Lima with Chief of Police Mills and Detective Kelly the highway men told MANY conflicting stories. This was before the confession of WALKER, late Sunday night.

WALKER a Hobo

WALKER admitted that he was a traveler of the hobo type and stated that he had no home, but that he had made his headquarters in TOLEDO before coming to LIMA, Ohio via Fostoria last week. He said he met EARL either last Wednesday or Thursday and that they had been sleeping in a barn south of Lima, near the new steel works building. He stated that he and EARL left the barn about 6 o’clock Sunday morning and visited a pipe liners’ camp near the tank farm and then boarded a freight train which they rode to the Erie crossing and from there they walked to the public square on Main Street.

EARL Very Forgetful

Earl claimed to be very forgetful. He could not remember having a home anywhere, did not remember when he met WALKER but was sure they had not ridden from the pip liners’ camp on a freight train. He was positive they had walked all the way. WALKER had claimed he had found his revolver in a coal car when they were riding in on the train, but EARL could NOT remember making any such find. EARL said he could remember where he had secured the big gun, which he had carried but he refused to tell. He declared however, that he did NOT steal; that begging was too easy for him to do any stealing. He said he carried the gun because he had been bumming on the Lake Shore road, “where the bums were so tough they would stick a man up for his clothes” if he didn't carry a gun.

WALKER’S Confession

More details about the confession from WALKER came about midnight at Lima, Ohio in the presence of Chief of Police O’Leary, Detectives Kelly, Heffern, Chief Mills, Coroner Costolo, Prosecutor Marshall and others and taken by Court Stenographer Scott, as follows:

“This confession was brought about by Detective Heffern, of Lima, Ohio, and Chief O’Leary, of Sidney, Ohio, who worked hard with him, telling him that his partner, EARL, was about to saddle the whole affair upon him and give him the worst of the deal and it was upon this theory that WALKER confronted the inevitable and finally “thawed out.”

WALKER stated that he met EARL last Monday or Tuesday in Lima, Ohio and that they went to Piqua, Ohio and Sidney, Ohio together during the week. They occupied a tramps’ camp with other men just north of Sidney at the water tank and went to LEGG’S meat market to purchase some meat. On Friday afternoon, at Piqua, they planned the robbery, deciding to visit the butcher shop on Saturday night when the man would probably have considerable money in the shop. WALKER declares that while both he and EARL were armed and he was willing to rob the meat market, he did NOT know any shooting was contemplated by EARL and would NOT have been a party to the crime had he known it. They watched John Roberts leave the shop shortly after 10 o’clock and seeing that LEGG was getting ready to close up his place they started to carry out the robbery. EARL walked in the doorway as the butcher started toward it and he (WALKER) remained outside to prevent interference from the outside. When within three or four feet of the butcher, EARL leveled his gun at him and ordered him to throw up his hands. Instead of obeying, however, the butcher made a kick at EARL and at the same instant, EARL pulled the trigger. The robbery and fight followed.

After the MURDER and ROBBERY they went first to the C., H. & D. tracks and then crossed through fields to the Western Ohio traction line track and started northward. They walked to Wapak and while on the way, counted and divided the money. Once a late traction car passed them and as it approached they climbed over a fence and laid down in some shrubbery where they could not be seen. WALKER was afraid they would be caught at Wapakoneta but EARL stubbornly refused to go around the town and they were fortunate enough to catch a northbound freight train immediately upon their arrival and they rode on that until they reached a point near the tank farm, south of Lima.”

A Cigarette Fiend.

EARL is an inevitable cigarette smoker and cocaine fiend. He spent his time mostly while in jail in Lima rolling one cigarette after another and lighting a new one from the butt of the old. He has accidentally let several damaging statements fall from his lips while talking: (as heard by Sydney officials)

“I guess you have got me for this and I will have to stand for it.”

“They said I am wanted for murder. I won’t say any more, for I realize my life in hanging in the balance. I’ll prove where I was when the time comes.”

EARL is tall, with his left arm off at the elbow. He says he is the son of EDWARD EARL, a Pittsburg railway telegraph operator, and that he has been a vendor of small trinkets at Dayton, Piqua, Sidney, Lima and Fostoria. WALKER refused to divulge anything of his former connections.

EARL gives his age as 26 years and WALKER stated he was 31 years of age. Both appear to be older and bear all evidence of having led a dissipated, reckless life. Both are suffering from a loathsome disease, EARL’s condition indicating that he is beyond all hope of ever being restored to good physical health. He seems to take his arrest and imprisonment lightly and evidently cares but little what becomes of him.

EARL Searched at the Jail

Early on the morning of Tuesday, April 23. 1907, prisoner EARL asked to have some groceries sent into the jail and presented a $5 bill to Sheriff SNOW at the jail. He asked for two pounds of sugar, a dozen oranges, dozen bananas, apples and chewing gum, all of which amounted to $1.12 and the articles were given him together with his change.

The fact that EARL had money on his person caused MORE suspicion among the officers and they decided to make another search of him. Chief of Police O’Leary and Detective Heffern, of Lima, Ohio, who came to Sidney, Ohio to testify on the same morning per the coroner’s request, were detailed to make the search. These officials went to the jail about 11 o’clock and ordered EARL to remove all his clothing. A thorough search was made. In the lining of his underclothes near his hip was found a nitroglycerine cartridge with a fuse about six-inches long, a desperate looking article used by safe crackers in blowing safes, and $3.88 in money. Nothing else could be found. This proves to the officials that the prisoner is a most desperate character.

A close search of WALKER was also made after this search.

Coroner’s Inquest

The Coroner’s Inquest in the case was held on Tuesday, April 23rd, 1907 in the Common Pleas Court. The inquest opened about 9:30 AM by Coroner J.W. Costolo. The court room was well filled with spectators. Coroner Costolo was assisted by Prosecuting Attorney C. C. Marshall.

WITNESSES*

Garney Woodruff was the first witness called. Said he had been working for Mr. Legg for little over two years. On the night of April 20, 1907, Garney left the butcher shop about 10:13 pm. Earl Brown and John Thomas were just outside the meat shop. Garney returned from home as soon as he was notified of the murder and as he entered the meat market he saw Mrs. Legg kneeling over the body of Mr. Legg with Mrs. Creegan by her side and arms around her. Mrs. Legg turned the affairs of the shop to Mr. Garney Woodruff. He presumed there was $35 to $50 in the money drawer. Mr. Legg placed money in his pocket when he came downtown early in the evenings. He always carried money in a canvas sack that he received from Citizens National Bank. When he came back from town he would place the bills in the sack. When Garney came back to the shop from his home that evening, there was nothing in the money drawer except a few pennies. He stated he had never known Mr. Legg to keep money over Saturday night, as he was responsible for banking it for him.

Mrs. Martha Maquire was the next witness. She said she lived on Michigan Street. She had been at her window looking for her husband to come home from town. She looked out about 10:10 p.m. and did not see him. She returned to her chair by the stove. About ten minutes later she heard two quick shots and then another shot. She went to the door, saw a man standing in Legg’s door, saw him take a few steps back into the meat shop, then come back out the door followed by another fellow. They went to the alley corner, drew their hats down, put their hands to their breasts and went north. She saw a rig at the bridge, east of the meat shop. It came by, and the occupants were shipping horses and swearing. As they passed the meat shop one man looked into the meat shop and cried ‘we fixed-” and then drove on cursing and swearing. After the men went to the back of the meat shop she heard several shots direct in quick succession.

Mr. William Murphy, Mr. Forrar’s clerk heard shots and went outside. He was ordered back. He came back and went out again and Mr. Gilmore called to him to go back. He went back and got Forrar’s revolver and started out again back across the lot when men came through the lot back of the shop. He said one of them said “Stand there.” He replied: “Don’t shoot.” he then shot and dropped down and they fired back at him. The men went on north. The moonlight allowed him to see the men. The tall one shot at him. He heard silver rattling before he saw the man running away.

Mr. J. W. Gilmore said he heard shooting shortly after 10 p.m. He opened the north door of the house and saw a man in Legg’s door pointing a bright gun at him. (Mr. Gilmore) He closed the door and went to the front door of his house and saw a gun pointed at him once more. The man in Legg’s door was tall and slim, he wore dark clothing, half of his body was out of the door when he pointed the gun at Mr. Gilmore. He held the gun in his right hand. The meat shop is northwest of Mr. Gilmore’s home. He saw no one in the shop except one man. It sounded like only one shot and a scream. He did not see the men disappear. He did see the rig go along. He didn’t think the men from the meat shop could have got around back of the meat shop and down to the bridge and into the rig in the time intervened from when he last saw the man in Legg’s door and then the rig going by.

Mr. John Roberts was at the meat shop shortly after 10 p.m. He saw Mr. Legg shot. He left the shop a few minutes after 10:30 PM. Mr. Legg was the only one in the shop at that time. He was not closing up but had drawn the side blinds. When Mr. Roberts came out and started for Evans grocery to the south. He saw two men coming up Michigan Street coming west. They were about 200 feet east of the sop when Mr. Roberts first saw them. They were about the middle of the street on an angle toward the shop. The tall man was in the lead. They were both walking fast. Mr. Roberts went about 30 feet and looked again. Both were dressed in dark clothes. The tall one wore a stiff hat or cap and had a short coat. The short man had a slouch hat. When Mr. Roberts looked a second time they were about 10 feet from the door. When Mr. Roberts turned again he heard a scream and saw the flash from the gun go into the door. The two men were at the front door. Mr. Roberts ran back about 20 feet and called “What’s going on.” He was about 120 feet from the shop then. He saw Mr. Legg standing when the shot was fired and then he disappeared. The tall man did the shooting. The tall man then turned half around and shot at Mr. Roberts, who was then about 120 feet from the shop. The small man went inside the shop. After Mr. Roberts was shot at, he stepped behind a tree. The tall man walked straight back into the meat shop and met the small man coming from the rear. Both went behind the counter then came out of the front door together, the tall man in the lead. They went west to the alley and hesitated at the corner before starting north. Mr. Roberts saw them shoot in the lot in the rear and stated he could recognize the man with the gun.

Mr. Roberts said he saw the tall man at Lima on Sunday evening at the Police Headquarters. He said he is positive and certain he is the man. He could only identify the short man by his size and the hat and coat he wore. He said he apparently saw the same man at Lima on Sunday evening that was with the tall man.

Detective Joseph Heffern, who is the city detective of Lima stated he was in the Lima Police Station on Sunday evening. A man giving a name of FRANK EARL was brought in. He is a man about 6 feet 2 inches, slender build, weighs about 165 pounds. Wearing dark clothing, a long dark overcoat and a stiff hat. The man giving his name as FRANK WALKER is about 5 feet 7 inches, weights about 135 pounds, is 33 to 35 years old, wearing dark blue overcoat with large collar, black slouch hat, and blue shirt. Detective Heffern heard WALKER say in the police station that “he and EARL went in Sidney butcher shop together between 10 and 11 pm Saturday night. EARL expected to find the butcher in the back of the shop, we met him at the door and EARL put a gun in his face. Butcher raised his foot to kick EARL and EARL shot and in a second shot again. Said EARL would NOT have needed to kill the butcher to get the money if he (EARL) had had any sense. WALKER said he went to the till and EARL searched the butcher, left shop and went across to water tank, then to traction line and walked to Wapakoneta where they caught a freight and rode to Lima. Arrived at Lima at 6 a.m. They first planned at Piqua Tuesday afternoon to do the job. Only knew EARL a week. Met him in Sidney on Monday or Tuesday. Divided money about twelve miles north of Sidney. It was about all silver. They threw the sack away.

Detective D. M. Kelly, of Lima, Ohio said he arrested the two parties Sunday morning. They gave their names as EARL and WALKER. EARL is the tall man with the left arm off at the wrist, who wore a black overcoat and black stiff hat. WALKER wore dark clothes, soft hat, and if of dark complexion and has a mustache. Detective Kelly picked them up on the description he had received. After he arrested the men he learned from Conductor Hutchison and Engineer Murphy of the C.H. and D Railroad that two men had come in from the south that morning on a freight train. He searched the men and found on EARL the gun, about 100 cartridges, a tallow candle, razor, knife, $16.67 in silver. The gun was loaded. He found on WALKER a 32 caliber Ives & Johnson revolver, cartridges, razor, knife, $12.15 in silver. The revolver was loaded with the exception of one chamber.

The revolver on EARL was a 38 caliber no. 1408 Colt’s regulation police gun. Detective Kelly examined the gun to see if it had been shot recently. It had been shot within a few hours prior to the arrest. When recently fired the powder will hang to the inside. It will in time gradually dry out and drop away. For six or seven hours after being discharged it will hang like a cob web. Detective Kelly applied this test and was satisfied it had been shot recently because the powder was fresh.

Officer O.E. Anderson, of the Lima Police force, was present at WALKER’s confession. His evidence was about the same as that given by Officer Heffern. In addition he mentioned about WALKER saying he had purchased a box of 38 cartridges in Sidney and that he delivered the cartridges to EARL. That WALKER said they got five paper bills from LEGG. EARL got three of them and he got two of them. He also said he saw WALKER cut open his pants and take out two five dollar bills and heard him say those two bills were part of the money they got at LEGG’s. He heard WALKER say that he made the confession voluntarily, that he said “Boys you got us and we might as well tell the truth.”

Engineer David Murphy, an engineer on a the C. H & D freight train, said on the night of the murder his train left Sidney about 1:45 AM northbound. The train arrived in Wapakoneta about 4:35 AM and he stopped his train south of Wapakoneta, the rear of the train being just north of where the traction line crossed the railroad near the Western Ohio car barns. He uncoupled the engine and went down to the station to get water and get his orders. While getting his orders the operator told him about the murder at Sidney being committed by three men. He coupled to his train and left Wapakoneta about 4:55 AM and stopped next at the Erie Junction just south of Lima. When the train stopped in Lima he saw two men get off the train. The tall man wore a long overcoat and stiff hat and white collar and had a long face. He remembers the features of his face distinctly because he resembled very much their boss boiler maker. The short fellow he did not notice so particularly. The men made their way to the woods. He noticed the actions of the large man seemed to impress him as suspicious. He told one of the brakemen that he would bet those men committed the murder. He also told a passenger conductor at Lima about the man and the conductor reported the matter to the Lima police. He said the train stopped over fifteen minutes at the stop near the Wapakoneta car barns. It was broad daylight when the stop was made at Wapakoneta and also when he saw the men at Lima.

These witness statements went on for two days - when the case was continued. Many people in Sydney thought the murderers of Mr. LEGG were going to be arraigned and when they saw the officials coming through the square with the two prisoners a break was made for the Mayor’s Office. The office was jammed upon the arrival of the officials and the crowd was disappointed.

The Plot Thickens -

Sheriffs House Filled With Fumes of Chloroform…

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919863161/

So, on Monday, April 22nd, 1907, a dastardly act occurred about 2 AM when Sheriff Van Guten, of Allen County who was sleeping in his apartment opposite the corridor where FRANK EARL was confined, locked in his cell, awoke half gasping for his breath. He at once detected the strong fumes of chloroform and half seated in his bed, took out his trusty gun to await developments.

A few minutes later he heard his son above him awaken, and come downstairs. The son asked his father what was wrong, and said the odor was worse on the third floor.

Visiting the corridor where EARL was confined they found the prisoner sound asleep, and on investigation they could but trace the odor to carpets in the hall below. Here it may have been thrown by the use of a syringe, either from the dining room or the hall door.

If the act was an attempt to aid EARL, the prisoner knew nothing of it, for he passed the night sleeping soundly and afterwards stated he never awakened. However, the fumes narrowly missed causing dire calamity for they were so strong that another hour might have meant suffocation to the sheriff and his family. Throwing open all the windows the house was quickly restored to normal, but the attempt remains a deep mystery.

So the question remains… was someone trying to help EARL escape custody?

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919863161/

The Money Bag is Found

By Thursday, April 25th, 1907, the Sidney Daily News reported that more damaging evidence had been secured against FRANK EARL and FRANK WALKER - the murderers of William H. Legg.

On Wednesday, April 24th, Samuel Legg, of Summer, Illinois, brother of the Murdered Man, who came here to attend the funeral made a request of the prosecuting attorney that he be allowed to see the two prisoners. The request was granted and together with Mr. Marshall and Charles Davenport, of Hardin, they visited the jail. They first went in to lower part of the jail to see EARL. When they were looking at him Davenport remarked to the murdered man’s brother, “Sam, there is the fellow that killed your brother.” This was more than EARL could stand and for the first time since he was arrested he began to weaken, broke down and cried, remarking, “Well I can’t get a fair trial in this county.” He would say nothing more, but it is expected that he will confess and give a clean breast of the affair before many days.

They then visited the upstairs part fo see WALKER. Prosecutor Marshall asked him stating that as all he had told concerning the murder had been found true up to the present time, that he tell just exactly where he and EARL hid the money sack. WALKER quickly picked up a piece of paper and drew a rough diagram to direct him where it could be found.

Coroner Costolo was the lucky man to find the bag off the diagram. A further search was made on the spot and a nickel was found in the grass by Chief O’Leary.

The statement and sketch by WALKER proved that he came from a good family, but he will tell nothing of his former life.

Arraignment

At about 8 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 1907, the report was circulating about the city that murderers EARL and WALKER were going to be arraigned before the Mayor. Immediately a dash was made for the Mayor’s office and soon the office was jammed and several hundred people had gathered about the Monumental building hoping to get a chance to see the two men as they were brought over.

Instead, the charges were later made out and about 11 am Mayor CROZIER went to the jail accompanied by Prosecutor Marshall and others for the purpose of having the prisoners plead to the charges against them. EARL was brought out first, heavily shackled and the following charges were read - one of murder in the first degree.

Pleaded Not Guilty

EARL immediately pleaded not guilty, waived examination and was remanded back to JAIL without bond.

WALKER was then brought downstairs into the office and the same charges read to him. He also pleaded not guilty and was sent back to his cell.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919863270/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

Frank Earl is Frank Dalton?

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919863202/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

Coroner Costolo’s Warning Note:

Published Friday, May 3, 1907 - Page 10 - The Shelby County Democrat

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919439073/

THE TRIAL OF FRANK EARL

The trial of Frank EARL began on Monday, June 10, 1907. It ended with Frank WALKER testifying against EARL which would result in EARL being FOUND GUILTY.

While this was going on, a new discovery was made into WHO FRANK WALKER really was and none-the-less off of a clue given by EARL who said WALKER was known to Tramps. It was uncovered that WALKER belongs to a Highly Connected Family Prominent in the City of Peoria, Illinois. He is actually FRANK WHITING and comes from a highly esteemed family in Peroria, IL. His identify was traced through the co-defendant in the crime. Some weeks ago EARL informed his attorneys that WALKER was known among the tramps as “PEORIA BLACKIE,” or “BLACKIE PEOPRIA,” the Peorita referring to that city in Illinois. EARL had asked his attorney to send a photograph of WALKER to the Peoria Police who identified him and found him a former resident of Canton, Illoinois, a city about 20 miles from Peoria. He is referred to as the ‘black sheep’ of the family. Other members of WALKER’s family are Dr. Marcus Whiting, a brother, of the Baptist Church of Kewans, IL; two brothers at Canton, IL, J.G. Whiting and Eugene Whiting; while sister, Mrs. Dr. C.E. Stewart, and mother, Mrs. Lucy Whiting, are living at Rock Island, IL.

When confronted with this news by the deputy warden, WALKER said he was very sorry that his identity was found out, as he would rather have walked to the electric chair, than to have been identified, on account of his sister and mother.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/891368345/

FRANK WALKER (Whiting) DENIES EARL KILLED LEGG

https://www.newspapers.com/image/935907889/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

Frank WALKER (Whiting) given LIFE SENTENCE as an accomplice to the murder.

FRANK EARL seeks a motion for a new trial with affidavits filed.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919439247/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

Detective Kelly Received a Reward

When the guns were found on the highway men, together, with just a little less than the amount of money supposed to have been stolen by the murderers, and with all the other suspicious circumstances connected with the case, the local authorities were pretty sure that they had the right men, but in order to satisfy themselves they at once started an investigation which disclosed that the fellows came into LIMA, OHIO on a C., H. & D. freight train from the SOUTH and got off just SOUTHWEST of the city, near the TANK FARM.

Chief Mills decided to go to Sidney and see if something MORE could not be learned of them, and incidentally to find if something in the shape of a REWARD could not be secured for Detective Kelly and BRESSLER in event they were the right fellows.

The result was that he was convinced that we had the right men, and further, it was all arranged before he came home that the commissioners of Shelby County would PAY A REWARD of Five Hundred Dollars IF they were convicted of the crime, which was promptly done by those officials when EARLE received the DEATH SENTENCE. In addition the widow of the murdered man is alleged to have made Detective Kelly a present of one hundred dollars, while appreciative citizens of LIMA and surrounding towns donated, in sums of one dollar or less, another hundred dollars received by Detective Kelly for making the arrest, an amount almost equal to his salary for one year.

THE EXECUTION OF FRANK EARL

Thursday, December 19th, 1907, Frank EARL was executed a few minutes after the clock struck twelve. During EARL’s last hours he was visited from the Chaplain of the Prison, Rev. Starr. He spent part of his time playing checkers with his guards and part of his time reading the Bible. He was said to be very bitter towards WALKER, who is now a life prisoner for the same offense which EARL must pay the penalty.

It was said that Frank’s brother, John West (Frank’s real surname is WEST) called on Governor Harris at Columbus earlier in the week and made a FINAL APPEAL for his brother’s life. He was accompanied by Attorney Koons, EARL’s attorney, who submitted affidavits of friends of EARL expressing a belief that he was not in Sidney the night of the crime.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919439502/?match=1&terms=%22William%20B.%20Legg%22

Detective Kelly Witnessed Execution:

Detective Kelly went down to Colubmus on Thursday, December 19th, 1907, and was present in the EXECUTION ROOM when EARLE paid the penalty and was executed for the murder of LEGG.

EARLE addressed his last words to Detective Kelly at his execution stating:

“You gave me a raw deal, Kelly, telling me you were going to shoot your revolver. I know your brothers; I know they’re square guys, all of them. I am going to pay the penalty for the crime of another. I am an innocent man. I was convicted because of my past record. I was not there when the act was committed. I ask GOD to forgive me. My whole past record will NEVER show where I pointed a firearm at any man, an d I have been arrested more than once.”

Two shocks were administered, the first at 12:01 and EARLE was pronounced dead at 12:04.

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