THE SENTINEL, MT. GILEAD

NOVEMBER 29, 1888

$1,000 REWARD

FOR THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE MURDERS

OF THE SELLERS

The mystery of the awful crime recently perpetrated in Harmony township, the murder of Mrs. David Sellers, and possible her husband, is to be unraveled, if possible. The county commissioners acting with the daughter of the murdered people have offered one thousand dollars for the apprehension of the murderer, the same to be paid upon the final conviction of the person or persons so accused. It is to be hoped that the guilty parties to this revolting crime my now be brought to justice, though that is considered doubtful by persons in authority,

JULY 28, 1892

IN JAIL

Chloa and Willliam Rhodebeck Will Wait

UNTIL THE USUAL COURSE IN LAW HAS DECIDED THEIR FATE

Proving and Disproving the Accusations Against them as the slayers of

Woman's Parents

Thursday evening of last week it was announced that on the following afternoon Hon. N. M. Wolfe, a Common Pleas Judge of this district, would be in Mt. Gilead to hear the application to admit to bail William and Chloa Rhodebeck, the alleged murderers of the woman's parents, David and Christena Sellers, the attorney for the defense having appealed to this higher authority from Mayor Fluckey's decision, that the case would admit of no bond for the defendants.

Friday morning a telegram announced that the Judge was unavoidably detained at his home in Mansfield, but that he would be here on the following day, Saturday.

John T. Norris, a detective of considerable repute, arrived, however. Norris was on the ground in 1888, just after the crime was committed, and presumably has some points that will be used when the case is tried. For an hour he was in close conversation with Prosecuting Attorney, J. W. Barry, leaving on the Ohio Central train at noon.

Saturday Judge Wolfe arrived. But there was no hearing or formal gathering at the Court House. The Judge merely announced to the attorneys interested that he was of the opinion that he had no jurisdiction in the matter.

This conclusion means that the last hope for release on bond of the defendants is gone. They must remain in jail until at least October 3d, the opening of the next term of Court. At that time their cause will be considered by the grand jury, though the trial will not likely be called during that term, even should they be indicted.

David Sellers' Head

It has been told in whispers during the past few days that the head of David Sellers had been found.

As the SENTINEL understands it these bones were never lost for any great length of time. It is true that they were not disclosed immediately after the frie and at that time the general belief was that the head had been cast into the well on the place, which since been filled up.

The bones, however, were found in the ashes of the fire in small bits, carefully gathered together and by orders of a certain individual interested in the case, deposited in a secret place so that they might be produced should the occasion ever demand. The remnants of the skull are in such a shape as to lead to the theory that he head of David Sellers was chopped up before the house was fired.

OCTOBER 6, 1892

SIX INDICTMENTS FOUND

The grand jury arose Wednesday forenoon, having found six bills of indictment. But three of these can be given to the public this week, since but three are yet in custody, vix;

Chloe Sellars Rhodebeck, murder in the first degree.

William F. Rhodebeck, murder in the first degree.

Frank Richardson, horse stealing.

October 13, 1892

Judge Wolfe arrived on Tuesday, and is directing Court this week. Tuesday evening Chloe and William Rhodebeck were brought into Court to enter their pleas to the indictment for murder. They arrived with apparent unconcern, but before the reading was finished both were trembling, the husband turning from one shade to another in quick succession, while the wife broke down entirely and cried. The defense asserts that a speedy trial is desired by them. But the condition of the woman is extremely delicate, which should prevent trial this term of Court, though it is a possibility that the case may be called. Other criminal business is set for the 19^th. Hon. T. E. Powell, of Colubmus, has been employed to defend the Rhodebecks.

NOVEMBER 24 1892

WM F. RHOEDBECK THE DEFENDANT

Having Been Indicted for, the Murder of David Sellers.

A Jury Secured From the First Special Venire; the Judge

Excused One, Then There were But Eleven.

At Which Number the Work is Stuck for Many Weary Hours - Progress of the

Trial up to the Hour of Going to Press.

DECISIONS RENDERED

On Monday last Judge N. M. Wolfe arrived for the purpose of presiding in Common Pleas Court during the Rhodebeck murder case, now on trial. Before calling that criminal action he rendered decisions as follows:

2518 - Louisa J. Squier vs Alice Coile; appearl; decision for defendant with costs adjudged against the plaintiff.

2498 - Louisa J. Squier vs S. B. Lyon; demurrer overruled.

2525 - C. J. Morris, executor, vs. Ruth Milligan, et al; to construe will; decree construing will rendered.

2216 - J. W. Dukeman, administrator, vs. Henry Beringer, etal; equitable relief; decree rendered against plaintiff.

2531 - James M. Meredith, administrator, vs Mary A. Harrod; equitable relief; settled by agreement.

THE RHODEBECK CASE.

305 - The State of Ohio vs William F. Rhodebeck; Indictment for murder. J. W. Barry and John D. DeGolley for the State, and Thos. E. Powell and J. H. Beebe for the defense.

In this case there has been subpoenaed for the State about fifty witnesses, and ninety-seven on behalf of the defendant.

The crime alleged is one revolting almost beyond conception. Rhodebeck was a farm hand employed by David Sellers on his farm in Harmony township. Over four years ago, the community was alarmed by the burning of the Sellers homestead. David and his wife were found in the ruins, burned almost beyond recognition, while their daughter, Chloa, and Rhodebeck escaped unharmed. They were married soon after this occurrence, and lived on the farm inherited by Chloa until last summer when they were arrested. Chloa is now upon sick bed having given birth to a still born child on the 17^th. The husband is now on trial for the murder of David Sellers.

When William Rhodebeck was brought into the Court room Monday morning he was pale and evidently very nervous but wore a smile of apparent bravado.

Clerk McCracken called the special venire after which Miss Nettie Hauck was appointed and sworn as Official Stenographer in the case. At this point General Powell arrived bespattered with mud and cold having driven from Marion.

J. L. McAnail was the first man of the special venire to be called. He was examined challenged for cause and excused. Lafayette Gates, Ezra J. Davy, J. W. McMillin, J. A. McAninch and A. M. Eccles were called in turn and each excused for cause. David Hershner was the first to be ordered to take a seat in the jury box, but was peremptorily challenged by the defense. Noble c. Martin was found qualified and ordered into the jury box; Geo. F. Masters was peremptorily challenged by the State; O. O. Higgins excused; John Oberholzer ordered into the jury box; Peleg Purvis excused; Dan Kries was ordered into the box, as were David Feigley, Thomas Hicks and Jefferson Harris; Henry Mooth qualified but was peremptorily challenged by the defense; Clinton Vaughn and George Coleman were excused; G. E. Miller ordered into the box; J. C. Luellen, Samuel Osborn and Jesse Shaw excused; L. J. James ordered into the jury box.

After supper the work of selecting a jury was resumed, and Rev. W. L. Phillips, Leyl Hildebrand and Edward Armstrong were in turn excused; A. J. Greenfield peremptorily challenged by the defense; Jacob Shaffer and Geo. W. Coulson excused; John Richardson and A. P. Porter went into the box; William Willits excused; G. W. Brown was made a juror; Wm. Craven excused; E. A. Talmage, the last man of the venire was found qualified and made the twelfth juror; this completing the panel.

It was remarked with no little surprise that opinions as to the quilt of the accused had been formed in the mind of almost every man examined for jury service.

Tuesday Morning

L. J. James was excused from serving on the jury on account of ill health. To fill the panel D. E. James was selected from the bystanders, examined and challenged peremptorily by the defense; J. W. Wilbourn was peremptorily challenged by the defense; J. W. Ramey excused.

Tuesday afternoon

Wilson Wright was the first talisman called after dinner, examined and excused; Clark Hershner challenged peremptorily by the State; Robert F. Mosher excused; Joseph Watson excused. This exhausted the second list of names and a third was ordered, causing a long recess.

Tuesday Evening.

The third list of talismen was called and the first man introduced was John Smith of Edison, who was accepted as a juror.

This completed the panel and the jury being satisfactory to both the prosecution and the defense, Clerk McCracken administered the oath to the following person who constitute.

The Jury

1. Noble C. Martin, Gilead

2. John Oberholtzer, Perry

3. Dan Kries, Cardington

4. David Feigley, Canaan

5. Thomas Hicks, South Bloomfield.

6. G. Elwood Miller, Gilead

7. T. J. Harris, Canaan

8. John Richardson, Canaan

9. A. P. Porter, Bennington

10. G. W. Brown, Gilead

11. E. A . Talmage, Gilead

12. John Smith, Gilead

The jurors will be assigned to quarters in the jail during the progress of the trial. Sheriff Rinehart has as his assistance; J. W. Wilhelm, Joseph Potts and L. J. Criswell.

Wednesday Morning

Promptly at 9 o'clock the Court was opened and call of the roll of the jury indicated one absent. In the delay which followed, Judge Wolfe granted a divorce to Sadie Alvis from husband William Alvis. A cognovit judgement for $_____ was also given A. Howard against B. T. Baer and others.

All jurors were sworn except Mr. Oberholtzer, who affirmed. J. W. Barry, the Prosecuting Attorney stated the case on behalf of the prosecution, reading the indictment, and expecting to prove that the death of Christena Sellers was the result of a quarrel between Mrs. Sellers, Chloa and William Rhodebeck and that the killing of David Sellers, and the burning of the house over their dead bodies was the result of a conspiracy to hide the killing of Mrs. Sellers. Further statements as to the proof to be introduced were made, all of which will be given as the trial progresses.

For the defense, J. H. Beebe stated that this was the first intimation of the charges specified against William F. Rhodebeck, or his wife Chloa I. Rhodebeck now in jail. He admitted the death of David and Christena Sellers, and the fire. Expected to prove affection of Chloa for her parents was usually great, and that there was wholly no cause for either the defendant, Wm. F. Rhodebeck, or his wife Chloa, to such a crime.

On Behalf of the State

W. E. Miller, a contractor and builder, was the first witness called, testified that he made the chart and diagram of the scene of the Sellers tragedy, exhibited in Court, and described the same.

T. W. Long, Probate Judge of Morrow county, testified as to the date of the issuing and return of the marriage license of Wm. F. Rhodebeck and Chloa I. Sellers, issued Nov. 28, 1888, married November 29, 1888.

Dr. J. L. Williams, physician, testified; Was called to assist in holding a post-mortem on bodies of David and Christena Sellers; found bodies in south part of house of David Sellers, Harmony township, Morrow county; found bodies of two persons, limbs burned off, no head on one, cut on lower right arm of male; of the female the lower limbs burned off, head was wrapped up in a bed quilt; took it off; it was bloody; had a wound on left forehead, one on right middle of head and one on left; two of which had crushed the skull; jaw broken; (Cross-examination by defense as to competency as an expert witness.) Removed quilt in which head of Christena Sellers was wrapped; arms and legs of body were burned; was lots of blood, still red and natural, in the hair and about wounds in the head; wounds made before death, and before body was burned; wounds found were sufficient of themselves to produce the death of Mrs. Sellers; was present at inquest, when Chloa testified; gave complete description of bodies, as minutely as possible; was assisted in examination by Drs. James and Neal.

Cross-examination: Reached scene of fire about noon, unable to tell when cut on right arm of male was made; no part of head or face of female burned, nor no part of hair not exposed was preserved; other parts of female badly burned and charred; head only discolored with blood; would above left eye with rugged edges 1 ½ inches in kilameter; second wound just above and behind left ear, same shape and size as first wound; these wounds the pieces of skull was driven into the brain; left jaw bone was broken; very round clean cut hole in the left check, resembling a bullet hole; another wound above right eye, of oblong appearance, 1 ½ inch long and 1 inch wide, but not through skull. The three wounds on skull evidently made by same instrument but one on jaw by different weapon, found no wound made by a missile which went clear through the head.

The lungs and other organs were not examined; cervical, vertebra of male found perfect. Fully corroborated his testimony before Coroner at postmortem and inquest.

Dr. C. H. Neal, physician testified: Was present at the Sellers inquest, and assisted in postmortem examination. The testimony of his witness was very similar to that given by Dr. Williams, and the two were not contradictory except to minute and important details, the witness also endorsed his testimony before and professional report to the Coroner.