Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1893 > June > 27 Another Murder HAMILTONBAN TOWNSHIP THE SCENE OF ANOTHER VIOLENT DEATH What is quite likely to result in another murder trial in this county was reported here this morning in the shape of an inquest return. Informatin is very scarce and the main facts are taken from the return. On Sunday, Jacob W. WAGAMAN, a resident of Hamiltonban township, left his house to cut some grass. His housekeeper, with whom Wagaman had some altercation a short time before, was the only person known to have been near. On Monday Wagaman's body was found near Pinch Gut with three wounds, evidently inflicted by a blunt instrument, one on each side of the head and one on the internal angle of the right eye, with abrasions on each side of the throat. The wounds and strangulation are supposed to have caused instantaneous death. No clue has been found which points to the murderer. Yesterday, Justice D. R. Muselman held the inquest with the following jury: R. Watson, J. W. Moore, Christian Frey, Abraham Staley, Jacob Kauffman and Silas Blisard. District Attorney Duncan will visit the place of the murder to-morrow and continue the inquest. *********************************************************** Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1893 > July > 4 THE WAGAMAN MURDER The inquest on the body of Jacob W. Wagaman was conintued on Wednesday by District Attorney Duncan at the the scene of the murder, in the South Mountain, near Pinchgut. A large number of witnesses were examined and several clues discovered that may serve in discovering the person or persons who committed the crime. As the Justice who held the inquest had only allowed a very cursory medical examination, there was considerable doubt as to the actual cause of death, the different theories being advanced of death by suicide, poisoning, lightning, &c. A careful and thorough post-mortem examination was therefore necessary, and, on Thursday morning, the District Attorney ordered the body to be examined. The post-mortem was conducted by Dr. Glenn of Fairfield, assisted Drs. W. H. O'Neal and J. R. Dickson of Gettysburg, who after a most complete autopsy, found no traces of poising but that death had resulted from violence, the direct cause being strangulation. No arrests have been made. The County Commissioners, on Saturday, decided to offer a reward of $100 for the arrest and conviction of the party or parties who committed the crime. ************************************************************ Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1893 > October > 24 THE WAGAMAN HOMICIDE Last week District Attorney Charles S. Duncan, assisted by Constable Henry Peters spent several days near the scene of the supposed murder of Jacob W. Wagaman in Hamiltonban township last spring. Mr. Duncan and his assistant were busily engaged in running out clues, but the mystery surrounding the death and tragedy remain unsolved. However, there are well founded reasons for the belief that three or four men living in the vicinity were participants in the killing, or have actual knowledge of the facts. These are being closely watched, and will be apprehended when the facts justify it. No more substantial progress was made on account of the apparently preconcerted reticence of all who culd information and their evasions of questions. Mr. Duncan expresses the opinion that the facts he has gleaned would not raise the offense above manslaughter. But even if this is the case, the citizens of Hamiltonban township, which has been the scene of too many violent deaths, owe it to themselves and to the county to see that the efforts the District Attorney has made and will make are successful, and the offenders ferreted out and brought to justice. *********************************************************************** Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1894 > February > 6 INVESTIGATION OF THE DEATH OF JACOB W. WAGAMAN. - TWO MEN ARRESTED Late in June of last year it was announced that another murder had been committed in the South Mountain, Jacob W. Wagaman, residing in Hamiltonban township, near Cold Spring, having been found dead in the bushes on Monday, June 26th. The presumption was that he came to a violent death the day previous. An inquest was held by Justice of the Peace D. R. Muselman, which was reconvened and additional evidence given at the instigation of District Attorney Cbas. S. Duncan, the final verdict being as follows: "The said Jacob W. Wagaman came to his death as follows: That some person or persons unknown, not having the fear of God before their eyes, on the 25th of June, A. D., 1893, did voluntarily, feloniously and of malice aforethought make an assault, and the aforesaid pers on or person unknown, then and there, with a blunt instrument, inflicted three wounds, one on each side of the head about one inch from the external angle of the eye, and one on the internal angle of the right eye; abrasiona on each side of the throat of the said Wagaman from which wounds and strangulation then and there the said Jacob W. Wagaman instantly died." To demonstrate that death was from choking, and not from fits or accidental causes. Doctors J. E. Glenn, of Fairfield, Walter H. O'Neal and J. R. Dickson, of this place were called to make a post mortem examination, their opinion being that Wagaman died from suffocation by choking. Dr. E. S. Breidenbaugh made a chemical analysis of the stomach, but found no poison. That there was a disagreement between the parties and that the killing may have resulted from a quarrel is the theory of many best acquainted with the facts. Detectives were employed and last week information was made by Albert Wagaman, a cousin of the dead man, charging Adam Carbaugh, living in Franklin oounty with the crime and Philip Wagaman, a brother of deceased with being accesory and knowing of the facts. On Tuesday afternoon Constable Peters, of Hamiltonban township, brought Pbi1ip Wagaman to town, after a hearing before Justice Hill, he was committed to jail. Thursday morning the same Constable brought Carbaugh, who was committed by the same Justice. Both are now in prison awaiting trail, which will likely take place at April Court. ****************************************************** Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1894 > April > 3 Judge McClean Wednesday released from prison, under a writ of habeas corpus Philip Wagaman and Amos Carbaugh, who were charged with killing Jacob W. Wagaman in the South Mountain last June. They were arrested on the testimony of Alfred Wagaman who is now in jail as an accessory. **************************************************** Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1894 > May > 1 True bill were found by the Grand Jury against Alfred Wagaman on the chatge of murder and against Sarah Wagaman, accessory after the fact, on information of Augustus Baker prosecutor. The trial of these cases has been postponed to August Court. Sarah Wagaman was this morning admitted to bail in the sum of $500. John Shuff going her security. ******************************************************** Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1894 > November > 13 COM VS ALBERT W WAGAMAN In this case the following gentlemen were called to serve as jurymen: Harrison Brough, Oscar D Diehl, Wm Eister, Vincent Fink, Abner Griest, Conrad A Lower, Daniel L Plant, Waybright Rice, John F Stambaugh, Christian Strickler, Simon P. Stover and David Thomas. >From the opening of District Attorney Duncan the following appear to be the facts upon which the prosecution is based: On the morning of June 25, 1893, Jacob W. Wagaman (the murdered man) said to his son that he would go and get some grass for the cattle, and he went accordingly but did not return. On the following morning while hunting for his father the son went to the house of Harriet Wagaman, the mother of Albert and Sarah. They told him that they had not seen his father but would help to find him. As they went, some distance from the house, Sarah said to the boy, "You go in there, I am afraid of snakes." The body was found where she indicated under a lot of brush Sometime later, while on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Carbaugh, Albert said, in answer to a question as to who killed Jacob, "I can just tell you---it was me that did it" that Jacob was knocked down and choked, and that when they found he was hurt they used camphor to try to bring him to' that they buried him. Albert, at different times, acknowledged to different persons his connection with the matter Sarah Wagaman, on being arraigned as accessory after the fact, plead not guilty. Mr Duncan stated that he would not ask for a verdict of guilty in the first degree as the circumstances did not indicate a premeditated killing. ********************************************************************* Gettysburg Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) > 1894 > November > 20 Court Proceedings Com. Vs. Albert Wagaman, taken up on Monday, was concluded on Thursday The verdict was "guilty of manslaughter". The defendant plead guilty of perjury Sarah Wagaman was found guilty as "accessory after the fact," in giving aid to Albert