COLE-HARMON MURDER
Cole on Trial for His Life
The Last of the Henry County Murder Cases

The case of the Stats of Ohio vs. Peter D. Cole was called Monday afternoon. Cole was Indicted for murder in tho first degree for killing John Harmon at Deshler, the particulars of which is probably fresh In the minds of moat of our readers, but the following brief review will not come amiss:

Peter D. Cole, the accused, was a laboring man, and for some time prior to the shooting had been working as a drayman in Deshler, where both he and his victim resided. They were in fact near neighbors, their places adjoining each other. John Harmon, the victim, was the proprietor of a livery stable, a well-to-do, sober and industrious citizen. Up to about two years before the tragedy the two men had been quite friendly.

At that time, however, trouble began to brew between them. Ugly stories reached the ears of Cole, in which Harmon's name was coupled with that of Cole's wife In a manner decidedly unpleasant to hear. Matters continued to grow worse; the chasm widened, and the friends became deadly enemies. Harmon seemed, if reports are true, to delight in doing that which would tantalize and provoke Cole, and so far did he carry it that, once or twice he felt that his life was in danger.

One evening, now nearly a year ago, the two men happened to be going home at the same time, and as they walked along but a few yards intervened between them. When Cole reached his gate be stopped until Harmon reached his, when he fired a revolver, he claims, into the air. The result of this was Cole was arrested on a peace warrant, sworn out by Harmon, and lodged in jail. Upon the case coming lo trial he was acquitted.

This occurrence but made matters worse. Friends of the two men endeavored to get them to leave the town, telling each that unless tbey did so serious trouble was liable to result. To this neither paid any attention, On the day of the murder,Harmon was away from town until about 6:30 p. m. It was probably not more than an hour later when he was met by Cole at the store of W. T. Marvin, and without saying a word, tho latter commenced to fire at Harmon. Harmon was unarmed and started to run, followed by Cole who continued firing. Harmon ran into Voght's store and just as he was entering Cole fired the fatal shot.

The murderer made no attempt to escape, but soon after surrendered himself to the Deputy Sheriff. He was brought the next day to Napoleon and for five months he has been in jail awaiting trial. It was well on to Tuesday noon before a jury was empaneled. The following gentlemen compose the jury:

R. J. Capple, Manona Shoemaker, S. R. Hashberger, Geo. Bortz, W. B. Tubbs, D. L. Smith, Thos. McEnery, Jacob Hiser, John Sell, Taylor Winner, A. M. Willard, W. S. French.

The case was ably stated by Prosecutor Knupp for the prosecution and J. R. Tyler for the defense, alter which the examination of witnesses on the part of the State commenced. The first witness examined was Wm. T. Marvin, the proprietor of the store where the shooting first began. He detailed the circumstances of the affair in an intelligent manner, but nothing new in the case was brought out. Other witnesses were examined, all testifying about the same as Mr. Marvin. The case will probably occupy the rest of this week. The State is represented by Mr. Knupp and W. Stephenson, the defense by Jas, R. Tyler and A. L. Lessick.