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Note: N777 1870 (June 10) census data from the census images for Franklin Township (Post Office-Waynesburg), Greene County, Pennsylvania (Page 8 - Image 8 - line 37) on Ancestry.com. The census indicates that he was 9/12 year old and born in August, 1869. He was living with his parents and 1 half sister, Selina. He is listed as having been born in Pennsylvania. His given name is listed as "James" in this census.
1880 (June 24) census data from the census images for Franklin Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania (Enumeration District 71 - page 34 - image 35 - line 31) on Ancestry.com. The census indicates that he was 10 years old and had attended school within the Census year. He was single and living with his parents, 1 brother and 1 half sister. He is listed as having been born in Pennsylvania as were his father and mother. His given name and middle initial are listed as "James P" in this census.
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A SAD OCCURRENCE
SORROW VISITED UPON TWO FAMILES
BY A FATAL SHOT.
Circumstances Concerning The Death Of
Porter Huffman On Saturday Night.
PipesÕ Stolen Harness Recovered-Had Been
In HuffmanÕs Possession.
A most sad occurrence took place here on last Saturday night, which has cast a gloom over our whole town and the surrounding community. Shortly after 11 oÕclock Mr. W. S. Pipes, the well known jeweler, of this place, while in his bed-room to which he had retired with his wife and child, heard a disturbance among his chickens. Upon going to the window looking out upon the rear of the lot he saw a match struck in his stable. Having been troubled with thieves recently, an almost new set of single buggy harness having been taken from his stable together with other things, a month or two since, he at once supposed a thief was in his stable. Hastily drawing on his pantaloons and without putting on a coat or vest he went to a wardrobe and took down a revolver. Going out of the house he approached the stable by an alley. As he came to the stable he noticed one of the middle doors of the building open, there being to the stable a pair of doors near the center and two other doors near the ends of the building, all opening on the alley. Mr. Pipes as he approached had noticed a man under the pegs where his harness hung, examinging the harness by the light of a match. Coming near the door he stopped, the man was standing inside the door with some harness on his arm, which he dropped and springing out dealt Mr. Pipes a blow. A scuffle ensued in which Mr. Pipes was cut above one eye and received a number of bruises and scratches. Having on a thin night shirt, this was cut or torn and there were inflcited on his breast and side a number of deep finger nail wounds. The men became separated and the supposed thief started out the alley, west of the stable. Mr. Pipes fired his revolver to scare and not to hit, at the same time calling on the man to halt. The man went on and Mr. Pipes followed dodging along the fence to see if he could not recognize him as they were going toward a street lamp. He noticed the man make a movement as though he was drawing a revolver and seeing this and believing the man would kill him he fired a second shot. The man took but a few steps and fell. As soon as Mr. Pipes noticed he was hurt he ran to him and taking him in his arms asked who he was, but received no answer. He walked backward a few steps with the man and placed him in a sitting posture against the fence. He then ran a few yards below to the house of Mr. Wm. Berryhill and knocked on the door and called to him. Commissioner Wm. Johnson, who rooms at ex-Sheriff SpraggÕs, which is next door to PipesÕ house; having heard the shots and Mr. Pipes trying to awaken Berryhills put his head out of a window and asked what was wrong. Mr. Pipes answered, saying, Òyou fellows come down here quick, I think I have killed a man.Ó Commissioner Johnson hastily put on part of his clothes and started to the scene; as he passed out of his room he called to ex-Sheriff Spragg notifying him of the occurrence. Commissioner Johnson was the first man to reach the scene, Mr. Wm. Berryhill coming a little bit afterwards. Mr. Pipes ran and notified others and hastened to Dr. CrossÕ residence telling him to come at once. When the Doctor arrived he found the man dead. No one up to that time recognized him but the blood having been wiped from his face, which had flowed from his nose and mouth, he was recognized to be Porter Huffman, son of Henry Huffman of Morrisville.
By this time a number of others had arrived. Mr. Pipes who had been very much agitated after the shooting, but who had acted all the time tha part of an honorable man, went to the sheriffÕs residence and gave himself up. On his way up street he had called to everyone he saw to go down to his stable as he had shot a man. Several persons noticed that his face and clothes were bloody and asked him if he was not hurt. In his excited condition he did not know that he had received injury. He was asked if his assailant did not Òhave a knife and cut him?Ó but replied that Òhe thought he had a revolver.Ó On going to the sheriffÕs residence his knock at the door was answered by Miss Goodwin, who thought her father was not in the house and so informed Mr. Pipes. But Sheriff Goodwin having but shortly before left his office and gone to his bed-room heard the conversation and stepping out on the second-story veranda asked what was wanted. Mr. Pipes told him to come down as he wanted to see him. As the Sheriff came to the door, Mr. Pipes said ÒI suppose I am your prisoner.Ó The Sheriff thought he was joking and was almost thunderstruck when told by Mr. Pipes that he had shot a man. The Sheriff had heard the shots while sitting in his office. He looked at his watch and then went up stairs and retired. he had not gone to sleep when Mr. Pipes came to his house. He noticed Mr. PipesÕ condition and the latter said to him that he was ready to give himself up but that he would like to go home and change his clothes, telling the Sheriff to come down. Sheriff Goodwin said to him to go home and he would go down as soon as he could. When the Sheriff went to the house he found Mr. and Mrs. Pipes almost distracted. The Sheriff told Mr. Pipes he ought to have a doctor to examine his injuries and went out and summoned Dr. Cross. Dr. Cross in his examination found 19 wounds. The Sheriff remained with Mr. Pipes until about 5 oÕclock in the morning when he advised him to try and get some sleep; Mr. W. W. Evans, being present and said he would remain with him, the sheriff left. Mr. Pipes has since been inn the custody of Sheriff Goodwin.
A butcher knife with rather an old handle, but the blade in fair condition, was noticed lying between the dead manÕs legs, by those who first arrived on the scene. Two piano boxes were placed in a buggy shed adjoining the stable to put the body on. The body was afterwards carried to Kent & DriscollÕs carriage warehouse where a post mortem examination was held by Drs. Cross and Ullom assited by Drs. Patton and Brock, Sunday forenoon.
Porter Huffman was about 22 years of age and had resided we believe at his fatherÕs in Morrisville, until last spring when he hired with Mr. Wm. Gordon, of Franklin township. He rode to town on Saturday evening. He placed his horse in the livery stable of Randolph & Bayard and spent the evening at various stores and was most of the evening with associates. Early in the evening he had eaten a piece of watermelon in J. R. CrossÕ restaurant where he bought a mouth organ. In Alex PurmanÕs cigar store he met a companion, James Carpenter, of East Waynesburg. Together they went to DayÕs book store where Huffamn got some letter paper. They then when (sic) to John G. RinehartÕs grocery where Huffman bought some candy. From there they went to Jas. WoodsÕ grocery on East Main street. They met other young friends, John Stewart and John Ward, son of Nathan Ward, of East Waynesburg. While there it began to rain. Young Huffman produced his mouth organ, and got John Stewart to play it for him while he danced. After dancing awhile he took off his coat and said it was getting too warm for him and hung his coat on a screw at the side of the door. He got some candy at WoodsÕ and afterward went in the store and bought some cheese. The men had been under an awning, and Huffman remarked to the others that he Òwould have to buy a nickelÕs worth of cheese to keep Jimmy open while it was raining.Ó He said to Mr. Carpenter that he Òwould have to go to the livery stable as soon as it slacked raining and get his horse or it would be locked up.Ó John Stewart remarked to him, ÒI would hate to have your tripÓ and Huffman said Òwhy? I have a horse up here at the livery complaint,Ó meaning stable. Stewart also asked him Òif he was going out to GordonÕs that nightÓ and Huffman replied Òyes, if I get all the way.Ó While at WoodsÕ store the young men were weighed and HuffmanÕs weight was 198 pounds. He was a square built young man. Huffman and Jno. Ward started up street together and the other two young men left the store about two minutes later. When the latter two left it was five minutes past eleven by Mr. WoodsÕ time. Ward and Huffman walked up street together to PauleyÕs corner, Huffman saying to Ward that he was Ògoing to get his horse and go home.Ó They parted and Huffman turned to the right, down toward Randolph & BayardÕs livery stable. While on the corner Huffman looked at his watch and by it the time was eight minutes before eleven, but some one else on the corner remarked to him that his watch was nine minutes slow. Bert Bayard gave Huffman his horse at the livery stable. The stable had already been closed up.
By some of those who had gone to the scene of the shooting, HuffmanÕs horse was discovered hitched to the fence on the east side of Daniel AndersonÕs lot, and about 30 feet north of Mr. PipesÕ stable. It was not hitched in the same alley in which the affray occurred. Mrs. Ellen Bower, who keeps a boarding house at the corner of Greene and Morgan streets, states she was up late sewing, after eating a lunch noticed the clock and saw it was past 11; she sewed a little while longer and heard some one riding past on Morgan street. She looked out, as she thought it might be one of her customers and he would stop at the stable she has rented at the rear of the lot on the opposite side of Morgan street. She saw the man turn into the alley just below the stable. This is the alley in which the shooting took place and on which Mr. PipesÕ stable fronts. In a little while she heard the shots fired. If the man she saw was young Huffman, he had ridden out to PipesÕ stable and turned north into another alley where he had hitched his horse.
A rubber coat, of reddish brown color, which has been identified by some of young HuffmanÕs acquaintances as belonging to him, was found by Sheriff Goodwin in the buggy shed adjoining the stable. The coat was lying across a buggy pole near an opening from the shed into the stable. The center doors of the stable, opening on the alley, have inside hooks for fastenings. The buggy shed, which is on the west end of the building, is open next to the alley. After the shooting a young man named Pester rode HuffmanÕs horse to Morrisville to notify the father of the sad occurrence.
Young Huffman has borne a good name among his acquaintances and this fact has caused his friends to believe he was not the party who was in Mr. PipesÕ stable, but that a thief escaped. His presence in that locality, at that time of night, where his horse and the fatal affray indicate he was is unaccountable. Many suppositions were put in circulation just after the shooting which have proven incorrect. It was first reported that Mr. Huffman had spent the evening at Mr. William BerryhillÕs and having gone out to get his horse to go home struck a match to light a cigar, and this being at the same time Mr. Pipes heard the disturbance at his stable and having gone out, the young man was mistaken for a thief and shot. But Mr. Huffman was not at Wm. BerryhillÕs that evening and he got his horse at the livery stable about fifteen or twenty minutes before he was shot.
Mr. W. S. Pipes was raised in Center township, this county, and has been in business here thirteen or fourteen years. During this time he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His social qualities have always made him many friends and he is known by everyone to be kind-hearted and generous. A few years ago he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Z. C. Ragan, this place. They have one child, a bright little boy not quite three years old. Our whole community is deeply stricken with sorrow for both families concerned on account of this sad affair.
Judge Inghram on account of distant relationship with the young man who was shot has refused to preside at the hearing. D. S. Walton, Esq., has gone to Uniontown to request Judge Ewing to come to Waynesburg and hold a hearing. Quite a number of persons of Waynesburg and vicinity and also from a distance have voluntarily offered to go upon a bond for Mr. Pipes.
The funeral of Mr. Huffman took place on Monday at 10 oÕclock p. (sic) m. A very large concourse of people followed the remains from his fatherÕs home at Morrisville to Waynesburg cemetery. It is said there were 85 vehicles and 62 persons on horseback in the funeral procession. Mr. Huffman was a member of the Franklin township lodge of FarmerÕs Alliance and most of the members of the lodge attended, wearing badges of mourning. Mr. Pipes from the moment the shooting occurred has deeply regretted it.
THE STOLEN HARNESS FOUND
On Wednesday afternoon Constable Jas. Allison and Policeman Reddick secured the set of harness stolen from W. S. Pipes last spring. The clue leading to the recovery of the harness was obtained on the day of the funeral by a sharp eye, and were seen on a horse driven in the funeral procession. This fact was communicated to Mr. PipesÕ friends. On Wednesday two men went to Wm. GordonÕs where Porter Huffman worked. They made known the object of their visit and Mr. Gordon informed them that such a set of harness as they described was at one time the property of Huffman, but that he had recently traded them to Mr. GordonÕs son-in-law, Geo. Orndoff, who had the harness. They drove to Mr. OrndoffÕs, met with courteous treatment, were shown the harness and practically identified them.
Mr. Orndoff informed them that he had traded Porter Huffman a sleigh and $5 for the harness, just recently. In making the trade Huffman said he had received the harness from Scott Pickens, trading him a revolver for them, that Pickens had had them made at Jas. MahanÕs. The harness was brought here Wednesday evening and readily identified by Mr. Pipes. Jas. Mahan also identified them for Mr. Pipes and that he had never made any for Scott Pickens.
FROM THE ÒWASHINGTON JOURNALÕSÓ REPORT
A Journal reporter called to see Mr. Pipes in the jail on Monday evening and through the courtesy of Deputy Sheriff Goodwin, was admitted to the corridor of the building. Mr. Pipes was talking to a friend at the time, but hearing the key which throws back the huge bolts, grate in the lock, he turned, and, recognizing the scribe, he gave him a hearty handshake and appeared pleased at the call. The reporter was shown into the iron cage, which contained several chairs. Mr. Pipes dropped wearily into a rocker, and as the gray twilight of the fading day streamed into the corridor he looked haggard and wan. The subject of the tragedy was broached and Mr. Pipes was asked if he had any statement which he would care to give to the press and in reply said that he had not. He said ÒNo one more deeply deplores this event than I.Ó He complained of his side hurting him and his face was somewhat bruised and scratched. A piece of black court plaster about half an inch long covered a cut above his left eye and he had the appearance of one who had gone through with a trying ordeal of some kind. During the conversation a babyÕs voice was heard in the outer corridor calling for Òpapa.Ó The Sheriff then came in carrying the prisonerÕs child, an interesting boy two years and eight months of age. The child reached for its father who with tears in his eyes embraced his first born. Mrs. Pipes had called with her child to see her husband and was waiting in the sheriffÕs house to greet them. This the sheriff made known to him and after a parting handshake with Mr. Pipes the reporter left, while he carrying his child and with the sheriff in advance, made his way into the sheriffÕs house proper where Mrs. Pipes was in waiting.
The law firm of Wyly, Buchanan & Walton and Capt. J. E. Donley have been retained as counsel for Mr. Pipes.
Mr. Pipes, who is proprietor of an extensive jewelry store in the Downey House block, has made an assignment for the benefit of his creditors. Mrs. Z. C. Ragan, mother of Mrs. Pipes, is lying very ill at her home on the north side of town and had not on Monday evening been apprised of the shooting.-Washington Journal.
THE CORONERÕS INQUEST
Coroner Kent had been summoned shortly after the shooting. He empaneled the following jury to inquire into the circumstances of the death of young Huffman: Corbly Orndoff, Esq., foreman, Joseph Wiley, J. P. Allum, T. J. Wisecarver, Thos. Hoskinson and Doc McClelland. The inquest was held in the grand jury room on Monday morning, and the following evidence heard.
Dr. A. G. Cross sworn: - According to my recollection it was near half past 11 oÕclock Saturday night when I was summoned by Mr. Pipes to come down to his stable. He came to my door. I went down to the scene as soon as I dressed and found a number of persons there. They were standing around a man. They made room for me. I saw a man lying on the grass or weeds. I didnÕt know him and then nobody knew him. I got his handkerchief and wiped the blood of his face and some one recognized him. I examined his face, head and neck for injuries but found none, I pulled up his shirt and found a wound on his right side below the shoulder blade. He was carried into the shed and placed on boxes for the purpose of holding a post mortem. It was postponed. Dr. Ullom and I proceeded to make the post mortem examination of the body Sunday morning. Dr. Brock took notes and Dr. Patton was present. I have already stated where the bullet entered his body; it struck the eighth rib, which was very much shattered. It passed upward penetrating the sack the heart floats in, the pericardium, and came near wounding the heart. It passed through the right auricle and lacerated the vena cava, a large vessel. The ball passing in that direction struck the upper part of the breast bone and fell down into the cavity of the breast. The chest was full of blood. Hemorrhage caused his death. Death was the result of the wound. The ball passed through the middle part of the right lung. It did not pass through a vital part. The lung is regarded as a vital organ but the wound was not necessarily fatal. The pericardium is not classed as a vital organ. I saw no signs of life when I went to the young man. Death was very sudden. It was not instantaneous as a matter of course. None of the great nerve centres (sic) were involved to bring about instant death. He might have been capable for a short time of voluntary action. I knew nothing as to what put the wound there. I gave the bullet to coroner. Bullet was large. I dont know anything about the calibre (sic) of revolvers. Ball here identified.
Dr. J. T. Ullom, sworn: - I found a bullet hole three inches from the center of back and 2 1/2 inches below right shoulder blade. He corroborated Dr. Cross as to course of ball. A gun shot wound was the cause of his death. The ball penetrated a vital organ. Man would live a very short time. Death was as near instantaneous as it possibly could be from any wound. Said the ball handed him looked like the one found.
Commissioner Wm. Johnson sworn: - When I left my stable (livery) Saturday night, Ex-Sheriff Spragg and I left together and went home. I room at Ex-Sheriff SpraggÕs. When we got into the house it was 10 minutes past 11 by my time. I went to bed and in the neighborhood of 10 minutes heard two shots fired. Heard some one trying to get Berryhills up. I put my head out of the window and asked what was wrong. The answer was, Òyou fellows come down here right quick, I believe I have killed a man.Ó I did not know who it was who spoke but in further talk found it was Mr. Pipes. I put part of my clothes on, and hurried out, as I left my room I called to Ex-Sheriff Spragg telling him about it and to get up and come. When I went down Mr. Pipes was standing between Berryhills and his house. [This was in a private alley.] Mr. Pipes and I walked up together toward the man. I said to him that there was likely danger for us to go up there as the man might only be wounded and might shoot us. Mr. Pipes replied that he thought there was no danger. He did not say how he had killed the man. He said the man had attacked him. The man was dead. DidnÕt hear him breath (sic). He wasnÕt stiffened any. He was lying against the fence sitting up. Head and shoulders against the fence.
Ex-Sheriff Spragg sworn: - About 11 oÕclock and 10 minutes I went to my room. I laid down. Heard report of gun. ÔSquire (Johnson) called me. When I got to Mr. PipesÕ house I met Mr. Evans and he and I went up together where the dead man was. Mr. Pipes said Òit was a bad job and he wouldnÕt have done it for all he had.Ó He said he Òfound the man there and had a tussle with him, and it was done.Ó The body was on south side of the alley and leaning up against the palings. Blood was gushing out of his mouth. Saw blood farther west; saw two pools. It 12 to 14 feet west to second pool. His shoulders were probably 2 feet west of the alley, (running north and south.) Across the alley was PipesÕ premises. 33 feet to PipesÕ stable. Stable is full width of lot 40 feet. I once owned the property is how I know. I saw another pool of blood Sunday eve. I stepped that to further pool and would say it was 30 to 33 feet. The man was lying in a public alley. He was identified to be Porter Huffman. Mr. Pipes did not tell me where he stood when he shot. Pipes told me he had shot the man.
Sheriff John T. Goodwin sworn: - I heard the two shots from office. It was 17 minutes past eleven. I looked at my watch. I then went to bed and hadnÕt gone to sleep when Mr. Pipes came. (Here Sheriff detailed the circumstances we have given in our article, Mr. Pipes telling him he was his prisoner.) Mr. Pipes was in his night shirt. I had gone to the door in my bare feet. I put on my shoes and started, without thinking, I walked down Washington street to about where Mr. Pipes formerly lived. As I came back I met Capt. Donley and we went to the scene together. The revolver was given to me by Mr. Evans the next day. He told me he got it in a wardrobe. There were three empty chambers and two loads. Mr. Evans said one of the shells had been given to him. There were no empty shells in the revolver. I stayed with Mr. Pipes until near 5 oÕclock. Mr. Evans said he would stay with him then and I let him do so.
The jury found the verdict that Porter Huffman came to his death from a gun shot wound at the hands of Pipes.
Source - ÒWaynesburg RepublicanÓ newspaper, Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania, Thursday, August 27, 1891
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Burial in Green Mount Cemetery (Section B - Lot 57 E 1/2 - Grave 3), Franklin Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.
The Lot Book of Green Mount Cemetery Association (provided by Candice Buchanan) contains the following:
3. Porter Huffman
D - Aug 23, 1891
A -
No monument was found during a visit to the cemetery.
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