William Snyder

From Fulton County Handbook “H” by Jean and Wendall Tombaugh

MAY BE A MURDER

Because Saloon Keeper William Snyder of Grass Creek refused to sell liquor to, or allow Alfred Hizer in his saloon Saturday evening, a quarrel followed, and as a result, Hizer shot Snyder two times. The first ball passed through the fleshy part of Snyder’s leg and the second penetrated his abdomen. Snyder was taken to a hospital at Logansport Sunday and may recover. Hiser is still at large.

Alfred Hizer is about twenty-four or twenty-five years of age and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hizer who reside five miles northwest of Culver. For the past three or four months Hizer has been working near Grass Creek, a part of the time for James Costello, but recently cutting wood on the Brunk place. Saturday Hizer went to Grass Creek and became intoxicated.

Late in the afternoon he was at the Ambrose O’Brian saloon and there shot a hole in the floor. Before leaving the O’Brian place, Hizer is said to have made a statement that he was going to Snyder’s and if Snyder said much, he would fix him. Entering the Snyder saloon about six o’clock, Hizer wanted to show he was a good fellow and ordered the drinks for the house.

Snyder told him he had had too much and for him to go on out. Hizer refused to do this and the two men quarreled. Hizer told Snyder to go out in the street and he would whip him. The two men started out, Hizer in advance. Upon reaching the center of the road he turned, drew a revolver and shot Snyder who was then about five feet outside the saloon door. The injured man walked into the saloon and was carried home.

In the excitement which followed, no attempt was made to capture Hizer. He was seen to go to the Vandalia station immediately after the shooting, and as a freight pulled out a few minutes later it is thought he rode that out of Grass Creek. The last seen of him was at the Vandalia depot.

Sheriff Miller was notified immediately after the shooting and a few minutes past six o’clock he and his deputy Bud Ware, were on their way to Grass Creek. Several hours were spent in fruitless search Saturday evening, and almost all day Sunday, the Sheriff and deputy hunted for Hizer. It was learned a horse had been taken from a barn south of Grass Creek, Saturday evening, and turned loose some place west of there. From this the officer believes Hizer left the Vandalia train at the grade south of Grass Creek, took the horse, drove it west, and there turned it loose.

Sheriff Miller has telephoned in all directions and the search will not be given up until Hizer is captured.

[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, February 10, 1907]

NO TRACE OF HIZER

Up until a late hour this afternoon neither Sheriff Clem Miller nor his deputy Bud Ware, had secured any trace of Alfred Hizer, who shot and probably fatally injured Wm. Snyder, the Grass Creek saloon keeper, after their quarrel Saturday evening. It is now believed by Sheriff Miller that Hizer left the Vandalia freight train after riding about two miles south of Grass Creek and from there taking one of his relatives’ horses and driving it away. At least a horse belonging to Hizer’s uncle was taken from the owner’s barn and kept away several hours. The horse returned Sunday morning without a driver. What direction Hizer went, of course cannot be learned, nor is there any way of finding out. The telephoning and telegraphing by Sheriff Miller has aided but little if any, as other officers had no pictures or aids toward identifying Hizer beyond a meager description.

Deputy Sheriff Ware was in Wayne township today trying to secure photographs of the missing man and if he is successful in this, local officers will be greatly assisted by foreign police officials in locating Hizer.

If Hizer succeeds in escaping the officers, no blame should be placed on Sheriff Miller or Deputy Ware, as they are doing everything possible. At the same time, if Hizer escapes, the men who were at Grass Creek Saturday evening at the time of the shooting should be censured as Hizer remained there fifteen or twenty minutes after committing the act he is now wanted for. In fact it is definitely stated that Hizer walked over to the other saloon in Grass Creek and bought a drink.

People who have known Hizer for some time say he had previously been guilty of gun play. It is said that he drew a shotgun on a man at Bass Lake and shot, but as the man was not injured and Hizer said he was only trying to scare the fellow nothing was ever done about it.

Hizer is about five feet eight inches tall and of rather heavy build. When last seen he wore a black suit of clothes and black cap. Sheriff Miller says it would be an easy matter for anyone to identify him if they but knew his walk, as he swings along a good deal on the style of “Tommy Jefferson.”

William Snyder, Grass Creek saloonist and victim of the revolver of Al Hizer, is at St. Joseph hospital at Logansport. Reports from the hospital late last night stated that it was expected that he would not die immediately but that little hope was ultimately extended as the shot had punctured the intestines and bladder. In the latter a three inch hole had been torn.

[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 11, 1908]

SNYDER IS DEAD

When Alfred Hizer, the man who shot William Snyder, the saloon keeper at Grass Creek, Saturday evening, is arrested, it will be on the charge of murder, as William Snyder died at St. Joseph Hospital, at Logansport at 7 o’clock this morning. As soon as the hospital physicians examined the wounds of Snyder they had little hope of his recovery. But Snyder, being in robust health at the time of the shooting, gained strength after the first collapse and it was believed he would recover. All hope, however, was given up early Tuesday evening, as Snyder suddenly began losing strength.

The body of the murdered man was taken from the hospital to the home of one of the murdered man’s daughters at Logansport, this afternoon. It will be taken to Grass Creek Thursday morning. The funeral will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church at Grass Creek Friday morning.

Snyder was 52 years of age, and leaves a wife and three daughters. Because of the death of Snyder, it is believed a reward will be offered for the capture of Hizer. This will take some time as it will be necessary to hold a special meeting of the County Council to get an appropriation to pay the expense of the search and the reward. However, Sheriff Clem Miller is not waiting for an appropriation, but is doing everything possible to run down Hizer. Photographs of Hizer have been secured and a large number of copies are being made to be sent to all parts of the country.

[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, February 12, 1908]

MURDERER STILL AT LARGE

Alf Hizer, the murderer of William Snyder, former Grass Creek saloonist, is still at large.

A Logansport paper says bloodhounds were used in an effort to get track of him, but the dogs were unable to take up the trail. The crime was committed a week ago and the owner of the dogs, when making the attempt to trail the fugitive, had very little hope of doing so. The general belief is that Hizer has not fled the country. Many are inclined to believe that he is lurking in the neighborhood of Grass Creek. They think that if a systematic search of the surrounding woods be made that the murderer would be rounded up.

Hizer, who had been engaged in cutting timber, had lived in a little shack in the woods. He had done his own cooking and lived a sort of hermit existence. When questioned as to why he did not come into the town and live he remarked that he much preferred the woods; that he liked the woods and its loneliness. It is for this reason that many think he is hiding in the woods.

[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, February 18, 1908]

STILL AFTER HIZER

Alfred Hizer, the badly wanted slayer of Wm. Snyder, the Grass Creek saloonist, is still at large and although the officers have been putting forth their every effort they have been unable to find the slightest clue as to his probable whereabouts.

Nearly every house in the Grass Creek neighborhood has been searched and men of that locality who were detailed by Sheriff Miller to be on the lookout for the man have reported nothing doing. Deputy Sheriff Bud Ware went to the home of Hizer and there he found all of the fugitive’s clothes just as the day he left.

The officers feel that Hizer has flown the neighborhood and at present is many miles away from the scene of the murder. The theory that he might be living in the woods near Grass Creek, as he is said to have loved out of door life, has been shattered as those who know every crook and turn in that part of the country declare that it would be impossible for him to stay in hiding long in any of the log huts of that vicinity without detection. The Fulton county council will meet Friday for the purpose of making an allowance for a $900 reward for the capture of Hizer. If this is done Sheriff Miller feels that it will be the means of getting the man in short order.

[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, February 27, 1908]

HIZER IS CAUGHT

A telegram to Sheriff Clem V. Miller this morning, received at 9 o’clock and dated at Three Rivers, Mich., said: “I have Alf Hizer under arrest. Will come without requisition. Come at once.” Signed Carl C. Wing, Sheriff.

The message followed a letter of some days ago which indicated that the Michigan Sheriff had a clue to Hizer. This letter was in reply to a telephone message sent to the Michigan officer by Sheriff Miller the next morning after the shooting asking him to have someone watch the home of Hizer’s sister, which is at a little town near Mottsville. Sheriff Miller sent similar messages to officers at other places where Hizer’s relatives live in the belief that he would go to some of his relatives.

Sheriff Miller and deputy Ware, armed with the proper warrants to arrest Hizer as a murderer left on the first train for Michigan expecting to arrive here tomorrow at noon.

The SENTINEL’s special News service failed it today in a most disappointing way. The heavy wind storm of the forenoon put all telephone and telegraph service in southern Michigan out of business and there was no means whatever to get more than the few words of the Sheriff’s telegram.

[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, March 6, 1908]

SHERIFF HAS HIZER

A telegram from Sheriff Miller who went to Michigan yesterday to get Alf Hizer, arrested there as a suspect of being the murderer of Wm. Snyder telegraphed from Nottaway, Mich., as follows: “I have Hizer fully identified and will be home by way of the Erie.” Which way he will come and when is not known but it’s a sure thing the Sheriff has the much wanted man.

[Rochester Sentinel, Saturday, March 7, 1908]

HIZER HERE IN JAIL

There were disappointed hundreds at each of the south bound L. E. & W. trains Saturday when Sheriff Miller and deputy Ware failed to arrive with Alf Hizer the Wayne township man who shot and killed saloon keeper Wm. Snyder and then fled to the home of his sister in an isolated place in Michigan.

The officers also were disappointed in not getting here but a washout on a Michigan railroad held their train for nine hours and then they had to come home by Fort Wayne, Huntington and the Erie reaching here Sunday morning at 8 o’clock. Hizer was taken to jail when but few people were on the street and so his coming created no excitement and he was in jail taking a much needed bath before his presence was generally known.

How he Got Away

Hizer talked frankly of his disappearance after he shot Snyder. He says he threw his revolver away, went down the railroad track to the end of the switch, thence west a mile and a half, thence north to the C. C. & L. railway and thence east to the Vandalia on which he walked all the way to South Bend. He did not see anyone from the time he left Grass Creek until after daylight next morning when he was several miles north of Plymouth. From South Bend he went to Elkhart by trolley and from there to White Piegon, Mich., from where he worked his way overland across country to Mottsville where he thought his sister lived.

When he reached Mottsville he found his sister had left and the postmaster informed him that she was living 8 miles away near a little saw mill center called Union. He walked over there through deep snow and found her and stayed there until arrested, the snow being so deep most of the time they could only get out to get wood, the woods country roads being completely blockaded with drifts.

How he Was Caught

When Sheriff Wing, of Centerville, Mich., received word from Sheriff Miller to watch the house of Hizer’s sister, Mrs. Strout, at Mottsville, he set about to do so but soon learned that the Strouts had moved away and by his meager, overland means of communication, could not learn of their location for some time. When he did hear that they were in the Union neighborhood the snows were so deep there were not roads broken to where the Strouts lived and it was impossible to drive over the stumpy country and so he waited for the thaw. And through the rain and soft snow he drove thirty miles to get Hizer.

When he reached the place where they lived Mrs. Strout said Alf Hizer was not there. But when the Sheriff told her the law was very severe to people who tried to shield suspects from officers of the law she weakened and opening the door told the Sheriff to come in and look for himself. He did so and in the second room in a dark corner behind a door he found Hizer and arrested him without any trouble and took him to the county seat jail.

Hizer was very nervous when told he was arrested for murder and was greatly surprised to hear that Snyder was dead as he said they had not heard anything from home since he left. He said he would come with the Rochester officers without any trouble and he did so.

Hizer Will Make Strong Defense

A SENTINEL representative saw Hizer at the jail and talked with him. He occupies a cell and the cell hall is the second story and no other prisoners are on that floor. He is a fine looking specimen of lusty young manhood -- much better looking than his picture recently published in the SENTINEL. He cannot read nor write and has made his own way since his mother died when he was ten years old.

He talked guardedly of his going away but nothing of his trouble with Snyder and referred the writer to Attorneys Geo. W. Holman and Jas. H. Bibler, who are retained to defend him. When seen Mr. Bibler said they have little to say for publication except that they will put up a strong defense against the charge of murder in the first degree.

He says the cause of the shooting was wholly due to the dispute over a $8.75 drink bill Snyder claimed due him from Hizer and that the report that Snyder had offended Hizer by talking about his sister is not true. He said they would be able to prove Snyder a dangerous man, one with a bad reputation as a fighter where he lived before coming here. He said there would be other strong evidence to show self defense but did not deem it prudent to say what it is until it is given to the jury.

Murder in First Degree

The affidavit against Hizer charges murder in the first degree. Deputy Prosecutor Baker says the state will have evidence to show that Hizer said he was “going over to fix Snyder” when he left O’Brien’s saloon just before the shooting and that Snyder did nothing but refuse to sell him liquor, order him out, and follow him to the door and stand there until he was shot. The trial will probably occur the next term of court.

[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, March 9, 1908]

HIZER TRIAL IS ON

Twelve men were secured to serve as a jury in the Hizer murder trial at 3 o’clock Monday afternoon. A surprisingly small crowd was in attendance at a trial of such notoriety most of those present being witnesses and persons indirectly connected with the case. The jury is composed of the following: Richard Leavell, Fred Maxwell, Charles Yoder, Wm. Biddinger, E. D. Collins, Chas. Horton, Chas. Hoffer, Silas Fisher, A. M. Burkett, Isaac Cook, Otto Groninger and O. J. Borden.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Baker made the opening statement to the jury of what the state expects to prove. He said, in substance, that it will be proven that Alf. Hizer had frequently made threats against Wm. Snyder before the day of the murder. On the afternoon of the 8th of February, Hizer entered O’Brien’s saloon at Grass Creek and was talking to the proprietor. Several others were present. A man named Freeman, came into the saloon, said that Snyder had thrown him out of his place and exhibited a bruise on his head caused by the fall. He and Hizer then held a whispered conversation, which ended by Hizer saying that he would fix him. He then drew a revolver, shot through the floor and went out. He walked directly across the street into Snyder’s place and called for a drink but was ordered out, Snyder coming from behind the bar. Hizer walked to the middle of the street and the saloon keeper followed to the door. Here a conversation ensued in the course of which Hizer cursed Snyder and the latter advanced out on his front porch. At this point Hizer drew his gun and fired at Snyder, the bullet hitting him in the thigh. Seeing that he did not fall, Hizer fired again. This time the bullet penetrated Snyder’s abdomen. Hizer then turned and went into O’Brien’s saloon again. Here he was told that he had hit Snyder. He coolly replied that he never missed.

He then went out, came back later and went out the back door. He was not seen again until captured about the middle of March at his sister’s home in Michigan. In the meantime, the prosecutor continued, Snyder had been removed to his home and Doctor Howard called. He in turn called Dr. Hetherington of Logansport who performed an operation and then removed his patient to a hospital in Logansport. Here on the 12th of February, Snyder died from the effects of his second wound.

The widow of the murdered man, Mrs. Mary Snyder, was first on the witness stand. She said she had been called to the saloon immediately following the shooting, and had had her husband removed to their home. Dr. Howard was in attendance. She also told of Snyder’s removal to Logansport and of his death.

Ambrose O’Brien, the Grass Creek saloon keeper was next on the stand. He testified as to the things that occurred in his place on the day of the shooting, saying practically the same as Atty. Baker had in his address.

Here court adjourned for the day. This morning the court room was crowded, many Grass Creek people being present.

James Weasoner was first called. He said that he had been in Snyder’s saloon before Hizer came in. He heard the talk between the two and was a witness of the shooting. Dr. Hetherington, of Logansport, was now called. He testified concerning the wounds and operation, and that the victim of the shooting died in the hospital as a result of the wound in the abdomen.

Michael Griscol and John Dunovan, of Lucerne, were now called in the order named. Both were present in O’Brien’s saloon and testified as to the things which occurred there. Here the court adjourned for dinner.

Dr. Howard, of Grass Creek, was first on the stand this afternoon. The state expects to have all of its evidence in this afternoon. The defense rested its case until the state has finished. They have made no moved yet but it is probable that the defense will be self-defense.

[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, June 30, 1908]

TRIAL CONTINUES

The Hizer trial still occupies the attention of the court. The court room was filled with spectators today, who seemed to be greatly interested in the proceedings. Hizer, the prisoner, was in his usual place, at Deputy Sheriff Bud Ware’s side. Continued confinement has bleached him out considerably. He chews tobacco continually and seems confident of the outcome of the trial, as he does not take the interest in the proceedings which one in his serious position would seem likely to.

Mrs. Snyder, the widow of the murdered man, and her two children occupy seats well toward the front of the room. Her drawn and pale face shows what suffering she has gone through.

Dr. Howard of Grass Creek was first put on the stand yesterday afternoon. He testified concerning the wounds and the operation, in which he assisted.

Wm. B. Hizer, a cousin of the defendant next took the stand. Upon being questioned by Prosecutor Baker, he said that he was in O’Brien’s saloon on the day of the shooting, which he saw through the window. He later saw Hizer and received the gun with which the shooting had been done. He also observed Alf get on the Vandalia freight, by which means he escaped.

Sheriff Clem Miller next took the stand and identified the gun and the cartridges. At this point the revolver was examined by the jury. It is a 32 caliber, long barrel blue steel.

John C. Luey was next on the stand. He said that he had heard Hizer threaten Snyder on December 17, 1907. This occurred in front of the latter’s saloon. Harry Hizer, another cousin of the prisoner, was now examined. He was an eyewitness of the shooting. “Alfred shot twice at Snyder, who walked back into his saloon. Hizer then turned away,” said the witness. James Connery, who followed young Hizer, also saw the shooting. He was standing about six or eight rods away, saw the two flashes and reports of the gun and saw Hizer go away, but did not observe Snyder very closely.

Howard Caton was the next witness. He was in O’Brien’s saloon, when Freeman came in. He saw Hizer and Freeman whisper together, observed Hizer get out his pistol, load it, shoot through the floor, and go out. Caton also saw the shooting. Mrs. Mary Snyder again took the stand and stated that her husband had died in the hospital at Logansport.

Here the state rested its case and court adjourned for the day. This morning at 9:00 o’clock, the defense began its case.

The attorneys for the defense, Holman, Stephenson and Bibler, began their case at 9 o’clock this morning. From the plan of action, it would seem that the argument will be self defense.

Ex-Surveyor A. C. Davisson was first called. He explained the plat of the shooting which he had made under the direction of several witnesses of the murder. Warren Cummings followed. He was standing in the street when the quarrel took place and saw shooting. He said that the men were about fifteen or twenty feet apart. He also stated that Hizer did not move during the shooting. Levi Bundy of Grass Creek was called next. An attempt to prove that he and Snyder had quarreled four years ago was overruled by Judge Bernetha. Mr. Bundy stated that he had heard that Snyder was quarrelsome.

Ray Thomas of Grass Creek was the following witness. He stated that Snyder was a feisty man about six feet tall. He knew nothing of Snyder’s temperment. Marion Nelson was next called. He was an eye witness of the trouble. He heard Snyder say as he stood in his door, “Shoot your toy pistol” and “I’ll give you a dollar if you will come here.” Snyder then walked from his door toward Freeman who was standing near. Freeman ran and then the saloon keeper turned toward Hizer. The shooting followed.

Harry Hizer was now called again and said that Mr. Davisson’s plat was correct. Here the court adjourned for noon.

Dr. Howard took the stand after dinner and testified that he was in Snyder’s saloon on the afternoon of the shooting, but did not see Mrs. Snyder there. Elmer Brower was next. He was in his house, diagonally across from Snyder’s saloon, and witnessed the shooting through the glass in a door.

Leslie Campbell testified that he had never heard that Snyder was quarrelsome. Mrs. Snyder, who was again put on the stand, denied that she had made the following statement in her husband’s saloon after the shooting: “This is no surprise to me; it is just what I have expected.”

John Burns, of Grass Creek, who followed her, stated that he was in the saloon after the trouble and did not hear Mrs. Snyder make the above statement. At 2:30 o’clock the court had a brief recess and at 3:30 o’clock adjourned until Thursday morning at 9 o’clock.

[Rochester Sentinel, Wednesday, July 1, 1908]

NEARING A CLOSE

The testimony in the Hizer murder trial was all in at eleven o’clock this morning and the lawyers began their argument. Atty. Montgomery spoke first for the state, Atty Holman followed him for the defense, Atty Emmons spoke next; he is to be followed by Atty Bibler. Atty Baker will finish for the state and close the case. The case will then be given to the jury. Each side is allowed two and one-half hours for argument, and some interesting details may be expected.

After the short adjournment of the court yesterday afternoon Bert Hizer, a cousin of the defendant, took the stand. He stated that he considered the man Freeman mentally unsound and also thought that Snyder was quarrelsome.

Aaron Hizer, who followed, corroborated his statement that Freeman was mentally unbalanced. Here court adjourned for the day.

A. C. Davisson was first on the stand this morning. He again explained his plat of the scene of the shooting, stating that the information for it was given him by Harry Hizer.

Aaron and Bert Hizer, who were next, both testified that there were hitch racks with rigs tied to them on both sides of the street on the day of the shooting.

Here the defense rested and the state in rebuttal examined several witnesses. John Kumler, Ex-trustee, E. J. Buchanan and Henry Harold all testified that Snyder’s general reputation had been good.

Mrs. Snyder was again examined and stated that her husband was badly afflicted with rheumatism on the day of the murder, so badly in fact that he was compelled to support himself when he walked.

This ended the testimony and after a short recess Attorney O. F. Montgomery began the argument for the state. He spoke for thirty-five minutes and made an eloquent plea for the conviction of the prisoner.

Attorney Holman spoke in Hizer’s defense, this afternoon. He was followed by Atty Chas. Emmons who made his maiden speech to a jury and succeeded well The attorneys may finish today and if so it is probable that the jury will get the case this evening. The outcome is rather doubtful.

[Rochester Sentinel, Thursday, July 2, 1908]

PRISON FOR LIFE

At about ten minutes after three o’clock this afternoon word went out that the Hizer jury had agreed on a verdict after having been out since 6 o’clock Friday evening -- 21 hours. At 9 o’clock this morning the jurors asked for the court to read the instructions again and it was done. When the report went out that the jury had agreed on a verdict there was a great rush for the court room and it was soon full. Hizer came in with Deputy Bud Ware looking as cool and unconcerned as though he were only a curious spectator. He let his eyes play over the audience and seemed perfectly at ease as he tilted backward and forward in an easy chair.

Judge Bernetha and the interested attorneys in the case took their places and there was a dead hush in the room as Sheriff Miller entered the court room in charge of the jury. When they were seated the Judge asked the foreman, Charles Horton, if they had a verdict. The reply was, “We have,” and it was passed up to the Judge and he read as follows: “We, the jury, find the defendant, Alfred Hizer, guilty of murder in the 2nd degree and fix his punishment at imprisonment for life.”

The attorneys for the defense gave notice of motion for a new trial. Judge Bernetha thanked the jurors and discharged them. Deputy Ware picked up his hat and motioned to Hizer to come on and he left with the officers looking as unconcerned as if nothing had happened.

The jury stood 8 to 4 in favor of 2nd degree murder on first ballot and finally all voted with the majority.

[Rochester Sentinel, Friday, July 3, 1908]

HIZER REMAINS WITH US

Alf Hizer who was sentenced to prison for life by a jury last Friday was in court Saturday and through his Attorneys gave notice that they will take the thirty days the law allows them to file motion for a new trial. If they do this within the thirty days then the matter cannot be considered until the next term of court which opens late in October. Judge Bernetha asked that Hizer be brought into court to be sentenced but his attorneys were ready with their notice that they will take the thirty days the law allows them to file their motion and that means that Hizer will remain in jail here until further action in his case and as this can only be had in regular term time he will be here until October.

[Rochester Sentinel, Monday, July 6, 1908]

NEWS OF THE DAY

Alf Hizer, who was found guilty of murder in the 2nd degree and his sentence fixed at life imprisonment, seems utterly oblivious to his future, as far as the horror of his fate is concerned. He sings, whistles and appears happy at all times. His appetite is unimpaired and in all the impression is left that he either does not realize his predicament or does not care.

[Rochester Sentinel, Tuesday, July 7, 1908]


Return to Snyder Family Page