GEORGE
GEE
SENTENCED TO DEATH
GEE MURDER TRIAL
Carleton Sentinel Friday, April 29, 1904.
The April term of the
circuit court met in the Court House on Tuesday morning at 11
o'clock, His Honor Chief Justice Tack presiding. The large number
present from all parts of the county testified to the great
interest being taken in the only criminal case on the docket,
that of the
King vs George Gee, charged with the murder of his cousin, Millie
Gee. When
the grand jurors roll was called each of the twenty four
responded and retired to the juror's room, where John R Thompkins
was chosen foreman. Upon their return, the Judge made a short
address touching upon the enormity of the crime before them, and
also spoke of the inconvience of having the jail in town and the
court house two miles away. He strongly urged the erection of a
new court house along-side the jail.
The grand
jurors were not long in bringing in a true bill in the murder
case, and also a recommendation in regard to the location of the
court house, which is here given.
To His Honor Chief Justice Tuck:
The following resolution was passed by this grand jury of the
County of Carleton , concur with the remarks of His honor the
chief justice with reference to the inconvience arising from the
Court house being so far removed from the jail, and would
recommend the building of a new Court House in the Town of
Woodstock on the county lot. Moved by J W. Hay and seconded by
Jas. E. Drysdale.
At two o'clock the prisoner was put in the dock, the customary
plea of "not guilty" was made, and the real struggle
began. Attorney General Pugsley appeared for the Crown, while J
Chipman Hartley and T C L Ketchum were present to defend the
prisoner. The work of selecting a jury proved more easy than was
anticipated.
The following were duly sworn:- Frederick Britton, F. Byron
Bull, William Kimball, William Tompkins, Albert Simonson, Thomas
Forest, George McLeod, Wilmot Carson, John J Rogers, James P
Watson, J R Kirkpatrich and John M. Hay.
Messrs W S Speer, Albert Bell, Benjamin McIsaac, George Britton,
Joseph Merrithrew and Grover Flemming were stood aside by the
defence, and thus escaped service.
The address of the Hon Attorney General in opening was a model
one. In a few words he outlined the case for the prosecution,
going over the various stages in a clear and concise manner, and
called as first witness Bennie Gee, in whose residence the
tragedy occurred.
Bennie Gee
said that
deceased had been hired by him and was working at his house. Geo
Gee called at witness' house on Saturday night, March 12th, with
two bottles of whiskey and a rifle. Witness had ordered a case of
whiskey which had not arrived. After playing cards and drinking
with george Gee, Dan Crane and Millie Gee, witness went to bed
when he was aroused by hearing George saying he would shoot
himself. Witness took the gun away from the prisoner. The
prisoner seemed to be quite sober, although all the whiskey had
been drunk. After a while Millie Gee gave prisoner the gun. About
five minutes afterwards witness heard report of gun and saw
deceased fall in the door. Deceased said prisoner intended
shooting witness. Witness did not know that George Gee had
anything agin' him in the world. At daylight witness saw prisoner
with Peter Gee; prisoner wanted to speak with witness, but
witness refused as prisoner still had the gun in his possession.
Witness said that two weeks before the crime prisoner told him
that he thought more of Millie Gee than any girl living and would
show her for the next dirty trick played on him (prisoner). No
doctors were present when Millie Gee died. Bullet came through
the casing of the door through the body and through the floor.
Cross guestioned by Mr. Hartley, Bennie Gee said that his wife
had left him. When the witness started to take gun from prisoner,
Dan Crane interfered saying his (Crane's) wife was scared. There
were no intentions of a row. When Dr. Cummius arrived he
administered morphine to Millie Gee. During operation witness was
at Peter Gee's. Bullet passed through casing of the door, 31/2
feet from floor. Witness thought Millie Gee was 5ft 9in. in
height, and in good health. When Deputy Sheriff Foster arrived
with prisoner, Winslow, Dyer, Sally Demerchant, Martha
dermerchant and Mary Gee were at witness witness house. Witness
admitted that when he took gun from prisoner he(witness)
threatened to tie the prisoner if he did not keep quiet.
Witness admitted to the Attorney General that prisoner, George
Gee, could drink considerable liquor before, going under the
influence. Millie Gee told witness that George Gee had shot her.
Capt.
Weldon W Melville of Bath, sworn, said George Gee asked for a
rifle on Saturday, March 12. Mr. Melville indentified bullets
taken from magazine of rifle by Deputy Sheriff Foster as some of
the bullets he had loaned. Witness said rifle would fire a
distance of 2800 yards.
Cross questioned by Mr. Hartley, said he had often loaned
prisoner the rifle, and prisoner always mentioned why he wanted
it. Prisoner did not seem to be drinking when he asked for rifle.
Witness thought prisoner had very little education and signed his
name with a mark.
Witness admitted to Mr. Pugsley that George Gee appeared to be
bright and intelligent.
Peter Gee
was next called. Very
affably he answered the questions of the attorney general. On
Sunday morning, March 13, prisoner George Gee called at witness'
house with rifle. Witness could not identify rifle. Prisoner said
he shot Millie Gee and that he was "d---sorry I had not shot
Dan and Ben." Witness went with prisoner to Bennie Gee's but
prisoner would not go in the house but wanted to hear how
deceased was. Deceased asked witness to telephone for doctor and
deputy sheriff Foster. Prisoner said he had telephoned. Prisoner
wanted to see Bennie Gee and asked and asked him to "stick
his d----, cowardly head out a little futher." Prisoner
still had a rifle with him and appeared to be sober' and did not
stagger.
Willie
Gee, sworn,
said he saw the prisoner on morning of 13th March. Prisoner
admitted that he had shot deceased and expressed himself as sorry
that the bullet had not gone through her heart and that he had
done what he said he would, that is he would shoot deceased.
Witness refused to go with prisoner to see how deceased was.
Prisoner seemed to be quite sober and to know what he was doing.
Prisoner said he would not harm anyone who did not interfere with
him.
Hanfred
Gee was next called. Witness said he was a brother of deceased. Saw
prisoner on morning of 13th March, who admitted he had shot
deceased. Prisoner expressed no sorrow at having shot her.
The witness when cross questioned by Mr. Hartley, said that when
the prisoner admitted he had shot Millie Gee he, witness, did not
believe him.
George W
Tinker of Holmesville, was then called. He (Tinker) said that George
Gee called on Sunday morning, March 18th, to telephone for a
doctor and Deputy Sheriff Foster. Witness did so. Prisoner said
he had shot Millie Gee and asked for some chewing tobacco. He
appeared perfectly sober, and expressed no regret at having done
the deed.
Cross questioned, Mr. Tinker could throw no further light on the
matter.
Martha Demerchant,
sworn, said she was a sister of deceased, Millie Gee, and that she saw George Gee on
the morning of March 13th. Prisoner carried rifle; said he
expected to go away as he had shot Millie Gee. Prisoner expressed
his reason of shooting that Millie refused to go away with him.
He said he would have shot all in Bennie Gee's house but for
Bennie Gee's two little children. Witness was aware of George Gee
and Millie Gee keeping company, and had heard Millie express a
dislike for the prisoner. The prisoner appeared perfectly cool
and said he wished he shot her dead.
Sally
Kinney was the next witness. George Gee called at Charlie Demerchant's on
Saturday night at 8 o'clock with rifle. Prisoner departed leaving
gun. Witness thought he came back afterwards to get the gun but I
did not see him. I heard him say, "hand me my rifle, it
stands by the table". Witness heard prisoner say that if
Millie Gee would not go with him she would go with no one else as
he would shoot her.
When cross questioned by Mr. Hartley Sally Kinney had some
difficult questions to answer and did not seem to feel altogether
at ease.
Mary Gee,
a sister of the deceased, was next called. She said she heard George Gee
say that he had shot Milie Gee, and meant the bullet for her d---
heart. The prisoner while saying this appeared perfectly sober.
Edward E.
Carney was the first witness called on Wednesday morning. He heard the prisoner admit the
shooting. The prisoner expressed no sorrow at having shot Millie
Gee. Cross questioned, Mr. Carney admitted that George Gee looked
wild. He thought the prisoner was out of his mind. Insanity ran
in the Gee family. (Here the prisoner had to be taken from the
court room for fresh air.) When prisoner said he intended the
bullet for Millie Gee's heart or head, witness said the prisoner
seemed much excited.
Deputy
Sheriff Albion R. Foster testified he had arrested the prisoner
several times.
He had taken relatives of the prisoner to the asylum. When
arrested for murder, the prisoner seemed to have been drinking
some. Mr. Foster thought there was nothing wrong with the
prisoner mentally. Mr. Foster, when arresting the prisoner, asked
concerning the shooting. The prisoner said " it was bad
enough."
His Honor asked if the prisoner spoke to the deceased girl when
taken to her by Mr. Foster. Witness replied that he did not.
Mr. Hartley, objected to the dying declaration signed by Millie
Gee, incriminating the prisoner.
The prisoner seemed to be sane since the shooting.
Cross questioned by Mr. Hartley, Mr Foster thought George Gee was
perfectly sober.
Mr. Hartley objected to calling Mr. Farley, J.P., who took the
dying declaration of Millie Gee.
Charles
Demerchant, of Bath, said he saw George Gee on the evening of 12th
of March. The prisoner had a gun.
Cross examined by Mr. Hartley, witness said he and George Gee
were going shooting deer.
(The prisoner was again taken from the court room. This second
time of his going out in such a short time would seem to indicate
nervousness.)
Sandy Dermerchant, sworn, said he saw the prisoner on the morning
of March 13th between 6 and 7 o'clock. The prisoner expressed
satisfaction in having shot Millie Gee.
Daniel
Crane of Canaan said
he was living with Bennie Gee on the night of the murder.
Prisoner called about 11 o'clock with a rifle. He sais he
intended to shoot himself, and told Bennie Gee the same. Witness
thought the reason of his suicidal intentions was that prisoner
said he " had been fooled." Shorty after the prisoner
said he had to go home, as his (prisoner's) father was sick. He
asked to speak with Millie Gee. Both went outside. Witness
thought he heard the report of a rifle, and saw Millie Gee fall
in the door. Mrs. Crane got up and closed the door. Bennie Gee
started to go outside, but was stopped by Millie Gee, who said
prisoner would shoot Bennie Gee. Deceased said George Gee had
shot her. The prisoner seemed very jovial before the shooting;
talked sensibly and appeared to be sober. Millie Gee died on the
Wednesday morning following.
Cross questioned, the witness said the prisoner appeared to be
restless at nights when working in the woods. On the night of the
murder the prisoner seemed to feel the effect of the liquor.
In answer to a questioned from his Honor, witness said prisoner
had been keeping company with deceased for about four years.
Dr. Frank
M Brown, who conducted the operation on deceased, was next called. He described the passage of the
bullet. He thought the wound was caused by a bullet such as shown
in court. Witness thought on examining the girl that the
intestines had probably been perforated by the bullet. He and the
other doctors thought that an operation was advisable to save
life of deceased. With the consent of deceased, witness, Drs.
Commins and Ross began the operation, making an incision in the
front of the body of about five inches. No perforations of the
intestines was found and then the incision was sewed up. Deceased
recovered before the doctors departed. and appeared to be
comfortable. The bullet did not touch the spine. Witness gave a
satisfactory explanation as to why the bullet did not perforate
the intestines. It appeared that internal muscle moved the
intestines to the front of the body in the deceased's excitement,
thus removing the intestines from the passage of the bullet.
Witness visited deceased again on Tuesday morning which was two
days later following the shooting. Witness gave deceased every
possible attention. At request of coroner, Dr Commins, witness
performed post-mortem examination when girl had died. Thought
death was caused by septic-peritonitis or passage of bullet
through the abdominal cavity, and that without the operation the
girl would have died.
Dr. Brown was allowed a recess and Mrs. Crane followed.
Catherine
Crane, sworn, said
she knew prisoner, for he was in habit of going to witness' house.
Was at home ( at Bennie Gee's) on the night of 12th March.
Prisoner arrive with a gun. Heard report of a rifle and saw
Millie Gee fall in the door. Witness drank none of the liquor.
Crossed questioned, Mrs. Crane said that after drinking the
liquor all were perfectly sober. In explanation witness thought
one was drunk when he was " laid out."
The Court
House was packed to its utmost capacity when Doctor Frank M
Brown, who had been on the witness stand in the morning, was
first called in the afternoon. The session began with Mr.
Hartley cross examining. Witness admitted that there was no
injury to the spinal cord and that no interior organ was injured.
An operation is considered to be quite serious as-regards
producing death. Witness has known cases where persons have
recovered when shot through the abdominal cavity. (Here the
parents of the prisoner entered, Mrs. Gee casting a somewhat
longing glance at her son George: the prisoner apparently did not
see her as he was sitting with downcast head.) Dr. Brown said
that the house of Bennie Gee was not a suitable place for
operations such as he, witness, performed, and that he was at
considerable disadvantage. (The prisoner, on account of the heat
of the room, asked to go out for the third time in a day.) A
questioned of surgery arose, in which Mr. Brown, the witness, the
Attorney General and Mr. Hartley were vociferously interested.
The outcome was that Mr. Hartley asked Dr. Brown " would you
have operated had you known as much before as you know now ?
" Witness said he would.
Dr. M.
Cummius was next called, On Sunday morning, March 13th, witness along
with Winslow Dyer went to scene of tragedy. Millie Gee told
witness that George Gee shot her. Witness thought the bullets
displayed in court were similar to that which in his (witness')
opinion, caused the wound, also the holes in the casing of the
door and the floor before entering the body of the deceased.
Thought the bullet passed through the casing of the door before
entering the body of deceased. Thought the deceased's intestines
would surely be perforated and that the operation was performed
for the purpose of sewing up these perforations if any were found.
(Here Mr. Hartley objected to the dying declaration of Mille Gee.)
Witness said that during the preparation of the instruments he
was busy administering the anesthetic. He thought as far as he
could see the operation was conducted properly and that the
deceased girl withstood the operation extremely well. Witness
assisted Doctor Brown in the post mortem examination . Thought
that there were not sufficient signs as to the cause of death at
the post mortem examination, but concluded that peritonitis
caused death.
(Here Doctor Commins displayed a crayon sketch of the passage of
the bullet through the abdominal cavity to the prosecution and
defence.)
Cross examined by Mr. Hartley he said it was essential for a
doctor to have a test for diagnosis purposes as in this case, to
assist in saving a life. He would have advised an operation, and
thought the bullet from the Lee-Enfield rifle would have caused
the wound and that death resulted from peritonitis. The injury
could have been caused by the operation. The operation would have
been considered as more serious with Millie Gee than under
ordinary circumstances. Death would probably have resulted from
the wound without the operation, but could not say positively. It
would not be expected that one would live when a bullet had
passed threw the abdominal cavity.
Dr. Ross
was next called. He
arrived at the scene of the murder between 11 and 12 o'clock on
Sunday morning, March 13th. He thought all proper precautions
were taken for the preparation of the operation and operation was
properly conducted. Death would ensue if the bowels were rupture.
Cross questioned by Mr. Hartley Dr Ross said death was caused
from the effect of the wound but that there were equal chances to
life and death. Witness said thet he had read of cases where
peritonitis have recovered when abdominal cavity had been
punctured, but not where the bowels had been raptured.
Mr. Hartley quoted from American Text Book of Sugery that in the
Boer and Cuban wars persons had died when the abdomen had been
entered and an operation performed.
Witness said that if an operation had not been performed it would
not be known whether the intestines had been punctured, and that
the only thing to be done to save the girl's life was an
operation.
Mary Hall
was the next witness. Prisoner called at her house at about 4 o'clock
in the morning to telephone for Deputy Sheriff Foster and a
Doctor. Prisoner had a rifle with him, and said that he had shot
deceased and he was not trying to get out of it.
Cross questioned by Mr. Ketchum, witness said prisoner did not
seem under the influence of liquor.
Winslow
Dyer was next called. Witness heard of the shooting through Doctor
Commins. Prisoner was in possession of Deputy Sheriff Foster when
first seen by witness on the morning of March 12. Cross
questioned by Mr. Ketchum, witness said prisoner looked
dissipated.
Frank
Doherty, sworn,
said he saw the prisoner at Bath on Saturday, March 12. Witness
gave the prisoner and his (prisoner) father a ride from Bath
towards home.
The prisoner appeared to have been drinking. Cross questioned by
Mr. Ketchum, witness said that he (prisoner) was "purty well
along, " and that the prisoner was handling the rifle "kinder
careless." Witness was not surprised to see prisoner with a
gun.
Mr. Pugsley then said that the case was through as regards the
crown.
On Thursday morning Mr. Ketchum addressed the jury saying that he
would produce witnesses to prove that George Gee was
irresponsible for the crime committed and that he has insanity in
his veins.
Benjamin
Gee of Canaan, the father of the prisoner, was first called. Prisoner, examined by T C L
Ketchum, said he was the only son. Witness cousin was insane, and
died in the Insane Asylum. Witness' uncle, Levi Kinney, was also
insane and was in the asylum. Witness thought prisoner acted
queerly, and was restless and acted odd generally, particular the
last year.
Cross questioned by Mr. Pugsley. Witness said he did not think
prisoner was restless because of pain.
Zora Gee,
the prisoner's mother, was next called by Mr. T C L Ketchum. (Witness
cast her eyes towards the prisoner.) Witness' cousin Ezekiel
Crane was insane and in the asylum, also her first cousin Joseph
Demerchant. Witness' uncle, Frederick Demerchant was also insane.
Prisoner acted strange and was restless at nights. Witness told
prisoner he was crazy. Witness was married 24 years.
Cross questioned, witness did not think prisoner was restless on
account of physical pain. Prisoner kept company with Millie Gee
for a year and a half; liked her much. Witness did not know of
any strained relationship between prisoner and deceased. (Mrs.
Gee appeared to be delicate and of refined appearance. She said
she had a pain around her heart.)
John
Demerchant, prisoner's uncle, sworn, said that he knew prisoner
since he (prisoner) was born; prisoner acted very strange;
prisoner would undress his feet for practically no reason
whatever and mended moccasins with no hole in them. Prisoner
appeared restless while living with witness. Saw prisoner Sunday,
March 13, with Dep Sheriff Foster and spoke to him.
Cross examined witness said that prisoner asked deceased to enter
the house on one ocassion while prisoner mended moccasin.
Prisoner would get up at night and go outdoors. Did not think
prisoner had physical pain; prisoner would lie on floor alongside
of bed and not get into bed.
Amos
Demerchant,
examined by Mr. Hartley, was next witness. He had known prisoner for some
time. Prisoner was a great hunter. He looked very wild and
haunted, in the eyes, during past three months. Witness knew
insanity ran in the Gee family to quite an extent.
Cross questioned by attorney general, witness delivered nothing
more of importance.
Frank Sweeney, examined by Mr Ketchum, said he
lived three miles from Bath. Witness said he saw prisoner on
Saturday March 12th.; prisoner countenance looked very strange
and in other ways generally odd. Witness admitted to Mr. Ketchum
that some of the prisoner's relatives were crazy and that
insanity ran in the Gee family.
MR.
HARTLEY'S ADDRESS
In opening, the senior counsel for the defence impressed upon the
jury the deep responsibility resting upon them. The prisoner and
his family were poor and unable to raise sufficient funds to
fight crown, which had the whole of the country's resources to
depend on. The peculiar circumstances of the case must be
considered. Millie Gee could not be restored to life by the death
of the prisoner. A mistake on the part of the jury could never be
righted. There was opportunity to bring in a verdict of
manslaughter. Liquor was much in evidence. It must have been
somewhat of a general celebration. Insanity runs in the Gee
family. The young prisoner was brought up under disadvantages as
regards education. His parents were cousins. This would tend
toward insanity in their offspring. In the Boer War persons
wounded in a similar manner to Millie Gee recovered without
operation. Those operated upon died.
The prisoner deserved the sympathy of the jury. One who was
refined and educated ill deserved sympathy, but the prisoner was
uncouth and uneducated, and was not fully responsible for any
action. In closing, Mr. Hartley admonished the jury to do their
duty between themselves and their God. The learned counsel's
eloquent address, which lasted nearly an hour, so affected the
prisoner that tears were in his eyes and he was forced to retire.
ATTORNEY
GEN. PUGSLEY REPLIES
Hon. Wm. Pugsley, for the Crown, began by referring to the
unfortunate position of the prisoner. The jurors must not let
sentiment influence their verdict. There was not a shadow of
defence for George Gee. He had deliberately taken the life of his
cousin. As to the claim of insanity, the learned counsel quoted
the law showing burden of such proof to be upon the defence.
Prisoner knew he had done wrong, and gave himself up willingly.
Insanity can not be made out of conjecture. Prisoner had boasted
of his intention to shoot deceased. Here the events leading up to
the tragedy were outlined by counsel. It is plain that the murder
was premeditated. Malice was apparent. The doctors operated in
good faith, and in his (Pugsley's ) opinion deserved the highest
praise, and were worthy of a larger field of practice. There was
urgency for the operation. Deceased was in great pain. The
attorney general closed by expressing his wish that there had
been some point of sufficient force to save the prisoner. He made
no appeal on behalf of the crown. He had done his duty in
pointing out the facts of the case, and nothing more. His address
lasted 40 minutes. Adjournment was taken for dinner. At 2 o'clock
His Honor charged the jury, and they retired to consider the
verdict.
The judge's charge was,
on the whole, against the prisoner. The jurors were out three
quaters of an hour, and returned with a verdict of "guilty." They were then discharged, and
the prisoner will be sentenced to death this morning at 10
o'clock.
The prisoner received
the verdict with a smile on his face, and remarked that it was
all he could expect.
