Who Killed George Mack?

THE MACK MURDER

At an early hour on the morning of Sunday, July 14, 1878, Joseph Watsic, a farm hand in the employ of George Mack, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, residing near Shopiere in Rock County, was aroused from his slumbers by "Frank" Dickerson, his room-mate, and directed to go out to the barn and feed the stock. In accordance with such directions, he went to the barn, and as he opened the door, a spectacle greeted his gaze which caused him to shriek out with terror and beat a hasty retreat to the house, with the announcement that “Mr. Mack was dead and laid in the barn." The sight which greeted his affrighted vision was the body of his master prone on the stable-floor beneath the horses' feet, stiff and stark and still in death. The body lay lengthwise in the stall, the head toward the doorway, and presented an appearance so ghastly as to almost paralyze with fear the unwilling witness of one of the most terrible domestic tragedies the annals of crime record. 

What, in the light of subsequent developments, proved to be a cold-blooded murder took place on the farm of the murdered man, about eleven miles from Janesville in Turtle Township, the place is pleasantly situated on the north bank of Turtle Creek, overlooking which is an unpretentious two-story frame, known as the "Mack Homestead” time out of mind, while about twenty rods to the rear and left of the house, stands a large barn wherein the body was found. 

George Mack, the alleged victim of his wife's hatred and malice, was, as stated, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, respected by his neighbors, esteemed by the public, and without an enemy in the world (outside his own household), who would contribute to the " deep damnation of his taking-off." The family consisted of the deceased — his wife, three children, and two men, "Frank" Dickerson and Joseph Watsic, who were assisting on the farm. 

Belinda Whitney Mack, the chief actor in this tragedy from real life, as charged in the indictment, was born at Honeoye Falls, N. Y., upward of thirty-five years ago. When quite young, she accompanied Ambrose Gates (her father) West, and settled at Beloit. She remained here with her family, attending and teaching school until she was twenty-two years of age, meanwhile receiving the addresses of George Mack, to whom she was married by the Rev. E. J. Goodspeed, on the 22d of October, 1863, at the Hyatt House, in Janesville, and who, from that date to the time of his tragic death, if reports current in that behalf are founded on fact, led a checkered experience under her direction. She is represented as a dignified, agreeable woman, whom the finger of Time and affliction had touched lightly, with prominent features, dark eyes and hair (the latter parted on the side), and in make-up, manners and conversation, indicating the possession of faculties, character and nerve, rarely to be found without the pages of romance ; she appeared to the casual observer as a woman of power and will in a marked degree, yet, one susceptible to the influence of circumstances ; a woman of intellectual vigor, yet without the intellectual polish which fascinates and accomplishes where force often fails. On the trial, when testifying in her own behalf, it is said, she maintained a wonderful composure, and that a portion of her evidence, though confirmed by her daughter Etta, was denied specifically on the examination of her alleged accomplice and other witnesses. 

Orrin, alias "Frank” Dickerson, indicted as an accessory, is of German parentage, born in McHenry County,Ill., and, though at the time of his arrest but twenty-three years old, was largo for his age, and had acquired a reputation for "crookedness'' and cunning that was general. In appearance, he is described as below medium height, florid complexion, red hair, short neck, of stocky build, and neither as a man of parts nor intelligence possesses one claim to the consideration of the opposite sex. How he could have been recognized by Belinda Mack in any other light than as a repulsive dependent was a mystery that has thus far escaped solution by the public. When arrested, and, as thought, in immediate danger of lynching, he admitted the murder but sought to palliate his crime, as did Adam in the garden, with the plea that the woman tempted him and he fell. 

Thus was the tragedy, which startled the public on a Sabbath morning in July, 1878, cast; these were the characters upon whose exit from the stage of active life, from mingling with the delights of home, and the pleasures which render an existence here, at best, only endurable, has the curtain been rung down forever. 

When Joe Watsic returned and notified the occupants of the “Mack Homestead" of the husband and father’s death, Dickerson made his way to the barn to "ascertain the truth of the report," and "Bin" Mack, with the exclamation, " My God, it ain't so. is it?" hurriedly dressed herself, and, descending the stairway, saw through the gray light of the morning the mangled body of her murdered husband being borne to the house, to await the offices of the coroner and undertaker. 

Residents in the vicinity were notified of the fate of their neighbor, and visited the scene of the tragedy to, if possible, solve the seeming mystery which shrouded the occurrence. Watsic detailed the facts of his finding the body, and Dickerson proceeded to Beloit, where he published to the widow's relatives that George Mack had been killed by "old Jen", one of the animals used on the farm. 

While this story at first blush seemed to be supported by the appearance of the body, subsequent investigation, together with the knowledge of domestic infelicities said to have existed in decedent's family, and the alleged cause therefor, induced the conclusion that death had resulted from foul play. 

A careful examination of the remains disclosed wounds which experts asserted could not have been received from the kicks or trampling of "Old Jen”. His chest was badly stove-in; his face scratched and pounded to a jelly; there was an ugly gash upon the top of his head, as though made with a sharp instrument, and one shoulder and three ribs were badly fractured. There was a ''hog wallow” opposite the stable that gave evidence of a struggle having taken place in it, and Mack*s hands, together with his clothing, were smeared with mud, corresponding in appearance to that in the "hog wallow”. In addition to these extrinsic evidences of the presence of an assassin's hand, it was common rumor that the life of deceased had been embittered by jealousy, occasioned by Mrs. Mack's familiarity with Dickerson. This jealousy provoked trouble between the latter and Mack, which resulted in Dickerson's discharge from service some time during the May previous. Soon after. Mack fell sick, and Mrs. Mack recalled Dickerson and put him to work. To this the murdered man objected, but his opposition was smoothed over by his wife, and the prime cause of the trouble remained on the place until he was arrested on a charge of murder. 

The inquest was held Sunday morning, July 14, as soon after the discovery of the crime as arrangements could be completed, Justice E. P. King, of Beloit. conducting the examination, the jury consisting of William Taylor, Lewis Shoemaker, E. J. Carpenter, George A. Huston, William Burton and S. Scrivens. Mrs. Mack stated that she slept up stairs with the children on the night of the homicide, her husband remaining down stairs; that she saw him previous to retiring, and from that time until found by Watsic in the morning, she knew nothing of his whereabouts. The testimony of Watsic was simply as to the finding of the body. The evidence adduced afforded a reasonable presumption to the minds of the jury that while decedent had come to his death from blows inflicted by some person or persons unknown, the arrest of Dickerson would be fully justified. He was accordingly apprehended by officer Robinson, and taken to Beloit for safe-keeping. When arrested, Dickerson observed to Mrs. Mack; “My God, they have arrested me for killing George." ''Well, you didn't do it, did you, Frank?" she replied. ''God knows I didn't," he responded, which was the last communication that passed between the suspected parties, until they occupied neighboring cells in the county jail at Janesville. 

The murdered Mack was laid away in the country churchyard, his widow returning from the funeral to the house of a relative in Beloit, where she was arrested by the officers of the law and taken to the Goodwin House, to be held until a judicial examination should pass upon the suspicious circumstances surrounding Dickerson and herself. 

In the meantime, every means was employed to extort a confession from the former, and so successfully, that, after some delay and several contradictory statements, he made a clean breast of the '' bloody business," charging the commission of the deed upon Mrs. Mack. He was ignorant of her intentions, and only identified himself with the crime by assisting the murderess (in consequence of her threats) in conveying the body to the stable and placing it under the heels of "Old Jen." 

At the preliminary examination held in Beloit, he repeated his confession with such variations as suggested themselves, calculated to acquit himself of guilt, at the expense of his accomplice, and leave the impression that his acts at the date of the murder and subsequent thereto were committed under duress. He gave a history of his service at Mack's, of his relations with Mrs. Mack, and all the features of his daily life while there, which only confirmed the impressions which had obtained among the neighbors prior to the tragedy, and stamped their author as a man wicked beyond comparison and utterly insensible to every moral obligation. The examination resulted in the accused being held without bail to await their trial under the information filed, pending which they were confined in the County Jail and their every movement watched to prevent escape, as also to protect them from the threatened ''assault of the mob." 

As the days came and went, interest in the crime, the parties implicated and a]l the facts connected therewith, increased rather than diminished. Mrs. Mack refused to be interviewed upon the murder, seemingly maintaining, outwardly, a semblance of indifference to the causes of her detention, as also to the ultimate result, but secretly endeavoring, by means of notes and personal admonitions, to strengthen Dickerson in a resolve to observe a rigid silence, or aid her in preparing a defense which should secure their acquittal. 

Dickerson passed his hours in proposing new pleas in confession and avoidance, canvassing the murder with prisoners, whom he is reported to have assured that he would “bend all his energies, wits, etc., to get off as accessory after the fact." Indeed, a mind so fertile, as his is said to have been in his own defense, and so little restrained by conscientious scruples, would intuitively discover modes of relieving the tedium of prison life. 

With the approach of the trial, some speculation was indulged by the public as to which of the defendants would be called upon to plead first. This question being finally disposed of, Mrs. Mack was produced in court on the 10th day of December, 1878, accompanied by her niece. Miss Chapin, and, taking her seat within the railing, the work of impaneling a jury was proceeded with at once. Two venires were exhausted and a third nearly disposed of before the panel was filled and the following jurors accepted: 0. P. Gaarder, Spring Valley ; C. S. Crow, Center; William Grimes, Avon; Benjamin Bleasdale, Rock; E. N. Haugen and Henry Phillips, Plymouth; John McLean, Johnstown; W. H. Weaver, Milton; James Parmley, Center; Jackson Vickerman, Lima; Hulett Story, Harmony; E. D. Barnard, Porter. 

Judge Conger presided; the State was represented by District Attorney Sole and the Hon. J. R. Bennett; the defense retaining as counsel Messrs. Winans & McElroy and Eldridge & Fethers, of Janesville, in conjunction with the Hon. S. J. Todd, of Beloit. Public interest in the proceedings was intense and sympathy pronounced adversely to the defendant. The crime was without a precedent in the State, almost without a parallel in the country; the guilt of the defendant at the bar was conclusive upon the admissions made by her alleged paramour and accessory, and the majesty of the law could only be vindicated by conviction. The audience was such as has rarely excited the ambition of a Justice or "the fears and emulations” of an advocate. It lined the avenues of approach to the court-room, the auditorium of which, its aisles and galleries, were crowded to suffocation. On that day, age forgot its crutch, labor its task, and grace and female loveliness left her sex at the door in her anxiety to witness the race for conviction the defendant should run, and be in at the death. 

The District Attorney opened the case for the prosecution in a clear and concise statement of what he expected to prove, and was followed by S. J. Todd, in behalf of the defense. At the conclusion of his remarks, the State formally inaugurated the prosecution by calling Joseph Watsic, who discovered the body of Mack. His evidence was a repetition of that adduced at the Coroner's inquest, alluded to above. He was followed by Drs. Bell and Strong, who made an autopsy of the body ; by members of the Coroner's jury and neighbors, who testified as to the rumors regarding defendant's relations with Dickerson, and her conduct on the day when the murder was discovered. Their testimony tended to strengthen the guilt of Mrs. Mack, to confirm her as the murderess of her husband more effectively, even, than that of “Frank" Dickerson, who was called next and gave a detailed account of his intimacy with the prisoner at the bar, concluding with a statement of how the murder was committed. 

He testified, substantially, that, on the night of the murder, the family were in the house. “Watsic went to bed about 8 o'clock; Mrs. Mack and two children were in the kitchen, and George and one child were in the dining room when I went to bed; I heard the three children go to bed half an hour after me in Mrs. Mack's room up-stairs; Mrs. Mack came up with them. I next saw her standing in my room door one-half or three-quarters of an hour later. I saw her at my room door one hour later, and heard George open his door and come up-stairs. She had a revolver in her hand, and went down-stairs. She called me down, and I put on my overalls, and heard them talking as I went down; just as I went into the kitchen, she seized a club from the wood-box and struck him on the head; he fell down; she was by the door, and he was on the ground, or on some planks; I was in the door between the kitchen and the dining-room. I went out, and George lay with his head on the sidewalk, perfectly still. I said I would go and tell Pooles' folks. She said, ‘If you do I will lay it all to you; we will carry him to the barn, and tell that ''old Jen" killed him.' She got some clothes and wrapped around his head ; I took his feet, and she took him around the body. We laid him down to open the gate ; then, when most to the barn, we laid him down again, and I went and drove hogs back which had got into the yard. We laid the body behind the horse, and she took the horse by the halter and backed it over the body. I started for the house, and saw Jim Snell going home. I left Mrs. Mack in the barn and went to the house and went to bed. After a while, I got up and looked out of the window, and saw Mrs. Mack going toward the barn ; she was near the hog-pen, by the gate ; had a revolver in her right hand, and picked up a sled stake. I waited awhile, sitting on a chest, and saw her coming around the north end of the tool-shed, and going southeast. There was a board off of the fence near the hog pen, and, as she got over, she said, “that's all right." She came to the house, and, quite a while after, she came up-stairs to my room door, and then she went to her room. I went down stairs, and she came down and asked me where I was going, and I told her I was going to Snell's. “Don't make a fool of yourself,” she said, and “you must help me put the clothes under the privy.” We raised the privy, and she put the clothes under with a barrel stave. I went back to the house and took off my shoes; I started up-stairs, and she said, ' hold on,' and went into Mack's room, and told me to come in and see if there was any blood on me. We went in; she put down the curtains and lit the lamp, and I could find no blood only on my shirt sleeve, where I had the bloody clothes on my arm. She got me a clean shirt and I put it on, and then she said, “You will be true to me, won't you, Frank ?“ I said I would, and then went to bed; she told me she would call Joe in the morning, and I must tell him to feed the horses." 

He then left Mack's room and retired to his own, where he remained until morning. This was his story, and though subjected to the severest cross-examination, he did not falter once or vary in any material point from the facts as cited. 

It should be observed here that the wound found on Mack's forehead, when his body was examined by the physicians, was claimed by Mrs. Mack to have been inflicted by herself during a quarrel, Friday night before the murder, for the possession of a revolver she had in her keeping. During this dispute, she struck him with a pitcher. Her daughter Etta, a young girl thirteen years of age, witnessed the altercation, the blow's effect and her mother's subsequent dressing of the wound, and so stated on the trial. 

At the conclusion of Dickerson's testimony, and the introduction of letters purporting to have passed between the witness and defendant, the State rested and the defense begun by the submission of testimony designed to impeach Dickerson's credibility. 

Following this, came Etta Mack, the oldest of the murdered man's children and was the last witness examined before Mrs Mack joined issue with a general denial. The child is stated to have been about twelve or thirteen years of age, of modest demeanor, with a sweet, sad face and a quiet, self-possessed, truthful manner, which won the hearts of the immense and interested audience during the recital of her evidence. She was called upon chiefly to testify, as stated. In regard to the wound on her father's head, which the physicians insisted was of a date more recent than claimed by the defense, and further that it could not have been inflicted in the manner described, that is, by a blow from a pitcher. Her testimony impressed all who heard it with its truth, and was in no way shaken by the cross-examination of the counsel for the State. Belinda Mack was called and at the close of her evidence the case was practically closed, and the arguments of the counsel began. Mrs. Mack denied, specifically and in order, the facts alleged by Dickerson, and the efforts of able counsel failed to entangle her story even in its minutest detail. At the conclusion of the Judge's charge, the jury retired, and, after an absence of forty-three hours, returned with a verdict of murder in the first degree, the penalty for which was imprisonment for life. The defendant sat unmoved when the verdict was rendered, receiving the announcement of her doom with scarcely a perceptible sign of emotion. Thus ended one of the most memorable trials ever had in the country, a trial based upon facts, as above observed, almost without a parallel in the history of crime. 

A motion for new trial was argued by Mr. Winans, of counsel for the accused, but denied, and sentence passed upon the prisoner January 10, 1879, according to the verdict, by confinement at hard labor in the State Prison of Wisconsin, for the term of her natural life, and that on the 13th day of each July during such term her imprisonment should be solitary. 

"Frank " Dickerson was placed on trial on the 15th day of May, 1879, as accessory, and after ten days of arduous defense by his attorney, the Hon. A. Hyatt Smith, the Jury decreed that he should accompany Mrs. Mack to the State Prison at Waupun and there remain during the term of his natural life.