Jan 1932 Bedminster murder

(To make it searchable, I like to post the actual text as well as the article.)

FARMER SLAIN INSIDE HIS BARN

Shot to Death, He Is Found by Wife; Employee Suspected by Police

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Jan. 8 — Elmer D. Bartholomew, 28-year-old Bucks county farmer, was found shot to death in a barn on his farm in Bedminster township, eight miles north [of Doylestown] by his wife.

Police believe he was fatally wounded by 15-year-old Stanley Wismer, who had been working on the farm.

Young Wismer fled the Bartholomew home just before the man's body was discovered by his wife Cora, 29, lying face down in the barn, according to police. The youth took an automobile belonging to Bartholomew bearing Pennsylvania license tags 6342F. State police immediately sent out fliers asking police of nearby counties and villages to aid in the search for the youth.

Later Wismer was apprehended at the home of Thomas W. Rorer, near Hatfield.

Young Wismer's mother is employed as domestic in the Rorer home, and the youth was found chatting with his mother when taken into custody. The dwelling is about 10 miles from the Bartholomew home.

He had driven to the house in the Bartholomew automobile a short time before. Mrs. Wismer said he had made no mention of the death of his employer and that he showed no traces of nervousness or excitement when he arrived.

Informed that Bartholomew had been shot to death and that he was wanted in connection with the crime young Wismer turned pale and vehemently denied any knowledge of the death. "My God mother, I didn't do it," he cried.

After questioning the youth at the scene of the crime, Sergt. Davis said he would be brought to [Doylestown] pending a complete investigation of the affair.

Mrs. Bartholomew told police the boy informed her he was going out to "look at my muskrat traps." and disappeared. A few minutes later, she declared, she found her husband's body in the bam with a .22 calibre rifle beside it.

Mrs. Bartholomew summoned Dr. G. M. Brewer who pronounced Bartholomew dead. Coroner John J. Sweeney, of Bucks County, started an investigation of the cause of the farmer's death.