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Remembering the 1887 Mifflin County sleigh ride murder trial

It was a dark and stormy night when it all began. Well, perhaps it wasn’t, but the winter of 1886 did bring a chilling tale to Mifflin County, one that would resonate in local folklore for years to come. What began as a seemingly ordinary evening took a dark turn, resulting in the tragic death of John Akely. This case — marked by mystery, scandal, and unanswered questions — remains a dark chapter in our local history.

As you picture a Victorian winter scene with a horse-drawn sleigh gliding across freshly fallen snow, it might be hard to imagine a sense of foreboding. Yet on that fateful winter night, tragedy was indeed brewing.

John Akely, a middle-aged man working at Logan Iron Works in Burnham (now Standard Steel), had abandoned his wife and five children in Philadelphia, leaving them to fend for themselves. He took up residence in a boarding house near the steel mill, where he labored in a grueling and dangerous job with long hours of back-breaking work.

On the night in question, Akely decided to visit a local tavern to unwind. There, he encountered Della Corbett, Jennie Quay, and Ellie Kountzman. Witnesses described their behavior with Akely as “scandalous,” hinting at improper, very un-ladylike conduct. The group, visibly intoxicated, left the tavern and boarded a sleigh for a late-night joy ride. They were seen traveling recklessly through Yeagertown toward Reedsville.

The night’s events quickly turned violent. The three women reportedly took advantage of the situation and robbed Akely of his cash and pushed him from the moving sleigh. Though intoxicated, Akely fought back and managed to cling to the sleigh’s side, ultimately pulling himself back inside. The women, however, struck him with a buggy whip, kicked, and punched him, finally succeeding in throwing him onto the road.

A passerby discovered Akely’s lifeless body on the roadside and summoned help. He was taken to a nearby house, where two local doctors were called. Initially too intoxicated to name his attackers, Akely eventually sobered and was able to identify the women. Tragically, his injuries proved fatal, and he passed away on Dec. 29, 1886, just four days after the attack.

An arrest warrant was issued on the day of Akely’s death, and the three women were taken into custody. Witnesses who had seen and heard the group that night provided statements, and an autopsy confirmed that Akely’s injuries, allegedly inflicted by the three women, were the cause of death.

The trial, titled Commonwealth v. Corbett, Quay & Kountzman, began on Jan. 11, 1887. The women faced charges of robbery, assault, and causing Akely’s fatal injuries. The case attracted statewide attention, filling the courtroom with curious onlookers. However, proceedings were delayed when Della Corbett fell ill, and the trial was rescheduled for April.

Despite 25 recorded witnesses and damning evidence, the trial did not proceed as expected. What should have been an open and shut case, proved to be anything but. During the April hearing, the prosecution failed to prove its indictment for murder. Reports in local newspapers mentioned an unidentified error by the prosecutor, which led to the case being dismissed. The three women were then released.

Adding to the intrigue, Mifflin County Court records are notably silent on the details of this case. Missing are transcripts of witness testimonies, the coroner’s report, and routine court documents. The exact nature of the prosecutor’s mistake remains unknown.

According to a recorded statement by a newspaper editor at the time, the full truth of what transpired that winter’s night or why justice was not served may never be uncovered. The unanswered questions surrounding this case have left a lasting impression on Mifflin County’s history, a reminder of how justice and truth can sometimes remain elusive.

The information found in the article was derived from the book “It Happened in Mifflin County Book 3,” Written by Forest Fisher. Copies are available at the Mifflin County Historical Society located in the Historic Courthouse on the square in downtown Lewistown.

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Rhonda S. Kelley is the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.

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