Penman Confesses to All but Motive for Murder

After his capture in Vermilion County Penman is moved to the jail in Urbana Illinois.  The following is from interviews in the Urbana jail and earlier from a meeting with reporters in Danville Illinois. The story is from the Urbana Courier-Herald August 15, 1913

DENIES MURDER HAD BEEN PLANNED

CROWD AT JAIL APPLAUDS

Story From Fugitive's Own Lips of How He Fled From Place to Placed, Always Fearful of Arrest and Haunted by the Memory of His Deed —Says He Shot Shaw and Beat Him With Club -Jumps From Train Running 30 Miles an Hour —Scorns Insanity plea

Gust Penman, murderer of Harold A. Shaw, captured Thursday afternoon at Ridge farm and brought to Urbana at 12:15 this morning, has confessed all but the motive for the heinous crime. He declares that the murder was not premeditated and that he shot Shaw in the heat of anger during a quarrel over the purchase of the latter's automobile. The state's attorney is not satisfied with this and believes Penman is trying to shield someone indirectly connected with the murder —a girl, perhaps. But Penman denies that there was any other motive and answers queries as to a possible love affair with a single word—"No!".

Gaunt from starvation and loss of sleep and with a terrible, haunted look in his large protruding eyes, the murderer sat alone in a semi-darkened cell in the Vermilion county jail, Thursday night, and stared wonderingly at the crowd of newspaper men and officers, sent over from Urbana, as they entered.

"Fellows," he said, "it is horrible, I want to tell you that I have one of the best fathers and one of the best mothers in the world, and now I have as good as killed them.

"My one ambition was to reach Philo, see my dear old parents, surrender myself to Jess Wimmer, a poor man, let him get the reward and then take my life.

Suddenly the murderer asked "How many newspaper men are in here?"

A deputy called off the names of the papers represented, including the Urbana Courier-Herald.

Penman then drew- an attorney's business card from his pocket and tendered it. It bore the name of S. Murray Clark, a Danville lawyer, whom Penman said had called on Him soon after his arrest. "He says I must not talk."

Prior to this, Penman had willingly granted an interview to all the newspaper men present, so he was not Pressed to repeat his story, which is appended to this article.

Some details, told in the drawling tone characteristic of the man, were drawn oot by adroit questioning by State's Attorney L. A. Busch in the course of their conversation the Dodsworth murder was mentioned.

"That was a horrible, horrible, affair wasn't it?", said the man who confesses to a crime ten-fold as fiendish.

Someone asked what his plea would be.

"I do not know. I will do what is right, fellows, but I am not insane and I will not stand for any lawyer putting up that kind of defense."

The story of the crime and escape, condensed, as told bv the murderer is as follows:

Saturday 5:40 pm met Harold Shaw and Mark Henson in Philo. Secured gun and left with Shaw in auto,
leaving Henson.

Saturday, about 7 p. m. shot Shaw and crushed his skull with a club six miles south of Philo.

Saturday, 8:15 p. m., returned and brought Henson to Urbana.

Saturday, about 9 p. m., went to Villa Grove, returning to Philo after midnight. Murder did not worry him greatly up to then.

Sunday, 3.15 a. m., worried about the body lying out in the open, borrowed a spade from Jess Wimmer and dug a grave near body. Fainted at sight of corpse's face, but recovered and continued digging at another point, with head turned away from the body.

Sunday, spent day riding about Philo, Champaign, and Urbana, trying to gain courage to surrender to sheriff.

Sunday, S:30 p. m., started for Danville with Wilson of Sidney. Arrested for running without light and without tire at Danville, but released.

Monday morning, took Big Four train to Indianapolis. Leaving there, tbought conductor recognized him and jumped while train was running thirty miles an hour. During the day he reached Hamilton, 0., where he borrowed a typewriter and wrote a message addressed it to himself at Philo aud signed the name "Harold." Went from Hamilton to Cincinnati and thence to Terre Haute. Leaving Terre Haute Wednesday morning as stated in Wednesday afternoon's Courier-Herald, he arrived in Danville a few hours later and within thirty minutes was walking the railroad track to Philo determined to surrender to Jess Wimmer, the man who gave the damaging evidence that put officers on his trail.

The Murderer's Confession

"Yes, I killed him," he said between sobs when questioned by the newspaper men. "I'm sorry I did it, for he was among the best friends I ever had. If we had,been together an hour later I would not have done it. It was really not me who killed him, but booze.

"I was on my way back home to give myself up when I was arrested. Had I been let alone for a few more hours. I would have visited my parents and then turned myself over to the officers. I tell you, fellows, it's terrible. Death is much sweeter than living in this manner. Last night was the first rest I have had since I killed my friend and then I slept because I was entirely worn out.

"I can hardly think, much less talk and tell a clear story, but I will tell it to you just as I can. You will excuse any lapses, for 1 can hardly bring myself to realize what I am doing and what I have done. I only hope to see my parents again before I die, but fellows, it will be terrible to meet them.

"I have had better chances than nine out of ten boys and here I have thrown all away. To think that I should have had the chances I have good parents, good home, the best of care and to be destined to fill the grave of a felon. I trust that all of my friends and acquaintances will come to see me at the Champaign county jail. I will talk to them and warn them of the pitfalls which besets their way, and the pitfalls are many and varied.

"Fellows, Saturday morning I came to Danville and at that time had great plans for my future. All of Saturday my friends and I spent in this town drinking and carousing. Saturday afternoon late we left for home. I was drunk when I left here. I was drunk when I reached Philo. Shaw and a friend by the name of Henson met me at the station. We drove out to my home. We left Henson and went for a drive. We drove to the farm, I had tn the meantime been to my brother's room and procured a revolver which he bad secreted there. He knew nothing of it.

"Why l took the revolver I cannot tell. I often took it and carried it about and as usual I slipped it in my front trousers pocket. Out at the farm I told Harold I wanted to look, at some fence which was not in the best of shape and started off. He asked me to wait a minute, saying he would go with me. He did. We waited out in the pasture and were looking at the stock. Meanwhile I was studying about buying that car. I had nearly decided not to take it and told him so. He said I had contracted to take it and must do it. I replied that I had a mind of my own and that if I did not want the car, I would not take it. He stated that unless I did take it he would cause me lots of trouble. I asked him what sort of trouble and he refused to reply. We exchanged hot words and jerking the pistol from my pocket I shot him. How many times I shot him I do not know, perhaps three, perhaps but two. As he fell, I picked up a stick, a bit of brush, which was lying there and struck him on the head and face repeatedly. How many times 1 struck him I do not know.

"I returned to the house. I did not yet realize what I had done. Afterward when I realized that I had killed my friend and that I was liable to bo arrested, I went home and after emptying the revolver, I placed It where my brother kept it. I then left and went to Villa Grove in the car. I returned from Villa drove about 3 o'clock in the morning, and went to the home of Jesse Wimmer, a friend of the family, and borrowed a tile spade. I thought someone might find the body out there in the open pasture and decided to bury it. I dug a hole just as small as I could, so that it would not take long. The first hole I started I found would take too long, the ground being hard. I could not bear to look upon, his face and was compelled, to do all the work with my head turned. Once I looked at him and then fainted. Here Penman broke down for a few moments and could not continue for sobbing.

"Where was I? Let me see?" He was prompted and continued with his tale. "Yes, yes. 1 went to Champaign early Sunday, determined to give myself up and several times started to see the sheriff. After making several starts and turning back, I finally went to Urbana late in the afternoon, but as I came in sight of the jail I could not summon up courage to give myself up. I drove to Sidney and returned. I thought I would get money from Mr. Shaw and would leave the country. Well, I started and went to Sidney again. Then I went to Homer and finally to Danville. I was starting for Argentina, where I hoped to lose myself so that no one would ever find me. I remembered having read that there was no chance to arrest and return me from there. I told Wilson I was going to Hoopeston. I did that just to fool him. Then shortly afterward the police stopped me. I thought perhaps some one had found the body. When I found different I decided to go east and get away.

"I went to Cincinnati, O. There I wandered about some and could not stand.it. I could not sleep. I decided to return home. I started. I drifted into Hamilton. There I bought a post card. I went into another store and asked to use the typewriter to write the card. I hoped to divert attention until I could get home and give myself up . I'm getting ahead of my story, however. After leaving police headquarters in Danville, I doubled around in several directions, visited a couple of depots, so that I might confuse anyone tracing me. Finally I boarded the head end of a train and rode to Indianapolis. On Monday I started back. I boarded a train out of Indianapolis, but the same conductor I went over with was on the train and fearing, he would recognize me and report me, I jumped off while the train was going about thirty miles an hour. I walked all of the way to Greencastle, Ind. Prom there I went into Terre Haute.

"I came fo Danville from Terre Haute on the morning train and got off at the Junction station. The officer there spoke to me and I was afraid he was about to arrest me. I came straight South down Collett street to Main. At a little restaurant just west of Collett on Main street, I stopped for breakfast. As I was eating I noticed in the paper a story about the car. Fellows, right there I almost fainted. I could not eat another bite. The man in the restaurant there will tell you that I left a part of my breakfast. I handed him fifty cents, and he gave me back a quarter.

"I then went south down through the hills and hollows to a place they call Grape Creek. I spent some little time about there and continued walking around. There at night, some night, I don't know what night, I have no idea as to time. I have slept so little been so worried I hardly know my own name. Whatever night it was I slept in a little church. Some one said it was McKindree, or something like tnat. I continued walking, several times losing my way and getting confused but going in the general direction of home. l'll tell you my plan. I intended going home and visiting the folks. Then I was going to Jesse Wimmer the man from whom I borrowed the  spade. He is a poor ma and he was always been a good friend of the family. I was going to have him take me to jail and get the reward because he needs it.

"I was tired and leafing about that little town down there waiting for night to start home. I talked to some boys and they must have told the officers. Even after the officers came I denied my identity. One of them saw my Masonic charm and he asked me about it. I denied that I was a member of the lodge. I told him my name was something else; that I came from Texas and that I had been working over in Indiana. I had no intention of lying, to them, but did it so that I might escape until 1 could reach home and carry out my original plans.

"I did everything just as I have said it. There is another thing I want. Over at Terre Haute I borrowed $5 from a good friend of mine. I want that money paid back to him. There is also a very kind hearted police officer in Cincinnati who gave me twenty-five cents for something to eat and I would like that money returned to him. He was a poor man, as I pretended to be, and he felt much sympathy for me. If it had not bean that I had planned to have Joss Wimmer collect that reward money, I would have given myself up to that kind hearted officer

In concluding his story Penman stated he feared he would be mobbed when he reached Champaign; that the officers would be unable to protect him from the crowd "I know how well Harold was liked. I have been friends with him for a long time. Everybody liked him. He was as dear to me as anyone could be. That is why I hate it so bad, now that I realize what I have done. I tell you, it is terrible. I hardly know what to do. l want to meet my parents yet I am afraid to meet them. I don't know whether I can. stand the strain. I fear I cannot live through the trying ordeal of greeting my poor old mother. Just think what her thoughts must be, I know she would take my place willingly if she could and it is the thought of the pain and heart weariness I am causing her that hurts me worse than the thought of death. Great God, fellows, I want each and every one of you to think of me whenever you have thoughts of straying from the path of righteousness. Just recall me as you see me now. That is how each and every one of you must suffer just as I am suffering now. Like i have done, though you will probably disregard my advice, but, fellows, better advice was never given. Shun liquor and bad women as you would shun a snake. Each is a thousand fold more poisonous than the most poisonous snake ever hatched and both lead only to the pitfalls which caught me.

FIND HAROLD SHAW'S B0DY - MURDERED FOR HIS AUTO

LARGE REWARD IS OFFERED FOR GUST PENMAN - SUSPECT

Mutilated Body Is Thrown Head Downward Into Hole Size of Half Barrel and Covered With Dirt — Pockets Rifled and Inside Out

AUTOMOBILE FOUND AT DANVILLE

Searching Party Goes Direct to Penman Farm and Makes Shocking Discovery In Less Than Two Hours — Deed Comitted In Lonely Wooded Pasture — Body Brought to Urbana

200.00 REWARD.
The above reward will be paid for the arrest and detention of one, Gust Penman, who is described as follows: "About 24 years old, weight 160 pounds, smooth face, 6 feet 2 inches in height , pop-eyed, hair short and kinky; when he left he was drlving a Mercer racing automobile painted yellow, with no fenders, side frame broken. He mailed a postcard. from Hamilton O., at about 8 pm on August 11, 1913.

This fellow murdered a young man by the name of Harold Shaw, of Urbana. III., August 9, 1913.

This car will have, an Illinois license.

See all garages in your city and find out if this car has been there. Wire this office at my expense any information you may learn.

GEO. W. DAVIS, Urbana.
Sheriff of Champaign County, Ill.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SHAW MURDER CASE.
Gust Penman, murderer of Harold A. Shaw, was arrested Sunday night in Danville for running the automobile stolen from his victim without a front tire, and without a tail light, but was released upon telling a plausible story of an accident, and upon declaring that he was on his way to a garage for repairs.

The stolen automobile was found in Jones' garage at Danville, this morning, by a reporter for the Commercial-News, who notified the police. Without money with which to purchase a new tire to replace the one thrown, east of Danville, the murderer was forced to abandon the car. The machine was turned over to Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans, who went to Danville immediately upon learning that it had been recovered. Penman tried to buy a tire in Urbana on Sunday morning, but without success.

Sunday night Penman drove up before the Illinois hotel in Danville, where he was arrested for the violation mentioned, in the foregoing, and, following his release, returned to the hotel, registred and spent the night. The Danville police believe the slayer is in that city now and have thrown out a dragnet that, in case their theory is correct, must surely result in his capture.

In the tool box of the automobile was found a machinist's hammer on which were red spots, thought to be blood. A chemist was analyzing them today.

Two bullets, found in the dead boy's head at 10 o'clock this morning, prove conclusively the manner in which he met his death, One was fired into the back of his head about an inch from the right ear, and, striking a thick part of the skull, flattened against the bone without entering the brain. The other fired at the center of the forehead, Penetrated the brain and was flattened against the back wall of the skull. This dispels the theory that he was killed with a hatchet, the skull fractures and cuts on his head evidently having been made with the spade when the body was forced into the hole. Shaw's watch, believed to have been stolen by Penman, was found today at J. R. Nelson's jewelry store, where it has been for repairs for three weeks. Mr. Nelson, noticed in one of the first of the Courier-Herald's extra morning editions that the watch was missing and hastened to report that he had the time piece.

Shaw Funeral Thursday.
Announcement has been made that the funeral of the late Harold Shaw will be held Thursday at 10am from the family residence, 609 West Green street. Rev. R. F. McDaniel of the First M. E. church will officiate. The surviving members of the famiily are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Shaw, a sister, Miss Hazel, and the grandmother, Mrs. Yearsley, who has been making her home with the family.

The blackened and swollen body of, Harold Shaw, victim of the most atrocious murder in Champaign county since the notable White and Cousins case in the late 70's, was found in a shallow grave six miles due south of Philo, shortly before 5 o'clock Tuesday evening, conclusive proof thus being established that Gust Penman, member ot a prominent Philo family, killed him for his automobile and to recover money he may have paid the boy for the car.

Planned Second Murder
The murder was premeditated with fiendish deliberation, and there is cause to believe that Penman planned a similar fate for William T. Shaw, 609 West Green street, father of the slain boy. On Sunday, the day following the murder. Penman called at the Shaw home and, upon being informed that Mr. Shaw was out, returned in the evening, at that time finding the latter at home. He claimed to Mr. Shaw that he had bought the machine from the son and that the latter had taken a train at Villa Grove on a pleasure trip, declaring that he had become dissatisfied with his bargain, he asked Mr. Shaw to refund the money, take him in the car to Philo and then bring the machine back. Considering the evidence in the murder of the junior Shaw, there is no doubt but that the murderer had planned to secure what money he could from his victim's father, kill him on the road to Philo and still have the automobile.

Robbed Victim's Body
It will never be known, unless from Penman's own lips, whether he paid Sbaw anything on the car, but it is reported that he gave the latter $700 and a note for the remainder of the price of the automobile. Every pocket in the dead boy's clothing had been rifled and some turned inside out. The body had been stripped of everything of value, including a gold watch that had belonged to his grandfather. A description of the murderer has been sent throughout the eastern states and it is believed that his, arrest is a question of but a few days.

Discovery of Body.
The body was discovered within two hours after a parly of searchers left Urbana at 3 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, on one of the farms of the murderer's father, Robert Penman, at one of the wildest spots in Champaign county.

Ex-Sheriff J. M. Peters and Jesse M. Sadorus, deputy sheriff during Peters' administration, knew of this place and, upon obtaining evidence indicating that Penman had killed Shaw in that locality, led the searchers almost to the exact place where the body was buried.

The party went in automobiles, following the west road running north and south out of Philo, which, about five miles out, winds in and out of a strip of thick virgin timber. A short distance beyond this wooded road, the highway leads along cleared timber land, but across a pasture on the west is more timber and beyond that a thicket of sumac. It was in this wild spot that the murder was committed and the body buried. In the thicket, a quarter of a mile from the nearest house, that of George Shefer. Penman crushed the skull of the Urbana boy at about 6 o'clock Saturday evening, and between 3 and 4 o'clock the following morning, after having borrowed a spade from Jesse Wimmer, in Philo, under the pretext that he wanted to repair a fence that bis father's cattle had broken, returned in the dead boy 's automobile and buried the body. Then he returned home, spent Sunday dashing wildly through the streets Of Philo and Urbana in his victim's machine and was last seen at Homer between 9 and 10 o'clock Sunday night, when he and a stranger drove up to a confectionery and ordered refreshments, At that time Penman boasted that thy would be In Danville within forty-five minutes. He has been traced to Hamilton Ohio by a postal card mailed there Sunday night, addressed to himself and signed, "Harold," this being a ruse to allay suspicions arising from Shaw's disapperance.

Bloodstains Are Found
Evidence left on the scene of the tragedy tells as plainly as words the story of the murder and the steps taken to dispose of tho body. A large blood stain within a clearing in the shumac thicket about twelve paces from, where the grave was found shows where the murder was committed. Twenty paces south of this spot, in the clump of bushes are more bloodstains that the murderer attempted to obliterate with the spade, these showing where the body was concealed until buried, probably eight hours after tho murder. The blood soaked earth had been scooped up and, scattered some distance away. Near the spot where the remains had been hidden Penman had attempted to dig a grave, but, because of the hardness of the earth, had abandoned digging after going down about six inches, and had chosen a spot just outside the thicket, about twelve paces west of where he had made the first attempt.

Buried Victim Head Downward
There the body was discovered, head downward, in a round hole about three feet deep and four feet in diameter.

The find was made by Mark Henson, 706 West Elm street, this city, the last person, excepting the murderer, to see Shaw alive. It was Henson who went with Shaw to Philo to sell the car and who first became suspicious of Penman when the latter returned alone from a trial spin with Shaw. T. E. Saunders, manager of the Flat Iron store, was with Henson when the grave was found. Others were searching within a few yards of the spot when the young men's cries summoned them to the fresh mound. Emmett Yearsley, uncle of the dead boy, had just discovered the hole that the slayer had abandoned when the grave was found and the searchers knew they were on the right trail.

Ex-Deputy Sheriff Sadorus was the first to start digging and the party was not surprised upon striking a foot of the corpse about eight inches below the top of the mound.

The body evidently, had been thrown head-foremost into the hole and twisted to fit the small space. The automobile goggles worn by the victim when slain were still about his head. There were several wounds about the head and face that appeared to have been inflicted with a hatchet. One cut on the right temple made a clean cut in the flesh and chipped the bone, but did not penetrate the skull. Another on the left side of the head, shattered the skull but did not break the skin. The latter wound is believed to have been inflicted by a blow with the hammer side of a hatchet.

Remains Are Identified
The father of the boy was a member of the searching party and was within earshot when the body was unearthed. His grief was pitiable, and it was necessity to restrain him from rushing to the terrible figure lay . The body was in an advanced state of decomposition and the position in which it had lain had blackened and distorted the features until they were scarcely recognizable. Sadorus and Peters identified the body. "Is it my boy?" cried the distracted father, held at a distance by friends, and apparently hoping against hope that the corpse might be that of another. When the diggers answered in the affirmative Mr. Shaw fell to the ground and gave vent to his agony In a way that was heartrending to witness.

Violent grief soon gave way to a dazed condition that frequently follows when, the nervous system has been taxed to the limit of endurance. It was with a stange calm that the father rose and declared it his duty to break the news to his wife and console her in the darkest hour of their lives. He returned immediately to Urbana with Emmett 0. Yearsley, his brother-in-law, and Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans.

Coroner Arrives on Scene
The body lay face downward, at the side of the grave, until the arrival of Coroner J.J. Hanmore and Undertaker E. H. Reinner, from this city, about 8 o'clock. By the light of lanterns, the remains were placed in an automobile truck while the large crowd, a majority from Urbana who bad come out in automobiles, stood in awed silence. It was a tragic scene as the coronor administered the oath to the jury, standing there in the leaden moonlight, grouped about the figure huddled beneath a white sheet beside the grave, The jury is composed of U. O. Martin, foreman; John H. Savage, J. M. Peters, B.C. Stephens, Fred L. Cannon and William B. Cole. The inquest was set for 2 o'clock this afternoon at the court house.

Young Shaw Enticed to Death
The place where the body was discovered is on the Robert Penman stock farm in Critenden township, two and one-half miles from the Douglas county line.

The presumption is that Shaw was enticed to the thicket under the pretext of looking at some horses. In reaching the place, Penman and his victim evidently left the road running north and south and turned west a short distance south of the place, reaching the pasture by circling around the farm and coming in from the west. The searching parties and those who afterwards went out in automobiles took a short cut by leaving the machines in the main road and cutting across a pasture and through the timber.

No one in the neighborhood saw the young men on the day of the murder

Penman Was Speed Maniac
Philo people say that Penman was a speed maniac. He is said to have often declared that an automobile could not be built fast enough for him. He owned a motorcycle and for some time had been trying to raise money to purchase Shaw's Mercer. The searching party who located the grave was composed of J. M. Sadorus, J. M. Peters, Emmett G, Yearsley, County Clerk Fred Tess, Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans, J. Bennett of Homer, H. M. Cassldy, B. C. Stephens, Mark Henson, T. E. Saunders and several others.

Spade Furnishes First Clew.
Jesse Wimmer of Philo furnished the first clew to the murder by informing the officers that Penman had borrowed a spade from him at 3:15 o'clock Sunday morning. The implement, with fresh earth upon it, was found leaning against Wimmer's house at 7 o'clock the next morning. Then a forged postal card signed "Harold," written at Hamilton. O.. and addressed to Gust Penman, added more evidence of Penman's guilt. There is no doubt but that Penman wrote the message to delay a search for Shaw, and thus gave the officers a clew beginning at Hamilton. There is a report that Penman paid Shaw $700 and gave a note for the remainder of the price of the car, but this is not generally believed. Penman's brother declares that he never knew of Gust having more than $25 and that he heard he borrowed $10 from a Philo restaurant proprietor.

Was University Student
Harold Allen Shaw, the murdered boy, was born in this city July 10, 1893, and had lived here all his life. His parents Mr. and Mrs. William T. Shaw, are wealthy retired farmers and members of one of the county's oldest families. The young man finished a four year course at the Thornburn high school and last fall entered the College of Agriculture of the University of Illinois. He intended to resume his studies at the University in September. For several years the boy had been interested In motorcycles and automobiles and at the time of his death was a salesman for Charles Wiggins, agent for the Cadillac Auto. Co. Some time ago he was employed by the Illinois Moter Car Sales Co. of this city. Survivors are his parents and one sister, Miss Hazel, employed at the University of Illinois library.

Is Penman Insane?
Tho atrocity of the murder and Penman's subsequent acts have
given rise to tho belief among many that he is insane. The murder was fiendishly planned and fiendishly executed and the recklessness the slayer displayed in remaining near the scene of the tragedy is considered evidence that he is unbalanced mentally. Penman while In Urbana and Philo the day following the murder gave no sign of worry. While at the garage of the Urbana Auto. Co,, Sunday morning he seemed unusually light-hearted, boasting that he had raced Into Champaign with the Illinois Central limited. Robert Penman, the boy's father, is one of the wealthiest and most highly respected residents of tho county. His family are half crazed by his act, their grief being no less than that of the parents of his victim.

Bullet Wound Found
A small, clean-cut bullet hole was discovered this morning, almost in the center of the dead boy's forehead. It was evidently made by a weapon of 32-calibre. An hour afterward, a second bullet hole was found in the back of the head, leading to the discovery of two bullets. 1ate developments indicate that the cuts and skull fractures were made by the spade in pushing the body into tho hole.

Father Dreams of Murder
Shaw's father told Assistant State's Attorney Harold Roth that he had dreamed both Sunday and Monday nights that his son had been murdered by Penman. The second dream impressed him so greatly that he was confident of finding the body when the search began Tuesday afternoon. The Penman family owned a large motor car, which Gust Penman often drove. He also owned a motorcycle. Harold Shaw told, according to a friend, Mark Henson, that he feared Gust Penman, but could not tell why. Last Sunday Penman spent the day in the yellow rating car. He ran around the streets of Philo and vicinlty at a high.speed. His speedometer by night showed that he had ridden 300 miles.

Inquest Is Conducted
The coroner's inquest commenced at 2:20 o'clock this afternoon in the circuit court room. Attorney D. 0. Dobbins of the Champaign firm of Dobbins & Dobbins, was present In behalf of tho accused, having been retained by the latter's father. Assistant State's Attorney Roth represented the state. The tiling spade with which the grave was dug, still encrusted with earth, and young Shaw's blood soaked cap were tragic exhibits. Robert Penman, father of the slayer, was not present. He was in Missouri on business and started for home upon being notified of his son's act. He was due to arrive at Philo this afternoon.

Following is the testimony of witnesses:

Mark Henson — Lives at 700 West Elm street, Urbana; occupation, student. Knew Harold Shaw. Went with Mr. Shaw to Philo Saturday afternoon, leaving his home about 3 o'clock. Stopped at Wabash depot in Philo. Penman alighted from 5:30 train from east. He shook hands with us and seemed glad to see us. Drove to Penman's home. Penman staid in house 10 or 15 minutes. Came out with coat on but no hat. Suggested that, he and Harold take a short ride. Harold says "Skinney, you stay here till we come back." Sat on concrete walk in front of Penman's house more than an hour. At 8:15 Penman drove up in Shaw's car wlth a man whom I afterward learned to be Jesse Wimmer. Penman lighted the lights and asked me what time it was. We drove to Urbana and I treated Penman ane Wimmer at the Greeks. After we left Penman told me where to get an extra tlre at Shaw's house. We came back downtown and I left him at the Illinois Motor Car Sale Co.'s garage whither he went for a drink of water. Penman said Shaw told him to tell me to Inform his (Shaw's) folks that he had gone to Sullivan. Penman did not seem agitated and acted friendlier toward me than he ever did before. He wondered if Harold's father would compel him to give up the car, he having previously stated that he had purchased the machine and had taken Harold to Villa grove where the latter had boarded a train. He also stated that Shaw had expressed his intention of going north on a vacation, Tuesday afternoon we found the body, head downward in a hole four feet in diameter and about four feet deep, six miles south of Philo. I was able to Identify the remains.

Jesse WItnmer — Live in Philo, am a laborer; knew Shaw only by sight. Knew Gust Penman. Saturday morning Pentnan told me he had as good as bought Shaw's Mercer car for $650 or $750. Saw him again evening on Main street, Philo, when he went through town west, with Henson and Shaw In the Shaw's automobile. I next saw penman about 8 o'clock that evening when he asked me to go with him to Urbana to take Henson home, stating that Shaw had asked him to do so, I came to Urbana with them. The conversation mainly concerned the speed ot the car. He invited me to go to the Elgin races with him. Before we started he told me he had bought the car. I next saw him at 3:30 o'clock Sunday morning. He knocked at my door and I asked, "Who's there?" He replied, "It's Gust, Someone telephoned in that the stock had broken out, and I want it to dig postholes," I got up and got him the spade. I found it leaning against the house about 7 O'clock the next morning. At 8:30 Sunday morning Penman and I came to Urbana in the car to get some tires that he said we would find at Shaw's house. We came to Urbana by a round about way, through Tolono, He did not refer to Shaw except with reference to the tires. We went to Shaw 's house, but found no one at home. Then went to three garages In Urbana, Penman pricng tires at two of them, Did not notice anything unusual in his manner on either trip. Seemed to be perfectly sane. I asked him if he kopt the stock in after borrowing the spade, and ho replied, "I set ten posts." Saw him off and on all day Sunday running the car around Philo.

T. M. Peters of this city, the last witness, described the bullet wounds and cuts in Shaw's head and also told of the discovery of the body. Witness judged that the bullets were of 32 calibre. He Identified the flattened bullets as those taken from the victim's head.

The Coroner's Verdict
We, the jury, find that Harold Shaw came to his death from two gunshot wounds.

We, the jury, believe from the evidence that one Gust Penman fired the shots that kllled Harold Shaw.

We, the Jury, recommend that tho sheriff use every effort to apprehend said Gust Penman and that he be held without bond.

U. G. Martin, foreman,
J, M. Peters.
W. I, Cole,
John H. Savage,
Fred L. Cannon.
H. C. Stephens,

Chester Wilson of Sidney is said to have been the young man who rode with Penman to Danville.

This afternoon Deputy Sheriff Evans telephoned that he was on his way to Urbana with the auto.

GRAVE OF MISSING URBANA BOY SOUGHT NEAR VILLA GROVE

 Urbana Courier-Herald August 12, 1913

 Man With Whom He Went for Short Ride Returns With Car and Makes Unsatisfactory Explanation — Borrows Spade at 3:15 A. M. and Disappears. GUS PENMAN OF PHILO SUSPECTED Officers Start Widespread Search for Man Accused of Slaying Youth — Friend Who Accompanied Shaw Is Confident That Latter Was Slain — Message Branded as Forgery. 

Confident that Harold Shaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Shaw, 609 West Green street, was murdered for his automobile, between Philo and Villa Grove, the father for the past two days has scoured that part of the country in a vain hope that his fears were unfounded. Today, shaking like a man with the palsy, and with grief pitiful to witness, he charged Gust Penman of Philo with being his son's slayer and turned the case over to the sheriff. A crowd of men are searching the country between Philo and Villa Grove for a new made grave. The father has abandoned hope of ever seeing his son alive and is confident that the boy's body lies buried in some field. Penman, the suspect, has been missing since the night Shaw disappeared, after having been last seen in his company, when he (Penman) borrowed a spade from Newton Wimmer at 7 o'clock in the morning. He claimed he wanted to repair a fence where the cattle had broken through.  

Evidence of Murder 

Mark Henson, 706 West Elm street, this city, who accompanied Shaw to Philo, is of the same opinion as the latter's father, that Shaw was murdered and his body buried. Here is the evidence upon which he bases this belief: First, that Shaw has been missing since Saturday night when he never before has remained away over night without telling his parents of his plans. He was always considerate of their feelings and took especial pains to save them worry. Second, that Penman, who had gone on a short ride from Philo with Shaw, leaving Henson in town, returned with Shaw's machine, but without Shaw. Third, that Penman, at 3.15 the morning following Shaw's disappearance, borrowed a spade from a neighbor. Fourth, that he was seen in Villa Grove at midnight Saturday, after he had brought Henson to Urbana. This is considered significant, inasmuch as he claimed to have taken Shaw to Villa Grove in the afternoon. Fifth, that Penman, according to Henson and the father, is missing from Philo and no clue to his whereabouts can be obtained. Sixth, that a typewritten message written to Penman from Hamilton, O., and signed "Harold" is branded as a forgery by Shaw's father. The message stated that the writer was visiting friends in Hamilton, and would soon proceed north. Mr. Shaw declares that his son knew no one in that city and had never been there. Seventh, that a dispute over the Purchase of the car by Penman, before Shaw went to Philo together with Penman's mania for an automobiles may have furnished the motive for murder.  

Henson Tells Story 

W.T. Shaw the father, sat in the sheriff's office this afternoon, almost in a state of total collapse. He was unable to discuss the case at length and referred a Courier-Herald representative Mr. Henson, the last person, besides Penman who is known to seen Shaw. "Do you think Shaw was murdered?" Henson was asked. "I am sure of it," was the reply. He then told his story as follows: "Last Friday Gust Penman of. Philo, contracted for the purchase of Harold's Mercer car, but failed to come with the money on Saturday as he agreed. "Saturday afternoon at about 3 o'clock, Shaw and I drove the car to Philo. There we met Penman as he alighted from the 5:30 Wabash train from the east. We said very little about his failure to keep his agreement at that time and accompanied him to the home of his parents, with whom he lives. "Penman got out of the car and went into the house, remaining about fifteen minutes. He came out with his coat on but no hat. I wondered at this, as it was hot. "He said to Harold 'Let you and I go for a little ride. "I alighted and they started. This was about 6 o'clock in the evening. I grew tired of waiting, as, while there had been no understanding between Shaw and myself, I naturally thought the would return to bring me back to Urbana.  

Penman Returns Alone 

"At 8:15 Penman returned driving Shaw's car. He was alone. "To my query, he replied that he had bought the car and had paid cash for it and that they had driven to Villa Grove where Shaw had taken a northbound train , announcing his intention of taking a vacation. "I thought this very strange, as Shaw was without luggage, and anyway, it was entirely unlike him to leave that way. "Penman brought me home, arriving at 9 o'clock that night."  

No Clew at Villa Grove 

Henson and the distracted father spent Monday at Villa Grove without gaining a clew. The day station agent remembered having seen a young man whom he thought might have been Shaw, at the depot, but was not sure. Their inquiries make it appear that Penman, after bringing Henson to this city, returned to Villa Grove and it is in the vicinity of that village that the father expects to find the body. A druggist in Villa Grove states positively that he saw Penman in that village at midnight, Saturday.  

Was Postcard Forged? 

The postcard addressed to Penman, which Shaw's father declares was not written by his son. reads as follows: "Hamilton, O., Aug. 10, 1913.— Hello, Gussie: Am visiting friends here but am going east in a few days to spend the summer. Will let you know my address. Don't forget to send that money as soon as you see your father. —Harold. Even the signature is typewritten and the father declares that the message is a ruse to delay the search for his son. Penman, the accused, is twenty-four years old and a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Penman, prominent residents of Philo. Harold Shaw is about the same age and is a member of one of this city's leading families. It is said that he mistrusted and, in a way, feared, Penman. Considering the facts, all who heard the story were compelled to credit the father's story. However, there is a faint hope that young Shaw may be alive. Stranger things have happened, and should the young man return, the situation will be most embarrassing for all concerned. But the boy's mysterious disappearance and the fact that he has not communicated with his parents, causes his friends to fear the worst. Penman was in Urbana Sunday and stopped at the Urbana Automobile Company's garage on North Race street. He was driving Shaw's car and told Manager Cannon of the automobile company, that he had purchased the machine. At 3 o'clock this afternoon four automobile loads of men left for Philo to search the fields between that village and Villa Grove. They were led by Deputy Sheriff A. M. Evans and Shaw's father. Penman is sought for on a charge of murder, the card from Hamilton. Ohio, believed to have been mailed by him, furnishing a clew that leads the search in that direction. Mark Henson this afternoon stated that Penmans' story that Shaw went on a vacation trip is absurd, as the latter was wearing an old blue, shirt and his automobile trousers, and had made no preparations whatever for leaving. He was even without a change of clothing.