Etc. -- Helmer vs. Learn: Part 2
Introduction | Source Documents | Other Sources | Photocopies | Back 

A lightly edited transcription of a pages 1 and 12 article from the 12 Aug 1920 issue of 
the Simcoe Reformer newspaper. Also see:
Helmer vs. Learn: Part 3

HELMER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Victim of Quarrel Struck First Blow. 
Brother of the Accused Describes 
Fight in Which Learn Met Death

At the preliminary hearing held at Silver Hill last Friday, Lorne Helmer of North Walsingham Township was committed for trial by Squire John Abel on a charge of murdering James A. Learn, an aged man who lived on the Helmer farm, after a coroner's jury had returned a finding that Learn was killed on the morning of July 13th, by shock resulting from blows struck by the accused man.

Lorne Helmer who is a young man, will likely be tried at the next assize court in Simcoe, in October or November. There is, however, a strong possibility that before that time the charge will have been reduced to one of manslaughter.

The evidence produced last Friday tended to show that the blows which resulted in Mr. Learn's death were stuck during an altercation between the two men and that the first blow in the encounter was struck by the deceased.

The proceedings on Friday were marked by the appearance of Gordon Learn of Napoleon, Ohio, who claims to be a son of the murdered man, and who plans steps to take charge of his father's property. 

Hitherto the authorities had been unaware of the existence of any immediate relatives of the deceased. 
Mr. Learn thought his father was 67 years of age.

The inquest was conducted by Coroner Dr. Frank McGilvery of Simcoe. One of the jurors was John W. Kreiss, a brother-in-law of Mr. Shoup, who was murdered five years ago by Emerson Shelley. Squire Abel also conducted the preliminary hearing in the Shelley case.

Brother's Evidence

The principal evidence produced was that of Charles Helmer of Sparta, 15-year-old brother of the accused. He told of going to his brother's farm on July 10th. Mr. Learn, at that time, he said, was living on the place, occupying part of the house, while Lorne and his wife lived in another part. 

On Monday, July 12th, he stated he accompanied his brother to Squire Abel's farm to see if they could get Learn off the place. There had been a little row during the morning in which both Learn and Lorne Helmer had announced their intentions to consult the Squire with regard to the trouble over the farm.

The following morning there had been a heated dispute between his brother and Learn, when the later accused the former of stuffing up his chimney. The witness admitted that he had been the guilty party, placing straw in the aged man's chimney -- playing a trick on him.

The Fatal Fight

Shortly after the Helmer boys and Learn went to the woods where the fatal fight took place. According to the witness Learn had started to let down some bars which would have permitted Lorne Helmer's cattle to get out of the pasture and through the woods into his crops.

Lorne told him not to, but the man continued. Then Jimmy (Mr. Learn) hauled off and hit Lorne. Lorne hit back and after a second blow had been stuck the old man fell to the ground.

Thinking that he was "just knocked senseless," the witness said, they left him lying there and went back to the house and later to Port Rowan to consult a lawyer with regard to the dispute over the farm.

The following morning, Charles swore, Lorne informed him that he had buried Learn's body, but had said nothing about the aged man's death. Lorne had asked him not to tell anyone about the matter.

Result of Post Mortem

Dr. Edward Meek of Port Rowan, who made the post mortem examination of the remains, testified that Mr. Learn's organs were apparently sound and that decomposition had made it impossible to distinguish between marks of violence and ordinary discoloration.

The man still had some tobacco in his mouth, indicating sudden death. He gave it as his opinion that death had been due to some external violence and had been practically instantantaneous.

George Alexander, whose farm adjoins the Helmer-Learn property, had taken considerable interest in Learn, who often worked for him. He submitted an agreement between Mrs. Helmer, Lorne's mother, and Mr. Learn, which had been left in his safe-keeping.

By this, dated 4 Aug 1919, she agreed to rent her farm to Learn for two years, at $50 rental for the first year and $100 for the second, at the end of which time he was to buy the property for $2,000.

She gave Learn the use of her stock, implements, etc., "as recompense for his kindness to me since I have known him."

Given Notice to Vacate

With respect to Lorne Helmer's complaints that Mr. Learn was damaging the farm, witness admitted that in some particulars the old man had not lived up to his agreement.

Mr. Alexander instituted inquires for Mr. Learn when the latter failed to appear to work for him as agreed, on July 14th. At the Helmer farm he was told by one of the boys, he was not sure which, that they had seen nothing of Mr. Learn.

Some time between the 12th and 15th, Lorne Helmer told him he had been served with a notice to vacate the place and that it had made him so vexed that he took hold of Mr. Learn and shook him.

Thos. Murphy told of the finding of the body in a fox burrow on the Helmer-Learn property.

W. E. Kelly, K.C., for the accused, suggested that the charge be reduced to manslaughter, in which case his client could be allowed out on bail.

Crown Attorney Slaght said that while, as far as the case had gone it looked as if he charge would be reduced eventually, he did not feel justified in agreeing to it at present.

 

Copyright 2018 John Cardiff