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https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/68e63311-b54d-477a-8bae-110207122448
Collection
Commonwealth vs. Edward L. Gibbs Records
Title
Commonwealth vs. Edward L. Gibbs
Object ID
MG0476
Date Range
1950-1951
More detail
  1 document  
Collection
Commonwealth vs. Edward L. Gibbs Records
Title
Commonwealth vs. Edward L. Gibbs
Description
On 10 January 1950, Marian L. Baker was brutally murdered by Edward Lester Gibbs. This collection contains W. Hensel Brown's copies of the clerk's file, transcripts, appeal briefs, and other court records from the murder trial of Edward L. Gibbs, 1950. Newspaper articles report on the 1950 trial and his 1951 electrocution.
Admin/Biographical History
Edward Lester Gibbs (1924-1951), veteran (98th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force) and husband of Helen Woodward, was from Gloucester County, NJ. In 1950, he was a student at Franklin and Marshall College. (1)
Marian Louise Baker (1928-1950), the daughter of Walter M. Baker and Helen Beatrice Soule Britcher, was originally from New Bloomfield, Perry County, PA. (2) She had spent much of her childhood in Conestoga, PA with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy O'Donel. (3) In 1950, she worked as a cashier and secretary in the treasurer's office at Franklin and Marshall College (4) and was engaged to Edward Rankin. (5)
W. Hensel Brown was the attorney chosen to defend Gibbs.
"On January 10, 1950, Marian Louise Baker was brutally slain by being
beaten to death with a lug wrench. Eight days later Edward Lester
Gibbs, defendant, confessed the killing. Thereafter, he was indicted in
Lancaster County, tried by a jury, and convicted of murder in the first
degree with the penalty fixed at death. Prior to his bringing this appeal, his motion for new trial was denied and sentence was imposed in accordance with the verdict.
At the time of the killing, defendant, a married war veteran twenty-five years of age, was a student at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. *185 In the early afternoon of January 10, 1950, he was in downtown Lancaster when he saw Miss Baker, an employee of the college. He offered to drive her back to the campus in his car and she accepted. However, instead of returning directly to the college, they rode out of town and into the open country. When they reached an isolated spot several miles from the city she commented on the view and defendant stopped the car so that they both might enjoy it. While sitting there he suddenly reached over and began choking her. She broke away and got out of the car. He followed her and after choking her again, he returned to the car, unlocked and opened the luggage compartment, removed the lug wrench, and beat her over the head with it until she was dead. He then left but later returned to hide the body and remove any incriminating evidence. The body was not discovered until four days later.
On January 18, 1950, defendant admitted committing the crime and on that same day he signed a statement setting forth the facts as we have synopsized them here. Neither at the trial nor at any other time did he deny the truth of that confession and substantially all of the facts contained in it were verified by the independent investigation of the Pennsylvania State Police." (6)
1 "Edward Lester Gibbs," Find A Grave, accessed November 27, 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76555590/edward-lester-gibbs.
2 "Marian Louise Baker," Find A Grave, accessed November 27, 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76632108/marian-louise-baker.
3 "Vintage photos, the 1950 murder of an F&M secretary," PennLive.com, last modified January 8, 2016, https://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/01/vintage_photos_the_1950_murder.html.
4 "Marian Louise Baker," Find A Grave, accessed November 27, 2018, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76632108/marian-louise-baker.
5 "Vintage photos, the 1950 murder of an F&M secretary," PennLive.com, last modified January 8, 2016, https://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/01/vintage_photos_the_1950_murder.html.
6 "Opinion by Mr. Chief Justice Drew, November 20, 1950," Justia, accessed November 27, 2018, https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1950/366-pa-182-0.html.
Date Range
1950-1951
Creation Date
1950-1951
Year Range From
1950
Year Range To
1951
Date of Accumulation
1950-1951
Creator
Brown, W. Hensel, b.1902.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 11
People
Brown, W. Hensel
Baker, Marian Louise
Gibbs, Edward Lester
Subjects
Murder
Trials (Murder)
Trial transcripts
Trials
Court records
Jury selection
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Search Terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Court records
Finding aids
Jury selection
Manuscript groups
Murder
Newspaper clippings
Trial transcripts
Trials
Trials (Murder)
Extent
1 box, 15 folders, 24 items, 1,081 pages to scan, .5 cubic feet
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0476
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Information about photographs used as evidence may be found in the Photograph Collection-many of the photographs are restricted.
ObjectID 2-15-04-01 to 2-15-04-21
Information about photographs used as evidence may be found in the Photograph Collection-many of the photographs are restricted.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Folders 12-15 are restricted. Use photocopies in Folders 8-11.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Number
MG-476
Classification
MG0476
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by RC, May 2017.
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Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/7e6c0c43-a410-4aa0-b203-384173303507
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Alice Caldwell Papers
Object ID
MG0576
Date Range
1827-1853
, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Subject Headings: Drawings Eulogies Hymns Poetry Search Terms: Drawings Eulogies Finding aids Hymns Manuscript groups Poetry Processing History: Processed and finding aid prepared by HST, 16 June 2010 and 1 December 2021. This collection has been
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  1 document  
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Alice Caldwell Papers
Description
The Alice Caldwell Papers contain poetry written and compiled by Alice Caldwell of Lancaster and three of her drawings. Tucked inside the manuscript volume was a eulogy for Robert Scott, composed by Henry Carter.
Date Range
1827-1853
Year Range From
1827
Year Range To
1853
Date of Accumulation
1827-1853
Creator
LancasterHistory (Organization)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
People
Caldwell, Alice
Carter, Henry
Scott, Robert
Other Creators
Caldwell, Alice
Carter, Henry
Subjects
Drawings
Eulogies
Hymns
Poetry
Search Terms
Drawings
Eulogies
Finding aids
Hymns
Manuscript groups
Poetry
Extent
1 box, 2 folders
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0576
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Alice Caldwell Papers, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Folder 1 was a gift of Nancy L. Gingrich, 21 May 2010. Folder 2 was a gift of Gary T. Hawbaker, 24 March 2018.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-576
Classification
MG0576
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by HST, 16 June 2010 and 1 December 2021. Added to database 1 December 2021.
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Drawing

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/f5172d62-7dfa-46af-9547-116094022720
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Manuscript book of poetry, with drawings and eulogy
Object ID
MG0576_F001
Date Range
1827-1853
, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Subject Headings: Drawings Eulogies Hymns Poetry Search Terms: Drawings Eulogies Finding aids Hymns Manuscript groups Poetry Processing History: Processed and finding aid prepared by HST, 16 June 2010 and 1 December 2021. This collection has been
More detail
  1 document  
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Manuscript book of poetry, with drawings and eulogy
Description
Manuscript book of poetry compiled by Alice Caldwell of Lancaster. Some poems, songs and hymns are copied from other sources, but some may be original. She signed and dated each composition. 1837-1839, 1853.
Insert 1 Three drawings by Alice Caldwell
Two drawings of a vase with intertwined flowers. 28 September 1827.
Branch with two peaches and at the side a smaller bird with a flower in its beak. 28 October 1831.
Insert 2 Eulogy, "On the Death of Robert Scott," composed by Henry Carter. Mr. Scott, a native of Little Britain, Lancaster County, died of Erysipelas Fever in California. No date.
Date Range
1827-1853
Year Range From
1827
Year Range To
1853
Date of Accumulation
1827-1853
Creator
Caldwell, Alice
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
People
Caldwell, Alice
Carter, Henry
Scott, Robert
Other Creators
Carter, Henry
Subjects
Drawings
Eulogies
Hymns
Poetry
Search Terms
Drawings
Eulogies
Finding aids
Hymns
Manuscript groups
Poetry
Extent
5 items
Object Name
Poem
Drawing
Language
English
Object ID
MG0576_F001
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Alice Caldwell Papers, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2010.MG0576.F1
Other Numbers
MG-576, Folder 1
Other Number
MG-576, Folder 1
Classification
MG0576
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by HST, 16 June 2010. Added to database 1 December 2021.
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Poem

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/7fca7db6-47b5-4852-bc86-681625481021
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Poems copied by Alice Caldwell
Object ID
MG0576_F002
Date Range
1836
, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Subject Headings: Drawings Eulogies Hymns Poetry Search Terms: Drawings Eulogies Finding aids Hymns Manuscript groups Poetry Processing History: Processed and finding aid prepared by HST, 16 June 2010 and 1 December 2021. This collection has been
More detail
  1 document  
Collection
Alice Caldwell Papers
Title
Poems copied by Alice Caldwell
Description
Copies of hymns, "The Sun-Bright Clime" and "The Good Shepherd." Copied by Alice Caldwell, Lancaster, 11 June 1836.
Copy of poem, "Sweet Home." Copied by Alice Caldwell, Lancaster, 4 June 1836.
Date Range
1836
Date of Accumulation
1836
Creator
Caldwell, Alice
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
People
Caldwell, Alice
Subjects
Hymns
Poetry
Search Terms
Finding aids
Hymns
Manuscript groups
Poetry
Extent
5 items
Object Name
Poem
Language
English
Object ID
MG0576_F002
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Alice Caldwell Papers, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2018.MG0576.F2
Other Numbers
MG-576, Folder 2
Other Number
MG-576, Folder 2
Classification
MG0576
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by HST, 1 Decemver 2021. Added to database 1 December 2021.
Documents
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