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LAD KILLED HIS MOTHER 

The Times | 14 Jan 1908, Tuesday | Page 1

Streator, IL

LAD KILLED HIS MOTHER

Son of John Hazel, former Streatorite, uses hammer in Toledo Tragedy

Harvey Hazel, seventeen years of age, is under arrest in Toledo, Ohio upon a charge of murdering his mother, Mrs. John F. Hazel, formerly of the city of Streator, Illinois.  The boy has made a confession of the awful crime, according to the newspaper reports, and declares that he killed his mother because she would not give him money with which to buy Christmas gifts for a young lady friend. 

Streator relatives were shocked when they heard the news and they are unable to account for the actions of the boy. 

According to the boy’s confession, after he had killed his mother, he took some money from the house and went to the theater with a friend and later went to see the young lady in question, where, it is said, he was arrested. 

The murder is said to have been committed while the mother lay in bed. The boy, it is said, used a hammer, crushing the unfortunate woman’s skull with two blows, the second struck as she turned over in pain to learn, with horror, that it was her son who was the assailant. 

The remains of Mrs. Hazel were taken to Aurora today for burial, the funeral being held this afternoon from the home of the decedent’s father, Elijah Perrigo, the interment being made in Spring Lake cemetery.  Several of the immediate relatives went up from Illinois to attend the funeral. 

The Aurora Beacon, in commenting on the tragedy, said yesterday: 

CAN’T ACCOUNT FOR IT. 

“The relatives here believe that the boy was seized with a sudden mental aberration and that under its influence he committed the terrible deed.  They believe that the reports in the Chicago newspapers are exaggerated and state that the parents have done everything they could for the boy.  They say that when the family left Detroit last spring, they had the boy go back to Illinois from Toledo so that he could attend school there and they have given him every advantage possible. 

“Mrs. Hazel will be well remembered in Aurora as Jessie Perrigo and her father, Elijah Perrigo, has resided in the same residence in La Salle Street for over fifty years.  The daughter was at one time a teacher in the East Aurora Schools. 

“Only six weeks ago, Mrs. Hazel and her son visited in Aurora.  The relatives in IL say that at the time the youth seemed to be all right, that he was very fond of his mother and that he was considered a good boy. They say that even since Christmas time they have received letters from both the mother and son, the two missives being enclosed in one envelope.  Both told of the presents they had received and thanked the Aurora relatives for the gifts. 

Sketch of the Deceased

“Jessie Perrigo was born in Aurora about forty years ago and grew to womanhood here. She was a teacher in the East Aurora schools for several years and was married in 1890 to John F. Hazel, who was at one time an engineer on the E. J. and E. 

“After living in various cities, the family went to Battle Creek, MI, where the father, John F. Hazel, was engaged in railroad work. He left there for Detroit when he was appointed master mechanic of the Shore Line Railroad. When the new shops were built in Toledo, the family moved to that city, where they have since made their home.  The mother of Mr. Hazel is now living in Aurora at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bert Casner. 

“The deceased leaves the husband and son; the father, a sister; Mrs. George T. Chambers of Aurora, and a brother, Myron Perrigo, a well known Aurora printer, who is now working in Chicago.  The mother died about five years ago and the father is in feeble health. 

“The sympathy of the community is expressed everywhere for the stricken family. 

FORMERLY OF STREATOR.

John Hazel, husband of the dead woman is a member of the Hazel family who resided on East Hickory street in what is now the Harvey Property, for many years. He lived in this city before his marriage and, we believe, for a short time afterward.  Many people will remember him, but it is not thought that his wife was widely acquainted here. 

YOUNG HAZEL WAS BORN HERE

Joliet, IL | Herald News | 15 Jan 1908 | Wednesday | Page 1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/548563524/?terms=%22Mrs.%20Hazel%22%20&match=1

YOUNG HAZEL WAS BORN HERE

Boy who killed his mother lived on Landau Avenue

Joliet friends of the Hazel family, former residents of this city, were shocked by the announcement in last night’s news that Mrs. Hazel has been killed at her home in Toledo, Ohio, by her 17-year-old son, Harvey.  Those who had known the family could hardly believe this to be true, but the facts are as stated. 

The son is in jail at Toledo, held on a charge of murder. The remains of his mother reached Aurora, where her father lived, yesterday morning, and were given burial yesterday afternoon. The tragedy caused sincere grief in many Aurora homes, where Mrs. Hazel has been well-known in her girlhood. 

The boy who committed the terrible deed was born in Joliet. At the time his parents lived in a house at 304 Landau avenue. Previous to that time the family had boarded at the thome of Mrs. Russell, on Benton Street.

Old-time neighbors on Landau avenue recall the birth of the son 17 years ago. He was a bright baby and as a child gave no evidences of that brutal instinct which would permit him to slay his mother. The father, John F. Hazel, was for a number of years employed as an engineer on the E.J. & E. at the point, and will be remembered by several of the older employees.  The family moved from here to Battle Creek, it is believed and some years later located in Detroit and then in Toledo. Mr. Hazel is master mechanic for the Shore Line Railroad.  Following the burial of his wife, he returns to Toledo to take up the burden placed upon him by his sons awful deed. 

ELEVEN YEARS TEST PROPOSED BY EYMAN

17 Dec 1908 | The Stark County Democrat | Page 3 | Thursday

https://www.newspapers.com/image/900620456/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Toledo - Dec 13 - “Eleven Years’ treatment in the Mansfield reformatory is the only thing that will determine whether Harvey Hazel can ever become a useful citizen.”

This is the opinion of Dr. H. C. Eyman, superintendent of the Massillon state hospital, and who is one of the expert witnesses for the defense in the case of Harvey Hazel, the 17-year-old boy charged with murder of his mother on January 11, and who is on trial in Judge Morris’ courtroom.

“Hazel should be kept at Mansfield until he is 28 years of age. By the time he reaches that age, he will have safely passed the adolescent period, and will either be cured or be a hopeless case”

This opinion the defense attempted to get to the jury on Saturday when it asked the expert to state his opinion as to the future condition of Hazel. It was ruled out by the court.

“Hazel can be treated at Mansfield and if it is possible for him to be cured it will develop there. His case might be hopeless. And on the other hand a cure might be effected.”

HAZEL GETS 2ND DEGREE

The Times Recorder | 24 Dec 1908 | Thursday |  Page 1

HAZEL GETS 2ND DEGREE

Toledo Boy Must Go To The Pen For Life; Killed His Mother

https://www.newspapers.com/image/284447971/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Toledo, Ohio - December 23 - After deliberating 12 hours the jury in the case of Harvey Hazel the 17-year-old boy, charged with murder in the first degree for the killing of his mother, at 10 o’clock tonight returned a verdict of MURDER in the second degree.  The finding of the jury means that the boy must go to the penitentiary for the remained of his natural life.

Harvey Hazel was placed on trial November 30, accused of slaying his mother by beating her to death with a hammer. Robbery was assigned as the cause. 

TEACHER’S MISTAKE

pIQUA lEADER - dISPATCH | 26 Dec 1908 | Saturday \ Page 7

https://www.newspapers.com/image/935964401/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

TEACHER’S MISTAKE

Said to Have Resulted in Boy Becoming a Matricide

Toledo, Oh - Dec 25 - A teacher’s mistake years ago is said to have resulted in DON HARVEY HAZEL becoming the murderer of his mother. Hazel has been found guilty of killing his parent, and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Ohio Penitentiary. When the boy was going to school in the earlier part of his life - he is now 17 - his tutor unintentionally called him Hazel when she wanted him to recite or to do something for her. This continued for some time, the teacher not knowing that Hazel was the pupil’s last name. The boy resented the appellation as there were girls in his class named Hazel. When the teacher learned her error, she apologized, but he did not let the matter rest. He played truant for two weeks and concealed the fact from his parents. The parents were notified. Fearing he would be severely punished, the lad ran away, became a tramp, and evil association ruined him.  On Jan 11 1908, he went to his parent’s home in TOledo and slew his mother by hitting her over the head with a hammer. According to the jury’s verdict, Hazel has hope of a pardon, or a parole, He smiled when the jury gave its verdict. 

HARVEY HAZEL GETS LIFE SENTENCE

The Times Recorder | 4 Feb 1909 \ TH | Page 1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/284447215/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Toledo, O - Feb 3 - Harvey Hazel the 17-year-old-boy found guilty of the murder of his mother, was this afternoon sentenced to life imprisonment in the Ohio State Penitentiary at Columbus. Hazel was convicted of slaying his mother Jan 11, 1908, by beating her to death with a hammer, after which he robbed her of $57. The case attracted considerable attention because of the defense of adolescent insanity. 

19 Jul 1913 - Coshocton Daily Times

MYSTERY SHROUDS CASE

Father Wants Son, Convicted of Mother’s Murder, In Prison

https://www.newspapers.com/image/8688310/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Columbus, O - July 19 - John F. Hazel, father of Don Harvey Hazel (23) of Toledo, pleaded with Executive Secretary Russell at the governor’s office to keep his boy in the penitentiary, where he is serving life for the alleged murder of this mother six years ago. The state board of pardons recommended the boy’s release on the grounds that the board members believe he is innocent. Russell, after talking with the elder Hazel, said: “The father seems to be of the opinion that his boy should not be released at this time: he thinks that if the youth killed his mother it was during a period of insanity, and that if the boy was at liberty this condition might occur again.”

Governor Cox will withhold executive action until the elements of mystery are made clear. 

18 Dec 1913 - Chillicothe Gazette

Th - Page 2

https://www.newspapers.com/image/292426195/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

MATRICIDE TO GO FREE

8 Jan 1915, Friday,Page 3 - The Chronicle Telegram

https://www.newspapers.com/image/8740771/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Matricide to Go Free

Toledoan will leave Ohio prison in June.

Columbus, O - Jan 8 - Gov Cox yesterday commuted to ten years the life sentence of Don Harvey Hazel, of Toledo, who killed his mother in 1908 and was sent to the penitentiary for murder in the first degree. He will be released in June. The state board of pardons recommended his unconditional release nearly a year ago, but no action was taken by the governor then.

Hazel is 24 and was only 16 when he entered prison. He had become an expert electrician and gas engineer, it is said. 

Since the board of pardons took its action, Hazel has been under close investigation by the governor. Once he was called to come to the governor's office, and this morning Dr. A. F. Shepard, a member of the state board of pardons, had a long talk with Hazel at the prison. Later Dr. Shepard told the governor he believed Hazel is thoroughly normal and that if he was defective when he entered the penitentiary, a physical and moral generation had come out? 

Harvey had been a good prisoner and earned good time which reduces his ten years’ term to about eight years of actual punishment. 

TOLEDO BOY RELEASED FROM OHIO PEN. 

8 Jun 1915 ,TUE page 1 - The Daily Sentinel-Tribune (Bowling Green, Ohio)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/882435365/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

This was one of Toledo’s most noted murder mystery cases, along with next times case: OVERMEYER FACES CHARGES OF MURDER in connection with the Lemoyne Burglary.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/882964249/?terms=%22Harvey%20Hazel%22&match=1

Further: 

Don Harvey Hazel, born 24 May 1891 in Joliet, IL died the 19 May 1917 in Detroit, Wayne, MI and was buried in Aurora, Kane, IL. 

The 1910 Census shows Harvey is 18 years old and an INMATE in Columbus, Ward 8, 120, Franklin, OH where he was sentenced. 

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLJH-1TD

Don Harry Hazel --- Death Record

Name: Don Harry Hazel

Gender: Male

Race: White

Marital status: Single

Death Age: 24

Birth Date: 24 May 1891

Birth Place: Illinois

Death Date: 19 May 1917

Death Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA

Father: John F Hazel

Mother: Jessie Perigoe

Source Citation

Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics; Lansing, Michigan; Death Records

Source Information

Ancestry.com. Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

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More From Time Travel in Toledo, Ohio

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