Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-09-22
A Sensation in Milford.
,uMoRED TRAaEDY-BATTLE FOR A FARM AND
WOMAN.

A nuMoaEp rRAaEDY-BArrIE FOR A FARM AND
A WOMAN.
The Milford Mutual Friend, OF last Saturday,
tells at length the story Of some recent occur
rences, which caused a profound excitemene III III
that town. We condense the story, giving all
the material facts as follows =.
In October last there arrived in Milford one
John Norcross, bankrupt liquor dealer OF
Philadelphia, accompanied by widow giving the
cross, s,se daughter Of the man They purchased
file aSpencer Shoemaker FARM" near MILFORD,
where they all appeared to live in peace AND
harmony until week before last, Norcross su-
erntending the farm and and Mps aaa Mrs
Ladd claimed to be the owner OF the iarIh anu
all the property on it.
Week before last Harry Stevens, representing
himself the agent OF H. Hance son hursea fsss,
les in New jersey arrived and went out to the farm
| to sell Mrs Ladd some trees. Whether ne sue
| ceeded we cannot say, but he made a bargain OF
| a much more important character Ihe WiuoM
was handsome, and Mr. Stevens not dlsagreeanai,e a,'
| to look upon They were suddenly smitten with
mutual admiration. Mr.. Stevens paid instant
court to the widow, and after few days wooing
he led her to the altar of Christ Church, in Mil.
| ford, where they were joined in the gonos oi
| matrimony by the rector, Rev. j. Leighton
| McKim. The new-made bride then gave Mi.
Norcross formal warning to quit the premises.
Now Norcross did not like all this. It is SAID
he was very fond of the widow himself ana ne
| alleged flat the 1hT1l ulu Lou Aoe'tS -o
her nj all. it having been bought with his money,
and she merely holding it in trust for MN on
account of his pecuniary embarrasments.
On Saturday week. Mr.. Norcross, VINO had peeh
brooding over his wrongs several nays T.,
Milford to return to his late home, OF whlcn ne
took possession About O'Clock in the evening
Mr.. Stevens got Milford livery team 10 orlve
him and his home Onther arriva,, sncy mnaS
| met by Mr., Norcross with whom Stevens engaged
| in angry discussion, which had not proceeded Iai
. when Norcross drew seven shooter, ana com
meuced firing. Stevens took to his heeis crylng' Y
. Murder, murder! Help, good folks lie MeiP ,,, !,
and the colored driver who did not know pul
what his turn would come next lashed his horset
into a run and went into Milford, Stevens MAKING
frantic efforts to stop him to let him get IN .he
: carriage The widow and girl, alarmed a. sn' ~
fracas both ran across the fields to neignpor
i and Norcross was left in possession OF the house
n IA soon az Stevens could collect somcien
bre ath after his arrival in Milford he went befor
1t magistrate and made affidavit to tine iaets an
| he and the boy reported in the town tnat lne
had Themselves barely escaped with their hves
"a aud they had no doubt that the women they ma,
/ left screaming behind them were both mnroere9,
& The excitement was intense. Sons.api
= Vaughn with posse of twenty-five or thirty me
r armed with clubs, sabres, revolvers KNIVES, an
other deadly weapons Immediately starred tor "a
scene of the tragedy to apprehena tne uSnpeeiaus e
They found Mr. N sitting quietly IN tnS sghhn, IIS
Il and The women safe in the house OF neighpoi
He submitted quietly to- arrest anu ssaoo
. h;s arrival in Milford gave bonds for $lOVo
u ns ns .hs neace The facts of the case becomin
As more more fully known, several prominent citizens
T. Milford, believing that Mr.. Norcross was serioui
that the report Of his bIs p50Gbsss
D, nrsestlv exaggerated, interested themselves
s. 6rsasy 6ins about an amcabie settlement Of u
u matter ps and and on Monday of last week comprt
n- mise was effected between the parties, ~ wnlT aI
aiiowed Mr.. Norcross his horse and carnage q,
O. cart.;n other personal effects, with which !
in ssreed to be satisfied and leave Mr.. Stevens
a aniet and peaceable possession Of his new
e. acquired rights a.. ,,.,,o, F.;ead. nv
a. ,,dorstond viii leave Immediately for the Mort
Ss daughter prefers cast her lot with Il
in widow, who has been her companion toI H. seys, ys,
m years and will therefore remain ,,a ~ .e ~
ife house with the newly married couple't