The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-04
TIE rOwABDA TRAGEDY.
Henry Ward Indicted for the Murder Of Wesley
Z. Shader-Reyume Of tho Crime.

TowANDA, Pa. May 8, 1871.
The Grand Jury have just found true bin for
murder in the first degree against Henry Ward for
the killing OF Wesley 4. Shader.
The drama OF blood, Of which the action OF the
Grand Jury forms another scene, was inaugurated
In Towanda, Pa, on the 22d or February, 1871.
Facts, taken from statement OF the case, ad-
dressed by Mr.. II. Decker to the Lima IN. ~
Recorder, show the cause and the manner Of the
murder to have been as ioll0ws:-Mr. Shader being
In the employ, as general agent or the Union Mu.
tual Life insurance Company OF Augusta, Me-, left
New York on the 21st of February to prosecute his
duties. He arrived at Towanda on the 22d and put
up at the Ward Hotel. Having. In Is6S at the DEM
ocratic Convention In New York, made the &C.
quautancc OF Ward, he sent his card to the
latter's residence. Ward, 1t may here be stated,
Is the son OF the late O. L, Ward, a
lawyer, who as successful operator~in iand
amassed a large fortune. and by whose death he
became possessed Of the fine homestead at Towanda
Shader, having received no answer from Ward, pre-
sumed upon their familiarity to visit MIN, without
Ward in the parlor Shader accompanied him up
stairs to private room. There Ward taxed Shader
TS eae Was e 81 snnsp haSns
witnessed at the time OF previous visit domestic
difficulties not creditable to Ward.
Shader denied the charge, but Ward, dissatisfied
with the denial, seized and attempted to throw
him, but being less agile than the former was him.
position ne pretended to have been sporting, and
Shader, accepting that statement as truthful,
allowed hip TO RISE During general conversation
We're the SUBJECTS and Ward exhibited pair S 81
reviewers that he handled so carele as to cause
Shader to remind him that he might hurt himself or
Mr. snader remained to dinner and after the meal
the Of inc s SeS
Of conversation: The purposed ride TO Greenwood
Six miles from Towanda was prevented by the an.
During the meal the subject OF shooting was again
introduced. and Shadcr bantered Ward upon his
was angry Id tone Is not proved and from the fact
that MI. Shader having considered the whole Of It
as playful It is to be presumed 1t was not MI. Ward
suddenly LETT the room, but soon returned, having
VINO started forward to turn the weapon away.
6hader was distant about two feet did nre, and
Shader received his death wound. Immediately
named Brophy, requested him to enter 1t, as man
had there shot himself,
Brophy entered and discovered Shader upon his
cured medical assistance and the presence OF num-
Der OF citizens. Before these men Ward was greatly
wounded man al acknowledgment that the shooting
was accidental. But Shader in no way assented to
from iailting lit, he said, sHarry, why aid you
shoot meg" Ward replied. "You know l didn't IN
tend to do it-tnat It was entirely accidental" Be-
fore this Ward had made several somewhat contra
dictOry replies questions asked him. He afterwards
made statement that Shader at the time OF the
explosion had his hand upon the revolver and to
the truth or this he endeav0red to have several per-
sons induce the wounded man to subscribe. The
sion OF the accidental nature Of the discharge
OF the revolver or a distinct charge against
Ward utterly failed, as he returned to al question.
Grand Jury has seen flt to indct Ward and 1t is
rumored that the shooting will upon his trial De ad
drunkenness be put forward to paiate the Onfence.