Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-07-24
A Terrible Tragedy.


Shirley and Henry Price are neighbors,
and that the latter has daughter named
Eunlce, about seventeen years Of age,
whom Shirley wished to marry The
old man continued to press his suit, aud
to gain favor had in some way become
the creditor Of the family in the sum Of
$44. Shirlcy's affections were not re-
ciprocatod by the daughter Eunice, and
the Old man, it seems, resolved upon des-
perate means to bring his courtship to
an end He, therefore, on Monday last,
armed himself with II revolver and two
or three knives aud went to the house of
Nr. Price, and demanded the payment Of
the sum Of money due him--about S44.
Approaching the daughter, Eunice, Shir-
ley said he wanted the money due him or
her. Eunice informed Shirley that they
could not pay him the money, as they
had none, but that he could take flock
of turkeys which she had raised Tho
reply being unsatisfactory and rejection
OF his suit, Shirley drew his revolver,
levcled it at the girls head, and pulled
the trigger. Fortunately the chamber
failed to revolye far enough and the
hammer did not explode the cap. The
father aud negro boy who was present
immediately intertercd to prevent the
assassination, aud a sharp tussle ensued
between the three. during which Price
received a cut on one of his hands from
a knife which he seized by the blade. -
Finally the two ovcrpowered and dis.
armed Shirley, and upon promise that
he would remain quiet he was released
and allowed to get up off the floor But
as he raised up Shirley drew another
knife, which was concealed on his per-
son, and thrust tin the right side of Mr..
Price, lnfllcting mortal wound. Her
father being slain Eunice slipped out of
the back door with the determination Of
saving her life, if possible, by fight to
the house Of William Moore, distant
about one milo. In the meantime
younger sister, seeing the necessity Of
help and needing assistance for the care
Of her father, jumped upon Shirley's
horse, which was standing by the door and
rode of to the residence Of Richard Flood
and Mrs Norris, about mile distant in
smother direction from which Eunicc had
sturted. Shirley soon discovered the
route Eunice had thken and, started ii
in pursuit Of her Seeing tbatshe wssa-
long ways ahead of him he returned b
the house to lget his horse. Finding it
gone he mounted mule, but the animal
bucked him off, and he was Obliged to
resume the pursuit on foot, the frightes-
ed Eunicc all this time fleeing toward
the residence of William Moore with all
her physical strength Shirley no doubt
wished to oyertake her in the field and
there assassinatc or force pledge of
marriage from her. Fortunately for Miss
Price she reached within hearing distance
Of Mr.. Moore before the desperate and
bloodthirsty villain overlook her. He,
however, stopped her within about forty
yards of the house. when she cried out.
addressing Mr. Moore, Don't let him
Kill me-" Mr. Moore seemed to lose no
time in comprehending the situaeion,
and Immediately came oat Of ihe house
with his shotgun But Shirley and the
trembling Euuiee were partially entwin-
ed together, and hlr Moore dared not
shoot the old gray-headcd monster for
fear he would shoot the girl At this
time the parties presented thrilling and
tragic tableau. Shirley was supporting
the falnting and frightened Eunicc by
the left arm. while in his right hand he
held a large and shining knife, with the
point aimed at her heart Mr.. Moore
advanced on Shirley aud dealt him
heavy blow over his head, but it did not
knock him down. The gun, however,
was discharged by the concussion, the
contents passing over the head Of Shirley.
Then commenced another struggle be-
tween the two men for the possession of
the gun, as Shirley seized it as the blow
was struck. The parties fought for some
time most desperately. during which
Shirley tried to stab Mr.. Moore, but he
escaped with long cut in his pantaloons
near the right thigh The struggle con-
timed till Moore picked up rock and
gave Shirley heavy blow upon the head
which ended the contest. Moore then
lied the hands Of bis helpless antagonist
md led him at the end Of the rope to
Bangor. Dr. Vance, Of Oroyille, was
,alled to examine the wound of Mr..
Price, and pronounced it necessarily NOR
al. Price was widower, his wife dying
lbout year ago Though poor, the
amily is respectable, and the two daugh-
ers much esteemed by their neighbors.
Shirley is an old man, aged about sixty
'ears, and is the posscssor Of some pro-
,erty. We understand that he has here
oiore borne the reputation Of peaceable
nd quiet citizen.