Middletown transcript., 1874-01-10
Maryland Affairs.

. THE EASTERN SHoRE HoxIcIDE.-Ths most a.
trocious and revolving murder that has happened
in this county for many years was committed nj
Eden, station on the Eastern Shore Railroad,
division line between Somerset and Wicomico
counties, ON the 3lst Of December. The facts as
detailed to your correspondent by the States
Attorney, Henry Page, Esq, of Princess Anne,
are substantially as followes: VIM. Taylor, a
notorious character, Of Somerset county, who
has served ton or twelve years in the Maryland
State penitentiary for the murder Of a Mr.. Lam
don in this county, has been rowing "whsre he
listeth" for a year or two, his sentence of eigh-
teen years having been remitted by Governor
Bowie. On Wednesday last he met Alfred
Hitch, who lived at or near place called "Hell's
Kitchen" not far from the seat Of the tragedy.
Taylor and Hitch engaged in some playful trials
of strength without provoking amy hard thoughts
upon either side, SO far as was observable by
the hy-standers. After this tilt or friendly rem
counter the two men separated, Taylor starting
off up the railroad with his axe upon his shou-
der, followed by Hitch and Mr.. Fleming, who
were apparently unconscious of any malevclencs
on Taylors part.
After Taylor had proceeded fifty yards in ad-
vance Of the two men he turned around and OBJ
served them taking like course with himself,
and Fleming, with whom it seems he had had
nothing to say,) holding in his hand a short
stick Of wood /; he thereupon approached the two
blade Of the axe, ten inches upon the blade, en-
tering his person at the collar bone, completely
severing II, and passing downward until it dis
located fonr ribs from the sternum, and stopped
buried in the lung. '.Take that d-n you," said
Taylor, land learn how to follow man up the
railroad" The wound was Of the most ghastly
character, and DR.. R. Dashisll, the physician in
attendance before the coroner's jury, easily in
serted his hand in it up to the wrist. Mr.. JUS
tice Upshur. acting coroner, summoned q jury
| and held an inquest over the dead body on
Thursday morning, Mr.. Page being present TO
take the testimony Of witnesses. The jury rem
dered verdict in accordance with the above
| facts. Up to the present time Of writing the
| murderer 10 still Mt large. A reward will prob
ably be offered for his apprehension. Bad whisky
| is assigned as the cause Of the a6air.-Ban. Sun.
| SINGULAR PHkNoMFNoN.-On Saturday night
| the Aurora Borealis presented brilliant and
| singular appearance. 1t was in the form of q
Christian cross, reaching from the horizon in
the North to the zenith, and from east to west
nearly spanning the heavens. 1t was very bright,
even and symmetrical, aud in the exact form oi
| the cross usually represented as that on which
our Saviour was cruci6ed. -Easton Journal.
GAVE HlMsELF Up.-Ths Princess Anne True
Marylaader says that William Taylor, charged
/ with the murder of AL. Hitch, near Eden station
Somerset county, on Wednesday Of last week,
and who made bis escape at the time came oul
| Of the woods on Friday last and gave himself UT
to Mr. james Hillman, who took him to Prin.
cess Anne and delivered him to Mr. John La.
mour the jailor, who confined him in prison fol
examination. fsaA
| Cn Tuesday, Messrs. Hynson and Pesrce, al
trustees, sold at the Voshsll House, Chestsr:own
Nd, the Biscos property, on Qssen street. Tn,
house occupied by Mrs. Biscos was purchased b,
| her for 81 ,005 the house opposite was purehas
cd by Mr.. Sewell Hepbron, for 81, 900; and III,
church lot and building by Mr.. VIM. d. Burchi
nal. fer S325.
The contest for the fine buggy for the benef
of the Presbyterian church Of Elkton, was de
cided on Tuesday evening last. The competi
tors were Mr.. P. @. Strickland and Ex,Sherif
Strickland. who vi raise raised ssss; !; Sheriff rhoaa.
J receipts amounting 10 500.