Middletown transcript., 1874-04-18
THE sHOoING OF JOHN cONEGAN.
A Cold Bloedsd Deed.


on the Delaware R. R., on Saturday night, 4th
inst, written to Epsry Ecening which was
mentioned by our Warwick Correspondent last
week, is, we believe, substantially correct.
TOWNSEND, DEL, April 18th, ls74.-Your cor
respondent has just gathered the following par
ticulars of the tragedy which was enacted at
Morris Station, Kent county, Nd, or Saturday
night, 4th inst:
Louis Ford, who has been concerned in II lit
tie store at Morris Station, trusted John Cone
gan for some goods. After waiting some time
for the pay, Ford sued Conegan for the amount
Of his claim This rested quiet until Saturday,
4th inst, when the parties ford and Conegan)
met at Sassafras, and Ford agreed if Conegan
would pay him $40 the next Saturday, llth
inst, he would pay the cost and drop the mat
ter. This, CoAegan agreed to. Ford met Cone
gan at Morris station the same evening; they
shook hands and Conegan asked Ford to go in
and take a drink which Ford agreed to. After
taking the drink, Ford, in company with George
Walker and John Mcguire started home. Cone
gan, living in the same direction, soon followed
on behind them. After going about mile, one
of the party looked behind and saw Conegan
coming, and remarked to Ford, Halo ! here
comes John Conegah. Ford looked back and
saw him and sad yes, and L II shoot the s-n of
a b-h Conegau then ran and caught up to
the party and said, "Who is that You are going
to shoot, Lon?' Qaughing.) "Why you, you
d-m s-n of b-h," at the same time firing at
Conegan, the ball taking effect in the left side
above the heart. Finding the shot did not knock
him down, Ford struck him in the face with his
fist, knocking him down, and struck at him, but
Walker and Mcguire caught his arm and told
Ford for Gods sake not to strike him. "oh
I've got my death grip on his damn throat ex-
claimed Ford, keeping his hold and choking him
for several minutes then leaving him for dead.
The ,hree-Ford, Walker and Maguire--went on
TO the house of old Liz Greenwood, house OF
ill-famc. which was but about 100 yards from
the scene of shooting. Ford went in and said:
"Well, shot John Conegan and killed him,
d-m s-n of b-h, and didn't mind it no
more than killing frog" and threatened to
shoot any one who attempted to pick Cone
gan up After staying a short time he went on
home, and it is lamemtable fact tina, these two
men, Walker and Mcguire, and this old hag and
her three girls, did actually let that poor Conc
gan lay out in the woods within one hundred
Yards of their house all night, until about o.
clock the next morning When they went to
take him up they found him frozen, and had to
cut his hair loose rs it was frozen to the ground.
His feet were stiff and the strangest OF ii all, he
still lives, but has not spoken word since he
was shot.
heard this morning that the Doctor says
there are probabilities of his recovery. Ford is
still at large. There have been writs issued in
both Maryland and Delaware. The affair took
place on the edge Of Maryland, in the heart of
what is known as "The Forest" J. G. I.
The following additional particulars are fur
nished us by gentleman from the neighborhood
where the affair occurred :-Conegan was re-
moved to his own home about IL O'Clock next
morning in speechloss and paralyzed condition.
His family at once put him in bed and applied
hot irons to his feet, whish were burned to Il
blister. DR.. Joseph Lore, Of Sassafr was sent
for, who after examining the wound, found that
the ball was lost in the mans chest and could
not be removed. DR.. l.. has continued to visit
the wounded man every day, and, under the
Dr's, skllful treatment, he is rapidly recover
ing, being already able to walk about and to eat
heartily. His speech also, has partially return
ed. He is certainly tough specimen of human
ity.
Odessa Items.
TFrom our Odessa Correspondence
The Prayer Meeting of the "Young People"
still continues on Sabbath evenings.
Mr.. Hyatt has made some improvements on the
property occupied by Mr.. JOS Parker.
A number of improvements in our sidewalks,
make decided change in their appearance.
A runaway occurred in our town on Tuesday
last, but no serious damage was done.
Garden and yard culture have been occupying
the attention of the people for SOME time past.
Our fishermen are at their work and have had
"their SHARE of luck in this department.
Mr.. Ryan has taken the contract to attend to
the street lamps, in place of the contractor just
resigned.
Another lot of trees have been planted out and
surrounded by boxes, which make quite re-
spectable and pleasing appearance.
The green grass and singing birds have again
returned as forerunners OF spring. We welcome
them to our midst.
The boys are seen in groups playing marbles
ON our sidewalks and make many loud excla-
nations Of mirth and gladness.
Mr.. Edward Wiley is making great prepara-
tions to keep boarding-house at Rehoboth Beach
Camp Meeting. ''The old gentleman knows
how to do it."
The town commissioners were elected on Mon
day week, at which Mr.. Brown was on the COM
mittee to attend to having the stumps ''white-
washed" as they cannot be removed.
A sudden death occurred on Monday night in
our town. A Miss Hannah Marshall, Mrs. Daniel
Stevens sister, who was staying at her home,
died with heart disease.
TO. o.. r.
According to the proclamation of G. F. James,
N. W. G. NJ, Good Samaritan Lodge No Q, of
this town has resolved to celebrate the 55th An