The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1875-10-29
RUssELL's REVENGE.
A DOUBLE WEDDING AND DOUBLE FU-
NERAL IN PENNSYLVANIA

/
About five years ago William Russell,
farmer, living few miles from Roseville,
Pennsylvania, was left widower, with one
child. The care of the farmers house then
devoved upon his daughter Harriet, aged
sixteen years A girl named Mary Stokes,
about the same age, was employed to aid in
the household work Miss Russell discoy-
cred that her father was paying attention
of lover to the girl. The formers daugh.
ter dismissed the Stokes girl from her stu.
alton in the family. When Russell learned
of this proceeding he Immediately brought
the girl back, and told his daughter that
she was to remain therelas long as she chose
The daughter theraupop left the house. and
Mary Stokes iuail3 ~ RusselI's and few
days afterwards Miss Russell resumed her
| old position in her fathers house.
Living in this village was a highly re-
spccted young carpenter named Horton
Hurst. His father owned farm adjoining
that of the Russells. Some years ago
difficulty arose between the two farmers
about the propes location of a line fence
A long, bitter aud expensive lawsuit fol-
lowed. Farmer Hurst was finally success
ful in the suit, aud died two years ago.
Russell hated the name of Hurst, and when,
some three years since, he made the discov-
cry that his daughter and the son of his
| old enemy had formed an attachment for
each other, and were actually engaged to be
married, he threatened to disown Harriet
| II she did hot at once rcnouncc tho idea of
wedding youn. Hurst. She made the sac
| rifice in obedience to her parent. About
three months ago Russell astounded his
daughter by telling her that he intended to
soon marry the girl Mary Stokes, and bring
her back to the farmhouse. Harriet as
sured him that when he brought his wife
home he would find his daug ghter gone
Friday morning the old farmer, telling
Harriet that he would return with his wife
in the afternoon, drove toward the home of
Mary Stokes. The daughter placed the
house in readiness for the return of her
father, and about noon started for Rosevile
She left behind her, on the bureau in her
room, the following letter addressed to her
| father:
DEAR FATHER Il have always tried to
be d"tifu daughter to you, but the act
| you intend to do to-day is more than I can
submit to, as have more than once told
you. You choose a companion above me.
'hopa she will be as tru5 ts ssu as < .hayS.
Do not think I am writing this with light
heart, although in leaving the home of my
childhood go to find home with one /
have long loved and whose wife expect to
be in few hours. God bless you, father,
and good-by. Your ouce-loved daughter,
HATTIE.
Upon reaching this village Miss Russell
was met by Horton Hurst. They proceed
cd to the house of Mrs William Filley, a
sister of Hurst's, and about 2 o'clock in the
afternoon were married by Rev. Mr.. Young,
of the Methodist church Afterwards they
went in company with Mrs. Fillcy. and a
young gentleman, a friend of Hurst's, to the
village tavern, where it had been arranged
to take dinner They were nearly through
the repast, when the door of the dining
room was burst in, and farmer Russell, pale
with rage, and singular glitter in his eye,
sprang into the apartment His daug hter
arose hastily and ran toward him with out,
stretched arms, but he threw her aside and
sprang upon her husband.
"You sc0undrel" he exclaimed, "You
set my daughter up to leave her home !'-
He grasped Hurst by the throat, but the
young man threw him off and commenced
backing toward the door. Russell seized a
knife from the table, and getting between
Hurst and the door, attempted to stab the
young man. Hurst received the thrust in
his arm, and seeing that the old man was
bent on murder, drew revolver and warned
, him to stand back. Russell did not Iced
e the warning, aud continued to make deadly
9 lunges with the knife. Hurst received
: many of these in his arm and shoulder
: Hursts sister escaped from the room during
y the melee, and the young man presen
s seemed to be paralyzed with terror. A
q last Hurst pushed his assailant back from
J. him and leveled the pistol at him. Hi
t wife at this instant sprang between the mel
l.. just as the husbands pistol was discharged
f The ball entered her brain, and she fell t
d the floor and expired without saying word
d The report of the pistol brought numbe
= of persons into the room. Hurst had fall
o en- on his knees beside his wife's body, an
# after several times frantically appealing
IS her by name to look up and speak to hin
q he rose to his feet, and before hand coul
d be extended to prevent him, shot himse
/. through the head, and he fell dead besid
r his wife Russell seemed stricken dun
a by the fearful scene, and was led from tn
ID room like child.
h As soon as the excitement that followe
Of the news of the tragedy could be somewh'
cr allayed, the bodies of the young marie
O. couple we're removed to the residence
c. Mr.. Filley, followed by hundreds of peopl
IN In the evening an inquest was held |
a James Powell, Justice Of the Peace. Ru
ns sell was arrested and held in $4,000
in await the action of the grand jury.