The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-28
A PENNSYLVANIA TRAGEDY
A DOUBLE MiRRI1GE FOLLOWED
BY a DOUBLE FUNER1L.
Dauahter's Unconauernblo Objections TO
her Fathers Choice A Fathers Hatred Of
his Daughters suitor-The Ira gic aeaueI.


her Fathers Choice A Fathers Hatred Of
his Daughters suitor-The Tragic Sequel.
RosEvnLE, Pa, Sept. 20.-About FIVE
years AGO William Russell, q farmer, living a
few mites from this village, was left widower
with one child by the accidental death Of his
wife and second child, they being thrown
from wagon by q runaway horse. The care Of
the farmers house then devolved upon bis
daughter Harriet, aged 10 years. girl named
Mary Stokes, about the same age was employed
to aid In the household work. This girl had
lived In the house about eighteen months, when
Miss Russell discovered that her father was pay
ing the attention OF lover to the girl, and that
a close intimacy existed between them. Ma
turally shocked and Indignant al this, the
farmers daughter dismissed the Stokes girl
from her situation In the family. When Russell
learned OF this proceeding he Immediately
brought the girl back, and told his daughter
that she was TO remain there as long as she
chose. The daughter thercupon left the house,
and went to work at sewing In the nelshborhood.
The affair created great scandal In the rural
social circles. Mary Stokes finally left Russell's
and returned home. few days afterward Miss
Russell resumed her old position In her fathers
house, and the scandal soon ceased to DO the
subject OF gossip.
MISS RussEII's LOVER.
Living in this village was highly respected
young carpenter named Horton Hurst His
father owned a farm adjoining that Of the Rus
sells Some years ago n difficulty arose between
line fence, A long, bitter and EXPENSIVE law
suit followed. Farmer Hurst was finally sue
cessful in the snlt, and died two years ago. Rus
sell hated the name Of Hurst, and whe n, some
three years since, he made the discovery that
bis daughter and the son Of bis old en- emy had
formed an attachment for each other, nd were
actually engaged to be married. he thre atened to
disown Harriet u she did not at once renoun ce
the idea Of wedding young Hurst. She made
the sacrifice In obedience to her parent When
she left home ON account OF the difference with
her father and Mary Stokes. she and her old
been broken. This did not come to the ear Of
her father until some months after her return
home. He then reiterated his displeasure at
her choice, and declared that she should never
take tue name Of Hurst SO long as he lived.
THE TWO WEDDINGS.
About three months ago Russell astounded
bis daughter by telling her that he Intended to
soon marry the girl Mary Stokes, and bring her
back To the farm house. Harriet was firm In her
opposition TO the old mans folly. as she termed
H. ana assured him that when he broueht his
wife home he would Ind his daught gone from
the house never To return.
Tie early part Of last week Russell made
known TO his daughter that he was 70 to mar
rcd on the following Fliday. She made no re-
rangcments that bad been pending between her
self ana Hurst Tor some weeks, In view Of the
III ri ge Of her father. FRIDAY morning the old
farmer, first telling Harriet that he would re-
turn with his WIFE In tho afternoon, drove awav
toward the home of Mary stokes The daughter
placed the house IN readiness for the return Of
her father, ana about noon started for Rose
vile. Sne LETT behind her, on the bureau In her
iather; '
DEAR FArHEr I have alwavs tried to be a duilful
nave ,Ss ~ @ syu. ,, u 1 1 sVa ~ u % 10 ~ u @ ,oa
YOU gu choose a comP, nion above me: nope che
both oe very happy. Do not think 1 am wrlting this
s6dSoe S TO- hn ee no tb one me nave SI on @
s i9Ns1& & an waos, wne eSpset TO Dc IN rev hours
w. '0 Your once1oyed daughter. HATTIE.
Upon reaching this village Miss Russell was
met by Horton Hurst. They proceeded n TO the
and about O'Clock In the afternoon were mar
rled by the Rev. Mr.. Young Of the Methodist
Church. Afterward they went In company with
Mrs filley ana young gentleman, friend Of
Hurst the village tavern. here It had been
ranged to take dinner. They were nearly through
the repist. which na1 been very little Ike a
wedding feast. when the door Of the dining
room was burst in. and farmer Russell. pale with
rage, and a singular glitter In his eye, sprang
into the apartment. Ills daughter arose hastily
and ran toward him with outstretched arms,
hut he threw her asiue aud spTang upon her
husband.
THE TRAGEDY.
You d-d scoundrel, :" he exclaimed. You
set INV daughter 10 to leave her homer
| He grasped Hurst by the throat.lbut the young
man threw him on and commenced backing to-
| ward the door. Russell seized KNIFE from the
table, and getting between Hurst aud the door,
| attempted To stab the young man. Hurst re-
cciyed the thrust In his arm and seeing III at the
! ola man WAS bent on murder, drew a revolver
and warned him to stand back. Russell did not
| heed the warning. and continued t. make deadly
| lunges with the knife. Hurst received many Of
| these IN his arm and shoulder. Hursts sister
| escaped from the room duriug the melee, and
| tue young men pres mt seemed to be paralyZed
| with terror. At ! 81 Hurst pushed his asslilant
| hack from him ana leycled the pistol at him.
| his vile at tLis instant sprang between the
| men just as her husbands pistol was discharged.
| The bali entered her BRAN, and she tell to tie
| hoor nd expired without saying word. The
| report Of the pistol brought number Of per-
| sons mo the room. Hurst had fallen on his
| knees beside his wifes body, and after several
times frantically appealing To her 10y name 90
look ~ and speak TO him, he rose to his feet,
and before nand could be extended to prevent
| him, shot himself through the head. and he fell
| dead hy the side of his wife. Russell seemed
| stricken dunno by the fearful scene, and was led
| from the room like achild.
| As soon as the excitement that followed the
news of the tragedy could be somewhat allayed,
| the bodies Of the young married couple were
| removed to the residence OF MIR. Filley. followed
| by hundreds OF people. In the evening AN In
| quest las held by James Powell, Justice of the
| Peace. Russell was arrested and held Ia {2,OOt
| To await the action OF the Grand jury. A YER
| dict that Mrs. Harriet h. Hurst met ner death by
the accidental discharge OF pistol, and that
! Horton Hurst came.to his death ~ his own hand
| while temporarily insane, Was rendered.