The daily gazette., 1878-07-05
THIRD EDITION..
murder and Suicide.
TERRIBLE AFFAIR IN PORT DEPOSIT
A MAN SHOOTS TWO OTHER MEN
AND THEN KILLS HIMSELF.

A MAN SHOOTS TWO OTHER MEN
AND THEN KILLS HIMSELF.
A tragic affair occurred at Port De-
posit yesterday morning in the shooting
of James and Thomas Armstrong, of the
firm Of Armstrong Il Co., well-known
iron firm at that place, by VIM. Magill,
all ironmolder, who Immediately after
wards shot himself through the head,
death resulting instantaneously. James
Armstrong, whose wound probably prove
fatal, was citizen of Baltimore, residing
at No. 264 East Biddle street, and carried
on branch house of the Port Deposit
firm at No. 60 Light street, as whole
sale and retail dealer in stoves and hol
low ware. The firm of Armstrong a. Co.,
has been established at Port Deposit for
over fifteen years, and their extensive
foundry is located on the old stage road
TO Philadelphia, not more than 300 yards
from Main street. The firm has also a
retail store at Port Deposit, on Main
street, near the postoiiice, and it was at
this place that the tragedy was enacted.
The firm comprises, besides the two
brothers James and Thomas, u third
brother, William, who, with Thomas, is
a resident OF Port Deposit. William
Naglll, the murderer and suicide, WAS a
man of more Than ordinary ability as a
meC hanic, OF an inventive turn OF mind,
and of comparatively sober hab is. He
was a first cousin of tie Armstrong; on
lis mothers side, and his wife and
James Armstrong; wife were sisters,
their name being Merrick, and their
father "a well-known cattle dealer of
Lancaster count,, Pa. The orgn OF the
afiray is raced directly to difficulties
between Magi ant the Armstrong firm
9n regard t. monetary AIMS OF Magill
upon certain sove patents operated 10y
the firm Of Armstrong q Co. Magill,
several years ago, invented patent
smoke consumer attachment for stoves
and some other pateuts tue rights which
he sold to Armstrong s. Co., for royalty.
been paid IN full for his roya ties and
entsred suit in the U. 5. District Court
al Baltimore Tor 5000 dam ges.
For some time past Magill has been
an destitute circumstances, ,at Port Deposit
and out OF employ ment. Yesterday mo IL
ing he left his home, leading by the hand
MS two little daughters his only children.
He left his children unattended upon the
street and went to the store of the MessIS
Armstrong, meeting the brothers James
and Thomas upon tile pavement in front
OF the store. He spoke to them about his
royalty claims and pressed for a settle
inent They answered him that they had
no settlement to make. Loud words en-
sued, when passer-by, urged them to go
within doors The two Armstrong; went
inside and Magill followed them, at the
same time drawing from his pocket
ave b3arreled Colts revolver, loaded with
powder and ball. Scarcely had he got
inside when he began firing, first at
James Armstrong, who was twice hit,
once III the abdomen and once in the left
breast below the nipple
Inc thlrd shot struck Thomas Arm
strong, who had attempted TO escape, and
was IN the back part OF the sto e, in the
night leg, below the thigh. The fourth
shot Magill fired at a cllizen, George
Mackey, who had attempted to prevent
further ming. he ball mis- edits mark.
But one ball now remained in the reVol-
yer, and this Magill reserved for himself
deliberately placing the weapon at his
right temple, he flied. The bali crashed
through his skull, penetrated his btain,
and killed him instantly.
1he Armstrong brothers were assisted
to nelghbonng drug store, and from
there removed to the residence oi
Thomas Armstrong, on Nam street, neal
Hanna, j. II. Mccullough and C. A
SEIZURE attended them. Medical aid wa
also summoned from Baltimore, as /
was deemed necessary 10 amputate til,
right ley of Thomas Armstrong Til,
wounds of James Armstrong, ii Is beliey
ed, are moral, agd at last repoIts he wa
sinking rapidly.
Coroner Kaufman katz held an inques
over the dead body OF MagIll, ana til
jury rcndercd "A verdict III accoIdanc
with the facts ot the case.
Contributions We're received to bear tn
funeral expen,es. Magill was a nauye ,
Ireland, AZ years old, and had lived 4
Fort Deposit for over twenty years. II
leaves Widowed mother, "a wife an
two small children. He was membe
OF Cecil LoJg-, M. 81, knights OF Z,
thlas. Ills funeral will take place o
Sunday.
james Armstrong, whose life is d,
spared OF, had resided in Baltimore fo
about ten years, aud is Is years old. II
has wife aud five children. Thoma
Armstrong, the elder brother, is 81 year
old and has wife and family His IT
covery Is thought probable, but the resul
OF amputation of the injured limb canno
De now determined.
a VALUABLE ESTATE.