The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-12-20
Shooting the Girl She LoUed
BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED SHE HAD BEEN
sUPPLANTKD IN HER AFFECTIONS.

BALTIMORE, Md, Dee. 10 "A special
from PocomOke City, Nd. gives an account
of the fatal shooting of Miss Ella Hearn by
her intimate associate. Miss Lily Duer.
Both girls moved in the highest social cir
cles, were aged IS, and were pretty and
we'll educated. The attachment OF Miss
Duer for her friend was apparently of the
mos. ardent nature. She was constant
visitor at Mr. lIearu's residence, and her
manner toward Miss Hearn was of the most
affectionate character.
The scene of the shooting was in Miss
Hearn' sitting room. On the afternoon Of
Nov. ., Miss Duer called, ana after meet
ing Miss HeaTD in the tenderest manner,
expressed to her the belief that her affec-
tions had been supplanted by Miss Ella
Foster, with whom Miss Hearu had also
been on terms Of intimacy. Il few minutes
afterward Miss Duer drew pistol from her
pocket and fired. The ball entered Miss
Hearn's face, aud i. was never extracted.
As Miss Duer seemed to be overwhelmed
with grief, aud declared the shooting to be
accidental, no action was taken at the time
by the authorities.
Miss Hearu died last week and an inquest
has since been held, at which it was shown
that she accused Miss Duer of shooting her
Intentionally, and that she had on pre-
Vious occasion attempted to take her life.
DIR. TIutt testified that he was summon
ed on Tuesday, Nov. 5, between 4 and 8
O'Clock, and found Miss Hearp conscious,
but excited. Stimulants were necessary,
which when given her were the cause of
her resting comfortably that night. She
remained about three days in that condi-
tion. For the first week she was delIrious.
Miss Ilearn told the Doctor that she fol-
lowed Miss Lily Duer to the door. Miss
Duer asked her if she loved her. Miss
Hearn replied playfully, 40" Miss Duer
then drew a pistol, and pointing it at her
face, near the eyes, said that if she repeat
ed that she WOULD shoot her. Miss Duer
then drew back two PAGES and fred. DIR.
Smith also testified that he ascribes the
death of Miss Hearn to nervous prostratiOn
: caused by shock produced by the shooting.
James L. HeaIn testified : On the after
noon of Tuesday after the shooting he
asked his daughter if the shooting was ac-
ciden.ali She declined to answer. The
next day lie asked again. She again de-
cliued, and turning away began TO weep
bitterly. A few days afterward she voun-
tarly said that she followed Miss Duer to
the door, where Miss Duer accused her of
loving Miss Ella Foster better than she did
her. Miss Duer tried to kiss witness s
daughter, and in doing so fell, and then
jumped TO her feet in an excited manner
aud fired. Ella said she did not expect
TO recover, and therefore wished witness to
know the circumstances. Miss Duer af-
firmed in the most positive manner th at
the shooting was accidental.
The verdict Of the jury was that Miss
IIearn came to her death from nervous
depression caused by a shot from pistol in
the hands of Miss Lily Duer. Miss Duer
has given bail in 81, 800 for trial. Public
sentiment is about equally divided as 10
whether the shooting wSsaccidental or nos.