The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-13

not accidental but intentional on the part of Miss
Duer; that she was going to die and wanted the cir
cumstances to be known.
VERDICT.
The jury rendered verdict that Miss Hearn came
to her death from nervous depression. caused by
ball shot from pistol. in the hand of Miss Lilly
Duer, ON the 5th day of November. 1873.
THE FUNERAL
On Sunday last the funeral of the dead girl took
place. The services were performed by the Rev. Mr.
billiard at the Episcopal Church whence the funeral
cortege proceeded to the burial ground near by.
MISS DUER's STATEMENT
Mrs. Duer was called upon by the reporter
and while conversing with her the door opened
and Miss Lilly Duer entered. In response to
question of the reporter she replied. with
out hesitation. that she would gladly tell him
all she knew. Miss Duer appears to be
about seventeen. She is about the medium height
of slender and graceful figure. with large brilliant
black eyes and dark brown hair. The hair was cut
short and worn in boys style. having
been parted on the left side and brushed
away from the forehead Her features are
delicatey chiseed. the eyebrows well curved and
the lips thin and held firmly together. Miss Duer
face is very striking full OF expression, over
cast with sadness and melancholy.
After stating that the shooting was purely acct
dental, Miss Ducr said
called to Ella for the purpose Of taking walk
She did not wish to CO. begged her. She refused
tried to kiss her. had the pistol in my hand, after
giving up the attempt to kiss her. and looking at
the cartridges, counting them when the pistol acct
dentally went of.
Il am not murderess. sir. Do look like one r
As Miss Duer said these words she looked up as if
inviting scrutiny.
The reporter then suggested to her that there was
n, -.
REPoRTER-It is alleged that this is not the first
time; that you fired three times at Miss Hearn in the
woods the town.
Miss DUER-There is not word Of truth in it. sir.
frequently practice pistol shooting but in
that way Like every little trifing thing have done
since my childhood this has been exaggerated by
town gossip.
RECOMMENDATION there is no truth in it?
Miss DUER-No. not particle.
REpoRTER-Ts it true that Miss Hearn drove you
from her bedside?
Miss DUER-No. visited her twice during her ILL
ness. The first time she heard my voice and called
me. went into the room and she received me by
putting her around my neck. She then said
ELL what's the matter with me?" told her that she
was hurt. who hurt me?' she asked Il. Ella"
replied lit who did it, e'Then you did not
do it purposely. did your Such was the converse
she was dcirious.
Miss Ducr then denied the statement which was
made by several persons in the town to the effect that
Miss Duer had left Pocomoke City for Baltimore in
male attire On this point she said I'll have not left
the town, except perhaps to visit some friend in
tho ncghborhood. As to whether she had ever
donncd male attire and appeared i'll in public has
been repeatedly alleged by the gossips of the town.
Miss Duer said nothing. Some further conversation
ensued in the course OF which Mrs. Duer stated
that her daughter passionately fond of reading
often sitting up nearly all night with her books
Miss Duer said that her favorite author Byron,
swhose nature" she remarked. lis similar to my
own"
For the past six months Miss Duer has been study
ing medicine. On Monday she gave bail amounting
to $4,000 before Judge Mock for her appearance al
the May term OF Court. The little town is greatly
agitated this distressing tragedy public opinion
being divided as to whether the shooting was acct.
dental or not.