The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-13
HER BOSOM FRIEND THE VICTIM.
Strange Story Of Love and
Morbid Jealousy.
VERDICT OF THE CORONERS JURY
Conflicting Opinions Re-
garding the Case.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


City, Md. has just been concluded. and some
startling disclosures have been made going
to prove that the shooting Intentional
and not accidental. at first reported
and generally believed. The families Of both young
ladies are among the highest in point of social stand
ing in that section Of the State. The girls only
about eighteen years of age and beautiful and atrac-
tive. They had only recently graduated with honors,
and acknowledged bellies in society. They
had also been very intimate terms. although tho
affection of Miss Duer for Miss Hearn to have
been of an extraordinary morbid nature. and if
the statements made Of her tragic act correct she
became blindly jealous at the love Miss Duer for
another lady friend, and in moment of passionate
excitement fatally shot her.
THE FATHERS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Hearn, the father of the murdered girl makes
the following statement
In the winter Of 1875 my daughter Ella and Miss
Duer first became acquainted did not object to the
girls associatng together at first knowing, did.
that Miss Duer is well educated and intelligent.
thought that such association would benefit both
Of them. Besides, ! admire and respect Miss Duer's
father very much. Finally, however. she began to
frequent the house almost too often which seemed to
bother child From the fall Of 1876 Ella made
strong effort to break off the association altogether
This was, however, in vain Every effort met with
the same result. There were not six days in the
whole year during some time Of which Miss Ducr
was not present in my house. unless, in
deed, she happened to be out Of town Wis
iting some in the country. She daily
tried to get Ella to walk with her in the woods
main alone in the parlor with her. Ella would, in
the kindliest manner, often tell her to 60
home and not call again. But this
all to purpose Still she came. still
begged her to tako walk remain with
tober 1873, they left the house together, to take
walk nthe woods called winter Quarter" not far
from tho town. They stayed in the woods
some time gathering teaberriss. IL think.
When starting ~hone Ella won't first. while
Miss Duer loitered behind. Suddenly Miss
Duer called out. asking Ella to stop. Ella did not
heed her. but continued on her way homeward. Miss
Ducr then raised her pistol which she usually carried
with her. and deliberately fred three times narrowly
missing her. Miss Duer then up behind her with
the pistol still in her hand Ella turned and she
did So knocked the pistol from her hand. saying:-
"Did you intend to shoot me?'
Miss Duer replied:'I only intended to brighten
you and make you STOP"
Then and there Ella told her she would never 60
into the woods with her again. This was virtually
the end Of their friendship
THE TRAGEDY.
Mr.. Hesrn dictated the subjoined statement.
which he ssys was made by his daughter to himself
in the presence Of others when she had recovered
from her state Of Inconsistencies and perfectly
sound md clear in Judgment,
November 4 she (Ella) received from Miss Duer .
note asking her to go to Miss Duer's house that
night, and stating that 1t about important
business. She, in company with her younger sister.
Louise called that evening at Miss Duer's
home. When they arrived Miss Duer tried to
persuade Ella to go into the woods the next day for
the purpose, usual of taking walk Ella de-
cncd to 60. Miss Duer then declared before Almighty
God that il she did not go this time she would
never ask her to do anything else long
she lived. November s. that fatal day Miss Duer
came to our house and insisted that Ella should 90
into the woods with her Ella still declined She then
asked Ella to say that she loved her. Miss Ducr,
more than any else. Ella refused to say She
then, in . state OF great excitement. walked
from the front door to the gate several
times, and finally went into the passage aud
shut the door. Walking hurredly toward Ella
she quickly threw her around her and tried
to kiss her. Ella pushed her away. and while
doing Miss Duer slipped and fell 1t but few
seconds after this when the shooting occurred. Miss
Duer drew her pistol. cooked it and deliberately fred
FEMALE RIVAL
The young lady of whom Miss Duer is said to have
in Miss Hearns affections, is Miss Ella Foster of Po-
comoke, o lady of intelligence and highly esteemed.
MISS HEARS's
Miss Hearn's sickness long and exceedingly
painful. Her death Friday last quiet and
peaceful On Saturday post-mortem examination
was made and the jury Of inquest. with the Rev.
William Dale foreman, listened to the following
cvidcnce-
DR. Quinn testified that the wound would not
essarily produce death but would depend upon the
nervous condition Of the person. thought the ball
Dr. Truitt testified that the girls system had sus-
tanned such shock from the injury that It was
impossible to probe for the ball; the ball did not
necessarily produce death, but was the ex
citing cause: she died Of nervous prostra
called In on Tuesday November 5. between four and
Ave o'clock found Miss Hearn sensible but excited:
stmnants were necessary, which when given her
she remained about three days in that condi
zion; for tho first week she was deliri-
ous; Miss Hcarn stated to me IDr. Trnitt
that she followed Miss Lilly Ducr to the door; Miss
Ducr asked her If she lovca her. Miss Hcarn replied
playfully. Mo-" Miss Duer then drew pistol and
pointing il at her face the eyes. said that She
repeated that she would shoot her. Miss Duer then
drew back two PAGES ana a,I are Cd, , ,,, %
any disease likely to produce death: could not say
that the ball was the remote cause Of death in this
James 4. Hearn testified:-on the afternoon OF
Tuesday after the shooting he asked his daughter If
the shOOtinp was ucclucntal answer:
the next day he asked again she again declined, and
turning began to weep bitterly; few days after
ward she voluntarily stated that she followed Miss
Ducr 20 the door, where Miss Duer charged her with
loving Miss Ella Foster better than she did
her Miss Duerl she Miss Duer) attempted
10 kiss her Miss Hearn), and in. doing so
fell and then jumped to her feet In excited manner
and fired; Ella said she did not expect recover and
therefore wished me lher father to know the circum
stances.
Captain John Clark testified that about two weeks
after the he called to Miss Hearn and
mud har frpVv xiVn In rfyti I'm
Of the shooting introduced and she said to him
that 1t done intentionally, and then related cir
cumstances which were substantially the same as
testified by DR.. Truitt he considered her rational
Mt the time.
w. y. Clark testified that he near the house at
the time; heard screaming; entered and saw Miss
Hearn lying on the sofa, apparently in great DISTRESS
Miss Duer excited and running about the ROOM
pistol In hand took the pistol away from her and
aftcrwsrd gave 1t TO Mr.. Hesrn.
Mrs julia Dennis testified that Miss Hearn made