The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-20
A YOUTHFUL MURDEREss.
DETAILS o. TIE MOST REMARKABLE CRIME
ON RECORD.

The trial of Miss Lille Duer on an in
dictment for fatally shooting her once init.
mate friend and associate, Miss Ella Hearn,
is fixed for to morrow at Snow Hill, Wor-
cester County, Maryland The case excites
extraordinary comment, which is not alone
confined to that section of the State. The
wide spread publicity given to the startling
tragedy, at the time of its occurrence,
through the press, combined with the re.
markable features of the distressing affair.
will lend to the trial remarkable interest
that will extend throughout the entire coun-
try.
The sad tragedy of las. November, in
which Mis-. Ella Hearn, beautiful young
girl, just blooming into womanhood, lost
her life, by the hand of Miss Lille Duer,
is again the paramount interest in this
quaint little Eastern Shore town. Miss
Duer, who gave bail for her appearance at
court, will oa Tuesday be summoned before
the grand jury of the country, and over
twenty young ladies of the town and neigh
borhood have been subpGnacd in the ease,
which promises to be one of the most re-
markabe in the annals Of criminal trials,
| the circumstances surrounding it being
stranger in many respects than French
romance. Miss Ella Hearn, the victim, rests
peacefully in the old Episcopal Church
the green sod and bunch of roses and
sweet violets placed there this bright spring
morning by the loving hand of an old
schoolmatc and friend Miss iIcarn was
originally from Laurel, Delaware, where
she spent most of her youthful days, and
where her pretty face and sweet ways are
remembered by large number Of friends
and acquaintance. That she was the fair
est and most lovely girl in all the countr,
about is the testimony Of all who knew her
and her photographs, which are now pre-
served as interesting mementocs, with al
the defects country artist could make
warrants one in believing that she was real
lv beautiful. Somewhat below the medium
height, she possessed slight, graceful bu,
well.dcveloped figure, and there is a sweet
smile lingering about the mouth in the
pictures, which is said to have been habit
ual to her. At the time of her death she
was scarcely II. She was girl of high Spir.
its and was gay, cheerful and dashing in
her disposition. She was highly esteemed
among her friends and those who knew her
as young girl of sweet and pure disposi.
tion. Although her education was limited
to the requirements possible at the high
school Newtown, she was fairly accom-
plished, without any brilliant attainments
or prctcnsions.
For some years during the last of her
school days she had permitted rather than
encouraged growing intimacy with Miss
Lille Ducr, whose affection and passion at
last resulted in her death. Miss Lille Duer
is about 20 or II years of age, and has lived
all her life in Newtown. She is by no means
pretty, and is somewhat awkward in her
movements, as though her female habili,
ments trammeled her and she would be
better able to get about in male attire
Her eyes are large and unhinching She
meets your gaze with steady, firm, some.
what distant stare. The face is rather thin
aud clearly cut, and her forehead is strik
ingly high and broad. Her thin lips close
tightly, which causes the frmuess Of her
expression to strike the observe at once.
With short and very dark hair, parted at
the side, she wears roll at the top or her
head. Altogether, the face is one which
would not fail to excite interest any where.
She talks quite intelligcntly and with ease,
appears to have entire confidence in herself,
and acts as though she would much pre- fer
to be man rather than woman Her
intimacy with Miss lIcarn began some
years ago, aud during last spring and sum.
mer the two girls were constantly together,
! much like sisters Miss Ducr appears to