Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-03-19
An Eloper Shoots a Father.

The Philadelphia Times, of March
18th, publishes the following:
GOLD MINE STATION, Pa, March IL
Some months ago Peter Christ
man, a farmer living about eight
miles from here, notified Ezekiel
Henry to discontinue his attentions
to his daughter Mary, comely girl
of about nineteen years. Ezekiel
seemed TO have taken the warning, ,as
his visits to tie girl ceased to all ap-
pearances, but it leaked out that the
lovers had held surreptitious meet
ings Old farmer Christman when
he heard the gossip swore to kill Hen
ry if he saw him in company with his
daughter.
He kept strict watch on his daugh-
ter's movements and about two weeks
ago surprised a small boy in the act
of conveying a note to his daughter.
The note proved beyonda doubt that
the young couple had made arrange
ments to elope. The note spoke of
the girls father in very harsh Ian
guage and told the girl that she was
in no way bound to obey the com
mands of her father in such a matter.
The old man went to the house of
Henry's parents and told them that
if their son persisted in his efforts to
ruin his daughter he would kill him.
Two weeks went by without an at
tempt ON the part of young Henry
to prosecute his love affairs and old
Christman thought matters i'll that
direction at an end. But last night
Henry informed confidential friend
of his that to day he and Mary Christ
man would be far away and the old
man Christman could go to the devil.
This morning Mary asked permission
to go out for a walk. Her father as
sented, but sent her little brother, a
boy of about twelve years, along for
the purpose of keeping an eye on her
movements. The young woman pass
ed Henry ON the little street of the
village, but did not talk to him.
About II o'clock this morning she
managed to elude her father and got
out of the house unobserved- In u
bout an hour after this she was miss
ed and old Christman instituted
search. He found that she and Hen
ry had been seen driving out of the
village together The farmer hitch
ed two horses into a light spring
wagon and started in pursuit He
was accompanied by Henry Swope
and Israel Meyer. They overlook
the eloping couple about ten miles
from here, steering for Lebanon
Christman shouted at them to stop,
but they paid no attention to him
Christmans party soon overlook the
couple and springing out caught hold
of Henrys horses bride and stopped
him. Christman then began to up
braid Henry The latter jumped
from the wagon and sprang on Christ
man. Christman drew a revolver,
but Henry was too quick and drew
a pistol and fired, the ball striking
Christman in the leg. The other two
men ran forward and Henry fired a.
gain twice and injured the two men,
Meyer in the left side and Swope in
the right arm. He then jumped in
to the carriage and drove down the
road, leaving the woman standing by
the side of the three men. She went
to farm house and secured help
sufficient to convey her father to his
home. Henry was arrested at Keif-
er's and taken to Gold Mine and COM
mitted to await the result of his VIC
Tins injuries. The girl is almost de
mented over the sad sequel of her
love affair. The entire village is ex-
cited over the occurrence, and threats
of lynching Henry are freely uttered.