Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-07
HOMICIDE AT CAMBRIDGE.
John N. steel Shot Twice end
Fatally Wounded by Jonn murray.

| HOMICIDE AT OAMBRIDGB.
John N. steel Shot Twice enc
Fatally Wounded by John Murray
Special Correspondence on Gssette and Journal.
| CAMBRIDeB, Md Jan. 3l,-An slteros
tion occurred in L. II HeLry'r store herr
this afternoon, he,wesn John Murray ant
John Fl. Steele, in which the latter wai
fatally wounded. The trouble arose ovei
Murray's teasing Steele's little boy tn,
father interfered and words led to blows
Steele striking Murray over th4 head
with an iron poker, making an ugly
wound. Murray replied BY drawing q
revolver and firing twice at Steele.
The wounded man was Immediately
taken to his brothers. residence, where
he was treated by Drs. Goldsborongh
Shepherd and Comegys. The fsthers OF
the com ba,ants, William Vans Murray
| and john N. Steele, ST., are among the
prominent men of Dorchester county.
Steele had, it is eeid, previously warned
Murray not to tease his boy any more, as
he haa been in the habit of doing.
CAMBRIDGE, Jan. 31.-The particulars
of the shooting OF John Steele, 30 far as
can be gathered amid the prevailing
excitement are as follows John Murray,
who is bachelor, aged about As years,
and man very fond of playing with
children, had In the morning been tess-
ing one of Mr.. Steele's little boys. The
latter requested Mr.. Murray to desist from
doing SO, and discussion ensued which
resulted in the two men parting in an ill
humor.
This afternoon, about q o'clock, they
met in the store of l.. H. Henry, on High
street, and the discussion of the morn ing
was renewed. One word brought on
another, when suddenly, and to the EUR
prise of Murray, Steele picked up an iron
poker and dealt him a terrible blow
over the face and head, which almost
felled him. Murray, seeing that Steele
was about to follow up the blow, warned
him not to do 80 or he would kill him |;
Steele continuing to advance on
Murray, the latter drew his revolver and
fired twice, both bullets taking effect.
Mr.. Murray's head is terribly swollen
and his injuries are also serious, the
sharp point Of the poker, having pene-
trated the skull. Both parties are very
quiet in their manners, and are connected
with the best families OF the town.
Murray expresses much regret that he
WAS compelled TO 80 protect his own life.
When the shooting occurred Mr.
Tregoe WAS being tried before justice OF
the peace for shooting with intent to kill
William Vaughn. Vaughn was yester-
day trespsssinR on Tregoe's farm, near
Cambridge, and the latter's dog got after
him. Vaughn drove the dog off with his
atA dtY,1 hat hn 80.
shoot him; whereupon Tregoe rushed to
the house, got his gun and shot at
Vaughn, not ipjuring him, however.
Tregoe WAS found guilty and fined rs
cents and costs, the lightness of the
penalty being due to the fact that the
magistrate considered Vaughn had no
right on the premises with gun.
CAMBRIDGE, Md, Feb. John N.
Steele, who was shot by John Murray
yesterday afternoon, died at 80 p. IN.
to-day. Murray is under arrest at his
lodgings. His injuries are not considered
dangerous and he is doing we'll.
Mr.. Stesls made an ante-mortem state
ment before Justice Flint, in which he
stated that murray came into the store
where he was sitting alone and took him
TO task about language applied to him
during their interview few minutes be.
fore. Murray said: "What did you
mean by talking to me as you did awhile
ago 7" Steele replied: 81 meant ex-
actly what l said-that you must not
tease that child any more" Murray,
according to Steele's statement, then
abused him and struck him with his nm
breIla, whereupon Steele retaliated with
stove poker lying near. Murray then
shot Steele twice, as before reported, in
hioting fatal wound.
Baltimore Day Special.
CAMBRIDGE, Md, Feb. 3.-Drs. Golds-
borough, Comegys and Shepherd had
consultation yesterday evening, after
having examined John Murray, steele's
slayer, and they agreed that he could be
removed without danger, and about p.
N. he was lodged in Jail. He felt his
position keenly, remarking to his frieuds;
"My people have lived and died ia Cam
bridge for generations, and am the last
Of my race, and about to be- inoarcerated
in jail for defending my life" He has
every comfort in prison that he desires.
Henry Page will assist Colonel Sulivsne
in the defense. He will arrive here to-
morrow afternoon, when Judge Wilson is
expected, and Murray's application for
release on bail will be argued.
The funeral Of Steele took place al $50
o'clGck this afternoon, and was attended
by at least 1900 people The interment
was in Christ Church (Episcopsl) ceme-
terry. The Revs. Drs. Barber and Bryan
otfioiated.
[Justice Flint, acting coroner, held an
inquest on Steele on Saturday. The jury
rendered the following verdict: "Tbat
on the 3lst day Of January, lss4,at Cam
bridge, i'll Dorchester county, a certain
Johu Murray feloniously, voluntarily and
Of malice aforethought, with pistol in
hand, did shoot the said John N. Steele,
inhicting two mortal wounds, from which
he died between the hours OF 3 and
O'Clock p. IN. on the 1st day of February,
1884, against the peace and dignity of
the stste."l