Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-04-24
ANOTHER DoRcHEsrEn MUADER
A Son Kills His Father for Striking
His MOther-ssBug'' Cephas Held
for the Murder of Celia Bush

/
| Spe ,ial Correspondence uazslte and Journal
CAMBRIDGE, Md, April 1913 D. IN -
News has jnst reached here of another
murder at Golden Hill. iu this county
Charles Shsnton, aged about so Yeas
and a very well-khown citizsn, was
murdered last night by his son, aged
about 20 years. No arrest has been
made at this writing but the sheriff il
preparing to 60 to the scene of the
| murder.
Your correspondent has just interviewed
gentleman from there, who stopped to
See the murdered man, and the only
information he can give is that he was
told that Mr.. Sbenton and his wife had a
quarrel, and that he struck his wife,
whereupon the son seized q club and
struck his father a fatal blow, death
being almost instantaneous. The greatest
excitement prevails among the people of
the neighborhood, but the son at last
accounts had made no attempt TO escape.
The jury of inquest in the case OF Mrs.
Murphy, alias Celia Bush, to-day found
that she came to her death by blows and
outs inflicted by Bug Cephas. MeGlotteu,
who was in Jail as an accessory, was re-
leased, the evidence against him not
being sufficient to hold him. II is believed
that he planned the murder for Cephas,
and was to receive half of the money
secured. State Attorney ID. NJ. Henry
Jr., tells your correspondent that he is
quite sure he has evidence enough to
convict Cephas.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
special TO the Philadelphia Times,
from Bridgeville, Del, dated yesterday,
week gives the following version of the
Shenton parrioide: f..
Charles Shenton, living in Lakes dis.
trict, Dorchester county, Md, had a
quarrel with his son Frank to day and
vas shot and instantly killed. The
father, who was about 80 years old, re-
monstraied with his son, aged "a, upon
the latter's wild habits. Frank replied
insolently to the old gentleman,
who, becoming enraged, struck the
younger man heavily over the head with
cane. Instantly Frank drew pistol
and when not more than two feet from his
father fired. The ball passed entirely
through the elder mans head and ne
dropped dead at his sons feet. The latter
gazsd at the corpse moment and then
fell on it in an agony OF repentance. The
tragedy occurred ON the lawn in front of
the family residence and caused intense
excitement. The son surrendered him
self.
CAMBRIDGE, April 1.-THE latest in
formation from parties just from the
scene of the Shenton homicide, at Golden
Hill, this county, goes far toward justify
ing the killing of Charles Shenton by his
son Frank. The elder Shenton, who is a
farmer living about Il miles from Golden
Hill, had been a protracted spree. On
leaving home yesterday morning he
threatened to kill the whole family.
When tie returned home, in the even
ing, he was drunk and very ugly. He
upset the supper table, and, upon his
son undertaking to demonstrate with
him, he got down his gun, chased him
out of the house ana fired at him, but
without effect.
When Frank ventured back to the |
house, soon afterwards, he saw his father
cluiching his mother by the hair and
brsndisbing butcher knife iu his other
hand. Rushing to his mothers rescue
with club which he hastily picked no,
Frank struck his father a blow on the
head which laid him dead at his feet
1t is the general impression that the
coroner's jury will exonerate Frank from
blame. He is not under arrest, but is at
home awaiting developments.
The inquest on the body of Charles N. |
Shenton, the Dorchester county farmer
who was killed by his son, wss held az
Golden Hill Thursday. The jury ioul d |
that the young man struck the fatal
blow in defense OF the life of his mother. |
There was general oongratulstion over
this verdict. Young Shenton has been
admitted to bail in $500 to appear at
court, if required.