Daily Republican., 1889-01-23

The shooting OF james Dellet, Jr., IN
shamonR Township, N. j., near small's
Hotel, on Saturday night, has created the
greatest excitement all through the pines.
Dellet was 9 widower, with three chill
dren. He had been living with bis father,
James Dellett, Sr., well-to-do farmer
living on the road to Indian Mills. The
young man was on intimate and friendly
terms with his assailant, John MeNeai,
until election night, when they quArreled
over an election bet, whereupon Dellet
knocked McNeal down. Amer that they
became apparently friendly again.
On satulda night young Dellet went
TO sma'ps Hotel and stayed there about
four hours. During The evening he bad
about Ave drinks OF whisky and left about
midnight. He did not appear to be in
toxicated. He was not seen by any one
until he stepped at John McNcals house
Tally Dellet, relative OF the deceased,
heard O man outside calling and banging
on the door. Then came the report OF
the gun, aud Mrs. McNeal cried, "Oh,
come one has shot John"
Tally next ran downstairs and saw
Deilets body lying on the perch. Imme
diately after the shooting MeNeal LETT the
house, taking the gun with him, with the
remark that II any one else troubled him
on tho road he would flx them, too" He
went direct to the house OF Justice Cot.
ton, whom he aroused from slumber. He
told the Justice that he was asleep, when
some one aroused him by knocking on
his door very loudly, accompanied by
shouts, etc. Dressing quickly be went
down stairs and picked up n Springfield
rife that was hanging over the door. 1t
was loaded with bird shot. He called out
several times to know who It was, but ,he
man outside would not reply. NcNesl
opened the door and called out. "Who's
there and what do you wantp Deili
responded, III waat you" at the SAINT
time stepping upon the doorstep and
making move as n to seize McEeal b,
the coat. TIE latter then pushed III,
muZzle OF the gun against him and fired
Dcllet fell without word and died al
most Instantly. Alter dragging the body
was committed TO Jail yesterday.
Coroner Coppuck Of Mount Holly
summoned jury and held an Inquest to
day at Small's Hotel.
Michael McNeal, a brother OF the maj
| who did the shooting, was a very Rdvers
witness, and repeatedly contradicted him
eelf In giving his testimony. He slest ii
Johns house the night when the shootisj
occurred. John told Michael that Dele
had caught him by the throat when b
opened the door. Then the gun was dis
charged. As TO whether John McNea
had been drinking that night the witnes
had no defirite knowledge. John mus
have known Dellet when he shot, as b.
told witness who It wes
Mre. McNeal was summoned to testify
but did not come. ehe drove TO Noun
Holly instead. Isaac Cotton, who ss'
McNeal after tho shooting, said the latte
was very much excited and wrung hi
hands, faying: ''I've shot Jim Dellet.
McNeal did not tell aoyone 1t was al
accident until some time Afterwards
He told James X. NAylor he didn't kno'
II was Dellet until alter no had fired th
shot.
Henry Wright, the foreman OF Ii
Jury, said McNeal told him he "pusbe
Dellet back with the muzzle of the gu
and It went off," and that he would /,
no man enter his house as Dcllet tried /
do. He said; II wish had never see
tho gun" To Constable Miller he sai(
~ took the gun down the road with u
after the shooting In case / should NEE
someone oise, and If they touched nae
| would use II again"
The coroner's jury returned a verdi
/ that BALLET came TO his death from
gunshot wound willfully caused by job
McNeal.