The evening times., 1896-09-12

CeDterville, Nd, Sept. 12.-This CON-
munity was much excited yesterday by the
news which was brought to the State OF
ficers in Centervilie. that Mr.. John IL. Null
likin had been shot and killed by his SON
Percival Mullikln, WHO'S not yetseventeen
years OF age. Investigation proved that
the report was true and that the homicide
was In self-defense and in defense also
Of the youths mother and other members Of
the family against the rage Of the father
who had been drinking heavily
The famil live q short distance from Cen
terville, Queen Anne county, on the road
from Ruthburg to Hope, III the same section
where Thomas Brown is charged with hav-
Ing killed his brother-in-law, Samuel Rash
As soon as word was brought OF the
tragedy to Centerville States Attorney
Harper and Sheriff Wooleyhand repaired to
the scene and Perciyal Mullikn was placed
under arrest.
MRS. MULLIKIN's TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Addie Muliikin, wife OF John Multi
kin, testified before the jury that her
husband had frequently abused her and
her children. He would become intoxicated
and at such times their lives were in dan
ger. On Thursday he obtained jug 3f
whisky and spent the Afternoon at his
barn. Shortly before 8 O'Clock he came
To the house and began abusing her in
shameful manner. and said that ne would
send the entire family to h before morn
ing She pleaded with him to he quiet.
but on this occasion her pleadings were
In vain.
He became more and more violent aud
ordered them all TO go upstairs, saying he
would kill them all. Mrs. Muiliken and her
seven year-old daughter went to their room
on the second floor aud Percy to his apart
ment in the third story. He soou went to
her room, and, after more abuse, struck her.
He seemed perfectly crazed with whisky and
passion. He called Percival, and, catching
him by the throat, drew his kE Ie and swore
he would cut Percival's throat.
Mrs. Mullikin went to Perciyal's assist
ance, and in the struggle which followed
Mullikin dropped the knife, after having in
nicted several slight wounds on the hand
OF his wife. He then searched for his gun,
declaring he would kill them all. Not De-
ing able to find the gun. lie went to the wood
pile after an AK, leaving his family in the
second story. The gun at this time was
IN Il room on the second floor at the head
OF the steps. When Mullhin was returning
with the ak his wife. in dread OF her life.
exclaimed, My God, Percy, what shall We
dor'
Just then MullikiD reached the foot OF the
stairs, and Percy, taking the gun from the
room, and without any aim, tired down the
stairway. Muliikin had assembled three or
four steps and received the charge directly
in the heart, and fell dead where he stood.
CoRROBoRATED BY HER SON
Percival Muilikin corroborated the testi.
mony OF his motiier, and said that when he
father, and only did 1t to defend his mother
and SISTER from VIII at he believed would be
certain death at tie hands of his father.
Dr. Holland testified that he had been
summoned last night by Mrs Muliikin
and found Mullikin dead when be arrived.
The shot had torn the heart entirely to
pieces and fractured several ribs. 1t was
instantaneously fatal.
After a short deliberation the Jury rem
dered a verdict of Justifiable homicide,
acquitting the sou OF all blame in the !
matter.
John Muliikin was about forty-five years |
of age ard of medium size. Percival is |
of the late William Dever, who was ut |
one time clerk OF the circuit court for |
Queen Anne county The family is deeply |
distressed over the sad occurrence. Per !
oval MulIikin is a young man Of fire |
character.
John II. Mullikin, when under the infln-
encc of liquor, was, according 10 evidence, |
a menace to the safety OF his family |
y,a "a /
citizen, but he became wild and reckless
when intoxicated. The members OF his |
wife's family bad been in constant anxiety |
for her safety for years. Previous to this
occasion she has always been able to Con-
troll him. He had frequently warned Per
cival not to interfere when he was quar-
reling with Mrs. Null kiu. His abuse was
said to be almost beyond endurance, and
this time the mother and son were almost
beside themselves with fear.
HIS VIOLENCE WAS FEARFUL
His condition is shown by the fact of his
breaking dishes and furniture.
When ne seized his son, Percival, the boy
TO grasp both his fathers wrists.
pushing him to the wall and begging him
lot to injure his mother. II was then that
he knife was used. After he dropped the
xnife and had secured the AK and was re
urning to the second floor, Mrs. Mulhken
vent down two or three of the steps in
,rder to meet her husband and quiet him.
( possible, but his threatening words
,la rmed the boy, and seizing the gun he
ired past his mother in the direction Of
he foot of the stairway. There was no
light in the hall at the time except that |
Which came from lamp in the parlor, the
icor of which was partially open.
Mrs. Mulliken has sister living in Balti-
more, who is the wife of Rev. d. F. 7. Tagg.
If the Methodist Protestant Church, anu
.f1itnr 0f fine Methodist Protestant