The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-05-16
APORTDEPOSIT MYSTERY
Threatening Letters and 4 Mysterious
Shooting
Special to the WING.

Special to the WH1G.
PORT DEPOSIT, May 18th. 1896.
As published last week Thomas Donnelly
was shot in very mysterious manner last
Thursday night. Drs. Brummell and Crothers
was called in and although the wound was not
of Il dangerous nature. unless blood poison
ing sets in: it was thought bestto send him to
Il Baltimore hospital. For some
time Messrs. Il. T. McClenahan. Henry
Nesbitt. Jacob Tome and Edward Rowland
have been receiving, threatening letters. de-
manding $1,000 to he put in certain places or
the recipients would have their houses
burned or blown up with dynamite. Shortly
after receiving letter the powder house at
the NlcClenuhaa Granite Company quarrjes
was broken into. powder, fuse and dynGmite
were taken. Wednesday night Of last week
Mr.. Edward Rowands barrack was fired
A letter was nailed to one of his trees con
tanning words to this effect Take warming
/ have lust begun. If $1,000 is not left in tho
Office of Mr. FoXs mil in II tin can tomorrow
night | will he back to finish my work -"
Baiiir Reuben Bond was placed as Il watch
man il the Office Of the mill. He supposed
the window was uniastened as to allow access.
Between ten and eleven O'Clock II man came
and tried to get in the window. butbeing
unable to do 50 he left and thus an excellent
opportunity of capturing the rascal was lost.
About eleven O'Clock Tom DOnneily was
shot, he says 10y Mr.. Edward Rowland, who
emphatirally denies the charge and says he
knew nothing about 1t. Downelly iurther
states that he was shot in his own yaru
Hearing some one walking and thinking the
party was after his chickens he went out
calling Who's thereN' A man replied by
asking the way into town. Also said "Who
are you' Donnelly answered I'm Tom
-Donnelly." Immediately the gun was fired,
the shot taking effect in his arm.
After being shot $50 he says he crawled to
clump Of bushes and lay there for some time
fearing the man would return and kill him.
This statement hardly holds good, as ac
cording to his version the shooting was done
in his yard, it is strange some member of the
family did not come out to see why the shot
was fired. He made no sound whatever he
simply crawled away to hide. That of itself
elapsed, he managed to get to the
house and into bed. Calling his sister he said
do not be frightened | have been shot in the
arm They sent at once for DR.. Crothers
who despatched his team for DR.. BrummeIl,
they found the wound had been made 10y gun
shot and he was weak from loss of blood.
They dressed the wound and in the morning
he was taken to the hospital. His arm is
healing and he is now doing well. party of
men went out Sunday to see il they could
find any signs Of the shooting. Donnelys
home is short distance out of town and Il
stream runs near. Tho men followed the
stream and discovered blood stains walking
further they came to Il fence on which were
stains rs though Il person had bled getting
over and on the ground large place made
by Il pool of blood was seen. Crossing Il
plowed field they found footprints that showed
Il man had run across until he came to the
fence. This would seem to prove conclusiveH
that Donnelly was not shot in the same yard.
Nothing definite is known and many rumors
are rife The truth of the affair needs an
experienced person to fathom.
The report that Mr.. Edward Rowland mis-
stock the man for a prowler and shot him
seems to be without any foundation, and is
denied by Mr. Rowland.