Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-17
John h. Mulliken Of CentreYille, Md,
Fatally Shot by His Son.
VICTIM HAD ATTACKED HIS WIFE
Was Trying to Kill HerWhen He
Was Slain.

Mulllken, we'll known and at one
time a highly respected farmer, has
lately been drinking at times to excess.
Thursday he became intoxicated and
was rebuked by bis wife, whereupon he
seized knife and succeeded in CASH
lug the woman In several places on the
arm and hands. which she threw be-
fore her face to protect herself from
his fendish efforts to destroy her life.
Assistance arrived and the man was
disarmed by bis son, Percival, aged II
years, and man named johnson. He
swore vengeance against both persons
but was quieted for short time. His
wife escaped to the home nf neigh
Dor, where her arms and hands were
swathed 10 bandages. She then re
turned to her home. The husband and
father had gone out and returning
found that no person was in the first
floor of their home, but heard sounds
issuing from the upper rooms. where
his wife and son had gone to talk mat
ters over. He swore he would have
satisfaction and started to climb the
steps, but was pushed backward by the
boy. His anger then became un-
bounded and another attempt was made
to go up stairs; this time with piece
Of cord wood. He was again repulsed
by the manly youth on the upper por-
tion Of the stairway. Mrs. Mulliken
wanted to Jump out Of the window, but
rs the son would not go too, she re-
solved to stay. The husband and
father then appeared on the stairway
with an axe in his hand. The son
called to bis mother, telling her to flee
and as the father came to the top Of the
stairway the son rushed back, and,
securing loaded gun. fired. The con-
tents of the gun struck the aggressor
In the region Of the heart, and the man
dropped dead.
Constable Robert Causey, who had
been present when the knife was taken
from the man. appeared upon the scene
and was told of the occurrence. He
notified the coroner and the murderer
offered to give himself into his hands
at once, but on account of the serious
condition of Mrs Mulliken, who was
Frustrated from the first fight with her
husband, the fright and mental strain,
the boy was allowed to remain with
her over night.
On Friday Constable Causey went
to the house and placed the boy under
arrest, taking him to the county Jail.
The lad seemed to realize the enorm-
ity of his offense, but cannot yet see
save the life of his mother.
Mrs. Mulliken Is OF highly respect
able family and was always known as
an affectionate and loving wife and
mother. Percy has always borne rep
utation that was OF the best. AaM.
Mrs. Mulliken is the daughter OF
William Dover, late clerk of the court
of Quesn Anne's county, which position
he had held Tor years. raF ~
Centreville, Md, Sept. II. The death
OF John II. Mullikin, who was shot
yesterday by his SOD, Percival Multi.
kin, was Investigated by coroner's Jury
to-day. The jury was composed of
Alfred Tucker, foreman S. @. Wright,
Robert Hopkins S. Dewing, S. G.
III. Kenton. j. E. Walters, Jr., G. M.
West, Harry Foreman and j. H.
Mrs. Addie Mullikin testified that
her husband had frequently abused her
and her children. He would become
intoxicated and at such times their
lives were in danger. On Thursday he
obtained jug of whisky and spent
the afternoon at his barn. Shortly be-
fore O'Clock he came to the house
and began abusing her in shameful
manner, und said that he would send
the entire family to - before morn
ing. She pleaded with him to be
quiet, but on this occasion her plead
ings were in vain. He became more
and more violent and ordered them all
to go upstairs, saying he would kill
them all. Mrs. Mullikin and her T.
years-old daughter went to their room
on the second floor and Percy to his
apartment in the third story. He coon
went to her room and, after more
fectly crazed with whisky and passion.
He called Parcival and, catching him
by the throat, drew his knife and swore
be would cut Percival's throat. Mrs.
Mullikin went to Percival's assistance
and in the struggle which followed
Mullikin dropped the knife, after hav
ing inflicted several slight wounds on
the hand OF his wife, He then searched
for his gun, declaring he would Kill
them all. Not being able to find the gun
he went to the wood pile after an axe,
leaving his family in thp second story.
The gun at this time was in room on
the second floor at the head of the
steps. When Mullkin was returning
with the axe his wife, in dread of her
life, exclaimed, "My God, Percy. what
snail We DOR just then MulllKln
reached the foot of the stairs, and
:, Percy, taking the gun from the room
and without any aim, fired down the
stairway. Mullikin had assembled three
or four steps and received the charge
directly in the heart and fell dead
where he stood.
Percival Mullikin corroborated the
testimony Of his mother and said that
when he fired the fatal shot he did not
even see his father, and only did it to
defend his mother and sister from what
he believed would be certain death at
the hands of his father
After short deliberation the jury
RENDERED verdict of iustifia5le homi-
eide, acquitting the son OF all blame
in the matter. ie'
Mrs. MulliKin has sister living in
Baltimore. who Is the wife of Rev. DR..
Il. Il. Tagg of the Methodist Protestant
Church, and editor OF the Methodist
Protestant.
Busy Boat Builders.
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