Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-09-24

While the elements were terrifying the
people Saturday night, there was enacted
in quaint, quiet Maurice River township,
a horrible tragedy, and young man
gave up his life at the hands of jealous
old man, the woman, whose affections
were in dispute, being we'll known
character of Manumuskin, who while
married, does not live with her husband.
It was almost cold blooded tragedy,
and the people of the vicinity were all
day yesterday gazing upon the quiet rook-
cry, the home of the murderer, and dis
cussing gruesome details of the horrible
crime.
Off to the Scene.
1t was just half past nine O'clock when
the first news of the crime came to this
city. It was dispatch from Maurice
Rivers Constable, Widen Reeves, to
County Physician Thompson. The tele-
gram read: MAN shot at Fries Mill.
Come at once"
The County Physician knew nothing of
the character Of the shooting, and when
he left on the noon trolley Car for Mill
vile, with PIONEER reporter, the sup
position was that the case was an acci-
dental shooting of sportsman, who
might have been down in that vicinity
after reed birds.
When Millville was reached there were
rumors of foul crime, but none of the
particulars could be CLEANED and the
County Physician and reporter hurriedly
secured pair of horses and were driven
along the quiet, well kept roads leading
to what is known as Fries Mill, little
settlement some six or seven miles south
of Millville, and about mile from
Manumuskin.
The Scene of the Crime.
1t was pretty spot. A spacious mill
pond glimmered and sparkled in the
bright sunlight. On the south was an
old fashioned saw mill and grist mill,
both of which are operated when there is
grist to grind or timber to be converted
into lumber. On the eastern shore is
pretty club house, occupied by Philadel-
phia sportsmen. Over at the southwest
of the big pond, standing upon high
bluff, reached by winding, sandy road,
is an old rambling two-and-a-half-story
house. 1t was once, along in years back.
a pretentious home with its high peaked,
many gabled roof, the protruding DOR
mer windows, and many doors.
On the eastern end tumbled down
fence separates the house from a road.
South of the house is an old well, the
curb and frame being almost demolished.
Back of the house, due west, is an old
unoccupied barn, nearly tumbled down.
The farm about the house. once fruitful
and fertile plantation, is all grown up
with brush and weeds. showing neglect
and abuse.
Here lived Simon B. Shaw, man
fifty-eight years old; an eccentric charac-
ter, dissolute in his habits, yet man
who has the best family connections, and
who, had he chosen, might have been
respected citizen, and credit to any COM
A man, who before the war
was sharp, shrewd young fellow,
newspaper worker, and during the civil
struggle soldier. Since the war,a rough,
lrresoiute pensioner, living almost
hermit, cb 'osing as the few companions
with wAohl he would associate, charac-
ters outcast from good society, known to
The world of ill-fame.
A Curious Crowd.
When County Physician Thompson ar
rived upon the scene it was about half
past two O'Clock, and surrounding the
Did house were possibly more than
seventy-five curious persons, represent
ng all sorts of characters of the commune
ty. They We're moving quietly about,
talking in low tones, but seemed to
awaken to renewed interest and activity
when the County official arrived.
The County Physician Immediately be-