Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-12-15
A fountain Tragedy.

Sunday evening about FIVE O'Clock which
has aroused the peaceful residents OF that
section TO high pitch Of excitement and
has caused a sensation throughout the
entire community.
The participants in the affray were
Harry Lord, promising young business
man connected with the firm Of Lord x
Lord, butchers. Of this city, who shot q
man named Joseph S. Hess, who resides
on the west side Of North Mountain.
A more lonely or romantic spot for the
enactment OF such tragedy could not
have been selected-a secluded place in
the road leading up the west side Of the
mountain known as the Goose Neck, "
located midway between top and foot OF
the mountain. Here two men by chance
met. No words followed, but an ex-
change Of glances was enough. Lord,
who had been angered to such an extent
by the misdeeds Of Hess that he could not
repress his feelings, pulled forth 81
caliber revolver and fired.
Three shots took effect in his antagon-
lists abdomen. after which he turned and
ran. Lord followed and sent another
bullet into the back OF his neck as he ran.
Hess had with him his fourteen-year
old son. who toddled along after his flee
ing father as he scaled fence after fence
IN rapid succession. Lord who was
weak from long siege OF illness, soon
gave up the chase and returned to the
place where his brother was in charge OF
his team.
Lord and his brother resumed their
journey to town and near Smiths School
House met Deputy Sheriff F. M Hardy,
who had heard of the affray and to whom
Lord gave himself up. Officer Hardy
brought him on to Martinsburg and
placed him ia Jail.
Hess weakened by the loss of blood,
managed to reach home and held out I'M
til Drs. N. ID. Baker and VIM. T. Hen
shaw reached him and rendered medical
assistance. The bullet in his neck and
two in his body were extracted with little
trouble, but the physicians were unable
to find the fourth bullet, which lodged in
his abdoman and which may prove fatal.
CAUSE OF THE SHOOTING.
The circumstances leading to the shoot
ing are contained in the following state 4.
ment obtained from Mr.. Lord by an
EVENING WORLD representative through
his attorney, ]. M. Woods.
About 7 or O'Clock p. mon Saturday
December 1, Harry Lord caught his wife
and Joseph S. Hess flagrante delicto in the
hay loft OF his stable opposite the electric
light plant.
Harry, having just arisen from long
and dangerous illness OF typhoid, was too
weak to use gun. and simply denounced
the pair, and told his wife she could new
err share his home more. His wife follow
ed him out OF the stable and confessed
ALL She said Joseph Hess had ruined her
prior to her marriage, and by means OF
three is of exposing her had made her
yield to his lust since her marriage and
during Harry's sickness. Sac gave Har-
ry a number of threatening letters she
had received from Hess and told him
that on one occasion Hess asked her how
Harry was and she told him he was very
sick. Hess told her he had a vial OF stuff
in his pocket and if she would take it and
give him two drops in his medicine he
would be d sight sicker, and she
would get rid of him.
Next morning Harry consulted coun-
sci with view to getting a divorce and
was advised to go over the mountain and
talk with certain parties to whom Hess
had exploited his deeds, and on Sunday,
the 9th inst, he started to do so. Just
prior to starting his wife intercepted him
and gave him letter she had received
from Hess just the day before. In this
last letter Hess said he had not seen her
since the Saturday night at The stable, Lut
that he would come to see her soon and
pay all her expenses and rent room in
town for her and they would have good
time. etc, etc.
Harry. accompanied by his brother,
went over the mountain on Sunday and
saw man who gave him valuable testi-
mony and then started to see another
man living near Hess's, and when about
three-fourths of mile from Hess home
the harness broke and Harry and hrs
brother both got out to fix it, While do
ing so Hess suddenly came upon them.
AS he passed he stopped and made a
knocking bow and said something to Har-
ry. Harry at once drew his gun and hred
and Hess ran.
THE PARTICIPANTS,
Joseph Hess, the injured man, with
whom the physicians are struggling TO