Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-06-27

Judge Holland and Mayor Disharoon
held conference, and it was decided to
get Heath out of Salisbury as quietly as
possible. Fearing to take him by train
on account of having TO pass so near the
late home of Miss Adkins. it was decid-
ed to take him to Snow Hill, and about
1890 p. NJ. after the crowd had some
what decreased, a closed carriage drove
GERS was thrown around it. Sheriff
Fooks extinguished the lights in the
Jail and had the prisoner ready at the
door. In less than a minute Heath,
handcuffed and with his legs bound,
was hurried into the carriage. and at
running speed the prisoner was whirled
out of the city. with large crowd fol.
lowing. The escape was successful,
and before morning the prisoner was in
Snow Hill jail
There is little doubt if Heath had
been left in Salisbury he would have
paid summary penalty for his terrible
crime. There is intense feeling there
against him. and the night trains would
have brought large crowd from sew.
eral neighboring towns. many, it is said.
having been notified to be on hand and
signifying willingness to attend The
family of Miss Adkins wants the law to
take its course.
Heath proves not to have been very
seriously hurt. and he made an explana-
tion of the occurrence. Heath's condi-
tion was so far improved by Sunday
morning that several citizens were al
lowed to visit the cell. He, however,
refused to talk to anyone, and upon the
advice of the States Attorney, Sheriff
Fooks closed the doors to all parties ex-
cept the newspaper reporters. The
newsmen had a half-hour's interview
with him. He was perfectly rational
and told his story in straightforward
manner. He said
HEATH's STORY OF THE TRAGEDY.
II had been going with Miss Adkins
for several years. We both loved each
other very much. Several weeks ago
we decided to be married, and l asked
her mother for her. Mrs. Adkins gave
her consent. but asked Us to wait a
short while before being married. We
consented, but later we decided to be
married at once. and on June IL l en-
gagged G.. Birmingham to get the mar
riage license. and we were to be married
right away, but my name became mix
ed up in the stealing of some money,
and the young lady sent for me and told
me that we could not marry until after
that matter had been cleared up and my
name cleared of the crime.
Being respondent over the break
ing off of the match. l left Salisbury
Sunday night. June ii. and went to
Camden, N. j., to get work. Arriving
there, wrote Katie letter and forgot
TO put my house number on it, | also
wrote her another. in which told her
l could not live without her. She an
swered both letters, and told me to be
sure and behave myself. and make a
man out of myself. Failing to get
work, returned to Salisbury early Sat
urday morning. l wrote her note
Saturday and told her how unhappy |
was. sent the note by little boy,
Thomas Dobson. and received an an
swer. | told her in this note that l
would not be living long. and she an
swered and told me to take care of my
self. and be good boy.
During the day l became more and
more determined to kill myself. and
about o'clock met Larry Collins,
young man whom l knew very well,
and asked him TO loan me his revolver.
He did so, and l found it was loaded
with five bullets. Shortly after that l
went down to the pond intending to
kill myself, but my uncle. Mr.. Leon
Messick, had sent some one to watch
me. and had no chance. While there
shot dog with one barrel of the pis-
tol, and then went back to Mr.. Joseph
Davis store and bought two more cart
ridges and replaced the empty shell with
a new cartridge. did this because |
wanted all five barrels full when start
ed to shoot myself.
THE MEETING WITH MISS ADKINS.
II then went to the house of my
uncle, Mr. Leon Messick. and went
around the house to the back porch. l
was crying and my uncle's wife came
out TO me and said:
Elmer. Katie is on the front porch :;
do you want to see herr
II said yes Katie came around
there and sat down on the bench on my
left side She put her hand on my
shoulder and laid her head against mine
and asked me what was the matter We
both were crying and told her that l
would not be living but a short while
longer. and before l left wanted to see
her. Katie said / should not talk so.
and we had several minutes converse