The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-05-16
SERIOUS FIGHT
over A WOMAN
Jealousy Caused Trouble
John Blackburn, Of Havre de Grace,
Shot By VIM. Dean, Of North East
Wounded Man In Serious Condition
While The Other Claims Self Defense.

William Dean, of North East, son Of
Israel X. Dean, Of North East. II prom
inent and respected citizen of that town.
was brought to Elkton. on Sunday. in
the custody of the authorities to await
the result of injuries, alleged To have
been inflicted by him upon John Black
burn. at IIavrc de Grace, on Saturday
night The alteration between them it
seems occurred in the yard attached tn
the home of John Boyd, of that town.
Blackburn. it is alleged has for some time
been paying attention to Miss Ophrlia
McGavan. a niece of Mr.. Boyd, and had
an engagement with her on Saturday
night. but when he called. found she was
not at home. He left in no amiable mood
saying he would call later. When he did
return between eleven and twelve o'clock
he found Miss McGavan entertaining Mr..
Dean. He began to call the lady to aC-
count for her apparent couurtrN. and.
TO reprOach her for her Indifferent treat
ment of him, when Miss McGnvan left
the room to avoid further trouble After
her departure, Blackburn. who it is
charged had been drinking. turned the
vials of his wrath upon Dean, chnlleng-
ing him to come out into the yard, where
he began II violent assault upon him,
who, finding himself worSted in the fight
drew dis pistol upon Blackburn. firing
three shots, one bullet entering the body
of Blackburn just above the heart and
lodging under the right shoulder blade
After the shooting, Blackburn was taken
to his fathers house, Dean going to
Perryville. where he hired II team and
was driven to his fathers home in North
East.
On Sunday morning, Deputy Sheriff
John Welsh. of Hartford County. wired
Sheriff McAllister to 90 to North East,
and arrest Dean. When the Sheriff ar
rived at the Dean homestead, he was
met ut the door by the accused. who
stated to the Sheriff that he was about
to start for Ekton to surrender himself.
Upon being brought to the county seat,
his appearance indicated that he had
been roughly handled. His head was
wounded by several ugly cuts, his nose
partly severed and his appearance indie
ated that he had been violently assaulted.
Dean while in Elkton. talked canddly
and frankly about the encounter. making
no contradicting statements. or showing
any desire to conceal the facts of the
case. Being employed as brakeman on
the p, b. u w. Railroad. he stated
that he left Wilmington about five o'clock
on Saturday afternoon, for Havre de
Grace. to spend the evening with Miss
McGavan. That while quietly chatting
with the young woman. Blackburn called
at the house. That his presence there
angercd Blackburn. who ipdulging some
rough language, was requested to leave
the house. Blackburn did leave, but
later in the evening returned, and be-
came very abusive. when they together
left the house, and Went to the yard to
settle their differences. That Blackburn
began the assault by striking him a
heavy blow with club That he did his
best to defend himself with his fists. but
found he was unable to cope with his
man in strength. and to defend his life,
he said he drew Il 3S-calibre revolver
from his pocket and shot his assailant.
Dean bears good character for peace
fulness and sobriety. and has an excel
lent reputation which he has earned since
he went into the employ of the Pcnnsyl
vania Railroad Company.
On Monday night, Sheriff Reasin. of
Hartford County, took Dean to Belair,
where he is held to await the result of
Blackburn'S injuries. The affair is
great atfiction to Deans family. for
whom very general sympathy is express
ed. the general opinion based upon the
facts of the case 50 far as they can be
ascertained. that Blackburn was the ag-
gressor. and that Dean acted in self de
fense William Il. Warburton. Esq. of
this town. has been retained as his coun-
sci.