Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-16
Nan Shot Through Heart and KILLED

Nan Shot Through Heart and Killed.
The following report of the shooting of
Edward o. Smith is taken from the Way
ncsboro Herald:
Bloody murder has spread its lurid man.
tie over the little, quiet region between
the ranges Of South Mountain, known as
Harbaugh's Valley. There in the noun
tain Businesses, about half past o'clock
yesterday afternoon young Fred Diebold,
14-year-old son of John Diebold, farmer
of that region and formerly citizen of
Waynesboro, shot and instantly killed
Edward o. Smith.
Smith had gone over from his home in
Hagerstown that morning for the purpose
Of picking blackberries. He went to the
home of his father, George Smith, living
about mile southeast of Sabillasville and
whose farm joins that of John Diebold,
father Of the murderer. Smith had pick
ed his bucket full of berries and left it
standing in the fence corner along the
public road. Diebold and his sons were
working in field close by and whether
as result of any provocation, or words
or contention between Smith and the Die
holds, the former picked up a double hand
full of stones, scaled the fence and ran
over to where the Diebolds were working.
Diebold, the father warned him not to
approach. and to get off his land, but
Smith persisted and report says that he
threw several stones at the Diebolds.
Seeing that Smith persisted in the assault
Diebold dispatched his son Fred to the
house for his gun. The son soon reap
peared with the weapon, double barrel
ed shot gun and when Smith refused to
leave the premises he aimed directly at
his heart and fired, the heavy charge TAX
ing effect and practically blowing Smiths
heart out. He fell on his face in the
grass and never drew another breath.
1t was after seven o'clock in the even
ing that Deputy Sheriff Hauver arrived
on the scene. He at once arrested John
Diebold and his son Fred and took them
hustling to Frederick where they were
locked in Jail. The deputy sheriff also
gave orders for the removal of Smith to
his fathers home.
The victim of the tragedy lives in Ha-
gerstown and was about 80 years old, has
as wife and four children. It's said that
he was heard remark yesterday morning
to some one at Sabllasville that he had
come over to do up the Diebolds.
1t seems that the Smiths and Diebolds
have been on very bad terms lately and
had lawsuit at Frederick, the Diebolds
charging that the Smiths had stolen
a calf from them. 1t was this feud be-
tween the families that fired the younger
Smith and it is believed that he sought !
The quarrel in order to avenge the family |
grievance.
Young Fred Diebold is remembered
here as tow-headed tot, much after the
German pattern of his father. The fam
ly removed from here to the mountain
Farm below Sabillasville three years ago
his spring. When here Diebold lived on
South Fairview avenue and operated a
stone quarry on his land at corner of
avenue and Fourth street. 1t
will be recalled that while putting off a
,last one day, the charge prematurely
exploded and shot him twenty feet in the
ir.
He was a handwriting man but was
INSTANTLY embroiled with his neighbor
nd had many suits before the local mag
strates, pro and con.
That it was homicide is quite certain,
ut whether felonious or justifable is for
he jury. So far as the facts have been
altered, it is plain that Smith was a
respasser and had actually committed
n assault with force and arms. Just
'hether the shooting was necessary re-
ort will be for the jury, but in the face
the facts, it ought not be difficult for
ne Diebolds to secure an acquital.
Funeral services were held on Friday
fternoon at Sabilasville, Rev. G. l. Ri
er officiating.