Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-07-16
Borough Aroused by Fatal Shooting
Of Former Recorder and Editor
Rev. S. B. D. PriCkitt.
NEWS MAN INTERVIEWS SLAYER
HerrOnHadBrOOded Over His Griev-
anCe Ever Since Aged Man Sent
Him TO Jail.

He retired from the active minis
/ try seven or eight years ago and had
since been among the superannuary
members of the Newark conference
of the Methodist church. About two
years ago he was persuaded against
his own inclinations to become re-
corder os the borough. He served
one term refusing to hold the office
longer.
During that term Archie Heron
was brought before him two or three
times charged with drunkenness and
on one OCCASION for non-support
The recorder paroled him on the lat
ter charge and let him go on all of
when he gave him term of ten days
in jail. Lawyer Cook interested
himself in the mans behalf and he
was released soon after commitment
Victim Had Been Warned.
At that time 1t is said Heron
made threats against the man he
shot yesterday and said he would get
square with him.. About nine months
ago William Crowell went to see Mr.
Prickitt and warned him that Her
ron was making threats about him.
Mr. Prickitt laughed 1t off and
thought nothing would come of IT..
Charles Prickitt, one of his sons,
persuaded him to see Marshal Four
att about the matter and the latter
said he would keep an eye on Her
ron and If he heard Of any more
threats being made he would make
complaint against him. The mem
bers of the fs lly feared Heron
might attack Mr.. Prickitt and strike
him but never dreamed that he would
shoot him.
Heron was said to be very abus-
i've when intoxicated and on these
occasions would make threats against
the former recorder. Yesterday he,
without doubt, deliberately planned
to kill Mr.. Prickitt, as he had his
revolver loaded in every barrel. On
the way to the Prickitt home he in
Quired of Mrs. Martin and also
stopped at the home Of Charles
Prickitt, which adjoins Rev. Mr..
Prickitt's home, to see that he was
sure to find him.
Shot in Front of Home.
The shooting took place directly in
front of the elder Prickitt's home.
The house pump had refused to work
and Mr.. Prickitt was on his way down
town to get some one to repair IT,.
His son Charles had Just come over
to the house to visit hir He had
hardly reached the front walk when
he met Heron.
What are you trying to do, man?
Don't do that" Charles Prickitt
heard his father exclaim. He hur-
ried to the front porch to see what
was the trouble and just as he open
ed the door he heard pistol shot
and saw the smoking revolver in
HerrOn's hand.
He shot me-" said Mr.. Prickitt,
catch me and let him CO." referring
to Heron.
THAT will finish you, you'll die, !"
the son heard Heron say addressing
his father. Mr.. Prickitt fell over
into his sons arms after staggering
across the walk toward him and the
son carried him almost to the side
stoop where he collapsed. The bull
let had entered the right lung and
before the doctors could reach him
the wounded man had died without
regaining consciousness.
Heron turned about and started
down the street on a walk. Mrs.
Charles Prickitt hearing the report
of the shot, ran into the front yard
toward Heron.
What have you DONE" she ex-
claimed.
You'll find out" Heron replied
What's your name" she asked.
Heron" he replied.
what Herron7"
Archie Herron," was his answer.
Don't go near him." shouted
Mrs. s. B. d. Prickitt as she ran out
on the stoop," telephone for doctor
quick" Charles Prickitt's little son
saw the shooting, 1t is said.
DR.. Ellis and DR.. Hunt were tele-
phoned for but could not be located
and efforts were being made to get a
doctor at New Brunswick, when the
Metuchen doctors were found and
soon arrived. Mr., Prickitt was then
dead.
The authorities were also com
municated with by Charles Prickitt.
Marshal Enos Fouratt was not at
home and Constable William Green
wald and Adolph Cornish were locat-
ed by Mrs. Fouratt. With a posse
of men they started for the Heron
home where Heron had gone after
the shooting. He lived on Durham
avenue, two blocks or so from Mr.
Prickitt's home.
Heron was found upstairs with
his revolver in his hand and the trig-
ger cooked. Constable Cornish
started to go upstairs for him but
Heron said he would KIN the first
man who came up and Cornish g
friends prevented him from running
any risk.
(Continued on maze u