The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-07-16
GUARD METUCHEN
SLAYER, FEARING
MOB VENGEANCE
MiddIesex Citizens Stirred to
High Pitch by Killing of the
Rev. S. B. D. Prickett.
REVENGE FOR TERM IN
PRISON CRIME MOTIVE
Former Preacher, Who Became
an Editor, When Recorder Sem
fenced Archibald Heron.
Especial to the Evening STAR

Especial to the Evening STAR
METUCHEN, July 16.-Fearing that
mob would try to lynch Archibald
Heron, who shot and killed the Rev.
S. B. D. Priokett in front of his home
here, Heron was secretly hurried early
today to the Middlesex County Jail.
New Brunswick. by Mayor Ellis. of
Metuchen. in the Mayors automobile
The Middlesex jail Is being closely
guarded in case of a possible attack
there.
Soon after Heron was captured in
his home, after a desperate resistance,
he was sent to the jail here, but within
an hour crowds gathered about the
place and 1t was feared that an effort
would be made to break in the Jail to
capture and hang Prickett's slayer.
Herron's deed was done for revenge.
When Prickett was recorder of Me-
tuchen until a year ago, he sentenced
Heron to prison several times for
drunkenness. Heron. the last time,
vowed he would be revenged. He fin
ished his term year ago and since
then has been Silently nursing his
grudge.
Going to the Prickett home late yes
terday afternoon Heron hung around
until Prickett appeared. When the
former Methodist minister and recorder
had gone only few steps Heron ran
up to him. Charles A. Prickett, who
ran to the scene of tho murder heard
his father cry:
What do you want? What are you
going to do?"
Then there was a shot. The son ran
out and found his father lying on the
sidewalk and saw Heron walking
away Young Prickett heard Heron
say, as he walked away:
"That'l finish you. You'll die
The minister raised his head and
when he saw his son he said:
He shot me, Charlie; never mind
him, attend to me-"
Mrs. Prickett, wife of the wounded
man, ran out of the house when she
heard the shot. and, seeing Heron
walking away. she ran up to him. then
two blocks away.
"What have YOU done?' exclafned
the anguished woman.
You'll find out soon enough" re-
sponded Heron.
u.
'Herron-Archie Heron; that hus-
band of yours won't forget It," said
Heron, walking on.
Mayor Ellis, who Is a physician, and
DR.. A. C. Hunt, of the State Board of
Health. were called. but by the time
they reached the house Prickett was
dead. He had been shot through the
lungs, the bullet severing the principal
artery leading from the heart.
The word that Prickett had been
killed spread quickly through the town.
Mayor Ellis instructed Constables Will
lam Greenwald and w. NJ. Cornish TO
arrest Heron Immediately. He eau
toned them that Heron was fully
armed and would probably make a
fight.
Greenwald and Cornish ran out on
the principal street of Metuchen and
organized posse by enlisting more
than score Of men, many of them
the most prominent residents of the
city. The constables armed all of the
men, and ii was decided to first go to
Herrons home. 1t was not believed he
was there, but 1t was thought that a
clue as to which way he had gone
might be obtained there.
Reaching Herron's home, the posse
was surprised to find Heron was
waiting for them. He stood at the
head of a flight of stairs, with his pis-
tol in his hand, and as the constables
opened the front door he shouted:
"I'll kill the first man who puts foot
on the stairs!'
The posse halted Guards were sent
to the sides and rear of the house TO !
prevent Herron's escape there
The posse parleyed with the SLAYER. |
telling him he was bound to be can |
tured, and that the more crimes he
committed the harder 1t would 60 with
him.
ooh, l guess 1t will go hard enough |
with me, anyway" Heron replied.
you've killed the man you wanted
TO kill why kill those whom you have
no object in klllng?" one man said TO
Heron.
"Id just as soon kill a hundred"
he replied; you people in Metuchen,
have been bounding me and 1 won't
stand for It,"
Heron finally surrendered and
started to walk down the steps when
MS heel caught and ne stumbled. In
falling he struck on the revolver he
carried, and it was discharged, the
bullet plowing furrow through his
light hand.
He was handcuffed ana his wife and
lConti.ued On Second Pags.f !,