Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-07-13
Prominent
POCOMOKIAN
SHOT DOWN
An Old Fued Between william
B. Duncan and John ".
Allen Ends With Allen
Being Shot

Noh1 W. Allen prominent citizen of
PocVntoke City lies in Salisbury Hos
pitals 50 badly wounded that his recov-
cry j. Very doubtful The injuries to
Allfn were inflicted by William B. Dun
caf another prominent business man Of
Pocomoke City. near the Railroad Sta
ton, last Wednesday morning.
William h. Duncan who did the shoot
ing. is manufacturer of barrles and a
leading property owner and business
man.
John w. Allen. the victim, is a con-
tractor and was the superintendent Of
the Good Roads construction at POGO
moke and is also one of the Judges and
registers of Observation-Disclosures
County.
There has been bitter feeling be-
tween them for number of years, sew
eral quarrels and personal encounters
have taken place between them. The
two men are close neighbors. living in
the same square in the southwestern
part of the city
The particulars of the shooting,
brought out at the hearing before mag
istrate Hillman. showed that Duncan and
7. B. Henderson were walking along
Clark Avenue Wednesday morning to-
ward Henderson's store and the rail-
road station. Allen came out of the
Parker House as they passed by and
walked on after them, cursing and abus-
ing Duncan. When Duncan and Hen
derson arrived at the store Of Mr.. Hen
derson they went inside. When Allen
arrived in front of the store he stopped
and invited Duncan to come out and
fight. After awhile Allen left and
went on toward his home and the rail-
road station. Duncan and Henderson
then left the store and went in the same
direction of Allen. They passed Allen
at the railroad station. They saw that
he had an open knife in his hand Mr..
Henderson told Allen toput up his knife.
Allen then stuck it in his pocket, hold
ing it there with the blade open and ex-
posed. 1t was testified that Henderson
and Duncan then parted, and Duncan
went to his place of business and told
his son to get his pistol for him.
When the young man returned with
the weapon Duncan went TO Allen and
fired two shots at him. The first took
effect in his right shoulder and the Sec
ond in his neck near the jugular vein.
Shortly after the shooting DIR. Hall
came along and rendered assistance to
the wounded man.
Allen was carried to his home. which
were near at hand. and DIR. Hall sum-
mond DR.. N. h. Sartorious to assist him.,
Soon after the shooting Duncan went
to the Office of Magistrate E. Hillman
and gave himself up. The Justice
after hearing his story placed him lin
the custody Of officer Callahan. Of the
city police. to wait the arrival of
States Attorney W. F. johnson. who
as soon as he was advised Of the seri-
BUSINESS Of the affair went to Pocomoke
City and conducted the hearing.
The affair has caused the most intense
excitement Both men have large FAM
lilies and both of them have many friends
in the town and county, and there is a
genuine feeling of regret at the unfortu-
nate occurrence.
Doctors Hall and Sartorious were
reticent as to the probable outcome of
the shooting. but admitted that the
wounds. particularly the one in the neck.
was of grave nature, the result Of
which could not at once be determined.
The right side and leg are paralyzed.
Allen was carried to the Peninsula
General Hospital as soon as possible
where he lies in a precarious condition.