Middletown transcript., 1912-04-20
HOMICIDE IN MARYLAND
Irwin c. HurIOck Killed by Joseph
HesseY

Armed with a revolver and having
broken through a side door in the home
Of Joseph Hessey. near Ohestsrville, Kent
County, Nd, Irwin c. HurlOCk, son Of
Mr.. J. E HurIOcE, a prominent and
wealthy citizen Of Millington, was ehol
dead last week. A murder was narrowly
avertsd aud turned, just in the nick Of
time, into iustifable homicide. HuT-
lock told bis slayer, Hessey, that be bad
come TO kill him and had pointed pistol
at Heseey's head when the latter fired a
shot gun point blank at the intruder, the
charge blowinga gaping hole through his
right shoulder. Death was instantaneous.
Hmlock, who was 81 years old, resided
in Milington with his parents. The farm
on which Mr.. Hessey resides is owned by
the e'Ar HuadPek, and is known as the
Hurlock HONS place. Young HurIock
oHea visited the farm, and Wednesday
of last week left home to spend the day
in the country. His IL other noticed that
be carried a revolver and asked him to
leave it at home. He refused and started
out shortly before noon.
After staying at the Hessey home for
dinner aud supper, Immediately follow
ing the supper hour he disappeared. The
members of the family paid little atten-
ton to this until time for retiring, when
diliQent search was made about the farm.
He could not be found.
After the family had retired a short
time, loud rapping was heard at the side
door. Mr.. Hessey raised window and
asked who the knocker was. An answer
was refused. This was followed by de-
mand to open the door. Hessey refused
until be learned who it was. Without
further ado Hurlock-whom it afterward
proved to be-burst the door open with
sledge hammer aud started upstairs
screaming that be would kill Hesssy as
soon as be could reach him.
Hessey's wife became frightened DUR
ing the disturbance and ran to a
nearby room leaving the bedroom
door open and in another moment
young HurIock was standing on the thres
hold pointing a pistol at Hessey and at
the same time declaring that he would
''show him how to die" Hessey, who
kept his sh gun in the bedroom, when
be saw the threatening attitude of Hur-
lock fred. The intruder fell bleeding to
the floor, and hasty examination slow
ed that the charge had taken effect iE his
right shoulder, and gaping wound ard
silent heart told the horror stricken
farmer, his wife and young farm hand,
that life had fed.
Mr.. Hessey, who is well advanced in
years Immediately drove to MilIingtOn,
distance of nearly seven miles, and noti-
fed the parents of the dead man of what
had been done. They summoned DR..
Merritt Brice, of MillingtOn, and returned
to the farm house. A physicians services
we're not required. J. L. Smith an un-
dertaker, was called to take charge OF the
body.
Later 10 the morning Mr.. Hessey gave
himself up to the authorities and Sheriff
Mckee and States Attorney Harrison W.
Vickers, of ChestertoWn, we're notified. |
Cororer John Greenwood, Of Chester.
town, impanelsd a jury, which was as
follows: Leonard Wilson, Fore Ian; ]. E.
Bailey, B. F. Vansant, W.F. Collins, CO. |
Cacy, Elmer Gordon. Samuel Merchant
J. E. Higman, E. +. Lockerman. ]. R.
Gillespie, Isaac HoIlins and ]. W. DuIin.
After a short dehberation the jury rem
dered verdict Of ''iustifsble homicide"
and Hessey was completely exonerased.
It is believed generally that young Hur-
lock was mentally unbalanced.