The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-10-20
KILLED MAN IN SELF DEFENSE
WAS CORONER'S JURY'S VERDICT
Earl Thompson Shot and Killed by
Zachariah Moon Saturday.

|
day last by Zachariah Moon, also Of |
Vindex, "in proper and necessary self |
defense and that said killing of Earl |
Thompson was justifable," was the |
verdict of coroner's jury at Vindex
on Monday afternoon, following an
inquiry conducted before a jury by
States Attorney William R. Offutt, |
which had been summoned by Sheriff |
Roy o. Winters at the instance of the |
State and of acting coroner Edward l. |
West of Oakland.
Thompson, whose antecedents are
unknown, had been resident of Vim
dex for about a year where he was
employed about the mines of the coal
company operating there until the
workings closed down some months
ago, went to the home of Mr.. Moon
Saturday afternoon wearing a mask
made of piece of cretonne, and at
the point of loaded shotgun which he
had procured from Juniper Teats, an
other miner residing at Vindex, de-
manded that Moon surrender to him 4
32-calibre revolver which belonged to
his (Moon's) son. Coupled with the
demand for the firearm was the threat
that if it were not handed over forth
with Thompson declared that he would
blow Moons heart out. A parley be-
tween the two men, in the presence OF
Mrs. Moon and a little child in the
house, took place, but Thompson be-
coming more insistent and his threats
of taking the life of Mr.. Moon unless
his demands were complied with be-
coming more menacing, Mr.. Moon ac-
ceeded to his demands and with the
shotgun still pointed at his breast in
the hands of Thompson Mr.. Moon
backed from the room where the two
had met and through passageway to
an adjoining building where the fam
lily maintained their sleeping quarters,
he reached the revolver and quickly
turning fired at Thompson, the shot
striking him in the upper left arm and
passed through to his left breast.
Thompson fell backward to a mar
row porch skirting the front of the
building with the shotgun still in his
hands. A son of Mr.. Moon, who lives
within few feet of his fathers home
heard the distur bance, but feared to
approach the house thinking that his
| u,o,1J o,,rooo Ill
the more and that he would shoot not
only his father but others in the dwell
ing. When the revolver's report was
heard, however, young Mr. Moon ran
to the house and found Thompson
where he had fallen. Upon picking
up the shotgun it was found to be
cooked and loaded, which fact was
brought out before the jury, of which
DR.. Hugh Strachan was foreman, the
other members being W. A. Paugh,
T. H. Wilson, William Mcdonald. ].
F. Stewart, Arthur Harvey, VIM NJ.
: Jackson, w. NJ. Higgins, T. f. Work
man, W. F. Newlin, Jesse McRobie and
T. D. Newlin.
: Immediately following the shooting
on Saturday the States officers in
Oakland were notified and with Sheriff
Roy o. Winters and Justice of the
Peace West, States Attorney w. R.
Offutt went to Vindex where Mr.. Moon
surrendered himself to the Sheriff who
brought him to Oakland where he was
kept until Monday when he accom-
panied the officers back to Vindex to
be present at the inquest that day. Up
on the findings of the jury being an
nounced Mr.. Moon was released from
custody and is now at his home in
Vindex He is nearly seventy years of
age and is member of one of the
best known and highest esteemed fam
lilies in the county. He is married and
is the father of one son.
Thompson, at the time of the shoot
ing, it is alleged, was on the verge of
delirium on account of protracted
spree of drunkenness.
FOR SALE AT A GREAT BARGAIN
A farm of $50 acres or red slate
land; about one hundred acres clear;
well fenced and watered; fine 4-acre
apple orchard; twelve miles from
Hancock, Md, on State road in Buck
Valley, Fulton county, Pa. Beautiful
for situation; productive; easily titled