The Washington times., 1922-10-05
WH|SKEY ROW
THOUGHT CAUSE
Of VA. SLAY|NG
Jesse J. Hurst victim-Blood-
hounds Lead Posse to
His Partner.

PARKSLEY, Va, Oct. 5.-Jesse
J. Hurst, wealthy merchant Of this
place, was murdered, the authori-
ties say, in a row over the dis
position Of moonshine whiskey.
Hurst died in q hospital at Sal
isbury, Nd, Monday from injuries
70 his skull caused by being struck
on the head with the hub Of q
wagon wheel. Hurst was injured
Saturday. He was found in an
unconscious condition in the back
Of his own store. Mr.. and Mrs:
Mark w. Sissler found Hurst and
made Q report to the police.
Bloodhounds used.
Bloodhounds led a posse TO a spot
in a thicket about a hundred yards
from where Hurst was found. The
hub OF O wheel smeared with blood
was found In the thicket. The dogs
then doubled back to Hursts store
and rushed UP stairs to the second
story Of the building. Mark Sissler
was in bed. The dogs shifted at him
and his clothing hanging on a chair.
The posse put Sissler and his wife
under arrest on the evidence OF the
bloodhounds and they are now in
the Accomac county Jail. Sissler
and his wife deny any connection
with the killing Of Hurst. Sissler
had been Hurst's business partner
for about three years. So far as IS
known, the two men appeared TO be
on the best Of terms. The Sisslers
lived on the second floor over the
store. They stood well In the neigh
borhood. Their arrest caused pro-
found sensation.
They were placed under bond OF
$4,000 each for their appearance at
the coroner's inquest. so far they
have not been able to find bonds
man.
They ofssred their own bond but
this was refused by the court. Dave
Sterling and Charles Snyder who
live on q farm owned by Hurst were
held in bond as witnesses. They
were first to reach Hurst's uncon'
scious form after the alarm had
been given by sissler and his wife.
In the hospital. Hurst became
partly conscious and authorities en-
deavored to get him to make a
statement. He was only conscious
few minutes at a time and the
only words he spoke were: walt a
minute, I'll fix It."
Deliberately Planned.
The authorities say the murder
was deliberately planned or the
motive was robbery. Hurst had been
known to keep quite a large sum OF
money in a stone jar in his store.
When the authorities searched the
store soon after Hurst was struck
down, the stone jar was empty.
There was only a few dimes and
nickels in the store.
Hurst had about $50 in his
trousers pocket.
The murder has caused the biggest
kind Of a sensation on the Eastern
Shore Of Maryland and Virginia
Hurst was well known in both States,
He was connected with several OF
| the best known families in this acc.
ton OF Virginia. He Ia a brother
Of DR.. Ira Hurst, Of Parksley, one
Of the best known physicians on the
| Eastern Shore. Charles Hurst, an.
other brother Of the slain man, lives
near Parksley and Is a man OF means.
Third In Three Months.
The killing OF Hurst makes the
third murder on the Eastern Shore
in three months. One other in
which prominent people were In.
volved resulted In the conviction OF
c. w. Parsons, a millionaire, for the
murder Of George Lewis. Parsons
was given a life term in prison.
Jesse Hurst, the victim In the
latest crime, was worth tl25, 200.
He was regarded as O man OF high
characters Ind was interested In civic
and Welt Re work.