Hello List, The news story below is long, but the subject , surnames (and writing style!) may be of interest to some of you. Headline is typed, punctuated & capitalized per original. Note: Centre Death Records say victim Robert Roach is son of Wilson Roach, who died in Clearfield Co. Does anyone have an obit for this Robert Roach that lists his parents/spouse? If so please contact Luann <DduBarry@aol.com> -------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Bellefonte Republican, Page 1, Col. 1., Thursday Morning, July 24, 1902 A SAD TRAGEDY! ----------- David Miller, a Civil War Veteran Kills His Son-in-Law Robert Roach ----------- ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY NEAR OSCEOLA ----------- A Family Quarrel Was the Cause — Shooting Occurred Monday Evening, Victim Died Tuesday Morning at 2:30 ----------- THE MURDERER LODGED IN JAIL ----------- A few hot words between husband and wife and the calling in of a son-in-law to settle the dispute ended in a terrible murder at Retort Monday evening and now a young husband lies cold in the embrace of death while a gray haired veteran of the civil war fills a felon's cell in our county jail charged with the horrible crime of murder. The particulars in this sad affair are about as follows: David MILLER, who lives with his wife along the public highway between Retort and Osceola came home Monday evening a little before six o'clock in a bad frame of mind, said to be due to whiskey. He immediately started a quarrel with his wife regarding family affairs. He became very abusive and Mrs. Miller called to her son-in-law Robert ROACH, who lives next door, to come to her assistance. He entered the house and separated them and then started to leave. Miller then turned on Roach and started for his rifle threatening to kill him. Roach when he saw the gun in the old man's hands started out of the house and ran up the road with Miller after him. Miller fired at a distance of 75 or 100 yards the ball striking Roach above the right thigh and lodging there. Miller claims that he only fired once but the bystanders say he fired twice. The wounded man was taken to his home and medical attendance in the persons of Doctors HENDERSON of Phillipsburg, and REED of Osceola were summoned. Everything possible was done for the unfortunate man but to no purpose as death ensued at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday morning. Miller at once gave himself up and he was taken before Justice-of-the-Peace J. J. COLLINS at Sandy Ridge. The murderer admitted the shooting but said that he only fired to scare Roach having no idea that he would hit him. The Squire committed him to jail and gave him in charge of merchant J.W. COFFEY of Retort to bring him to Bellefonte. Coffey took his man to Tyrone and kept him there over night and Tuesday brought him to Bellefonte where he was safely placed behind the bars at Ft. Brongart. David Miller, the culprit is 60 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches tall and rather heavy set, with gray hair and moustache. He is a veteran of the civil war having served in a Pennsylvania regiment. Roach, the victim of this tragedy, is about 28 years of age. He has always borne an excellent reputation. Both men are coal miners. Miller expressed regret at the terrible deed and said he wished he could take the dead man's place. He denied that he was under the influence of liquor saying that he had only two drinks of whiskey during the afternoon. # # #