The Killing of Daniel
O'Leary
Our usually quiet city was thrown into a stste of
excitement Monday(9th) morning by the announcement of the killing of Daniel
O'Leary, age 18, son of John & Julia O'Leary of Martinsburg, which ocurred 9 o'clock
Sunday night. The facts , as we
gather them, are as follows: A number of men employed on the B & O RR
and belonging to Collins Camp , were at the depot Sunday night on the arrival of the
"fast-line," which is due here at 7:39. After the train had departed, the
party left for their camp, which is located on the road a short distance south
of the depot.After crossing Burke St, on the street leading past Swartz's Mill,
and when a short distance from the mill, young John Collins(son of James
Collins)and Daniel O'Leary got into a fight. Young Collins struck at
O'Leary with a "billy club" when O'Leary stooped down to pick up a stone for
defense. While in the act of stooping , John Collins, Sr, an uncle of
young Collins who was fighting with O'Leary drew a billy club and struck
O'Leary on the head just back of the ear. The blow fractured O'Learys
skull and caused his death almost immediately. The cry of murder was
raised and the crowd who witnessed the affair, scattered and ran in every
direction. John Collins, Sr. who killed O'Leary immediately left and has not
been heard of since. A corners jury was summoned Monday(9th)morning and
after sitting on the case, rendered a verdict in substance, as follows: That
Daniel O'Leary came to his death from a weapon a billy club in the hands of John
Collins, Sr.and that John Collins, Jr his nephew was accessory to the killing.
Collins, Jr. was taken before Mayor Shutt and after examination of the case was
held to bail in the sum of $1000 for his appearance at the next term of the
circuit court of Berkeley County.
[Shepherdstown Register, Sept. 14, 1872 (Saturday) Submitted
by Monica Watkins Wagner July 15, 2011]
