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- Newspaper Obituary - December 26, 1903 Scranton Republican - Scranton, Pennsylvania - SHOT IN SELF DEFENSE - Patrick Fleming Killed at Forest City by Festas Madden - Death Was Instantaneous. - Result of Family Feud - Early yesterday morning Forest City was the scene of a terrible affray, which resulted in the hands of Festas Madden. Fleming and Madden were both former residents of Plymouth, where Thomas Fleming father of the murdered man, kept a saloon. Madden went into court and swore out a warrant for the elder Fleming for selling liquor on Sundays. Shortly after Madden moved to Forest City. After his departure Fleming made all sorts of threats. That feud has continued and is the direct cause of yesterday’s tragedy. Fleming had been in Forest City only a short time, but It was long enough to renew the old quarrel, picking out the son of his father’s old enemy. According to the evidence adduced at the inquest last night, young Fleming had been drinking and carousing all day Thursday and appearing before the Madden home about 2 o’clock and by taunts and threats to induce young Madden to come out and fight. His requests were refused, and in order to annoy them as much as possible or to show his fearlessness, began to throw snowballs at the house. The elder Madden was awakened and upon investigating, found Fleming there and ordered him to go home. After parleying a short time, he went home, but soon returned and was again told to go home and keep out of trouble. Instead of going away he drew a large caliber revolver from his pocket and fired at the house, the bullet entered the front door. Madden then secured a double-barreled shotgun and fired in Fleming’s direction, not intending to injure him, but with the idea of scaring him away. The shot struck the ground a few feet in front of Fleming, but did not deter him, as he kept advancing and taking deliberate aim, fired at Madden, who fearing his life was in danger, fired at Fleming. Simultaneous with the shot came a shriek from Fleming, but it was his last, penetrating his heart and death was instantaneous. Madden immediately went to the police authorities and gave himself up and was taken to jail and locked up. At the inquest Madden claimed the shooting was done in self-defense and the claim was substantiated by several witnesses. The jury brought in a verdict that the killing was justifiable homicide and completely exonerated Mr. Madden.
Newspaper Obituary - December 26, 1903 Wilkes-Barre News - PLYMOUTH MAN SHOT IN FOREST CITY - Old Family Feud Results in the Death of Patrick Flemming Who Resided in Plymouth - Patrick Fleming, who up until a few months ago was a resident of Plymouth was shot and instantly killed at Forest City at 3 o’clock yesterday morning by Sestus Madden, a well-to-do miner of that place. With the story there is an old standing grudge. Madden about nine years ago resided in Plymouth, the town in which the dead man, Fleming, was born and raised. Fleming’s father conducted a saloon on East Main street of Plymouth borough and it is said that Madden tried to secure a revocation of his license because he sold on Sunday. This was nine years ago. The elder Fleming and Madden became bitter enemies and when Madden left Plymouth he was compelled to seclude himself, as Fleming went the rounds of the town for days trying to find Madden, stating that he would kill him on sight. Patrick Fleming, the dead man, was a resident of Pymouth up until a few months ago, when he removed to Forest City. He was considered a good young man up until the time of his marriage. His wife bore an unsavory reputation and was not popular in Plymouth. According to testimony given before Justice Golder, young Fleming, who was intoxicated, went to the residence of Madden about 1 o’clock in the morning, accompanied by another young man, and created a disturbance. No attention was paid to them and they soon departed. About 3 o’clock Fleming again visited the home of Madden, alone, and began to throw stones and snow balls at the house. After a time Madden appeared at the door armed with a gun and order Fleming away. The latter, according to Madden, refused, and drew a pistol, which he flourished and pointed at Madden, threatening to shoot. Madden fired a shot in the air and Fleming responded by shooting in Madden’s direction. As the intoxicated man’s arm was raised to fire the second time, Madden shot and the charge took effect in Fleming’s right side, and he dropped dead. Upon discovering the effect of the shooting Madden gave himself up. Fleming was a mine labor.
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1877 - 1903 (26 years)
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