During the quiet of Sunday afternoon the little village of Peckville, this county, was startled from its very centre by the news that the Sabbath had been wantonly desecrated and a fearful tragedy had been enacted at or near the saloon of Mrs. Slavin, a small groggery near the depot. A quarrel arose between a number of men who were under the excitement of liquor, the subject of disagreement being the strike. The accounts of the tragedy which followed are conflicting, but it would seem that it was determined to settle the dispute by blows, and withdrawing from the saloon an indiscriminate melee followed, in which Wm. Morgan was badly pounded and beaten. John Edwards, who had remained in the house, hearing Morgan’s cries, came to his assistance, and in order to frighten away the assailants of Morgan he fired a revolver over their heads, and a second shot was fired, which took effect in the body of Patrick Slavin, passing through his heart, killing him instantly. Edwards claims that he had no murderous intentions but fired in self-defense. The infuriated crowd then turned on Edwards, who sought safety in immediate flight to Peckville, two miles distant, where he surrendered himself to the authorities.
Yesterday Constable Page of Peckville, arrived here in custody with Wm. Morgan and John Edwards, who were commuted to the county prison. The sympathies of the people of Peckville are said to be with Edwards, Slavin being spoken of us a terror to the community.
Daily Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania), April 6, 1875.