The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-04-19
A Frlghtful Tragedy.

The tragic interest of the spot rem
dered terrible some time ago by the
burning alive Of the well known dan
seuses, the Gale sisters, was heightened
on Saturday night by the assassination
in full view Of two thousand people, of
young courtezan by man who claim.
ed to entertain toward her an all-ahsor.
bing affection.
The tale is not pleasant TO narrate,
but as warning to giddy and thought
less young men who see attractions in
the delusive pleasures of iniquity and
depravity, it may. not pass without the
accomplishment of good.
There live in Wilmington an aged
couple, of slender means but of honest
name. Their names are Mitchell. They
have son named VIM. Howard. He
is now but twenty-five years of age
He was the main stay and support of
his parents. He ran as fireman of To-
comotiye on the Baltimore Railroad.-
He soon got into bad company, and
spending some nights in the week in the
city, formed the acquaintance of levd
women. His earnings he soon found
insufficient to carry him into that class
of company, and he turned boldly into
the straight path that leads to destruc-
ton. There are those who tread it,
thinking, after short advance, to re-
trace their steps. This boy Howard
never did-very few ever do.
He then became third rate gambler,
and for some months appears to have
travelled from Philadelphia to N. York,
plying his avocation as opportunity of
fered, sometimes having his pocket full
Of money, but oftener finding himself
penniless. He had been about month
in Philadelphia up to Saturday night,
spending most of his evenings at the
concert saloons about the city. He
made the acquaintance in the beginning
of his visit of girl named Margaret
Bear, waiter girl at the Continental
Theatre. He entered the private box
where the girl was sitting. The box
was crowded, and she was sitting upon
the lap of another girl, watching the
performance. Stepping up to her, he
said:
Maggie, are you going to do as you
promised?n
The girl appeared a little alarmed and
said "yes" i'm reluctant tone.
"Tell me, once for all, will you go
with me to N. York;" he repeated with
vehemence.
eyes, / WILL" was her reply.
"I love you," he said, "and you have
gone back upon me-"
Her manner appeared not to please
him. He drew a five-barreled revolver
and fired it at her. The first discharge
sent bullet through her shoulder. He
again pulled the trigger, and sent ball
through her temple. Before he could
be disarmcd, he sent third ball into her
side, between the first and second ribs.
All this took but few seconds. Wild
excitement seized the audience. The
stage manager dropped the curtain.-
Five minutes afterwards it was announ-
ce4 that the WOMAN was dead, and that
the house must be closed.
The assassin was taken from the place
to the Central Police Station and locked
up. He bore evident marks of intoxi-
cation, though he stoutly maintained he
was sober. On his way to the station
house, he continued repeating;
/ loved her. I've got an old father and
mother in Wilmington, and | deserted
them for her sake. i did, gentlemen,
and see how she has used me. Oh, say
that she isn't dcadl' =
Lieut.. Henderson, seeing that he was
nearly frantic, said
Yes, she lives"
"Oh God!" he again ejaculated, "ii
/ could only see her alive, you might
take me out and hang me to the next
tree. loved her so, didn't know
what to do without her. / gave up IA
ther and mother for her, and she went
back upon me. If you can bring heI
well again, kill me and welcome. ]
couldn't live without her."
The wretched young man passed q
terrible night of wakefulness.
Phil. Gazette.