The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-02-16
Tragedy ina Washington City---
Jealousy and Revenge.

Jealousy and Revenge.
Another Of those dreadful tragedies for
which Washington city is rapidly becom-
ing lannon's, occurred there few days
since. A young lady named Mary Har-
ris, of Burlington, Iowa, very proposes
sing in appearance and adylike In manner,
shot dead clerk in the Treasury Depart
ment, named Burroughs. The deed was
done in broad daylight, in one OF the main
halls of the Treasury building. Miss
Harris used four barreled revolver, aud
fired two shots at her victim, both of
which took effect. The cause of the deed
is enshroudeG In mystery, save what little
light is thrown upon it by Miss Harris.
She states that there never has existed
any improper intimacy between herself
aud Burroughs. This she reiterates on
all occasions since the homicide. She
says that when yet child, Burroughs
was visitor at her fathers ard that she
used to sit on his lap in presence of her
parents, and that he had always taken
great interest in her. As she grew up, his
attentions became moro those Of suitor,
which her parents opposed, because he was
rich, she poor,-he Protestant and she
a Catholic. She says he frequently asked
her to marry him, which she refused on
account Of her age and the wish Of her
parents. Still he always protested his
ardent affection and determination to make
her his wife.
They corresponded together after Bur-
roughs had left Burlington and gone to
Chicago. Some two years ago, at the re-
quest Of Miss Devlin, friend of Mr..
Burroughs, she went to Chicago, where
she saw Mr.. Burroughs. After that, there
| rises heap Of mystery about Anonymous
notes, which she believed were written by
Mr. Burroughs with the design of entic-
ing her into notorious house in Chicago.
On account Of these notes she says she
felt the most Intense anxiety Go be fully
satisfied, as To whether he whom she had
| so loved and who had SO protested his love
tor her could be guilty OF such baseness.
Then she determined to prosecute him for
| breach OF promise, and shortly after, some
| years ago, she learned that he was married
to young lady and had gone to Wash
ington to live. In the mean while she
was disowned by her parents, and her old
| friends and acquaintances would have
i'OUAAiiS5 " oO "itlA DSCducS ciC hlo
suspected 70 have had improper relations
! with Burroughs, which was never SO. So,
bent on vindicating her character, she re-
solved to come on to Washington and bring
suit against Burroughs. In Chicago she
| bought the revolver. After her arrival
here. she became frantic to see him, and
! Disgusting herself in u ''Nubia" and veil,
went to the Treasury. Tie rest is given
in her own language:
| "When / went into the Treasury build
ing | inquired for the room in which Mr.
Burroughs was, and having learned that,
walked up and down the hal! for some
| time. Once [ went to the door of the
room, opened it q few inches, and saw him
at his desk. The moment [ looked at
him, sitting there SO comfortably, the
| thought Of all had suffered, and of his
being the cause, enraged me, and nay hand
invountarily pulled back the trigger Of
the pistol in my pocket. I closed the door,
and, stepping away, moved about again, [
know not how Or where, except that l
kept my eye on his room until the men
| began 10 come out of their rooms. Then
placed myself where [ knew he would
have to come near me in going to the
staircase. When he appeared, felt sud
denly lifted up my arm was extended as
stiff as iron, and saw him fall. | knew
nothing more until [ was called back as [
was leaving the building"