The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-18

The Horror at Ashley, Missouri.
Murder Of Abbie Summers.
Death of a Child from Fright.
Etc, ETC.. ETC., ETC., Etc.
THE ASHLEY HORROR.

The Assassination of Miss AbbIe Summers, of
Quincy, BY Her Rejected sultor-HarrOwiug
Details.
the telegraph has already briefly announced one
of the most neart-rending butcheries OF the age,
occurripg at Ashley, Pike county, NO., last Sunday
The victim was one of the most estimabe and ac-
complished young ladies of Quincy. The reports of
the tragedy were confused and con1lctlng up TO
'Tuesday, when the Epeni,,g Journal Of that date
was able TO publish Jne IOHoWlnB uecplJ lnJeTeSIlng
and
FULL PARTICULARS.
1T appears from what we have been able to CLEAN
from those conversant with the facts in the case,
who arrived from the scene OF murder to-day with
the body, that the murder was perpetrated at the
residence OF Mr.. M. L. Griggs, at Ashley, at which
place the victim boarded, and in the room used by
her in which to give music lessons
THE MURDERER
has made several visits to Pike county recently and
has attempted to persecute the unfortunate young
lady with his attentions but has been gently yet
firmly repulsed. He had just returned from Kansas.
or was lust going to Kansas, and had stopped over
at Ashley undoubtedly for the purpose OF urging
mis- suit with Miss Summers and had attempted to
morning he went to the Presbyterian church where
she was and remained at the door until services
were over, and preceded Miss Summers and her
company some distance. just before noon Abbie
was seated in the music room at MT. Grlggs' house,
u mpany When @1'4 oo the Van
the window and approached the door of
the residence: Professor Watkins knew a
part of the affair Of Abbie as related to Coe,
and remarked to her when he approached the door,
ut is that man Coe, Abbie, shall admit him?n She
admitted him. When Coe entered the music-room
Miss Summers was seated near the door, and when
= was aeress se s the pd and the door WS
closed and he had taken a seat before he observed
her. He then arose ana advanced @ towards neI at
gre ting was not accepted by the young lady. Coe
then said 'Abbie, wish TO speak a few words
with YOU privately and Professor Watkins was
requested to leave the couple a few minutes,
which he did, very reluctantly. Aobie followed
the retreatng form Of the Professor to the door, and
re she closed it the Professor, as if impressed
with apresentiment OF evil, remarked:-"H you need
auy assistance at any time just call and will not
stepped the hall and entered room opposite
the one in which Miss Summers was. What was
said by Coe is not known. But short time elapsed,
however, probably two minutes from the time the
door closed upon his retreatng form, before the
LAZY, and he Immediately ran to the door and kicked
It open. He was met at the door by MIR. Grggs. the
o. ner of the house. who was also attracted by the
screams and, on entering; found the unfortunate
y,ung laoy lying upon the floor dead and weltering
in her gore, and the mend Coe calmly standing by
the form of the victim whom he had so foully muir
deTeC.
murderer who stood there so solidly and Professor
atkins caught him and threw him to the fioor and
tnele he lay limp and quiet never Offering the least
sign of resistance. The body of Abbie was picked
M and four wounds were found inflicted upon it,
one IN front, cutting the flesh on her breast and
evidently struck at her breast first and failed. and,
frignIened the terrified girl had started to flee the
room, whe n she was pursued and and cut down by his
mon butcher knife with six-inch blade, was
found fastened in her back, having
entered and severed the spinal column, and eX-
tended through the body to the heart Professor
Watkins withdrew the instrument OF death and laid
it upon the floor beside her whom it, in the hands OF
the assassin, had cut down in the bloom OF her youth
and usefulness. The room presented bloody sight;
the crimson gore saturated the carpet ana had
spotted the ceiling with its scarlet tinge, having
been hurled there from the kuife that was with
drawn dripping and reeking as it was made ready
for another plunge.
The murderer was taken charge OF by the city
authorities, and confined in the county Jail at Bowl
ing Green, where he will remain until his day OF
trial.
The body of the murdered victim was Immediately
taken charge Of by friends who loved the dear gir
in life, and robed for its last home, the grave We
visited the house in which the body now lies, at noon
to-day.
myrtle intermingled with lilies and white roses,
circled it. Her eyes were in calm repose. while hel
coal black lashes dropped gently down. She looked
beautiful even in death, and but for a slight disco
lOration about her lips, she looked like she was
sleeping gently, and was the subject OF pleasan
dream. She was robed in a white merino dress
Her plump throat was partially hidden by bow o
white satn Beautiful even in death, she resteC
there, dressed for her heavenly journey.
The aged father came into the room while VI
were there, and as he gazed upon the face OF he
the great OF sorrow rolled down his furrJwet
cheeks, and his lamentations pitiful and ful
OF sorrows that man OF stone could hardly hav
Witnessed and heard him without shedding tears
We sincerely hope we will never be called upon {
witness such another scene.