The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-21
A TERRIBLE CRIME.
By Melissa Robinson-The Re-
sult Of an Ill.spent Life.

prevailed that the well.known Pat Quin-
Ian had been shot and fatally wounded
by the equally as we'll known, Mrs.
Melissa Robinson. a reporter Of the
REaIsrER was despatched TO discover the
truth or. falcity of tho rumor,
and. upon inquiry we found
1t too true, Mr.. Quinlan lying at the
Columbia House, on Market square, in
the agonies of death.
Upon inquiry we learn that Quinlan
visited tho house of ill-fame conducted
by Mrs. Melissa Robinson, situated on the |
wharf, more Familiarity known as the
boat house." Quinlan had been there
frequently before, and had taken a great
fancy to an inmate of the house named
Ida Florence. For some time
back ne has solicited her to
leave Mrs. Robinson's and join him.
This Ida refused to do. Last night
Quinlan, who was greatly under the in
fuence Of liquor, visited the house and
called for Miss Ida. The two went up
stairs together and in few minutes. as
the story Is told by outsiders. the Flor
ence girl commenced yelling for help
saying that Quinlan was killing her. Mrs
Robinson, the proprietresS of the house,
rushed up stairs, and discovering the sit
uation, ran down again and got her
pistol. When she re-ascended the stairs
Quinlan let 60 of the Florence girl and
rushed Tor her. A scuffle ensued, and
Quinlan got two bullets into his body,
one IN the abdomen and one in the arm.
He ran down stairs and out onto the
wharf, and from thence ~ the house of
Miss Jennie Gray, where he fell ex.
hsusted. The inmates OF this house. which
is in the story above Mrs. Robinson's,
seeing Pats condition became very much
alarmed, and ran for some of his friends.
In short time Messrs. George Watson,
Eligah Black, and q. few others, ar
rived and hsd Quinlan carried to
his boarding house. the Columbia Hotel,
in Market square. Dr.. Gallegan was
sent for who soon arrived and did all
! he could for The unfortunate man.
Upon examination it was found
that the most serious and perhaps fatal
wound is situated in the abdomen about
two and one-halfinches disgonally above
and TO the left of the navel. The
second is in the f1eshy part of the right
arm. The bone is not broken, and the
wound Is comparatively Of very little
moment. If death should occur speedily
it will probably be from internal hemor-
rhage; if at later stage from infamma-
tion of the bowels.
After leaving the room of Quin!an, we
called on Mrs. Robinson at the City
Building. We stated our mission, but
she proved to be very reticent. Officer
ST. Myers, who had her in
charge, requested her TO state
the facts without committing herself, as
the reporter had no desire to do any in
Justice to her. She then told US that
Quinlsn had gone to Der house about 81
o'clock last night and requested
to see Ida Florence. The
permission was granted, and after
they had gone up stairs she heard Quin-
ian beating her. When she arrived
Quinlan left Miss Florence and CON-
menced an attack on herself. Here she
was thrown down and then the serious
trouble commenced. Mrs Robinson, of
course would not tell US anything
further, as she did not want to commit
herself. After interviewing the Madam
we went to the
HOUSE OF THE TRAGEDY.
After considerable difficulty we gained
admittance and proceeded to interview
MISS IDA FLORENCE,
the girl who caused the difficulty.
We found her sitting in the
kitchen Of the house with her feet stuck
up against the stove in an apparent state
Of non .chalence. Upon questioning her
che stated that Quinlan had been trying
to get her to go away with
him, saying that he colud make great
deal of money out of her. Miss Flor
ence told him that she would not allow
any man to make money from her,
whereupon Qunlsn assaulted her,
and her calls brought Mrs.
Robinson up, and the scuffle eRsued be.
tween them. The Florence girl said she
ran down stairs and heard one shot fred
Help was called for, but the only
persoa in the house, a man
named Wallace, ran out, and
there WAS nos assistance rendered.
Miss Florence is beautiful young wo-
man and most proportionately formed,
and why she would lead such life to
bring her into trouble and disgrace
We cannot understand.
MIDNIHHT.
At last accounts Quinlsn was sinking,
and there was little hope Of his recovery.
To be candid, could we expect man who
has led the life that he has, with all his |
opportunities, to come to any other
end. THE way of the trsnsgressor is
hard
STRIKE AT THE SouTH WHEyrlSc !