, 1878-05-25
Double Murder.


lished at Union, Union county, Oregon,
for the following particulars of a most
fearful tragedy:
About one o'clock on the morning of
the 10th inst, there YVES perpetrated, in
front of Chanccys hotel in our town, one
of the most cowardly attempts 10 commit
double murder that ever darkened the
criminal records Of the Pacific coast.
( The facts as near as We can gather them
are about as follows: John p. Sullivan
and wife were returning home from .
party given at the Centennial hotel in
company with Mrs. Sullivan's mother.
In front of Chancey's hotel they passed
4. I. Wedd!e, who, without giving them
any warning, drew revoirer and placing
it against Mrs Sullivan. fired, inflicting
a deep wound on the right side of the
spine Just below the shoulder blade. At
the report OF the pistol Mrs. Sullivan
fell, and before Mr.. Sullivan could turn
fairly around, he too WAS shot. the ball
striking him ON the left side Of the lower
abdomen and ranging from left To right.
Though stunned by the wound, Sullivan
with characteristic grit turned on the
would-be murderer, and first striking him
with his fist, he gathered up some stones
and chased the
COwARDLY sCOUNDREI.
half way across the street before he fell.
They were Immediately taken MP and car
ried home. DIS Cromwell and Drake were
Immediately summoned and proceeded to
examine the wounds, which, unfortu-
nately, were of such nature rs to pre-
vent the finding OF the balls by probing.
The wounds are considered very danger
Gus, and al the present writing the ap-
pearances are that both viii prove fatal
Mrs. Sullivan appears to suffer the most,
the right leg being paralyzed. Neddle
after doing the shooting ran around by
back streets and went directly to the
Sheriff residence and gave himself up,
saying as he gave up the pistol: Here,
take this and turn the key on me tonight
Do what you please with me;
HANG NE If YOU WANT TO-"
In response to the sheriff query if ne had
used it, he said: Eyes, I've used it, you
will tiud out III the morning what l have
done" The only motive for the deed
appears to have been malice and jealousy.
1t seems that previous to Mrs. SulIivans
first marriage, Weddlc sought her hand
in marriage but was refused After the
death Of Dr. Baker he renewed his atten-
tions but Was persistently resfused At
tbs he took umbrage and SwOre that he
would send her to the bone yard, ana
since her second marriage he has repeated
the threat dozen times to Bud Chapman
and others His threats weIe 50 often
and o: such
DANGEROUS CHARACTER
that lie was arrested a few months since /
and examined as to his sanity, but was /.
70 show the mere plainly /
his intent in the matter, a short time pre- !
vious to the shooting he went to the office I
of the Centennial hotel and asked Bud /
Chapman if IIr and Mrs Sullivan were /
at the party Being informed that they !
were he said he guessed he would go up !
awhile; not having a ticket he Was re- /
fused admission and came back, replying {
10 lii. Chapman banter thai he did not !
dance long, ''there are too many there
for my dance"
Mr.. and Mrs. Sullivan are both well
known in our county, MIR. Sullivan being
the proprietor Of an extensive saddlery
and harness establishr ent here. Ms.
Sullivan was formerly tie wife If the late
Iamented DR.. r. NJ Baker of this place,
BIZ whom she was the mother Of three
beautiful children, 2 boys and a-girl, aged
about !, and 3 Yeas.
Weddle, the fend who perpetrated this
lastardly crime, is IN Insignificant look
ing dried up weasen faced, hump-backed,
nrratic, crack Drained individual aged
probably A. years, VINO has lived in Union
for ten or twelve years, most OF the time
having been employed as cook at the
Union hotel; lately he has been attending
% Wells, Fargo K Co. express during
Ir. Hannah absence, and also assisting
lIr. Eaton III and about his store Per
sons who seem To know him best and who
nave placed the greatest confidence IN
lim, are loudest in setting up the plea OF
insanity, which viii TO doubt be urged IN
lefeuse of
THE HORRIBLE CRIME
# which there is no question of his guilt,
1ut whether that well worn plea will save
lis neck is yet question of time. II
Since writing the above Nr. Sullivan
lied about III o'clock and coroners 4