Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-02
A DESPERATE LOVER.
He Shoots the Woman of His Heart and
Then Himself.

Buffalo COuflef,l
John Luce and Lucy Wyman, Of
Canaseraga, a pleasant village on the
line of the Erie Railway between Por.
tage and Hornellsville, have for some
time been looked upon as lovers,
They have been together frequently,
and seemed to enjoy each others
society, but the knowing ones wills
pered hat the admiration was all on
the part of the young man. 1t is said
that Luce frequently urged the young
lady to marry him, but she firmly
refused, telling him that she did not
love him, although she regarded him
as a friend. Last evening Luce called
on Miss Wyman and asked her to
take a walk with him, which she
readily consented to do. They stroll
ed leisurely to the outskirts of the
village, and in due time returned
to the young lady's home. Luce
here again urged his suit, and was
again refused. Miss Wyman protested
that she did not love him, and said
she thought that there was under
standing between them to that effect ;
otherwise she would not have consent.
ed to walk with him or receive any
attention from him whatever. He
still persisted, and she became more
decided in her refusal. AT length he
became Infatuated. There is a here
after for you,' said he, and he imme-
diately drew a revolver and shot her
in the head.
She screamed and called for assist
ance and it was not long before quite
a crowd assembled. She was taken to
her room and medical aid summoned.
The doctor prObed for the bullet, but
was unable to extricate it. He thinks
the girl will die. When the news OF
the shooting became known the villa
gers rushed in large numbers to the
house and rendered their aid and sym
patty, as she was generally beloved.
After the commission of the das-
tardly act Luce looked upon his victim
with evident satisfaction, and replacing
the revolver in his pocket, deliberately
walked away. He proceeded directly
home, about forty rods distant, and
went to his room, no effort being made
to arrest him. The news of the affair
spread like wildfre, and it was not
long before the intelligence was
brought to Luce's parents. They saw
him go to his room, and fastened
thither to see what he had to say
about the matter. They opened the
door, and what a scene met their gaze
He was PROSTATE on the floor, his
face covered with blood and his hand
grasping the pistol with which he had
shot the woman who had refused to
marry him, and hen shot himself.
He was found to be alive, however,
and a physician was summoned, who
discovered the would-be suicide had
placed the muzzle of the pistol near
his right temple and deliberately fred,
as the side OF his face was badly
scorched. The ball entered the brain,
where it lodged. The young nah at
last accounts was in a critical condi-
ton, and no hopes are entertained Of
his recovery. When the news Of
Luce's attempted suicide became
known the excitement in the village
became intense. Many people visited
the house and expressed a desire to
see him, but the physician refused ad.
mittance to every one.
At last accounts neither were dead
but it was thought that the young
man could not live until morning
The young lady's pulse was strong
and hopes were entertained that she
would live two or three days.