The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-13
TRAGEDY AT THE BURNET HOUSE.
Florence Mcdonald Shoots s. NJ. Hickey,
and, Believing Him Dying, Takes
Her Own Life.

Anderson troupe and staying at this hotel,
she was shown into the reception-room.
Hickey arrived in few minutes, and after
the two were together in the room but
short time the people of the house we're
startled with the reports of three pistol
shots fired in rapid succession, and upon
rushing to the scene it was discovered that
the woman had fired two shots at Hickey,
and had then shot herself in the head.
She died in few minutes without speak
ing a word in explanation of the tragedy
that had taken place. She came from SYRIA
cuse, New York, and was known at that
place as Mr. Hickey's mistress, a title
which she did not hesitate to own. Her
real name was Smith, but she had chosen
the name of Mcdonald because it had been
her mothers maiden name. She led life
of shame from her sixteenth year, and at
one time was placed in the Convent at
Buffalo, but soon ran away to Canada. She
afterwards returned to Buffalo and left a
child there which is now three years
DID,,
She became acquainted with Hickey
three years ago, while he was manager OF
the Boston Opera Company, and, after a
short but intimate acquaintance, he sought
to rid himself of her. Knowing this, she
twice attempted to take his life-once by
shooting and once by placing morphine in
his beer. They had met in several cities,
and last Thursday she followed Hickey to
this place and took room at the Russell
House, No. 243 West Fifth street. Twice
she had visited Pixies Opera-house to wit
ness Mary Anderson the woman whom she
supposed to be the object of Hickey's affec-
tu,soa oh hoI to
Hickey by messengers.
net House and asked for Hickey, but was
told that he was not in. and in the after
noon paid her last visit to Hickey, both
times in company with young man from
her boarding place, whom she asked to ac-
company her.
According to Hickey's statement she
was sitting on the sofa when he entered the
room, and upon his asking her the object
of her visit she replied that she wanted
money. He arose and placed his hands in
his pocket for his purse, and she at the
same moment arose, stepped behind the
end of the sofa, and when he was not
looking drew revolver from her pocket
and fired. The ball penetrated his scalp
back of the left ear, and although it made
bad wound, did not fracture the skull.
He fell forward and cried for help, but be-
fore help could arrive, or he could escape
from the room, two other shots were fired.
The tragedy caused great excitement at
the Burnet House, and in few minutes a
large crowd of people had gathered anxious
to get a glimpse of the parties to the tragic
act. The aid of police became necessary,
and upon their arrival the room and corri-
dors were cleared and an opportunity given
to the Coroner to pursue his investigation.
1t required some time to identify the wo-
man, as Hickey would at first say nothing;
but the letters and diary which were found
among her effects told her story, and Hickey
soon afterwards was led to make his state
ment. Her diary revealed the fact that
she had planned the deed before she came
here, and from the language used it is easy
to infer that it would not have been we'll
for Miss Anderson if they two had met.
The following is specimen of some of
the entries in the diary:
June 29th-My Dearest Friend came
home yesterday. will see him very soon,
and he will put his arms around me- kiss
me, and say how is my little grip Such
minute as that will overpay centuries in
He'll. If could make bargain to have
'Syl' all to Myself for just one month, that
| might be everything to him as he is to
me for only one month, and then die and
live in tortures for all the countless ages of
eternity, would do it this very minute"
Among the entries were receipts Of
money received, ranging in amounts from
$40 to $3.50, and a request that her body be
taken to a medical college. This last re-
quest the Coroner was adverse to obeying
and disliked to bury her in the Potter's
Field; consequently dispatch was sent to
her friends in Syracuse, asking them to
claim the body. If this is not done, Mr.
Hickey states that he will pay the expenses
Of burial in the Wesleyan Cemetery, Cum
minsville. The body was then removed to
Habig's to be prepared for interment.
Drs. Drumming and Kemper, who were
called to attend the wounded man, state
this morning that the skull was not frac-
tured. and that he was doing well and
would soon be out.
The following was received by Coroner
A. L. Carrick to-day at 9:02 a. m.:
SYRACUSE, N. Y. Oct. Is, 1879.
CORONER: Florence Mcdonald has a
father living in Cleveland, Ohio. Her true
name is Florence Smith. She has no rela.
tves in this city. Send to the Convent of
the Good Shepherd for information. She
has been pupil there, No. II Cedar street."
As Coroner Carrick thought that the Sis
ters could not give anything pertinent to
the case, he declined to go there.
The Coroner on receipto of this sent a tele-
gram to Mr. G. S. Crofoot. correspondent of
the Commercial and on the staff of the
Cleveland Leader, asking Mr.. Smith what
he wants to be done with the remains of
his daughter.
No answer has yet been received.
Coroner Carrick visited the remains of
the girl to-day, and on making close ex.
animation found that there were two holes
in the head. He therefore ordered Dr. o.
e. Davis to make post mortem examina-
tion this evening.
Just before leaving Habig's place, boy
came in bringing basket of flowers, saying
that the same were sent by gentleman
(whose name he refused togive)a and that they
were ordered to be put on the suicides
breast. As he declined to give the florists
or the senders names Coroner Cartick or
dered them sent back with instructions
that he would receive them ON the day of
the funeral.
The flowers will be preserved.
Mr.. Hickey this afternoon is not doing
so well, and is suffering from considerable
mental excitement, which may prove seri-