Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-09
a WOMAN SoORNED,

MIS-. CROKER, the Associate or the Bogus
Mrs. Harris, Attempts to Take tina Life
of Her Mother-in- Law
1t will be remembered that shortly after the
death of the putative authoress, Mrs. s.. 8.
Harris, in this city few weeks ago Mrs.
Croker. WHO claimed former acquaintance
with the lady, appeared upon the scene, and
assayed the role of injured innocence. 1t Was
good dodge, but the GLOBE put spoke in
the wheel of this second adventures. OF the
subsequent proceedings at Milwaukee the
Chronicle communicates the subjOined state
ments:
The law Office of James G. Flanders, No.
liz Wisconsin street, Library building was
the scene this morning of one of the most
atrocious attempts to kill in the annals of the
Cream City. Peculiar interest attaches to the
affair because both of the parties to the affair
are women who are we'll known in this city,
For a long time past Mrs. Fannie Crocker, nee
Smith, has been at loggerheads with her step
mother, Mrs. j. B. Smith, the dispute
being over the legal title to considerable
Mrs. Croker was defeated and there
seems to be proof positive that abe then
deliberately and with malice aforethought
planned the murder of her victorious opponent
Fortunately for Mrs. Smith, and to that fact
she clearly owes her continued existence the
kuOWlcU&o VI WIc. OrOCAoI ICpcdLCQ tuIcdtb
to take her life was impaired to her, and until
this morning she cOntrived to keep out Of the
way of the Infatuated woman. This only en-
ragged Mrs. Croker the more aud made her the
more determined to slsy the woman whom she
conceived had deeply wronged her.
At an early hour this morning there was a
violent pulling OF the door bell of the Smith
mansion, No. $40 Jefferson street. which was
| answered by the daughter of Mrs Smith, and
when the door was oper ed she found herself
| confronted by Mrs. Crocker, who
INSISTED UPON SEEING HER MOTHER.
Fortunately Miss Smith is a lady of imposing
physique and considerable strength, and diyin-
ing upon the instant that Mrs. Crocker was
there for ne good purpose, she quietly threw
herself in the doorway, and extending one arm
across emphatically declared that her mother
could not be seen save at the Office of her at.
torney. Mr.. James G. Flanders. Seeing the
determination of Miss Smith in the matter
Mrs. Croker reluctantly withdrew. first hav-
ing obtained a promise that Mrs. Smith would
meet her at the office in question at 9 o'clock.
Shortly afterward Mrs. Smith and her daugh-
ter left the house, and proceeding directly
to the central police station, acquainted
Chief Beck with all of the circumstances of
| the case, whe Immediately detailed Lieutenant
Dow to accompany the ladies to the office of
MI. Flanders. As they approached the eleva-
tor entrance, Mrs. Croker was espied in the
distance and simultaneously with their ascent
in the elevator was Mrs. Orookers ascent by
means of the stairway in Wisconsin street.
Mrs. Smith and daughter aud the officer were
the first to reach the Office and q minute OF
two afterward Mrs. Crocker,yeported. Hardly
had she entered the room when she drew a re-
volver and pointing it toward Mrs. Smith,
with shocklngly prOfane expression accom-
panying.
DISCHARGED ONE CHAMBER.
Luckily Mrs. Smith was watching keenly every
movement of her antagonist and simultaneous
ly with The pulling of the trigger she lodged
behind the stove aud escaped unhurt. In her
blind rage, the rage of q madwoman,
MRS. CRooKER's AIM WAS DECIDEDLY WILD,
and the ball, instead of burylng itself in the
heart of Mrs. Smith went through her own
hand. At this juncture the would be murder
ess was siezed firmly from behind by Lieuten-
ant Dow and prevented from doing further
mischief, although she endeavored to point
the revolver over her shoulder to secure anotb-
er shot. She was then taken to Jail. where, at
latest accounts, she was sullenly brooding over
her discontinue.
JAFTroR HENRY swEETNAM,
of the library building. who has charge of the
elevator. told an Ecening Chronicle reporter
that shortly before the arrival of Mrs. Smith
and her escort, he saw Mrs. Crocker lowering
about the elevator entrance with the general
appearance of crazy woman. He did not
then know what deadly mission was hers, but
thinking her movements not those of a sane
person, narrowly watched them. When he
heard the shot fred, which was designed for
Mrs. Smiths life, it seemed to him as if scarce
~ two minutes had elapsed after the entrance
of the Smith party into the Office, Leaving
the elevator he hurried to the Office, where he
found Mrs. Orocker
STRUGGLING IN THE ARMS OF LIEUTENANT DOW
as above described.
As soon as the knowledge of the affair was
borne upon the streets it proved very exciting
topic, the discussion Of which developed
SOME STARTLING FACTS
in the history of the Smith family which had
laid dormant for considerable time and which
would seem to convince most thinking people
that the poor woman is undeniably insane. It
il now remembered that two of her brothers
committed suicide under exceptionally dis
tressing circumstances which led many people
to entertain the idea at the time that each
death was primarily attributable to insanity.
WITH perhaps, hereditary insanity as o founda
ton it was easy for Mrs. Orocker to erect an
edifioe of deIusions the chief of which was that
of being wronged by her stepmother In the
possession of certain property. 1t is now quite
probable that before any steps shall have been
taken to bring Mrs. Croker to trial commits
sion Of medical experts will be appointed to
examine the would-b slayer, and ascertain