The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-07-01
MORE EXCITEMENT,
d YOUNG LADY SHOOTS HERSELF AFTER
ATTEMPTING. TO MURDER



Hardly had the excitement OF the triple hang.
ing, on Friday last, subsidized until news was re.
ceived Of a tragedy at Paris, this county. The
particulars, as we learn them, are as follows: A
Mrs. Jennie 9. Leonard nee Keyser, Of Ada, Hardin
county, o a relative Of Rev. Ziegler, who resides
near Paris, has of late been a frequent visitor a
the Z'egler residence. She was a fine looking
brunette, about 25 years old, aud had married Mr.
Leonard when but 10 years old; after the birth of
a son She secured a divorce from her husband
and thereafter resided with her parents at Ada
During her visits at Paris she became namored
Of William Zlegler, q young man abo1t % years
old, and the iniatuation grew 80 strong that she
appeared to be determined to marry him land II
is charitable to suppose that the woman was un.
der the impression that she would succeed In
becoming MS, Ziegler).
William claims that he never encouraged the
suit OF Mrs. Leonard, who, by the way, is his sec.
ond cousin, though she had made frequentthreatS
against his life. Ga Saturday, June 10th, she
again visited the Ziegler family, considerably to
their surprise, though 1t had been reported to
them that she had come to settle with Bill On
Thursday, the oath ult,, she requested william to
take her to Louisville, the nearest railroad station,
as she wished to go home. Thinking that some.
thing was wrong he refused to acCompan her.
On Friday she got the consent of her cousin Frank
to take her to Louisville, with the understanding
that she was to take the train for home. Upon
arriving at that village she informed him that she
had changed her mind aud that he should wait
for her at the post Off &c. She then proceeded to
the hardware store Of Mr., Frank Pierson, and
after purchasing a pocket knife, asked to look at
ome revolvers, remarking that she had need OF
one and enquiring as to whether she would be
held amenable to the law for carrying concealed
weapons, Mr.. Pierson explained the law in the
case and, judging from her conversation natural.
ly supposed that she was a lady accustomed to
travelling and required a revolver to protect her.
self from insult or attack, and then soil her a
hVe.shooter, U. S. Arms Co.'s make, calibre 80,
long cartridge.
Mrs. Leonard then returned with Frank, and
upon arriving at the house, In the evening, said
she felt troubled and would retire, and did not
wish any supper. In the evening Frank and
VIII went to the village and spent a few hours.
Shortly after their return the two young men and
their father retired, each going to their respective
rooms. william. upon entering his room, noticed
a dark object under his bed, and that the coun.
terpane, on one side, was drawn down almost to
the floor. With one hand he raised the cover and
to his surprise discovered Jane under the bed, in
a kneeling posture, with a revolver pointed at
her head, He called out to her asking her what
she was doing, when she suddenly pointed the
weapon at him and fred. He ran out OF the door
and closed it crying: my God I'm shot and
Jane is killed." Almost Immediately another
shot was heard in the room. The citizens Of the
usually quiet village we're aroused, and several
Of them with DR., ], Bates, Immediately repaired
to the scene of the tragedy. Upon entering vii.
liam's room a terrible sight met their gaze. Mrs.
Leonard lay, face downward, In a pool of blood
Upon turning her around the revolver was found
under her and it was discovered that there was
a bullet wound in the centre Of her forehead The
ball penetrated the brain, passing behind the
right eye and lodging near the right ear. She
was killed instantly
The following notes, to answer either thorn Of
the dilemma were found upon opening her
dress:
Il shot William for telling great falsehoods on
me-"
II was going to shoot William for telling lies on
me, but l did not have the heart 10 do it."
Coroner Cock started out to hold an inquest, but
Squire slentz had already commenced the inves.
tigation and rendered a verdict in accordance
with the above facts. Deoeased's father was tele.
graphed and on Sunday evening the body was
taken to Ada for burial. II is the general opinion
that deceased was suffering from temporary in.
sanity.
The lady seems to have been perfectly sensible
on every other subject save her passion for Mr.. 2
1t is a heavy blow on her parents, of..whom she is
the only daughter. In justice to her memory we
should say Mrs. Leonard has always borne the
best Of character.