Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-05-31
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE TRAGEDY Al COYLE,s FERRY.

Lodgsent OF the Murderer In tho York jail.
York Evening Dispatch.
Mrs. Coyle, mother of the murderer,
testified that she called the murdered girl
at o'clock, when she got up as usual and
went about her work, that of milking. At
six o'clock she got up herself. and shortly
afterward her son John came in and said,
Mother, I've shot Emma and shot my
self. She just quivered and fell down
dead" She also testified that her son had
asked the girl to marry him. telling her
that if she refused he would shoot her.
She Strengthened herself up, and pointing
to her breast, said, "Well, shoot right
here, when he drew the revolver and fired
the fatal shot.
Officer Shenberger, of Wrightsville,
had accompanied Justice Magee, and at
once arrested the murderer, turning hir
over to the custody of Officer Dietz, of
Hellam township, who was deputized to
bring him to York, and about twelve
O'Clock, in company with Justice Hauck,
of Hellam, he arrived with the prisoner
and placed him in Jail in charge of the
sheriff.
DR.. S. ]. Rouse was at once summoned
to look after the prisoners wounds and a
careful examination was made, but after
probing could find no ball in either. The
wounds though painful, will not result
seriously.
The prisoner is twenty.six years old,
about five feet ton inches in height, dark
hair and mustache and very much sun
burnt. He is widely known in the county,
especially along the river, from his con-
nectiOn with the ferry. He answered the
first few questions put to him by the Dis
patch reporter readily, but afterwards de-
clined to talk When told thaG his wounds
were not dangerous. he replied that it
would have been better had he killed him.
self.
After his wounds had been examined he
was locked in cell IS, though he several
times said that there was no need to lock
him mp, that he would do what was
wanted if they treated him right. He did
not appear to understand the serious
nature of his crime, with it's probable re-
suit, but thought that he should be sent to
the hospital. Once he remarked that he
was weak in the head, and that his doc
tor knew it. DR.. Rouse, however stated
that he saw no sign of insanity in the
prisoner. Before taking him from his
home, his wounds were examined by Drs.
Redman and Thompson, but no balls were
found in them.
The murdered girl is said to have been
very beautiful. She was about 10 years
of age and has been living with the COyles
for abouta year. Her parents are both
dead.
The revolver with which she was killed
is in the possession of Justice Magee. Six
of the chambers arc empty, but how often
he shot the prisoner is unable to state.
A strange part of the affair is that the
ball should nave had such immediate and
fatal effect on the girl, and yet when
held to his own breast and head with sui
cidal intent the balls did not penetrate the
bone, but glanced off into tho flesh. The
shirt worn by the prisoner shows the bull
let hole and is stained with blood, but
shows no sign of scorching by powder.
Who Her Friends Arc.
Harrisburg Patriot.
At a late hour We learned that the un-
fortunate victim was sister of Miss Annie
Myers, of this city, who resides at No. 11O7
Wallace street, and is employed in the
dry good store Of Mr.. Charles Segelbaum
Oh Market street. Miss Annie Myers re-
ceived i telegram yesterday afternoon IN
forming her of the death Of her sister she
Immediately left for the scene of tho mur-
der.