Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-22

l. ". H.
Chestnut street near Hillen. in Baltimore yester-
day morning. After the usual religious exercises,
Rev. Thomas Wells. OF Grafton. W. Va, preached a
sermon In the afternoon the only important bust
ness transacted was the reelection OF Rev. w. Will
son president. The jurisdiction Of the conference
includes Maryland. Delaware. and the District of
columbia. thirty-three 1tinerant ministers, and
church property valued at $27 600.
Hunting Down a Brute.
AsSAULTING AND SHOOTING GIRL AND TRYING TO
POISON HIS PURsUERS
telegram from Macon, Ga, August 21st, says:
The assassination Of Miss Alice Hggs, in Montgon-
cry, by her cousin and rejected sutton. David II.
Conner, grows darker as developments show the
real purpose. Miss HiggS. who was remarkably
pretty, was sixteen years Old. A protracted meet
Ing has been In progress tor some time near Mount
Vernon. Among the attendants were David Con-
ner and Miss Hfggs. 1t is well known that Conner
had for some time been paying attentions to the
young lady, who exhibited no marks of reciprocal
ton. Although treated with Indifference, he per-
sisted in his devotion, and, Notwithstanding the
near relationship existing between them, urgently
sought her hand in marriage Formerly they had
been engaged. but when the time came for the
wedding she refused to marry him, whereupon Con-
ner became so enraged that he threatened to kill
her II she did not. Sne, however. refused, saying
she did not love him and would not wed him.
lie met her at the spring near the church where
the meetings were held and asked for an interview,
which she refused. He remarked then that she
would never have another opportunity OF refusing
his request. Some friends prevailed upon him to 90
into the church, where he staid only a few minutes
anu went away. The presumption is that he went
nome, which was near by, and armed himself The
family Of Mr. Hisgs remained over to the night
service, and at Its conclusion proceeded home
In wagon, accompanied by the preacher. AS they
were riding lesurely along the loud report OF gun
was heard, and Miss Alice Higgs fell from the wagon
mortally wounded. Seven buckshOt had penetrated
her back, and came out through her breast The
ASSASSIN was recognized as Conner.
Ii has now been found that behind this occurrence
N
TWO weeks before the villain who shot her from
ambush, while returning from church at night With
friends, attempted to outrage her person, and it
was Tor having exposed him that her life was
taken. When this first assault was made he
threatened her life If she told OF 1t. But this she
did TO her father, who found about her throat dark
spots easily recognized as finger prints. At this
In order that he might get personal satisfaction
the father instructed his daughter to carry the
secret with her.
AT least 100 men have been pursuing him in va
riOuS sections and where 1t probable that he
would be found six men or a dozen would station
themselves. At the house OF the wounded girl q
squad was stationed. Many OF the neighbors had
gone there and each night the crowd would num-
Der perhaps 25. Mr.. Higgs has very fine water
melon patch, and knowing these people would eat
melons Conner slipped up and put strychnine in
some OF the largest ones. While the melons were
being pulled, it was discovered that little hacked
places. made with knife, could be seen, and one
was found to have the stem split. suspicion hav.
ing thus been aroused some Of the melons were cut
open. but nothing unusual could be detected. The
pulp appeared as luscious as usual, but 1t was de-
cided before eating them to Try them upon some
hogs, and, within 10 minutes aft.r they had eaten
melons, several became affected and died before
they had gone 20 steps. Montgomery county has
never yet been so thoroughly stirred up Every cti-
zen from one end OF the county to the other feels
eXasperated at the crime OF this man. His family
are good people, and the oldest in the county.