The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-02
SENSATION IN ROOM
Mrs. Meckie L. Rawson Empties a Re-
volver in an Effort to Kill q Lawyer,
Col. b. C. Whitney Being the Object Of Her
Wrath and Receiving Probably Fatal In
~juries-The Woman Believed To Be- Crazy.

CHIcAeo. June la tremendous sensation
occurred in Judge Jamieson's court shortly after
10 o'clock this morning. While the docket was
being called Mira Meckie L. Rawson was impa-
tiently waiting for the divorce case Of her hus-
band. banker Rawson, to be called. Col n. G.
Whitney, her husbands attorney. was sittine at
. side table writing, when the court was sud
denly startled to hear . pistol-shot and zee Col.
Whitney at once disappear under tha table. The
shot was followed By four more in rapid success
sion, and Mrs. Rawson was seen pursuing Whit
pey with s-revolver. Mrs. Rawson succeeded
in emptying her revolver at Whitney
before she could be captured. Two
of the balls hit the lawyer. one taking
effect below the groin and the other in the left
leg. The wound near the right groin will prob
ably be fatal Judge Jameson at once ordered
Mrs. Ra~son's arrest. and she was Immediately
taken to Jail When the officers arrived at the
Jail with their prisoner, Mrs Rawson had every
appearance Of being an insane woman; her eyes
were red and bloodshot. and she complained Of
being cold and faint AS soon as the search had
been completed she became more composed.
The Jail officers refused to allow reporters to
sec her.
It is understood that Mrs. Rawson has been in
a desperate state of mind since the Appellate
Court. yesterday. refused to grant her solicitors
fees. and said. in passing upon the merits Of her
pending divorce suit. that the testimony was
overwhelmingly against her. 1t is also under
stood that Mrs. Rawson claims that lawyer
Whitney trumped up all the testimony which
went to show that she had been guilty of infdel-
ity to her husband.
Stephen W.. Rawson. the banker, reached the
city late yesterday afternoon. His presence was
known TO but few. Mr.. Rawson heard of his
wifes attempt to kill Mr.. Whitney shortly after
it occurred, and hurried 70 Whitney's house. He
refused to see reporters early in the afternoon.
saying he did got wish to leave the bedside Of
his wounded friend and counsel.
General Stiles. who has been chief counsel for
Mrs. Rawson during the trial Of the case, said:
sMrs. Rawson was here in my Office this morn
ing. with Captain Black and Mr.. Payne. We
talked over the matter, aud concluded we could
not go on with our motion for alimony this
morning. We tolc Mre. Rawson that there was
no need OF her going over, and that, IN fact. she
would probably serve her case better by staying
away. She made no reply, and ] began to grow
alarmed. l started to go over to court. and
when l found that she was following me, /
turned round and admonished her. She did not
pay any attention to me, and then / raised
my voice and again called out to her stop. She
poSocu mo ~ Woub VI tSWoEO tuo u
When / reached il / went into the sheriffs Office
and told them / wanted a deputy to go up with
me and take care Of Mrs. Rawson; she was in
such q state o. mind that I dared not trust her.
/ told the deputy sheriff that accompanied mo
that ! worid point ont Mrs. Rawson. and in
structed him to seize her the moment that she
made any move. We had only reached the cor
ridor when the reports rang out. and l Guessed
rightly that Mrs. RAwson had been doing some
thing. The deputy I brought up with me
rushed into court and arrested her"
One peculiar result of to-day's ARRAY may
be the total loss by Mrs. Rawson of any possible
chance at a share of her husbands great wealth.
Should she receive . penitentiary sentence for
the assault on lawyer Whitney, the aged banker
has only to appear in court ana show that his
handsome wife has become Q convicted felou.
MI. Rawson would at once be awarded q decree
Of absolute divorce.
At q late hour tonight the physicians ia at
tendance upon Col Whitney stated that be was
resting quietly and that no serious results are
apprehended. The wound 10 exceedingly pain
full. and will take some time to heal, but it is
not regarded as serious unless Inflammation or
blood poisoning supervenes. which is not deemed
probable, as Mr.. Whitney is . healthy man Of
fiue physique and robust constitution.