Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-03-16
AN ATRoCIoUs AFFAIR.
A FrerzIed Father Disflgures for Life
the Pretty Mistress Of His
Wsywsrd Son.
Hs DscoJs Her Into 9 Carriage ard PouIs
suIphuric Acid Over Her-Oharged
With Mayhem,

SPRINGFIELD, Mo, March 15-This
city Was thrown Into a state Of intense
excitement this morning by an atrocious
attack Of q frerzied father upon the mis-
tress OF aJwaywsrd son. Ef1s Ellis OF
St. Louis, Is the victim, and now lies in
agony with her eyes burned out, and her
face SCARED with burns from vitliol. She
I was an abandoned woman ana had ruined
Benton Cox, son Of DR.. George W. Cox,
United States pension examiner Of the
Springfield district, and prominent man
politically, and in the medical fraternity.
Worked up to frenzy by the shame of 8
debauched son, he enticed the girl from
st. Louis by means of kilograms signed
with his sons name, and early this morn
ing met her at the Springfield depot.
There was but one carriage there, and the
driver hurried her into it with the
assurance that he was sent for her.
1t was still dark, buG as the
door closed she saw man in the carriR &c
whom she recognized as Dr.. Cox, ana 81 Q
] feared trouble. He seized her as she al
tempted to step out. The whip was put
to the horses and in twinkle they were
dssning down the street. Horri6ed che
murder her. "I'll do worse than kill you.
will disfgure You for life" WAS the re-
Spouse, and thereupon
HE STRUCK HER
over the head with bottle. A liquid
poured down over her head, face and
shoulders, and burned and ate its way
into her flesh causing intense agony.
Her eyes were also attacked by the burn
1arr cfl hfr1 nv TnH 70 hn cnf rNhr rH1n
acid, and she felt as though she was being
consumed. The doctor Is said to have
also struck her several savage blows
with his fist. Her cries attracted the
police and the carriage was stopped.
Hotel and physicians were called who
and the other will probably become sight
less. Der face, neck, shoulders and
chest are scsrrediWith burns and she is
horribly disfgured for life.
The doctor surrendered to the sheriff
but was soon released on his own recNg
niZsnce. Later he entered into $4,000
bonds. While he was in the sherif's
office an excited crowd gathered around
better counsel prevailed and since it was
louud huhb LuC slll . kIlS 10 nOL AL -LSnb
DANCER quiet has reigned.
Etf1e Ellis is woman OF the lower
world and met Benton Cox at q Wiscon-
sin summer resort last yesr.
SHE INFATUATED BIN
snd at his solicita ion made her home in
Spring d. I'D, Mo wnere she attempted to
the venture and became the
in hn
graded den DR.. Cox tried
every means to break up the infamous
alliance, and finally drove the star and
her troupe out OF Spring field with the aid
Of the police. She came to St. Louis and
very shortly thereafter Benton followed,
taking q subordinate position In the flee
Of the St Louis and ssh Francisco Rail
road. He lived with Ell on Pine street,
and squsndered about s250O on her in .
snort time, while she strove to become
pleading lady OF the Palace theater.
Finally hetreturned to Springfield, but did
not mend
his WILD HABITS.
Within the last week seven kilograms and
let,ers signed Benton Cox we're delivered
come to Springfield. One said that
doctor, and in responding to this one she
met her fate. The police admit that D..
Cox sent the message. The girl will r.
cover, but will be blind. The charge
against DR.. Cox Is mayhem.
Additional advices obtained tonight
say that the liquid used oy Dr.. Cox was
carbolic acid and that the girl had had
complete power over young Cox for more
than q year, swayiDg him lac child and
forcing him at any and all times to do
her bidding. Toe doctor had taken his
son out of her clutches three different
times and at last, driven almost to fren-
~, he determined to end the affair as
above stated. While it is not actually
denied doubt is thrown on the slate
ment that DR.. Cox wrote anc sent dis
patches which induced the girl to 60 to
Springfield. The DOCTORS case will be
heard on Friday when all the factS will
come out.
Miss Ellis physician said this evening
that one eye might be saved and there is
ia bare possibility that both msy recover.
DR.. Cox denied having had any hand In
the affair and nothing can be learned
from the carriage driver. The citizens
are very indignant over the affair, but
matters were more quiet this evening
though the feeling is intense. It is re
ported Tonight that DR.. Cox sdmi' ted
having whipped the womsn hut denies
having used any acid CT other fluid to dis