The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-15
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Details OF the Awful Deed-The Woman
Will Recover.

ST. LOUIS, Mo, March l4.-Springiield,
Mo-, is thrown into state OF extreme ex-
element by the atrocious attack OF a iren-
zied father upon the mistress of a way
ward son. Efiie Ellis, OF 81. Louis, is the
victim, and now lies in agony with her
eyes burned out and her face SCARED with
burns from vitriol. She was an abandoned
woman, and had ruined Fenton Cox, son
OF DIR. George W. Cox, the United States
pension examiner OF the Springfield dis.
trict, and prominent man politically and
In the medical fraternity. Worked up to
frenzy by the shame OF n debauchcd
son, he enticcd the girl from St. Louis by
means OF telegram signed with his
sons name and early this morning met her
nj the Springfield depot. There was but
one carriage there and the driver hurried
her 10 II with tho assurance that he was
sent 10 her for that purpose. II was still
dark, but as the door closed she saw
man in the carriage who seized her as she
attempted 20 step out She recognized
him as DIR. Cox and feared trouble, but
the whip was put 10 the horses and In a
twinkle they were dashing down the
street. Mortified, she cried 10 the man
for mercy and not 10 murder her. "Illdo
worse than kill you, will dis6gure you
for life," was the response, and thereupon
hc 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
ewes were also attacked by the burning
stuff, which proved 10 be sulphuric acid,
and she felt ~ though she was being con-
sumed. The doctor Is said 60 have also
struck her several savage blows with his
fist Her cries attracted the police, aud
the carriage was stopped. The girl was taken
10 Steigcr's hotel and physicians called, who
found that one eye was totally destroyed
and the other will probably become sight
less. Her face, neck. shoulders aud chest
are scared with burns and she is horribly
dislgured forliic. The doctor surrendered
20 the sheriff but was soon released on his
own recogniEancc. Later he entered into
s. 600 bonds. While DR. Cox was In the
sherin7s Office an excited crowd gathered
around aud lynching was freely talked Of,
but better counsel prevailed, and since u
was found that the girls life Is not In great
danger quiet has prevailed.
Ellh Ellis II a woman OF the lower world
aud met fenion Cox at Wisconsin SUM
mcr resort last year. She infatuated him,
and at his solicitation made her home In
| Springfield, Mo-, where she attempted TO
run a variety theatcr. Young Cox backed
the venture and became the prominent flg.
ure in a most degraded den. Dr. Cox
tried every means to break the Infamous
alliance and finally drove the star and her
troupe out Of Springfield, with the aid OF
the police. She came toSt Louis, and very
shortly thereafter Fenton followed, taking
subordinate position IN the ~. Louis
4 San Francisco railroad Office. lie lived
with Ellie ON Pine street, and squandercd
about z, 800 on her In a short time, while
she sirove 10 become "lcading lady" at
the Palace thoaier. Finally lac returned
10 Springfield, but did not mend his wild
habits. Within the last week seven iele-
grnms and letters, signed "Fcnton Cox, !"
were delivered 20 Enie. Each Of these
cntrcatcd her 20 como 20 Springfield. One
said that matters had been made all right
with the doctor, and In responding 10 this
one she met her fate. The police admit
| that DR.. Cox sent the messages. The girl
will recover. The charge against the doc
1 tor Is mayhem.
Miss Ellis physician said this evening
that one eye might be saved, and there IA
a bare possibility that both may recover.
DIR. Cox denied having had any hand In
the affair. Nothing can be learned from
the carriage driver. The citizens are very
indignant over the affair, and the
high tones heard this morning from
crowds, with which the streets were
packed, presented an ugly appearance,
but matters were quoted this evening,
though the feeling is not less intense.
What will develop remains 70 be seen.
Al present Il Ia impossible n get moro
than the statement Of tho two parties con.
cerned, those who can, II there are such,
refusing 10 coroborate either statement
II Is reported tonight that DIT. Cox ad.
mitted having whipped the woman, bul
denies having used any acid or other fluid