Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-08

by sbartllng Tragedy. a young coupIe
eloped together, walked IL miles through
mud and water, and ended their lives after
reaching their destination. The girl left a
note for her mother saying that she was
going to her grave. Her companion had a
bad reputation, and she had been refused
permission to see him.
PAW PAW, ILL, March 7.-An elope-
ment which threw this community into ex-
citement last Monday morning has ended in
q tragedy as horrible and shocking as any
that the place can remember for years. 1t
was regarded as an abduction rather than
an elopement, owing to the extremely ten
der age of the girl, and the unenviable rep
utation of the man with whom she fed.
Last Sunday night Cora Carnahan, the
16-year-old daughter of the landlord of the
Detainoe House, disappeared from her
home, and it became noised abroad that she
had fed with young fellow named Nc
Lachlin, who was a somewhat notorious
character. To-day the abductor and his
child victim are eorpses, the supposition
being that McLaehlin first took the girls
life and then his own with the same weapon,
heavy revolver.
SUSPICIOUS HASTE.
Just at dark Sunday night the girls
mother saw her go out the back door of the
house and disappear into the darkness. The
haste she made caused suspicion, and an
alarm was given, and several parties started
in search of her, but owing to the intense
darkness of the night she made her escape.
The next morning the discovery was made
by tracks in the mud that the child and her
abductor had gone north out of the town.
He had led her through q cornfeld for
some distance, in which the mud and water
was almost knee deep. After crossing the
cornfeld they turned to the east until they
reached the railroad track, which they fol-
lowed, going south to Earlville. The trip
thus far made an IL mile walk over slippery
and muddy track full of bridges and pits
on dark and foggy night
The only protection for the girls feet was
pair of fine shoes with high heels and on
this account the footprints as far as Earlville
were easily traced. On thelast end of the
journey the tracks indicated that the little
girl was much fatigued.
A WEARY WALK.
The little traveller had stumbled and stag
*.
now seems that the young couple reached a
farmhouse about six miles southeast of Earl
vile Tuesday night and applied for shelter.
The place is occupied by Elmer Davis, a
young married man.
He is well acquainted with McLachlin,
and having been to Earlville the same day
the couple came to his place, it is the belief
that he knew of the elopement. Davis
claims, however, that MeLachlin said they
were married. The couple stayed at the
place Tuesday night They remained
closely confined in the house all day
Wednesday. They retired early Wednesday
evening, shortly after supper, saying they
we're very tired.
They retired at about z, and shortly after
ward the report of revolver was heard, and
Immediately Phillips made for the room up-
stairs occupied by the young couple Before
he reached it another report was heard, and
upon reaching the room horrible sight was
presented to view.
A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
McLachlin and the girl were both dead.
The young man had evidently put the
weapon back of the girls ear and sent bull
let into her head. Not satisfied with one
shot, he again placed the weapon to her
temple and discharged it. He then shot
himself in the crown of the head, the bullet
coming out under the chin. The handsome
little girl had evidently died without
struggle. The expression on her face was
calm and peaceful. The tragic end of the
couple is in accordance with a note the
young girl left in her trunk before leaving
home, The note was as follows:
Dear Mama-By the time you read this
1 viii be in my grave
A short time previous to the elopement
the parents discovered that Cora was in
fatuated with McLachlin, and they strenu-
ously opposed all intercourse, but BY the as
sistanee Of Gilbert Still, a regular cores
pondence was secretly carried on and
elandestine meetings held. Young Still is
now under arrest. The Coroner will hold
an inquest over the bodies to-day, and some
startling facts will probably be revealed.
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