The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-09
DEATH WAS THEIR BRIDAL
Hunted by Angry Relatives, Duke Nc
Lachlan Kills His Sweetheart ana
then Dies by His Own Hand.

horrible, yet pitiful tragedy, of Wednesday
night. Just as the hour of eight had passed
a horseman dashed into Earlville from the
north and riding up to the principal drug
store in q terribly excited condition. com
manded the druggist TO 90 with him to his
home, two miles out, US he feared someone
had been killed. The druggists and those
in authority who where near at hand, fol
lowed the horseman, whom they recognized
as Elmer Davis, the tenant of the Phillips
farm back along the tracks Of the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad to the farm house
two miles from town. and crowding into the
dooryard and house breathlessly awaited the
discovery of an expected horror. There was
cry of terror from the rooms above and 1t
vas passed down to the waiting crowd that
Duncan, more Familiarity known as Duke
Mclachlan, had killed his sweetheart Cora
Carnahan, and tLen sent ball into his own
brain.
Duke McLachlan was the son of the widow
McLachlan of Earlville. He was not yet q
4,years old, but was very fair blacksmith.
He earned good wages and spent consider.
able money on his personal attire, so much
SO, that he was known among his associates
as a sort of swell. He was zone of the boys
and rather popular fellow among the gifls,
for he was not bad fellow but was inclined
n strongly to recklessness. He met at social
gathering some few month ago, Cora Carna
han, daughter of S. W. Carnahan, proprietor
of the Detamore House at Paw Paw, She
was a tall, handsome, fair haired girl of IL
summers, and she had charm for Duke and
ne evidently made an impression upon her,
He was her first beau. Her father objected
strongly to his attentions and forbade him
the house, first because OF the age of the
GIRL and second, on account Of a personal
aversion to the youth. But young man
seriously in love, if one of his years could
be in that condition, was not to be put off by
mere words, and they met clandestinely by
night and apparently by accident in the
day. Paw Paw is but a few miles from Earl
Vile and their meeting WAS only matter Of
an invgoratng walk. Finally the youth
became weary of stealth and not being in
hope of the old gentleman's relenting, pro-
posed an elopement The girl was at first
unwilling, but he finally pursuadel her to
accompany him, and Sunday night was fixed
as the date of departure. One of the en-
ployes of the house and several young men
about town assisted him to make off with the
girl. McLachlan did not dare to hire con-
to walk to Earlvile and remain at his home
during the night and come to this city to get
marriage license in the morning. Carnahan
discovered the absence of his daughter early
in the morning and Immediately surmised
that Duke McLachlan had abducted her or
that she had eloped with him He alarmed
the officers ard hired detectives, offering a
reward of one hundred dollars for the return
of his girl and the capture of McLachlan,
whom he swore to shoot on sight. The
knowledge of his wrath naturally frightened
the young couple terribly, and they secreted
themselves in the cellar. During the day
Monday detectives came to the house and
searched the lower floor, but did not inves
tigate the cellar or garratt. Knowing them
selves to be in danger, the couple left the
McLachlan house on Monday night and Sc
GREETED themselves in the neghboring country
After walking about all day Tuesday they
went to the house of Davis, with whom Duke
was intimately acquainted. He explained
the situation to him and begged Of Davis to
shelter them until the storm should blow
over. They were then given a room in the
upper story and retired early. On Wednes
day morning they appeared cheerful and
pesred anxious during the afternoon and
seemed to fancy that detectives were spying
about the house. They again retired early,
not later then seven o'clock. What trans
pired in their room until half an hour later,
when Davis heard three sharp revolver re.
ports is sealed book. Davis ran hurridly
was no response and finding that it was I'M
locked he pushed it open. Someone was
gasping in the direction of the bed, but the
4 room was dark and he could see nothing.
He rushed to the stable and quickly saddling
horse rode into Earlville for physician
and other assistance When he returned
light was procured and the door again push
ed open. The rays of the lamp fell upon a
scene that was pitiful and horrible. The
young couple lay upon the bed in their night
clothing, which, with the bed coverings,
were soaked with blood. The girl was dead
and the boy was gasping his last. Two bull
let holes were in the side of her head, from
which the blood and brains were oozing
Her face bore the expression of fear and ex.
pectancy, while her eyes were staring and
glossy. Her limbs were drawn up and her
form contorted. The youth lay beside her
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