Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-23
! WEALTHY MAN SHOT DEAD

Shot by . Woman on Fulton Street Tragedy in New York Yesterday. NEW YORK, Nov. 22.-Shortly after ten o'clock this morning Stephen L. Psttus, sec- retary and treasurer of the Brooklyn Ele- vated railroad and one of the bridge trustees, was shot and instantly killed on Fulton street, near the ferry, by Mrs. Hannah South worth. The shooting was done with 3S- calibre Smith & Wesson selfrcocking revol- yer. All five chambers were discharged, and all the bullets took effect. Mr. Pettus lives member of the firm of Pollard, Pettus & Co.,, of 54 Broad street.
 This morning he had just left the ferry and was in front of Fulton street when woman of about thirty years of age, dressed in seal jacket and seal brown dress, tailor made, and wearing g becoming hat, which was covered by brown veil, stepped direct ly behind him, and drawing from her breast the revolver, began firing at the unfortunate man.
 Three shots entered his body, in the back, before he could possibly turn, such was the rapidity with which the desperate woman handled the weapon. With the third shot MT. Pettus turned and faced his assailant, who by this time was within three feet of him. He made desperate but vain attempt to elude the smoking barrel that met his gaze. but it was useless, and again was it discharged, the ball entering his neck. The fifth and last shot that the revolver con- tained quickly followed the fourth and en- tered MT. Pettus' face on the right side, ,mak- ing ghastly and frightful wound.
 With a stagger the man fell backward into the door of Bsnnett's tea house dead and bleeding from five wounds.
 With the revolver in her hand the murder ess stood on the spot where she was when she fired the last shot until Officer Goodwin ar- rived and placed her under arrest. An i'm mense crowd collected and followed the pris- oner to the Old slip station house. When arraigned at the desk the woman was thor oughly overcome and bemoaned her act in a terrible and heartrending manner. She gave her name as Hannah Southworth, but posi- lively refused to give her age, occupation or residence. She was then placed in cell and stretcher was sent to convey the body to the station house. The dead man is married, but has no children. From what could be learned it seems that for some years past Mrs. South worth has given MT. Pettus vast amount of trouble. Early in the spring she assaulted him in front of the elevated office in Brook lyn, breaking to pieces her umbrella. She was arrested and taken before Judge Walsh and placed under bonds.
 The autopsy showed that four bullets were fired into the body of the deceased from the back, and one through the wrist. Two of the bullets had entered the abdomen, one passing through the stomach. The other two pierced the lungs. Anyone of the bull lets would have caused death. In February last Mrs. Southworth brought suit against Pettus for $1O0,O00 damages for betrayal and assault. This suit, however, was dis missed under the statute of limitation. Sub- sequently second suit for $50, 900 damages was begun and is yet pending. Later Mrs. Southworth was arrested for annoy ing MT. Pettus, and was fined $3o in police court. When placed in prison Mrs. ~southworth wes very nervous and worked herself into high state of excitement. When in the care of the po- lice she stated that lady, warm and per- sonal friend of hers in former years, had be- friended Pettus when he wes in strengthened circumstances. He tcok advantage of this and seduced her. Then, under threats of exposing her ruin, he obtained the aid of this woman in accomplishing Mrs. South- worth's ruin.
 LOUISVILLE, Ky, Nov, 22.-Mrs. Hannah Southworth, who shot and killed Stephen L.. Pettus in New York this morning, is na- tive of Louisville, being the daughter of the late E. J. Martin, @ well known coffee broker, who died four years ago. She is about thir- ty years old and has been widow for ten years. MT. Pettus wes originally from Clarksville Tenn,