The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1889-11-16
An OLD STORY REVIVED.

the pretty variety actress, EfEie Ellis.
who was followed 10 this city about
two years ago by young man named
Cox from Springfield, No, who was
madly In love with her, how his father.
DIR. Geo. M. Cox, came here after him
and had sensational scene with the
Ellis woman, and how, when she went
to Springfield. the old gentleman MARI
ed her beauty by throwing vitriol in
her face. The St. Louis Republic tells
the following story:
The career of Fenton Cox, the young
son of the late DR.. Geo. NJ. Cox. who
for years was one OF the most promi-
nent physicians in Springfield, Me-, is
an Illustration Of the truth OF the as
sertlsn that when a person starts ON
the downgrade in life he generally
tinds a slide CREASED for the occasion.
His association with the actress, Ellie
Ellis, and other habitues of low dives
has at last placed him behind the bars
on criminal charge. The vitriol-
throwing sensation at Springfield,
which was the outgrowth of young
mans association with the Ellis wom-
an, Is well remembered. II occurred
nearly two years ago at the Frisco de-
pot, in North Springfield, and the FL
lis woman was the victim, the young
mans father throwing the vitriol. DR..
Cox, II appears, was driven to distrac-
tion by his sons conduct. and to save
him he resolved upon desperate plan.
He had telegram signed "Fenton
Coz sent to her from Springfield, re.
questing her to come to that city and
that he would meet her at the depot.
The woman suspected nothing wrong
and went to Springfield. On her ar
rival DIR. Cox got her In a carriage and
threw the contents ofa vial In her face.
For some time 1t was feared she would
lose her eyesight, but this was saved
although her face was Scared. II was
tho general impression that his mind
was affected at the time. He died sew
eral months ago. Notwithstanding
the entreatles Of his father and friends
young Cox persisted In living with the
Ellis woman, and was with her when
he was arrested yesterday. HIS arrest
was made on complaint of q. P. Thornc,
who reported that he was relieved of
an overcoat, $40 In cash and silver
watch and chain while asleep In a
private box at the London Threaten on
South Fourth street Tuesday night.
He claimed that Cox aud the woman
were with him, and that either one or
the other committed the theft. Sergt.
OMslley and couple of fotiiccrs work
cd on the case and captured Cox at The
Hotel Arunswick yesterday. lie at
first denied the charge, but finally gave
out information which enabled the
police to find tho ovcrcoat and watch
but failed to get the money, Cox told
several conflicting stories, but insisted
all the time the Ellis woman was limo.
cent. lie said he was drunk at the
time and might have taken the proper
| ty, but denied that he cornmitted dc
lIberate thcft. He wore band o.
crepe on his hat In mourning for hi
deceased father and was well dressed
He was badly broken up over his ar
rest. The charge against Cox Is grand
larceny, and Thorne will, II Is expect
ed, swear out warrant against him.
;, Dr. -Gehrung, the physician who Il
now and has been for some time at
tending the Cox family, stated las
! night that he has unquestionsble a..
thorlty for saying that Fenton Cox u
as he phrascd II, "morally insane y AMI
unaccountable for his actions at tInios
In support Of this statement Dr
Gehrung added that he had in his pos
, session a written certificate from th
I Springfield physician who has attend
cd the Cox family for many years Il
the effect stated. The letter, or certif
cate, referred to goes further and say
: that the malady under which tn
young man suffers Is congenital, an
that the moral weakness with whic
| he Is afflicted has been played upon b
evil persons with the apparent delil
crate intention of bringing him dow
to the lowest point Of disgrace.