The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-08

SHOCKING DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
A Young Girls InfatuatiOn for Villain Leads
to the Death of Herself and Lover.

PAwPAw, ILL.,, March THE elcpement
which threw this community into excite
ment 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 repu-
tation of the man with whom she fled. Last
Sunday night Cora Carnahan, the sixteen
year-old daughter of the landlord of the
DetainOe House, disappeared from her
home, and it became nOised abroad that
she had fled with young fellow named
McLachlin, who was notorious for his evil
conduct among women. To-day the alb
ductor and his child victim are cOrpses, the
supposition being that McLachlin first took
the girls life. and then his own, with the
same weapon, heavy revolver. Just at
dark on Sunday night the girls mother saw
her 60 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 corn
field for some distance, in which the mud
and water was almost knee deep. After
crossing the corn-feld they turned to the
east, until they reached the railroad track,
which they followed, going south to Earl
vile. The trip thus far made an eleven
mile walk over slippery and muddy track,
full of bridges and pits, on dark and foggy
night. The only protection for the girls
foet was a pair of fine shoes with high heels,
and ON this account the footprints as far as
end of the journey the tracks indicated
that the little girl was much fatigued. The
little traveller had stumbled and staggered
from side to side on the track.
1t now seems that the young % couple
about six miles southeast of Earlville, on
Tuesday night, and applied for shelter.
The place is now occupied by Elmer Davis,
a young married man; He is well ac-
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 McLachlin said they were
married. The couple stayed at the place
room. They remained closely confined in
the house all day on Wednesday. They re-
tired early on Wednesday evening, shortly
. after supper. claiming they were very tired.
ADOUb 4 tUc IcpOlb vi ICNOlNCI
was heard. and Immediately Phillips made
for the room, upstairs, occupied by the
young couple. Before he reached it another
report was heard. and, upon his reaching
the room, horrible sight was presented to
view. McLachlin and the little girl were
both dead They had undressed and got
into bed. The young man had evidently
put the weOpOn back of the girls ear, and
sent bullet into her head Not satisfied
with one shot, he again placed the weapon
to her temple and discharged 1t. He then
shot himself in the crown of his head, the
bullet coming out under the chin. The girl
had evidently died without a struggle. The
expression on her face was calm and peace
The tragic end of the couple is in accord
ance with the note the young girl left in
her trunk before leaving home. The note
was as follows:
Dear Mamma-By the time you read this will
be In my grave.
A short time previous to the elopement,
the parents discovered that Cora was
deeply infatuated with McLac him, and
they strenuously opposed all intercourse,
but by the assistance of Gilbert Still, q
regular correspondence was carried on,
and clandestine meetings were 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. 1t was thought that
McLachlin had taken the girl to Chicago,
and Mr.. Carnahan went there and secured
the services of detectives to find his miss
ing daughter. He first heard of her fate
this morning, and at once left for the scene
of the tragedy.