Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-28
SHOT HIS FlANCEE.
An Insinuating English Impostor Capti-
Yates a Young Lady and then shoots Her.
New York Herald.l


James Harold Sawyer, an arlstocratic
vounc Englishman. made a cOwardly at
tempt TO take the life OF Miss Marie Elliott
while in conversation with her at her
fathers handsome residence, near Sum-
NIT. Pa on Monday evening.
He was her affianced. aud she had just
told him she could no longer receive his
attentions. He suddenly drew n six
shooter and fred two shots at her, one of
which grazed the lady's cheek and carried
away portion Of her ear.
The story OF their acquaintance and the
causes which led to the shooting is re-
markable one. and was told as follows by
Miss Elliott herself: " For some years my
father has been in feeble health. While
making q tour of Europe we met and be-
came acquainted with young English:
man, who gave US the name of j. Harold
SAWYER. He was. to all appearances, man
of means and refinement. He became at
tached to Us. and was unusually kind and
courteous. Much of his time was spent
with my father.
MIR. SAWYER declared he never had been
in America, but at present was perfectlne
arrangements TO leave England and make
il a permanent place of residence. Then
he offered to accompany us home when we
had resolved to return. We accepted hls
offer. His genial disposition and faithful
attention to nv father created favorable
impression The third day of our voyage
Mr.. Sawyer approached my father aud
asked his consent to our marriage. While
was surprised. ii was not wholly unex-
pected. Ny father told him that was q
matter for me to decide.
THE BETRoIHAL.
There were so much tenderness and
apparent sincerity in his proposal that
consented to an engagement. On account
of my fathers health marriage then was
ont of the question. On our arrival in New
York, at our request, Dir. Sawyer remained
with us for two months. He then went to
Chicago. The most affectionate letters
were exchanged between us. and our we'd
ding was 10 have taken place In October.
My father was now enjoying a period
of unusually good health. he began to
realize the Importance OF the step l was was
about to take. His will was executed III
my favor. He then thought proper TO see
what Mr.. Sawyer was doing in Chicago
and unknown to him started for that city.
WHAT THE FATHER LEARNED.
"He learned that Sawyer was a PROBES
sional gambler, q contidence-man, and
freauenter Of the worst dens IN that city.
He was also travelling under an assumed
name.
II was shocked. and Immediately wrote
SAWYER breaking our engagement. On the
recent of this letter he made peremptory
demand for fuller explanation and the
names of his accusers. To this | made nc
reply.
last evening my father in response tc
the bell opened the door and was handed
Savers card He refused him admittance
at first. Sawyer said justice to himself de.
manded few minutes interview with me-
On promise that 1t would be brief and
the last he was admitted. We met in the
parlor, while my father went into an adj
Joining room. Sawyer demanded to know
who his accusers were. | told him | had
most convincing proof of his duplicity.
THE SHOOTING.
HE grew violent and declared that IN
less revealed the names Of his accuser'
we would both die together. Instantly he
drew the revolver and fred. NV father
rushed into the room and grappled Will
him, but he struck him violent blow on
the head, knocking him down. Sawyer
then escaped.
with the blood still oozing from NV
wounds managed to drag myself over %
my father and tried to restore him. he Is
Frustrated and may not survive"
Miss Elliott Is twenty-five years old ano
an amiable aud accomplished lady.