The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-10

She Said He Had Separated Her from Her
Husband and Promised to Marry Her,
and His Refusal to Keep tho Promise
EKsspernted Her-She Has Escaped.
BANGOR, May 9-Lida Mason who shot
Percy Rich at Winterport Me-. last evening.
has disappeared, leaving no trace Of her move
ments beyond the fact that she drove away
from the house in the direction OF Brooks.
There she could have taken O train for Bos-
ton. There is much indignation over the fact
that no effort was made to arrest the woman.
In many particulars the affair is one OF the
strangest on record. A frenZied woman put
two bullets into her lovers head, wounding
him fatally, and tried to complete the deed In
the presence OF two witnesses. yet was per-
mitted to leave town unmolested.
Ida Masons beauty was known all over the
county. and Percy Rich was enviod by more
than one young man who had loved her unsuc-
cessfully. He was her acknowledged lover
after he had succeeded In separating her from
her husband. There were rumors Of undue
intimacy before divorce was granted. When
the legal separation was obtained she besought
him to make her his wife, as he had promised
but he put her of with one excuse and another
until her jealousy was aroused. She imagined
that he was trying to get rid Of her. and charged
him with being untrue to her Young Rich's
friends urged him to cease his attentions to
the woman, and it was partly on their account
that he began to treat her with Indifference
and pay moro attention to other girls. She was
quick to notice the change. and there we're fire.
nE rsssted IN the sheUtne As far as can Be-
learned this is the story Of the tragedy:
Yesterday morning Rich left his store In
where all his corn Is ground and prepared for
sale, q, trip which he frequently takes; He
reached there about o'clock. and short time
later Ida Mason appeared at the mill. They
were seen by number OF persons sitting on
log near the mill engaged in an earnest con-
versation. none OF which could be overheard.
The woman seemed to be very much Rgtated.
while the man looked quiet and determined.
undue transportation, and Mrs. Mason started
through field away from the mill. while Rich
Sds % oo TO dEH .h s O
home. Some DISTANCE from the mill. while on
q steep hill, he saw Mrs; Mason ahead Of him
according to all accounts. upon reaching the
place. he stopped the horses and jumped from
" Curse YOU" she exclaimed. ihave wanted
to shoot yo ~ for long time and now am
Itch had no time to reply. for as she spoke
che quickly drew revolver from fold in her
dress. and fired straight at his head. Tho shot
Ing in the back part Of his head. Very near
the spot lives the Parker family, in which there
the Of
and the sound of the revolver caused them to
look up; They saw the man and woman facing
fence int the field and ran towards the Parker
house. closely pursued by the furious woman.
Tho Parker boys started for them on the run.
The moment that the woman caught sight OF
the Parkers. she turned and ran back to the
carriage, and jumping upon the seat. che
dooryard Just as Rich. entered 1t with the
young men. Rich's flrsfexclamation was:
" an shot; boys. and want you to carry me
II shot you" cried the woman. and l in
tended to kill you and now will blow your
AS she said this she brandished the revolver.
and Jumped from the wagon. One OF the
Parkers excitedly said:
You raise your hand and I'll knock - out
At this moment, Rich. who WAS stan ding
near. seized the revolver and wrenched it from
the hnndsiof the crazed woman. Mrs. Mason
then beat hasty retreat. and Rich was soon
turned TO Frankfort. She remained about her
house all the afternoon yesterday. greatly
agtated. as the enormlty Of her oIense grad
ualy dawned upon her. She talked freely and
said that ltch deserved being killed Tor he
had been the means Of separating her from
her husband. and had promised again and
again to marry her. and then refused to keep
his word. She wanted to be his wife, and was
eXasperated at his refusal.
At first 1t was supposed that the shooting
was done in the heat OF passion. but II was as
several occasions within the last two weeks
asked a driver Of the Belfast stage to buy
revolver for her. He refused 10 do 80. but that
she succeeded in getting the weapon WAS
proved by yesterdays events.
AS soon as Rich reached his homo an I'M
successful effort was made to extract the ball.
He has been In a stupor all day. and his phys
tcian gives little hope oil bis recovery. Now that
10 find her. although no warrant for her arrest
has been sworn out