The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-09-05
SHOT HIS FIANCEE.
An Insinuating English Impostor Capt..
Yates a Young Lady and then
Shoots Her.
New York lIerald.)

james Harold Sawyer, an aristocratic
young Englishman, made O cowardly at
tempt to take the life of Miss Marie Ell
fathers handsome residence, near Sum-
nit, Pa, on Monday evening.
He was her affianced, and she had just
told him she could no longer receive his
attentions. He suddenly drew q six
shooter and fred two shots ut her, one of
which grazed the lady's cheek and carried
away portion Of her ear.
The story of their acquaintance and the
causes that 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 tour of Europe we met and be-
came acquainted with a young English
man, who gave US the name of J. Harold
Sawyer He was, to all appearances, a
man of means and refinement. He be-
cane attached to US, and was unusually
kind and courteous. Much of his time
was spent with my father.
Mr.. Sawyer declared he never had been
in America, but at present was perfectlng
arrangements to leave England and make
it permanent place of residence. Then
he offered to accompany us home when We
had resolved to return. We accepted his
offer. His genial disposition and faithful
attention to my father created 4 favora-
bic impression. The third day of our
voyage MIR. Sawyer approached my father
and asked his consent to our marriage.
While was surprised it was not wholly
unexpected. Ny father told him that was
matter for me to decide.
"Thcre xas so much tenderness and ap-
parent sincerity in his proposal that
consented to an engagement. On account
of nv fathers health marriage then was
out of the question. On our arrival in
New York, at our request, Mr.. Sawyer re-
manned with US two months. He then
went to Chicago. The most affectionate
letters were exchanged between us, and
our wedding was to have taken place in
October.
NV father was now enjoying u period
of unusually good health. He began to
realize the Importance of the step was
now about TO take His will was executed
in nv favor He then thought it proper
to see what Mr.. Sawyer was doing in
Chicago, and unknown to him started
for that city.
"He learned that Sawyer was profess
sional gambler, confidence man, fire.
quenter of the worst dcns in that city. He
was also travelling under an assumed name
81 was shocked and Immediately wrote
Sawyer breaking our engagement. On the
receipt of this letter he made pcremp-
tory demand for fuller explanation and
the names of his accusers. To this / made
no reply
Last evening my father in response to
the bell opened the door and was handed
Savers card He refused him admit
lance at first. Sawyer said justice to
himself demanded few minutes inter
view with ne. On n promise that il would
be brief and the last he was admitted.
We met in the parlor, while my father
went into an adjoining room. Sawyer
demanded to know who his accuscrs were.
| told him had most convincing proof of
his duplcity.
HE grew violent and declared that un
less | revealed the names OF his accusers
We would both die together. Instantly
he drew the revolver and fired. My father
rushed into the room and grappled with
him, but he struck him violent blow on
the head, knocking him down. Sawyer
then escaped.
"With the blood still oozng from my
wounds managed to drag myself over to
my father and tried to restore him. He
is Frustrated and may not survive"
Miss Elliott is twenty-five years old
and an amiable and accomplished lady.