The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-21
MRS. FITZSIMMONS.

LAURA HILL. FITZSIMMONS.
prove that fact by her own act. One of
the stolen watches was found in pawn
brokers' shop at Pittsburg. 1t was left
there by Miss Snowden. This connected
her with the robbery, but the detectives
desired more proof. They enlisted the
services of James E. Dickson, a real estate
agent, from whom Miss Snowden rented a
room. He went to the woman, told her
the detectives were on her track and pre-
vailed upon her to confess that she had
consigned a part Of the jewelry to Ida
Pickard, of Harrisburg. The detectives
gained possession of the jewefry and the
letters that accompanied the packages
Miss Snowden was then arrested and
placed in Jail. Efforts were made to ascer-
tain from her what other persons were
concerned in the robbery. She remained
silent for long time, but finally falling i'll
she confessed to her physician that the
deed was committed by E. c. Fitzsimmons,
who resided at Bull Run, a deserted mining
camp across the Monongahela river from
McKeesport. The woman's part in the
enterprise had been to keep the merchants
attention engaged while her confederate
hid himself in the cellar and to warn him
of Mr.. Schmidt's departure. The house
where FitZsimmons lived is small one
story dwelling, constructed of rough
boards, containing two rooms, with rude
stone chimney built outside. 1t stands in
a lonely spot and can be approached only
by a steep and circuitous path up the hill
from the river or from an abandoned mine
that forms tunnel through the hill One
Saturday recently Detectives D. H. Gilkin-
Dot ;nl- Nv af
reached the cottage. Murphy knocked at
the door and woman appeared. The
officers forced their way in and started for
the bedroom door. AS soon as they came
in sight Fitzsimmons began firing. His
first shot went through window, the sec
ond struck Gilkinson in the head, killing
him instantly.
Murphy returned Fitzsimmons' fire, and
rushing forward grappled with him and
wrenched the revolver from his hand Mrs.
Fitzsimmons at once handed her husband
another revolver, crying, Kill them both!'
The men now fired at short range until
Murphy's revolver was empty, when, being
seriously wounded in the chin, he retreated
and went for assistance. When he re-
turned FitZsimmons had fed Mrs. Fitz-
simmons was arrested. She had received
a severe bullet wound in the arm dur
ing the battle. The next evening a citi-
zen of Homestead passing the residence
Of Charles Clark saw shadows on the win
dow blinds. He reported to the police and
the house was watched. In an hour man
stole through q rear door and entered an
clubhouse. The next moment he was look
ing into the muzzles Of two cooked re-
voivers. 1t was Fitzsimmons, and he sur
rendered without struggle He had been
painfully but not dangerously wounded
in his fight with Murphy When captured
he was armed with a revolver and a sharp
knife. All Of the parties connected with
the robbery and murder are now in iail at
Pittsburg awaiting trial
The story Of Edward Carol Fitzsimmons,
the murderer, if it could be told in full.
would rival the widest flight of fiction.
His parents were well TO do and highly
respected people residing at Brockville.
Canada. In early life Edward was con-
sidered a model young man. Seventeen
years ago, after passing through college. he
left home, and his friends heard of him no
more until 4 few weeks ago, when he re-
turned TO claim S, 200 due him from his
fathers estate.
After leaving home he wandered through |
Mexico and South America, and learned 10 |
speak the Mexican and Spanish languages |
like a native; he returned TO the United |
States, eloped with the daughter of a |
southern planter and went to Europe. The |
young couple lived in good style, but no |
body knows where their money came from.
Returning 10 America, Mr.. and Mrs. Fitz- |
simmons settled in Pittsburg, where they |
several aliases. He was employed |
al various times as dry goods clerk, sewing |
aSant, real estate dealer and |
broker in silks, the latter of which he stole /
and sold 10 peddlerS.