The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-26
\ TRIPLE TRAGEDY,
The Publication of a Series of Sian.
derOus Articles Results ina
Triple Tragedy.
1--we Editors Exchange a Fusillade Of
Pistol Shots in a Crowded
Street.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb 25.-A horrible
triple tragedy occurred here to-day Two
men were killed and several wounded in
tusillade of pistol shots. The affair was the
outgrowth Of newspaper feud, which has
been raging for several weeks between the
publishers of the Sunday World and Sun
day Capitol of this city. COL w. ]. Elliott,
editor OF the Capitol, shot and instantly
killed Albert Osborne city editor of the
World. w. l.. Hughes, an old gentleman,
who was standing near by, was shot and
killed by q stray bullet from Elliotts
pistol.
The tragedy, as before stated, was the re-
suit ola newspaper war. Two weeks ago
the World made charges against Elliotts
family, insinuating that female relative
Of Elliott was unchaste. Elliott retaliated
in the following Sunday with four-column
= article, charging L. w. Levering editor of
the World with being the joint proprietor
OF an assignation house. being as
ISOLATED with woman named Lou
Burtin, in the dsreputable ell
terprise. lowering is all assistant
Of the state oil inspector and prominent in
politics. The charge, therefore, created
profound sensation. The charges against
'ISf S1iliS tlSo Ill pllCulcll OlduQc MCShcT.
lowering and his city editor, Osborne, retail
lated yesterday with sensational article,
charging Elliott with nearly all the crimes
in the calendar.
Elliott with his brother Patrick, and o.
borne met this afternoon on High street,
near the American hotel. Patrick Elliott
opened fire upon Osborne, and Osborne re-
turned the fire. n running battle ensued,
in x,-h;o Y,
men
EMPTYING THEIR REVOLVERS
as rapidly as possible. One Of the shots
from W. J. Elliott's gun grazed Osborne's
arm, and he turned and fired at the former.
The shot missed its mark, and Osborne fled
into Malcolm McDonalds hat store AS he
did so he turned and fired at w. j. Elliott
The latter fired his weapon almost stimuli
taneously and the shot took effect in o.
borne's chin. 1t went clear through his
mouth, upward and backward through the
brain, and came out at the base of the
skull.
Elliott had followed Osborne into the
store, and as he fired the last shot, grappled
with him. in the scuttle which followed
both their guns were discharged, and o.
borne fell to the floor dead, although the
last shot, it is said did not take effect in
either man, the ball which caused o.
borne's death having entered his face as he
came in through the doorway.
Elliott retreated out the front door and
disappeared in the crowd with the revolver
in his hand. w. L. Hughes, highly re-
spected citizen and formerly steward of the
1mbeclle asylum, was struck during the
running battle. The ball entered Hughes
head immediately over the left eye and he
immediately dropped npOn the iron grating
in front of y M bros restaurant, expiring in
stanty. Patrick Elliott was shot in the
back and arm, and has a frightful wound
on top Of the head.
The bodies of Osborne and Hughes
we're removed to the coroner's Of
We're John H. Reese. government
statistical agent, shot through the LETT leg,
not serious; c. w. Sullivan, bookkeeper,
shot through the arm; R. E. Gardner, Dan
Vile, Ohio, shot through the ankle; G. w.
Reitschneder, struck in bosom by spent
w. J. Elliott was at one time state super
visor of printing and has taken an active
part in politics. He is personal friend of
Charles Stewart Parneu the deposed Irish
leader. Both of the Elliotts are locked up
at the station house.
In the senate to-day bill was introduced
which. was suggested by the tragedy. 1t
provides that any editor, proprietor, owner
or correspondent who publishes, or permits
to be published, any attack upon the pri-
Vate character OF any citizen with intent to
injure his credit or standing in public, or
to publicly charge any citizen with unlaw-
tul practices in private affairs shall be
deemed guilty Of a felony, and fined not
less than 81, 900 and confined in the Deni-
Tertiary not less than one year, or both, at
the discretion OF the court