Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-27
SHE USED A RAZOR
One Girl Cuts the Throat Of
Companion.
KILLING HER IN AN INSTANT
shs Springs Upon Her virrira Without
Wzzning-csss= for the Tragic
xnc H<sEtiess Attack.

MEzFas. Tenn.. Jan 2s.-The most
sensational tragedy saica hzs occurred
IA Memphis fer years VAS committed
yesterday afternoon The victim was
. young lady aud her slayer was OF the
sans ser. Both we're familiar figures
"A society
A few minutes before o'clock
buggy containing Mia Alice Mitchell
and Lizzse Johnson drove up 10 the
broad sIdssalx zgoaad Custom house
block, leading 10 toe levee. TIE lines
we're in the hands Of Mlza Johnston.
end beside her, calm and self-possesssd,
OAt Mas Mitchell
Coming slowly up the steep incline
from the river were sllss FredA Ward.
OF cold Dast, Ark, and her sister 10,
who had Inst put another sister, Mrs.
Cummings, aboard the steamer Rosa
Lee for Gold Dust, ARR. The young
ladies were sooa opposite the carriage
chatting pleasantly, and paying no At
tentIon 20 surroundings.
Suddenly from eat Of the carriage 1T
a bound came Mas Mitchell. Grasping
Miss Ward BY the neck, she drew
bright razer from out OF the foius OF
her dress and without word drew II
across the throat Of her victim. MI~
Ward sank To the pavement IN an 10
slant, the blood pouring Ia torrents
from the severed jugnIar.
Grappisa with H-r.
The murdered girls sister, who had
by this time recovered from her aston
ishment. grappled with the woman aud
tried To hold her, bot in . twinkhng
sue too. received q cut, luckily only u
trliilng one, near the ear. Miss Mitchell
beng freed from Miss Ward jumped in
to the buggy IN an instant and with the
exclamation: "Driye on; I've done it,"
seized the whip ana with Mss johnson
still holding the lines, the pair were
soon around the corner, INTO Madison
street and away from the scene OF the
tragedy.
Miss Ward was tenderly picked up by
the gathering crowd, and passing car
riage which was pressed into service
conveyed her to Rogers inf rmary.
she was, however. beyond human
aid, and expired Just as the infirmary
was reached. The body was then taken
TO an undertaker's establishment.
At O'Clock this evening Chief OF
Police Davis had arrested Miss Mitchell
at her home on Union street.
cause of the Mad Act.
The cause OF the killing 10 tonigh.
not positively apparent, Is Miss Mitch
ell refuses to say . word 20 any one on
the subject. IL 10 said, however, that
Miss Ward, who is visiting IN the city,
had on former trips TO Memphis been
the guest Of Miss Mltche II. Lately,
however, she refused to partake of the
hospitality Of the Mitchell household
and refused also 70 recognize Mss
Mitchell on the street. 1t is alleged,
further, by several persons that Miss
Ward has made many remarks OF q
decidedly uncomplimentary nature re-
garding Miss Mitchell. and this latter
allegation is supposed TO hare been the
cause OF the tragedy.
Miss Mitchell Is the 19-year-old
daughter of George Mitchell, . retired
furniture dealer. and she and Miss
johnson, Ia the latier's stylish turn
out" were q familiar sight on the diff
iferent drives about the city.
Miss Ward is the daughter OF John
Ward, . planter and wealthy merchant
iuf Gold Dust, Ark.
At the inquest this evening the jury
rendered verdict charging Mlss Mitch
ell with premedltated murder.