The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-21
SHOT HER DAUGHTER.
rHR rArAn ERRoR or 4 MOTHER.
Mrs Elizabeth u. Hicks Mistook Her Six
tssn-year-OId Child for Convict
and Killed Her Instantly,

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hicks shot and kille,
her sixteen -year-old daughter few mo
ments past u O'Clock yesterday morning.
No pen can ever tell the anguish of tina
mothers heart as she clssped her daughtol
TO her bosom and heard the words Mother
you have killed me-"
Just across from the eastern side Of The
Male Orphan Asylum and but u few blocks
from the western corporation line, Mrs
Hicks and her daughter resided. The cottage
was situated on Carter near Powhatan street
and the two, mother and daughter, had but
few weeks ago become comfortably fixed.
The residence had been entirely overhauled.
paint and whitewash had lent their bright
ness 20 the place and the shade-trees In tho
front kept the heated sun rays from becom-
ing a burden. Grape-yines made pictu-
rescue effect upon the fencing and the ripe
ming fruit in the rear yard gave an air OF
domestioity 10 the place.
ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
Mrs. Hicks and her daughter Carrie have
lived in the house about three months. At
night Samuel Godsey. "A fourteen-year-old
boy. from the Orphan Asylum, sleeps IN
the house as protection - the lonely oc-
cupants.
Mrs. Hicks. who is entirely dependent
upon her own resources for living, is an
honest industrious. hard working woman.
She is not st all strong or healthy-looking,
but nevertheless goes out and sews three
DAYS in each week. She also takes IN sew
ing st her home and in this work was as
sisted by her daughter. She also has yard
OF fowls and sells chickens and eggs.
A few nights ago thieves entered the hen
house of Mrs. Hicks and stole about twenty
five Of her fowls.
THE SHOT.
Yesterday morning Mrs. Hicks was aroused
by noise in the yard. She arose, and
arming herself with a 3S-calbro pistol,
noselessly orept 10 a back window 10 look
and listen. While standing at the window
and looking out she heard a light step be-
hind her, Very much excited. she quickly
turned around and saw a figure standing
close beside her. Without a sign or word
she raised the pistol and fired.
At the sound of the pistol shot an awful
scream followed and Mrs. Hicks heard her
child say, "Oh mamma. you have killed
me The girl staggered back and her
mother ran forward and caught her Just as
she was falling. The daughter cried out
again and again, "Oh Lord, have mercy on
me " and attempted to say something else,
when she expired IN her mothers arms.
Godsey. who was asleep in another part OF |
the house, and be appeared upon the scene
IN a few moments. When the distressed |
parent found that she had killed her child |
she attempted 10 take her own lie,
but was prevented by the lad.
GAVE THE ALARM
Godsey went over TO the asylum and gave |
the alarm, and quickly several of the ladies, /
including Mrs. Gill, came TO the assistance |
of tho now nearly distracted mother. |
physician was sent for and DR.. Station re-
sponded. He could do nothing for the
young lady, but prescribed for the mother.
1t is daily occurrence that cOnvicts pass
by the house of Mrs. Hicks on their way TO
work in garden not far distant. In going
10 the back window TO listen she had to
pass through the dining-room and into
pantry adjoining.
In the dining-roOm lamp. with a striped
colored shade was dimly burning. 1t is
supposed that the young lady. followed her
mother when she left the room. Not a word
was spoken. and the mother was not aware
Of her daughters presence.
When she turned around the reflection
from the striped shade 20 the lamp reflected
upon the form of the young lady, and Mrs.
Hicks thought her convict and shot with
out moments warning.
THE LADY.
Mrs. Hicks is the widow of the late
Mathew !. Hicks who was widely known
md greatly respected. He was man of
integrity and honor and was q devout
He died about nine years ago
md left his family in rather dependent cir
,umstances.
Mrs. Hicks lived for a long time at the
corner of Broad and Monroe streets. She
vas at one time a matrOn in the Orphan
AsyluIn. and is held in the highest esteem
~ all who know her. She has son about
welve years old, who is an inmate of the
sylum.
Miss Carrie. the young lady who met
With the terrible accident, was beautiful I
.irl Just budding into womanhood. She {
vas member of Grace Episcopal church. ,
'he was great fayorite among her COM
,snions.
DR.. Station says the ball entered the left ,
'reast of the girl and passed through the !
cart, causing almost instant death Pow /
er marks were visible on the gown of the }
Dung lady. :
The accident happened in the same house i
D which Mrs. Langford died suddenly \
ew months ago. =
The funeral will take place this afternoon =
rom Grace Episcopal church at o'clock. :
An inquest was held yesterday afternoon d
nd the jury returned a verdict in accord
nee with the above facts Z.