Arizona weekly citizen., 1893-01-07
TELE6RApRIC.

SAN FRANC1sCo, Jan. 2.-The old year was closed last night by a unique and terrible tragedy, by which Sidney Me- Coy, a young lawyer, aged 8 years, lost his life, and Miss Grace King, aged 19, is in a precarious condition.
 A party of friends, numbering about fifty, assembled last night at McCoy's house on Guerrero street to watch the old year out and the new year in. A feature of the evenings entertainment was the production of short play writ ten by Mccoy, and performed by ana teur. The plot of the party was the betrayal or a band of Russian nihilists by one of their number. The nihilists discover the traitor, and condemn her to death. They decide by lot who shall perform the execution, and the number falls to the character portrayed by Me Coy. Miss King played the part of the t. aitor. She is given, in the play, her choice of being killed or stabbing her self, ard chose the latter alternative, Mccoy handed her a stout dagger which has been in his family for many years. h the play the girl instead of killing herself WAS to stab her execu- tioner, and as she received the knife Miss King leaned forward to touch Me Coy on the breast with the knife. At the same instant Mccoy started toward the girl, when she stumbled, and falling forward with the dagger in her hand, drove it through McCoy's heart.
 Mccoy showed wonderful vitality and presence of mind. lie walked into the next room and asked for a doctor, and then fell dead.
 The girl knew that there had been an accident of some kind, but dId not know that Mccoy was killed. She was taken home, and afterward, on the advice Oi friends, gave herself up to the police. She was taken to the city prison at ( o'clock in the morning, end when she entered the prison she tainted, and has since remained unconscious, This morning McCoy's two brothers secured her release by giving S10,00O bonds for her appearance. The girl was then taken home and Is in g critical condi- ton.
 The accident IS explained by the fact that recently Miss King suffered fLom 2 sprained ankle. She has been using crutches to walk with, but had lald them aside to participate in the play As she made the motion to stab McCoy she rested her weight on the weak foot It gave away and she fell forward.
 HARRIsBURG, Pa, Jan. 3.-The Bien, nial message of Governor Pettison whs read in both branches of the legislature today. In it he refers to the spirit Oi instruction at Homestead, calls atten ton to the inequality of taxation as be- tween real estate and personal property rehews ais recommendation that a rev, enue law be framed by which the entire cost of State government shall be paid by tax on corporations, and collateral inheritance, and other taxes be returned to the county to relieve real estate therein. It cost the State S430,0O0 to put down the Homestead instruction. The govern0r says the sheriff did not try to put It down and the county ought to stand the cost.
 WARRINGTON, Jan. 3-Blaine's condi- ton has taken backward turn but the change is not of a character to excite serious apprehension. The patient has been suffering from constipation for the past two dsys.
 PIERRE, s. D., Jan. 3,-At joint ses- sior of the Houses the State legislature today, Governor Sheldon, after having been sworn in, delivered an inaugural address dealing only with matters of State interest.
 NASHVILLE, Tenn, Jan. 3.-The gen eral assembly met thIs morning. The House chose Ralph Davis speaker, but the Senate was locked ou the question of a presiding officer. Fifty three bal lets were taken without choice. D. l. Smukes leads ln the contest with SIX minor candidates,
 CHICAGO, Jan. 3.-Ground was broken today for the Territorial building at the Worlds Fair to be erected jointly by New Mexico and Oklahoma. Materials for the building will be con- by the Territories mentioned