The record-union., 1893-04-03
DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
A YOUNG LADY FROM SPOKANE
KILLED NEAR CHICAGO.
The Murderer Then Sends a Bullet
Into His Own Brain and Dies
Shortly After.
Special to the REcoRp-Ux1oS.


EVANSTON QlL), April 2.-E. Ross
Smith slew pretty Etfie Clark at dusk
last night and then barely missed instant
death for himself. The girl was fresh
man at the Northwestern University and
the youth was prospective student. He
did the killing because Miss Clark re-
fused to marry him. The GOODNESS with
which he planned the murder would
have done credit to a veteran in crime.
Smiths home is in Spokane Falls,
where Miss Clark also lived. He had
known the girl from childhood, and be-
fore she came East to be educated the two
were engaged to be married. Just before
leaving Spokane they quarreled, and the
spat, with the addition of paternal OBJ
jections, resulted in the breaking off of
the match. This fact did not cool the
courage of the persistent lover and he
followed her to Chicago, desiring to enter
the medical department of the university
He arrived about month ago and in
tended to enter the college at the opening
of the new term. He was thus near the
woman he loved, and expected to again
win her favor and renew the old engage
ment. With this end in view he once
before came to Evanston, and the two
had long talk, but his renewed suit
proved of no avail, and crazed with dis
appointment, he deliberately devised a
scheme by which they might die together
Aiming himself with new revolver,
he left Chicago on late train yesterday
afternoon for Evanston. Leaving the
station here, he walked hastily to the
home of Mrs. Sloan, III Ayers court,
where he asked to see Miss Clark. She
sent down word that she was not able to
again discuss the old matter, and with a
muttered comment he left the house.
This was about P. NJ, Leaving the
house, he walked to the corner and stood
for half an hour as if undecided what to
do. His plan was being interfered with.
and it is probable that he was debating
whether to go back and make a second
attempt to see the girl.
He evidently decided to wait until
evening, when she would go to her board
ing place, for he returned to the house
about o'clock, as Miss Clark and her
roommate, Miss Abernethy, were leav-
gested that they take stroll.
They had proceeded only half a block
when Smith asked Miss Clark to step
aside as he wished a moments private
talk with her. What was said during
those few minutes will never be known.
There were no loud words nor was there
any excitement. Even Miss Abernethy.
who stood near by, saw no sign of dis
pute.
Suddenly Smith drew revolver and
fired five shots at Miss Clark, one bullet
entering behind the left ear and another
passing through the left side. He then
turned the weapon against himself and
sent a bullet through his head. Miss
Clark was removed to a neighboring
house, but expired in few minutes.
Smith was taken to the police station,
where, before lapsing into unconscious
ness, he said: 'I shot her; she wouldn't
marry me, so shot her,"
Smith lodged at $50 Washington boule-
ward, Chicago. He was 26 years of age.
He was dressed in the latest style and
had an abundance of money on his per-
son. During the month of his residence
in Chicago he made one visit to Evanston
and met Miss Clark in company with an
other young man, and at that time ex
posed his jealousy.
Effie Clark was freshman in the Col
lege of Liberal Arts. She was a tall bru-
nette and her pretty face was made more
attractive by large dark eyes. Her 1.-the
and graceful figure gave to her striking
and handsome appearance. She was 20
years of age.
The father of young Smith is wealthy
shipbuilder and contractor at Selbrooke.
Or. Miss Clark's parents are now in
Florida. Her father is Rev. Nelson
Clark, a retired minister, who is now in
the real estate business in Spokane.
DEATH OF THE MURDERER
CHICAGO, April 2.-E. Ross Smith, the
murderer of Effie Clark, died to-day in
the police station at Evanston. He never
recovered consciousness after he shot the
girl because she would not become his
wife. The parents of the unfortunate
pair requested that their bodies be
shipped to them at Spokane and Port
land, respectively. They will be sent to-
morrow after the inquest. Memorial
morrow at the Northwestern University.
An Ex-Minisrer ParalyZed.
LOUISVILLE, April 2.-Hon. w. II.
Wadsworth, prominent Kentucky law