The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-29
CHICAGO. March -.


m DETERMINED attempt at
IAN murder and an equally de-
I1l ermined attempt az lyuchinc on
u y the part Of thousands Of furious
citizens turned the leading business
corner Of the city into turmoil shortly
after noon today.
The victim OF the tragedy was Will.
lam l.. Clifford. letter carrier. aud
his assailaut, Guy I. O,mstead, an eX-
substitute carrier. Clifford bad left
the post office at noon with 3 big bag
Of mail snd proceeded on foot toward
his destination. When hA had reached
the center Of the roadway near the cor.
usr Of Clark and Madison streets. O.m-
stead, who was walking few feet behind
him, suddenly drew \ large revolver and
fred at CltfJri's head. Tie shot took
effect behind the left ear aud the IN
fortunate carrier dropped like log
Quickly stepping no to the PROSTATE
man the would b. assassin fred two
more shots in rapid succession. one
bullet entering the shoulder and the
other the right side
The hundreds Of pedestrians in the
immediate ueighhorhooi had stood
horror stricken for a second when the
shot was fired, aud then they made =
break for the assailaut. Ore stalwart
fellow lerked the smoking pistol from
his hand, while another with a we'll
directed upper cut sent him sprawl
ing across the cable tracks into
the snow. Thousands Of people came
pouring out Of the stores around aud
from the intersecting streets for blocks
and hundreds Of cries Of lynch him,
- rope, rope, get a rope, were
raised Olmstead was half dragged g.,
half carried, to the big lamp post in
front OF drug store, into which his
victim had in the meantime been borne.
RESCUED BY THE POLICE.
The mob would undoubtedly have
carried on: its determination bat for
the arrival Of a dozen officers who
beat a passage way with their clubs
and succeeded In forming a Gordon
around the assassin. 4 patrol wagon
was called and while the crowds
surgsd around, yelling for vengeance.
Olmstsad was literally thrown into the
vehicle aud the horses driven at a
0realneck trot TO the Central station.
the bowling mob following 10 the rear
until distanced. Clifford was conveyed
10 a hospital, where his injuries were
pronounced fatal
At the police station OImstea1 made
an incoberent statement to the effect
that hs had just left the Mercy hos
pital and had written = letter showing
the connection between today's tragedy
and the celebrated Fraia Ward. Alice
Mitchell murder in Mamphis and add
ing that Clifford had said that he could
have snothing more to do with him
(OlmstsadJ although previously they
had been warm friends
TWAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
When OImstead reached the station
be broke completely down and wept
bitterly. 81 first met Clifford year
ago. he said 1T was a case Of love
at first sight and | did love him
violently. We were together in the
post Office and had the usual lovers
quarrel. | never thought it would
come to this Last fall I threat
ened 10 shoot him but did not.
and again week ago when Will re-.
fused 10 speak to me. O,mstead ia a
pervsrse creature who fell in love with
Clifford and hounded him almost be-
yOnd endurance He used to follow
him and write letters to him until
finally Clifford appealed to the depart
msnt for protection. Clifford was a
good, honest, man. az the Office rscords
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