Mexico weekly ledger., 1895-01-03
A F~rightfui Tragedy.
FULL ACCOUNT OF TIE HOUSE
nAYDEA SHOOTING IN NON
ROE COUNTY.
MIss iiayden In a Fair Way 20 BE
cOYer-The Suicide Leaves a Lee
Ter for Publication.
From the Paris iMo.l Appeal.

From the Paris tMo.i Appeal.
One of the most horrible and sen
sationai tragedies in all the history
of Monroe County was enacted near
Florida about / O'Clock last Sunday
evening, as a result Of which Robert
Rouse to-day occupies a suicides
grave and Miss Gertie Hayden lies
at her fathers home with a fearful
wound in here forhead.
Last Saturday evening Miss Hay
den went over to Indian Creek and
spent the night ;. it'll relatives. On
Sunday she attended services at the
Catholic Church, Robt. Rouse was
there. He asked the privilege OF
escorting the young lady back to her
fathers home Ill his buggy. She
hesitated, but finally consented.
When about five miles from In
dian Greek young Rouse asked his
companion to marry him. She tried
to put him of, but he pressed his
suit SO strongly that she finally told
him she could never be his wife.
The young nan was considerably
agitated, and after a few minutes
said:
"Well, Gertie. l have "A Christ
mas gift here for you"
As he spoke he drew a bright So
calibre revolver from his pocket.
The frightened girl refused to look
at the weapon and as she turned her
head away young Rouse deliberately
| placed the muzzle to her head and
fired. The oall took effect just over
the right eye.
The girl fell forward and Rouse,
supposing she vas dead, attempted
to throw her out of the buggy, The
girl was terribly stunned, but still
retained her presence of mind.
Thinking herself mortally wounded,
she entreated Rouse to take her
home to die. He finally yielded,
but after driving a short distance be
again drew lis revolver and threat
ened to finish the job. Again Miss
Hayden entreated to be taken home.
81 cannot live long" she said,
"Spare me and let me die at home.
No one shall iniure you, for l will
tell them all it was an accident"
They were now near Miss Hay
denis home and Rouse agreed to
spare the girl on condition that she
would tell her people the shooting
was accidental.
Arriving at the gate, Rouse got out
and assisted the bleeding girl to the
house. He did not tarry a minute.
AS he started back to the buggy Miss
Hayden's brother, doubling that the
shooting was an accident, started
after him and knocked him down.
Quick as a flash Rouse was on his
feet, pistol in hand. He pointed
the wealon at Hayden, but it would
not 60 off. Hayden ran into the
house. Rouse jumped into his buggy,
whipped his horse into a hard run
and dashed up to the home of Ben
Beaman, a mile away, where he was
boarding. He rushed into the house,
went straight to his room and sent
a ball crashing through his brain.
News of the fearful tragedy spread
like wild-fire, and the citizens for
miles around gathered to discuss it.
Excitement and grief reigned su-
preme, for both parties to the affair
were of the best families, and were
known and respected by all.
1t was reported that Miss Hayden
IA dead; afterwards that she was
fatally wounded. Medical exami-
nation, however, revealed the fact
that the ball had hattened itself
against the skull, ranged downward
and lodged over the right eye. The
wound was very painful but not
dangerous.
Young Rouse was found lying on
his bed, fully dressed, pistol in hand,
with a bullet hole squarely in the
center of his forehead. His death
was as instantaneous as a flash CT
lightning
This shocking tragedy was the
result of young Rouse's infatuation
for Miss Hayden. They had been
sweethearts for several years and at
one time were engaged to be mar
ried. The match was subsequently
broken off, it is said, because of Ger.
tain damaging reports circulated
about Rouse. Miss Hayden, how
ever, still permitted him to keep
company with her, but received at
tentions from a number of the young
men Of the neighborhood as she was
very popular.
Rouse is said to have been insane
ly jealous Of her, so much so that it
would enrage him every time anoth'
young man spoke to her. AT first
was thought the tragedy was the
result OF a sudden lit of jealousy, but
later developments prove that it was
deliberately planned weeks before.
. letter was found on his person.
written on December :, reviewing his
difficulties and giving bis intentions.
wished to be buried beside her.
Or, in ase that was not permitted,
by the side OF his sainted mother.
was laid to rest in the family