The herald., 1895-07-16
1DIE AND A Revolver
wo Hearts That Beat as
One Now Cold
DRDER FOLLOWED BY SUICIDE
Thomas Woods Shoots Mabel
Kent in San Francisco
AND TAKES His OWN LIFE
Il Was the Usual Story Of MeddIing
Relatives
Mabel Loved Her Sailor, but the Rest
soth Young People Had Been Driven to
Desperation, and the Bloody
Deed Wss Carefully
AND TAKES hIS OWN LIFE
Il Was the Usual Story of MeddIing
Relatives
Mabel Loved Her Sailor, but the Rest
Did Not
Both Young People Had Been Driven to
Desperation, and the Bloody
Deed Wss Carefully
Planned
Amounted Press special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 15.-Thomas
Woods, . young steamship waiter, this
evening shot Mabel Kent to death because
her people would not allow them to
marry, and then killed himself.
4 The murder and suicide occurred on
the corner of Ridley street and Elgin
place. The young man ambushed the
girl on her way home from work. AT
half-past o'clock. when she was within
half block of her fathers house, her
lover appeared and carried out the pro.
gramme he had arranged earlier in the
day. Nobody saw .the act. but crowd
quickly gathered and found the girl and
her slayer stretched out dead. She lay on
her back in the dust at the intersection
Of the two streets. Woods had staggered
to the sidewalk before he fell. In one
hand be clutch ed the weapon, and the
other still lighted cigarette. The young
couple had been lovers for the past yeai.
At one time they were engaged, but the
Ngirl's parents caused the match to be
broken off. This fact so preyed on the
mini OF the steamship nan that he con-
sidered life not worth living. He mad
threatened the girl and her relatives
were on guard. The father was III the
habit OF meeting his daughter at the VAL
encia street cars, as she came from work,
but tonight he failed to do so and Woods
carried out his plan. Mabel Kent was
Employed in dressmaking establish
ihenJ. Sue was handsome young woman
of 90 years. and great help to the fam
lily. No one but the girl seemed to have
any use for Woods, and she had hcen for
biddsn to see bin. He persisted in his
attentions. however and on finding that
he could not have her for bride. in
for med the family that he wonld kill the
girl. This threat was made about two
weeks ago, at which time Mr.. Kent in
formed the police. He was told to swear
out y warrant for Woods, but neglected
10 do so. Woods anu his victim first met
about year ago. At that time he was
employed on the steamer Walla Walla.
The Kent family took passage on the
ate amer at Victoria for this city, and dur
ing the trip Woods made himself very
Ag rseable to Mabel.
The sailor was about 80 years of age,
quite prepossessing and a devoted lover.
Mabel had promised to marry him. but in
some way Woods incurred the dlspleasure
OF the parents and was requested to cease
his attentions. From a letter found in
his pocket written May 26th by the girls
brother, it appears that the offense was
Nnpardonalbe. and the mariner was eau
toned to remain away or take the conse-
quences. Any further attention would be
made at his own peril. There was also
lotter from the girl to Woods, dated No.
vember Is. 1894, IN which she said that
II he went back on her she would do
something desperate.
The man had carefully planned the
murder and suicide. He pawned his
watch to raise Fmoney with which to
purchase the pistol.