Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-07-10
Shot at "Lucky" Baldwin.
Two Vermont Girls Involved i'm big
Sensation i'm California.

Sensation i'm California.
A tragedy in court room came near
being enacted at San Francisco Thursday,
when Miss Emma Ashley, the younger sis
ter of Lillian Ashley, the woman who is
suing Lucky" Baldwin for damages for
breach of promise, suddenly drew a re-
volver and fired at the millionaire. The
bullet grazed his head and made a ragged
hole in the wall. Henry Unruh, Baldwin's
manager, grappled with the woman and
disarmed her before she could fire again.
Baldwin chased her to the window, shout
ing that he would kill her. In the mean
time Attorney Crittenton had rushed to
the defence Of his clients sister, He call
ed on Unruh to keep his hands off the
woman. Unruh turned and covered Crit
tenton with his revolver, and the attorney
put his hand to his hip pocket TO draw his
weapon. 1t looked like a duel at close
quarters, but Judge Slack left the bench,
and his clerk, James McElroy, separated
the men and disarmed them.
Emma Ashley was led away to the wom-
ans prison. Lillian Ashley burst into
tears on the witness stand. f. j. Bald
win then issued a general challenge to
fight anybody. Judge Slack, who is very
cool man, asked all if they were armed
tempt of court.
Miss Emma Ashley is a tall, stout young
woman. She is a religious enthusiastic,
and was reading Bible in court through
out the progress OF the case. When
taken to the prison she sang Nearer, My
God, to Thee" and said quite calmly that
she intended to shoot Baldwin, but as she
missed him it must have been Gods will
that he should live. She said she had
been up for two nights with her sisters ba-
by, which is very i'll, and that they had
been without sufficient food. She ate raw
enously and appeared to be hungry. Her
bonds have been fixed at $4,000.
The shooting grew out of the suit for
So, 200 damages, instituted in Nav, 1894,
by Miss Lillian A. Ashley, a Vermont
girl, with Boston finish to her education.
She alleged that in March, 1898, Baldwin
deceived her under promise of marriage.
To this allegation Baldwin filed demur-
rer that Miss Ashley twas worldly wise
and well acquainted with the ways of men
in general. She is not easily led, and COM
petent to distinguish between deceit and
sincerity. She knew the avowed devotion
was a snare, and, knowing it, permitted
herself to be shared"
The demurrer further declared that "she
knew Baldwin to be a married man, thus
being unable to keep any promise he might
make her regarding marriage. Even fur
Their than this, Miss Ashley knew the gem
eral character of the defendant, and should
not have permitted herself to be lured
from the path of propriety by honeyed
words or insncere, if vehement, avowals
of affection"
The demurrer closed with businesslike
allegation that mo promise of monetary
compensation for downfall made 10 the one
downfalling can be held good in law, and
from the face of the complaint it does not
appear that any other promise was made"
The career of Elias j., or Lucky"
Baldwin is remarkable. He was a com
mon digger for gold when he 'struck it
rich.' After this he became associated
with some of the bonanza miners and in
creased his fortune by speculation to S20,-
100000. He has been one of the fore
most figures on the American turf for sew
eral years. He is now "a years old and
has been married four times. He owns an
estate in Santa Anita valley in California
which is valued at millions of dollars.
About II years ago he was shot at by
woman whom he had wronged. She was
acquitted on the ground of insanity. On
one of his wives, from whom he was sep
arated, Baldwin was forced to settle ST.
600, 1000, and his affairs with women, be-
sides almost costing him his life twice,
have made large holes in his great fortune.
The shooting by Miss Ashley has at
tracted much attention in Vermont as the
Ashley girls were born at Chelsea, and for
several years lived in Randolph. They
have relatives in Montpelier, White River
Junction and other places. Miss Emma
Ashley is a member of one of the
churches at Randolph. Miss Lillian Ash
ley is an expert horsewomaD. She had
business dealings with Mr., Baldwin and
followed him TO California four years ago.
afterward sending for her younger sister