The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-03-23
SHE SHOT HER BETRAYER !
Then Pretty BERTHE Mcdonnell Attempted
to Kill Herself.
THE DEATH OF BOTH PREDICTED.
She Declared That Harry Thompson Had
Ruined Her Life and Determined That
He Should Die with Her-A Sad
Story of Love and Revenge.

CoATEsvILLE, Pa March 23-One of
the most shocking tragedies that has ever
stirred the people of'this place occurred on
Saturday, when pretty Bertha McCon-
nell, of this city, and barely 20 years of
age, shot Harry Thompson travelling
salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine
company, while in a hotel in Lancaster,
She boarded an express train after the
shooting and returned to this place where
she attempted to end her life in the same
manner. The double crime is alleged to
have been the result of Thompson having
deceived and betrayed the young woman.
Both Miss Mcconnell and her victim are
in q critical condition, and will probably
die. ...... ..-
The young woman is the daughter Of
John Mcconnell, a well known citizen of
this place, and was possessed of a disposi-
tion and personality that won for her
many friends. 1t was too years ago that
she met Thompson. She was then EN-
ployed in dry goods establishment.
Thompson seemed to find favor in the
young woman's eyes at once and this soon
led to friendship that quickly ripened
into love
Thompson visited the young woman fire.
quently. He told her his home was in
Harrisburg where he lived with his
mother. In time, however, twas gossiped
about that he was married man. This
charge he denied The young woman evil
IDENTIFY had faith in her lover, for about
two months ago she left town with him,
and 1t was current report that they had
married and were living quietly and hap
PLY in Lancaster.
That this was not true became known
only last Monday, when Miss Mcconnell
returned to Coatesville, and to some of her
closest friends made known that she had
been deceived and ruined by Thompson.
While here she purchased revolver, and
on Friday returned to Lancaster with
what now appears to be determined re-
solve to avenge herself.
She went to their room in the keystone
House, and none but she and Thompson
knows what took place there. They evi.
IDENTIFY quarreled, but none of the hotel
attaches heard any shots fred. 1t was not
until morning that the discovery was
made. Thompson was found in bed with
bullet wound in his head and the bed
clothing saturated. He was conscious and
refused TO tell who shot him. When ques-
toned as to his wifes whereabouts he re-
piled that she had gone for a doctor.
1t became known soon afterwards that
Miss Mcconnell had left the hotel and
came Immediately to her home in this city.
She went upstairs, and placing the re-
volver against her breast fired. The bullet
missed her breast but passed through her
lung and lodged in the back She then
told OF her attack ON Thompson. She said
he had ruined her life, and as she had
nothing to live for she wanted him to die
before he could bring ruin and disgrace on
others.
Thompson, some time after the shoot
ing, was removed to his brothers home in
Lancaster. Notwithstanding he was in
formed by his physicians and the magis-
trate that he was going to die, he posi-
lively refused to disclose the circumstances
of the shooting, saying that he knew moth
ing of it, Thompson shows remarkable
nerve. IF am going to die, he said to
the magistrate 'let me die in peace.
don't want to be bothered by you"
Thompson stubbornly refuses to allow
the physicians to probe for the bullet,
telling them his injuries are slight and
that he will soon pull through" He has
a very ugly wound over his left eye from
which the brains slowly ooze, The doc
tors have probed the wound to depth of
three inches without succeeding in finding
the ball
Policeman Henk, of Lancaster, arrived
here yesterday with warrant for Miss
McConnell's arrest, but owing to her crit
ical condition the warrant was not served
Thompson has wife and two small
children living at Harrisburg Mrs
Thompson says her husband tried to get
rid of the girl for over year, but that she
followed him wherever he went BERTHE
called at Thompson's home in Lancaster
and after his removal to Harrisburg in a
letter to him, the girl offered to furnish
$500 to get divorce from Mrs Thompson
in order that he might marry her Thomp-
sons wife has been advised that her hus-
band will die.
Thompson is well known in Shenandoah,
having made quite an extensive acquaintance
while in the town for three weeks about two
years ago as special agent for the Singer
Manufacturing Company ,-ED.l