The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-18
Fred Alexander Killed the
Girl He Loved.
Announced His Intention and
Then Carried 1t Out.
Startling Tragedy in a Quiet Cape
Cod Town.

Brewster. Mass, May Is. - A pru,a
murder and the suicide Of the murderer
was the tragic incident of yesterday.
which threw this quaint and quiet Cape
Cod town into CONSERVATION, while up
and down Main street the residents were
almost terrorized by the sight of a young
iaan chasing young woman with a
Hmoking revolver In his hand. Then
they saw the young man shoot and kill
his victim.
Fred Alexander, the murderer, was
about 30 years OF age, a rejected suitor
of Miss Sadie Hassard. whom he killed.
Fer six months he had been forcing his
attention upon her. after she had re-
fused his suit two months earlier, and
IN consequence of which refusal Mir.
Hassard had ordered Alexander from
the house After this the young man
left town and went to Brockton, at which
place he worked for time, returning
recently and renewing his attentions
with even more fervor and determina-
ton Miss Hassard was more unwilling
than ever TO encourage him, and finally
Alexander began To threaten If she did
not accept him. Alexander kept out OF
says he did not know OF the young mans
prosecutions. as his daughter did not
complain out OF fear that Mr.. Hassard
would have him arrested.
Alexander finally became almost
maniacal in his threats. and during the
week Miss Hassard sent his father a
letter Of reinonstrance. Mr.. Alexander
kept watch over his son up till Friday,
when he disappeared, and. il is evident.
sought hiding place there 10 brood over
his fancied wrongs.
Miss Hassard has been for some time
q domestic in the family of Rev. Mr.
Dawes, the village clergyman. 1t was
at his home, across the street from the
church. at IL o'clock. that the first act
ln the tragedy took place. The clergy
man and family were In church. while
Miss Hassard stood at the window, con-
versiAg with hes youngest sister Maud
whom she had asked to speed the fore
noon with her, fearing TO remain alone.
Alexander's threats had made her very
timid, and she had intimations that
something serious would soon come
Suddenly the rejected lover appeared
at the window, and agked Sadie TO step
TO the door. as he desired to speak to her
She declined. Then Alexander pushed
IN the window screen, grasping Sadie by
the shoulders, pulling her bodily
through the window on to the ground,
making a fearful threat at the same
time. Miss Hassard got up, and darting
from Alexander's grasp ran toward the
street gate, screaming with terror
Maud also screamed In her fright, and
Alexander, drawing q revolver. told her
to keep stlll. rs he would not touch her
Then he followed Sadie, catching her
and discharging the 3S-caliber revolver
into her right breast. She again freed
herself from his grasp and ran across
the street, he following and firing, again
the ball entering her side below the 11th
rib. Miss IIassaTd screamed with
agony as she fell on the sidewalk ex-
piring in few seconds. Alexander
coolly walked up to the PROSTATE girl.
STOPPING down 10 press the revolver
7nuzzle behind her right ear. firing gain.
This ball cut her jugular vein, causing q
great flow of blood, while the flash
ignited her clothing. Then flourishing
his revolver like a maniac, he ran up
the street. William Bassctt. a witness
OF this last act, ran for Miss Hassard's S
father. aad VIII tie lattor came scores