The San Francisco call., 1896-06-08
KILLED AN EDITOR
AND HERSELF,
John Hay of the Journal OF
Commerce Shot by
a Woman.
SHE WAS MRS. M'DOUGALL
Sent a Bullet Through Her Low
er's Heart and Perforated
Her Own.
SHE DREADED DESERTI0N.
Fearful Double Tragedy in Nc.
Allister-Street Lodging.House at
Late Hour.
SHE DREADED DEsERTION.

John Hay, assistant editor of the Jour
nal of Commerce, was shot and fatally
wounded by Mrs. r. H. McDougall in
lodging-house at $50 McAllister street last
evening at 1:15 o'clock. The murderess
then sent bullet through her heart and
fell dead beside her rapidly dying victim.
It is presumed that love affair was the
cause of the shooting. Hay, before be-
coming unconscious, substantiated this
presumption by stating that he was about
to leave the woman and that she became
angered and shot him as he lay in bed.
She had then turned her weapon upon
herself.
The two shots fred in rapid succession
attracted the attention OF Frank More
house, who lodges in the lodging-house in
which the tragedy occurred. He rushed
downstairs and notified Officer Hoster,
and they returned to the room together.
When they entered the full significance
Of the shocking tragedy dawned upon
them. Mrs. McDongall was lying on the
floor. her eyes wide open and staring
straight up at the ceiling. The blood was
gushing from wound in her left breast,
where the bullet had entered.
The wounded man lay groaning on the
bed, his nightdress and the bedclothes
smoldering, having caught fire from the
fash of the revolver.
Word was sent to the Central police sta
tion, and Hay was taken to the Receiving
Hospital. Coroner Hawkins was then no.
titled and the body of the suicide was re-
moved to the Morgue.
When Hay was placed on the operating
table at the hospital it was seen that the
bullet had passed clear through his body.
1t entered about an inch to the right of
the left nipple and ranged slightly down.
ward, making its exit between the fifth
and sixth ribs.
Although suffering excruciating pain,
Hay between his dying gasps told the
story of his meeting and tragic parting
with the woman who had shot him and
then taken her own life.
II met the woman about three weeks
ago." he said, land she appeared to take
an immediate fancy to me.
''Three days ago 1 procured a room in
Mrs. Guinn's clearinghouse on McAlIister
street, and took Mrs. McDougall there.
To-day decided to leave her. and after
retiring for the night informed her as to
my intention. She was slowly disrobing
at the time, and finally said:
so you are going to quit me, are you p
Ianswered her in the affirmative, and she
shouted out: If you are going to quit me,
then 1 will fix you
cat this remark / turned over in bed
and she drew the revolver, placed it
against my breast and fired. 1 heard a
second report and the dull sound as her
body struck the floor. That is all re-
membered until partly revived in the
hospital"
Mrs. McDougall is the wife of r. II. Nc
Dougall, Chicago commercial traveller,
who is now in Texas on business. She
came to this City about four months age
from Portland, Or, in which city she
gained livelihood as stenographer and
typewriter.
On reaching this City she took apart
ments in the Leavenworth House, follow
ing her calling as a stenographer for few
weeks.
She finally left this City and went to sar
Quentin to visit some friends, returning
however, after weeks absence.
She spent another week in this City anc
then went to Fresno as guest of promi
nent farmer in that vicinity.
After three weeks visit she returned
and took apartments in the Russ House