Connecticut western news., 1896-03-26
SHOT HER BETRAYER
THEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE
 HER OWN LIFE.

Bertha Mcconnell Says She Was Betrayed
 by Commercial Traveller. Whom She
 Attempted to Kill In a Hotel-Rotb
 wm Probably Die.
 GAINESVILLE, Pa. March 23.-One of the most shocking tragedies that has ever stirred the people of this place occurred when pretty Bortha Mcconnell of this city, and barely 90 years of age, shot liar ry Thompson, a travelling salesman for tho Singer Sewing Machine company, while In a hotel in Lanoaster. She board cd an express train after the shooting and returned to this place, whore she attempt cd to end her life in the same manner. The double crime Is alleged to havc boon the result of Thompson having deceived and betrayed the young woman. Both Miss Mcconnell and her victim will prob ably die
 The tragedy was enacted in the Key. stone House, whero the two had register ed as !. c. Mcconnell and wife. The young woman is the daughter of John Mcdonnell, n well known citizen of this paoe and was possessed of a disposition and personality that made for her masy friends. It was two yoars ago that she met Thompson. She was then employed in . dry goods establishment Thompson soem- ed to find favor in the young woman's eyes at once, and this soon led 10 friend ship that quickly ripened into love Thompson visited the young woman fro quently. He told her his home was in Harrisburg, whe he lived with his moth or. In time. however, 1t was gosslpcd about that he was married man. This charge he denied. The young woman cvi. dently had faith in her lover, for about two months ago she left town with him. and it was current report that they had married and were living quietly and hap pily in Lancaster.
 That this was not true became known only laa Monday, when Miss Mcdonnell returned to Coatesville and to some of her closest friends made known to them that she had been deceived and ruined by Thompson. While hero she purchased a revolver and returned to .Lanoastor with what now appears to bo n determined TO- solve to avenge herself upon him who had so dishonorcd her.
 Found Dying Tn His Room.
 She went to their room In the hotel, and none but she and Ihompson knows what took place there They evidently quarreled, but none of tho hotel attaches heard any shots fired It was not until morning tnat the ulsooNcry was maues The couple wore called for breakfast, and not responding, a ehambsrmaid was sent to the room. she found Thompson In bed with bullet wound in his head and the bed clothing saturated. He was conscious and refused to tell who fired tho shot When questioned as to his wife's where abouts. be replied that she had gone for a doctor. 1t became known soon n terward that Miss Mcdonnell had left the hotel and came immediately 10 her homo In this oity.
 She went up stairs and placing the re- volver against her breast fired. The bull let missed her hcart, passing 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 nething to 1.-Two for. she wanted him to die be'ore ho could bring ruin and dlsgrace | on others.
 Thompson some time after the shooting was removed to his brothers homo in Lancaster, where he stubbornly refuses to permit the physicians to probe for the ball and declines to talk atout the caso or mako SD ante mortem statement Lancaster police arc In town to serve s warrant on Miss Mcconnell. Her condi- ton is such, however, that they have thus far refrained.