The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-08-14

MulVGI vi Ml Ss AAs ~ AWnns
Following from the Elma Chronicle
is the account of the attack by "Doc'
Moody on Mrs. H. J. Bum, at Eima,
August 3rd:
"a little after 9 O'Clock Monday even
ing our usually quiet little village was
startled by series of heart-rending
screams emanating from the Elma no.
tel, which, a few moments later, be-
came the scene of wildly excited
throng of citizens of both sexes, the
word murder" having gone forth as
upon the wings of the wind, and it be-
came known that "Dock" Moody had
attempted to murder Mrs. H. ]. Bum.
"The facts briefly stated, are that
Moody, when in town, occupies a room
in the hotel, which has been run only
as lodging house for some time, and
having come up from Cosmopolis in
the afternoon in a half-drunken con-
dition, and secured his room, spent
most of the time around the saloons
drinking, until going to the hotel to
retire. Entering the hall, he met Mrs.
Bum and made an improper proposal
which she resented. This so enraged
him that he threw her upon the floor
and attempted to cut her throat.
Fighting for her life, she grabbed the
blade of the knife with her left hand,
which was badly cut, but not until it
had left its mark twice almost from
ear to ear, when he pulled it from her
hand and stabbing at her heart thr ust
the full length of the blade into her
left breast just over the lung, the
wound reaching through to the cavity.
Jeff Taylor, hearing her screams
ran from Mrs. Abe1l's home to the
hotel and found them struggling upon
the floor, and taking hold of Mrs.
Bum pulled her out of the villain
grasp, and carried her few steps
away to the home of her uncle, Mr..
H r. Taylor, where she still lies in a
very precarious condition, the subject
of the constant care of Drs. Blair and
Hill.
sMoody escaped out Of the back door
and made his way to the woods north
of town, and although diligently
sought for was not captured until
Wednesday evening, when he was seen
crossing the creek below Case, Huling
& Co.'S. mill by Mrs. John Finley. who
gave the alarm, and he was taken into
custody by Ray Smith, Charley Nc
Donald and Henry Jung, brought to
town and turned over to Constable
jolly who took him to the county Jail
at Montesano that night.
Too much credit cannot be given
Deputy Sheriff Whitney for the deep
interest he took in the matter, and the
energy he displayed in endeavoring to
capture the perpetrator of the crime.
Dina Chronicle.
Mrs Bum, died early Sunday morn
ing, bursting blood vessel causing
internal bleeding. She was the eldest
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. John B.
Forbes, of Little Skookum Valley and
born and reared in Mason County.
She was widely known and esteemed
over the county, and her sad death
calls for the sympathy of the entire
county. She leaves a husband and
two small children to mourn her loss,
besides her parents and brothers and
sister. The funeral took place at
Elma on Tuesday, Mrs. Nj. Fredson,
an aunt, and Mr.. David Shelton, at
tending from Shelton. The pre1imin-
airy hearing of the murderer, "Doc"
Moody was held at Montesano. Mon
day, and he waived examination, be-
ing held for trial without bonds. The
peonle of Cheha1is County are consid-
erably excited over the affair and
vengeance is asked.