The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-24
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OFF AMY NORTH GAR0llMA nAMX
A GIRL AvENGEs HER HONOR.
Shoots Her Faithiess Lover and Then
Tries to Kill Herself.

Coatesville, Pa, March 23.--One of
the most shocking tragedies that has
ever stirred the people of this place
occurred yesterday, when pretty Ber-
tha Mcconnell, of this city. and bare
~ twenty 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 70 this place,
where she attempted to end her life
The double crime is alleged to have
been the result of Thompson's decep-
tion and betrayal of the young woman.
Both will probably die. The tragedy
was enacted in the keystone House,
where the two had registered as j, G..
Mcdonnell and wife The young wo-
man is the daughter Of John Neon
nell, a well-known citizen of this place,
and was possessed Of a disposition and
personality that made for her many
friends.
1t was two years ago that she met
Thompson. She was then employed
i'm dry goods establishment. Thomp-
son seemed to find favor in the young
woman's eyes at once, and this soon
led to a friendship that quickly ripened
into love. Thompson visited the young
woman frequently. He told her his
home was in Harrisburg, where he liy-
ed with his mother. In time, however.
it was gossipped about that he was a
married man. This charge he denied
The young woman evidently had
faith in her lover, for about two
months ago she left town with him.
and it was currently reported that
they had married, and were living
quietly and happily in Lancaster. That
this was not rue became known only
last Monday, when Miss Mcconnell re-
turned to CoatesvilIe, and to some of
her closest friends made known that
she had been deceived and ruined by
Thompson. While here she purchased
revolver, and Friday returned to
Lancaster, with what now appears to
be a determined resolve to avenge her
self.
She went to the room in the hotel
and no one but she and Thompson
knows what took place there. They
evidently quaTeled, but none of the
hotel attaches heard any shots fired.
1t was not until morning that the dis
covery was made. The couple were
called for breakfast, and not respond
ing, chambermaid was sent to the
room. She found Thompson in bed
with a bullet wound in his head and
the bed clothing saturated. He was
conscious and refused to tell who fred
the shot. When questioned as to his
wife's whereabouts he replied that she
had gone for doctor.
1t became known soon afterward
that Miss Mcconnell had left the hotel
and come to her home in this city.
She went upstairs and, placing the re-
volver against her breast, fired. The
bullet missed her heart, but passed
through her lung and lodged in her
back. She then told of her attack on
Thompson She said ne had ruined her
life, and as she had nothing to live for,
she wanted him to die before he could
bring ruin and disgrace to others.
Thompson, some time after the
shooting. was removed to his brothers.
home in Lancaster, where he stubborn
ly refuses to permit the physicians to
probe for the ball, and declines to talk
about the case or make an ante-mor-
tenn statement.
Lancaster police We're in town yes
terday to serve a warrant on Miss Nc
Connell Her condition was such, how
ever, that they refrained
OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.
Harrisburg, Pa. March 23.-Henry
Thompson, who was shot at Lancaster
by BERTHE Mcconnell, has a wife and
two small children living at Harris
burg. Mrs. Thompson says her hus-
band tried to get rid of the girl for
over a year, but that she followed him
wherever he went. BERTHE is said to
have called at Thompson's home in
Lancaster, and after his removal here
in letter to him the girl is said to
have offered to furnish $500 to get a
divorce from Mrs. Thompson in order
that he might marry her. Thompson's
wife was advised tonight by Lancaster
friends that her husband will die.