The herald., 1896-07-03
Not Confined to Possible Judg.
ment for Damages
EMMA A. ASHLEY'S BULLET
Misses the Millionaire's Head by About
an Inch
inc Piaintfffs Sister Pleads Inspiration os
God to Remove Her Sisters Seducer."
The Woman Insane
Associated Press Special Wire.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2. - During
the progress of the Lillian Ashley suit
against E. ]. Baldwin for $4,000 for Sc.
duction this morning, Emma Ashley, a
sister of Lillian, tried to shoot the mil
lionaire defendant. She fired at Bald
win, but the bullet missed him.
Lillian Ashley was in the witness chair
on cross-examination. She testified yes
terday that she had never worn her
hair crimped. This morning the defense
had picture of her showing her hair
dressed with crimps of extraordinary
size. Asked if it was her picture, Lillian
said: 1T may be, but don't think so''
At these words Emma Amanda Ash
ley. sister of the plaintiff, rose from her
seat, carrying a small bag and walked
behind the chair where Lucky" Bald
win was sitting. From her bag she took
revolver which she leveled at Bald
wins head, the muzzle being two inches
from his skull. She tried to pull the trig.
ger, but could not, and had to use both
hands. Every one was engrossed with
the testimony and nobody knew Bald
wins danger till the report of the pistol
was heard. 1t had missed Baldwin's
head and Emma Ashley was trying to
fire again, but the pistol did not dis
charge readily.
H. A. Unruh, Baldwin's business man.
ager, was the first to grasp the situation.
He jumped towards the woman, struck
her a violent blow on the wrist and
wrested the pistol from her grasp. LII
Ian Ashley turned pale and almost
tainted in the witness chair.
Attorney James Crittenden for the de-
fendant rushed to the assistance of
Emma Ashley. putting his hand in his
pistol pocket. Unruh covered Critten-
den with Emma's pistol, but Crittenden
drew his pistol and the spectators
thought more shooting would follow.
Attorneys Lloyd and Highton and tho
court officials came between the excited
men and the clerk of the court took the
revolvers away from them. Meantime
Emma Ashley had run across the court
room followed by Baldwin, who thought
she had another pistol. Baldwin held
Emma until the bailiff escorted her to
the city prison, where she was booked
on a charge of assault to commit mur-
der. ,-l, A
Emma Ashley is believed to be in
sane. During the trial she has spent her
time in court reading the Bible. When
taken to Jail she said, Nearer. My God,
to Thee" in loud voice. Baldwin was
crazy with rage and wanted to fight
somebody. His hair was singed by the
powder and the bullet passed within
an inch of his head. His escape is as
cribed to woman's inexperience with
firearms. The pistol was thrown up
ward by the recoil after the trigger was
pulled.
Judge Slack was the coolest man in
court. and soon restored order, citing
Unruh and Crittenden to show cause to-
morrow why they should not be punished
for contempt, one in pointing weapon
at Crittenden and the latter for carry
ing pistol. The judge would hear no
explanations. The bullet was found in
the wall fifteen feet from Judge Stacks
chair.
Every one in the court room was asked
If he or she were armed, all replying in
the negative. The case was about to be
resumed when Lillian Ashley, the plain
tiff, broke down.
MY baby is sick and I am afraid she
is going to die" she cried. my sistey
my baby" M
The court was then adjourned and Z
case continued till next Monday.
Miss Emma Ashley in speaking of her
attempt to kill Baldwin, said:
1T would not have been murder, it
would have been retribution. I tried to
kill that man because 1 believed it my
duty before God to rid the world of the
wretch who seduced my innocent sister
and dragged her down to the lowest
depths. 1 believed it to be Gods will
that he should die by my hand, but it
was not to be. and accept His will. My
act was inspired by what conceived
to be my duty to God and humanity"
1t is the general opinion that the wom-
an has become crazed by excessive re-
ligious devotion and brooding over her
sisters wrongs.
Had Lawyer Crittenden drawn the
pistol which he reached for in all proba-
bility there would have been more shoot
ing. Henry Unruh, who seized Miss
Ashley's weapon held it above his head.
He was watching Crittenden and wait
ing for him to draw. Fortunately the
lawyer was prevented from pulling his
pistol and bloodshed was avoided
GCDMAA mi