Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-07-09
A WOuld-be Murderess.
SOLICITOUs.

"A W OulusUc MuTueTeSSs
In special dispatch to the Burlington
Free Press from san francisco under date
OF July End, the following sensational
story is told:
Lucky Baldwin, the millionaire horse
man, had wonderful escape from assassi-
nation to-day at the hands of Miss Emma
A. Ashley, the sister OF Miss Lillian ASH
ley, whose suit for $75, 900 for alleged be-
trayal has been in progress before Judge
Stack for several weeks and is now draw
ing to close.
The plaintiff was on the witness stand
shortly after the court convened this
morning, and 1t was while she was being
examined that her sister, Emma, drew a
revolver from a handbag which she car
ried and fired shot at Baldwin, the bullet
grazing his head 1t is charged by the de-
fence that the shooting was The result Of a
conspiracy, and the opinion is shared by
others.
The incident which precipitated the at
tempted assassination was the introduce
ton OF photograph of Miss Lillian Ash
ley. This photograph she strongly re-
pudiated but eventually admitted that it
might possibly be snap shot picture.
1t looked very much like her but for the
hair being curled, and was introduced by
the defence for the purpose of contradict
ing her statement that she at no time in
her life bad curled her hair.
In conclusion she said, Il never wore
dress like that, and as the words left her
lips Emma Ashley fired. BaldWins at
torneys say they think that when Miss
Lillian Ashley saw the photograph she
knew her character was gone, and that its
introduction led her to give the signal be-
fore agreed upon with her sister to fire the
shot. At any rate what seemed to be a
signal from Lillian was given and i'm
mediately her sister, who occupied a seat
behind Baldwin, fired point blank at his
head. The bullet plowed through his
hair and buried itself in the wall of the
court room near the bench.
Mr.. Unruh, Baldwin's manager, was the
first to take in the situation. He jumped
at the woman, struck her a violent blow
on the wrist and wrested the pistol from
her grasp. Then most exciting scene
ensued. Attorney Crittenden rushed to
the assistance of the sister of his client,
putting his hand in his pistol pocket as
he moved.
He reached Unruh just as the latter
brought the pistol down after having torn
it from the woman. Whether purposely
or not, he covered Crittenden with it. The
attorney was not at all slow in showing
II
though further shooting would follow.
Attorneys Lloyd and Highton and the
court officials jumped between the ex-
cited men and separated them. Clerk Nc
Elroy took the pistols and the danger was
over.
In the meantime, the would be murder
sss had been unarmed. AS soon as Mr..
Unruh dropped her wrist, she darted
toward the other side of the room, fol-
owed by Baldwin, who feared she had
mother pistol in her bag. He caught his |
assailant and held her until the bailiff
ook her in charge and escorted her to the
,ity prison, where she was booked with |
lie charge Of assault with intent to MUIR
ier.
i tried to do a christian act, she said,
/ tried to kill vile seducer. l tried to
Kill the man who had seduced and de-
,raded my sister and dragged her good /
lame in the dust. | thought the vile I
wretch had numbered the earth too long
md / tried to kill him; but 1t was not
iod's will, so / suppose it is all right
Reuben H. Lloyd, Baldwin's counsel,
aid Baldwin had warning three days ago
hat an attempt was to be made upon his
life, but that the story was not believed"
The Ashley sisters are natives of Chelsea
nd have also lived in Royalton. The eld-
r. Lillian, seems to have been a sort of
emale horse Jockey and during her resi-
ence in Vermont disposed of high priced
teeds in the Boston market and even ex
ended her business ventures to Kentucky.
Emma, on the contrary, appeared to be
uiet, self-respecting girl,and while living
Il Randolph was distinguished by con-
iderable religious enthusiasm. She be-
anne member OF the Christian church
nd an active worker in the Christian En-
eavor, and was ready and willing to lend
ssistance in furthering the work OF the
hurch.
At the time Of her leaving here, two
ears ago. she was a pupil of this High
chool in the sophomore year, and was
enerally liked by her teachers and asso-
iates for her cheerfulness OF disposition
nd friendliness of manner 1t seems
ardly possible that of herself this girl Of
xenty could have deliberately planned
nd attempted to carry out SO daring a
theme, or that she could have been blind
, the punishment that was sure to over
Ike her. 1t seems rather like the plotting
more reckless character and the over
owering of stronger will.
The sisters are orphans and spring from
good family, having relatives among the
est people in Randolph, Royalton and [
1hite River Junction. When Emma
ent to California, she told her friends
lat she was to act as nurse to sick per- /
IN and it was not until some time after ]
er departure that they learned the sick !
srson was her sisters child. Further de-
elopments in this case will be watched