The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-07-03
BALDWIN'S ESCAPE
Gay Millionaire Once More
Proves Lucky.
AN ATTEMPT MADE UPON HIS LIFE
Lillian Ashley's sister shoots at the
Aged LothaIio-She Narrowly
Missed Her Mark.

SAN Francisco, July 2.-During the
progress of Lillian Ashley's suit against
E. J. Baldwin for $75 900 for seduction,
this morning, Emma Ashley, sister of
Lillian, tried to shoot the millionaire de-
fenjant. She fred at Baldwin, but the
bullet missed.
Lillian Ashley was in the witness chair
on cross examination. She testified yes
terday that she has never worn her hair
crimped. This morning the defense had
q picture of her showing her hair dressed
with crimps of extraordinary size.
Asked if it was her picture Lillian said !:
eft way be me, but don't think So"
At these words Emma Amenda Ashley,
a sister of the plaintiff, rose from her
seat carrying a small bag and walked
behind the chair where Lucky" Bald
win was sitting. From the bag she took
a revolver which she leveled at Bald
wins head, the muzzle being two inches
from his skull. She tried to pull the
trigger, but could not and had to use
both hands. Every one was engrossed
with the testimony, and nobody knew
Baldwin's danger till the report of the
pistol was heard. 1t had missed Bald
wins head and Emma Ashley was trying
to fire again, but the pistol did not dis
charge readily. H. A. Unruh, Baldwin Is
business manager, was the first to grasp
the situation, and jumped towards the
woman and struck her violent blow on
the wrist and wrested the pistol from
her grasp.
Lillian Ashley turned pale and almost
tainted in the witness chair. Attorney
James Crittenton, for the defense,
rushed to the assistance of Emma Ash
ley, putting his hand in his pistol pocket
Unruh covered Crittenton with Emma's
pistol, but Crittenton drew his pistol
and the spectators thought more snoot-
ing would follow. Attorneys Lloyd and
Highton and the court officials came be-
tween the excited men, and the CLERK
of the court took the revolvers from
them. Meantime Emma Ashley haC
run across followed by Baldwin, who
thought she had another pistol. Bald
win held Emma until the bailiff es
corted her to the city prison, where sht
was booked on a charge of assault tx
commit murder.
Emma Ashley is believed to be insane
During the trial she has spent her timt
In court reading the Bible. When takel
to Jail she sang "Nearer Ny God t.
Thee" in loud voice.
Baldwin was crazy with rage ant
wanted a chance to fight some one. Hi
hair was singed by the powder and tn
bullet passed within an inch of his head
HIS escape is ascribed to the woman
inexperience with firearms. The pisto
was thrown upward by recoil after tn
trigger was pulled.
Judge Slack was the coolest man il
court, and soon restored order by citin
Unruh and Crittenden to show cause to
morrow why they should not be pun
ished for contempt, one in pointing
weapon at Crittenden and the latter 70
carrying pistol. The judge would hea
no explanations. The bullet was foun
in the wall fifteen feet from Judg
Slack's chair.
Everyone in the courtroom was aske
if he or she was armed. All replying i
the negative, the case was about to b
resumed when Lillian Ashley, th
plaintiff, broke down.
''My baby is sick and I'm afraid sh
is going to die," she cried; "my siste
my baby"
Court was then adjourned and th
case continued until next Monday.