The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-22
TRAGIC ROMANCE
Pastor RenOunceS His First
Love For Another.
He Then Calmly Decides to Kill
Himself.
FIRED SIX BULLETS
Into His Head Standing Before
Mirror.
Second Fiancee Nursed Him
Back to Health.

Newburg, N. Y, Dec. 22.-After be-
coming engaged to one young woman,
then falling in love with another, re-
nouncing his first attachment, and at
tempting to commit suicide as the easy
way to unravel the snarl in which cupid
had involved him, the Rev. George Al
len of Milton now has essayed another
start in the direction of matrimony-
In a special meeting Of the Presby-
terrain church in Milton of which Mr.
Allen has been pastor for four years,
the c1ergyman'S engagement was an
handsome and accomplished niece of
DR.. Gedney of Milton. Miss Gedney
lives with her uncle, and is active in
the work of the church of which the
Rev Mr.. Allen is in charge.
1t was to Miss Gedney, 1t is said, that
Mr.. Allen was first engaged, before ne
made an attempt to kill himself in the
home of his sister, Mrs. Henry HuStiS.
in Cold Spring, Putnam county, on
Thursday morning, November 10, 1898
Mr.. Allen was very popular with the
members of his congregation and when,
in the summer of 1893 It was suggested
that, as he was in poor health, a trip
to Scotland, his birthplace, would be
beneficial, the members gave him q
leave of absence sufficiently long to al
low him plenty of time to thoroughly
enjoy a European trip.
He returned to this country early in
November and on the steamer met Miss
y
been connected with st. Luke'S hoSpi-
tai, and had been visiting her home in
Scotland. They became engaged be-
fore the voyage was ended
Miss NOakeS upon landing, remained
in this city. but the Rev Mr.. Allen
went directly to Milton where he was
received warmly by the members of his
congregation. A reception was arrang-
ed in his honor, at which he surprised
his flock by announcing his engage
ment to Miss Noakes.
Mr.. Allen saw at once that his plans
for his future happiness were not we'll
received by his congregation, and
few days later he left Milton to visit
his sister in Cold Spring. He reached
her home on November 10, and within
two hours was found lying in front of
a looking-glass in the room he was to
occupy with six bullets in his head. He
had stood in front of mirror and
fired the six shots, one directly after
the other, each entering the same hole
in his forehead. Four of the bullets
were found and removed, but two still
remain. The case attracted attention
among medical men, the fact that the
six bullets followed one after the other
into the wound made by the first Shot
being considered remarkable,
While the Rev. DR.. Allen was slowly
recovering, Miss NoalIes was constant
ly by his side. giving him the attention
he so much required. Nothing has been
heard of his personal affairs until now.
and the announcement of the renewal
of the first engagement is the one topic
of conversation. Both Mr.. Allen and
the young woman have been cOngratu-
lated heartily by friends in Milton 1t
is understood that the wedding is to
take place early next spring.
The former Presbyterian church
building in Milton was torn down
few weeks ago and large and hand
some one is being erected in it's stead.