The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-10

Webster, Oct 9.-Crazed by jealousy,
Hal Elexis Holiingsyorth, aged Is
years, shot and killed his former sweet
heart, Myrtis Mabel Leonard, aged IA
years, as she was returning from
church in Douglas town last night.
The victim died in few minutes, and
the murderer was placed under arrest
almost Immediately after he committed
the crime.
The Spy reporter, who was one of the
first to arrive on the scene this morn
ing, ascertained from the various Off
Gals In charge Of the affair, that with
out doubt the murder was premedi-
tated, and was the act Of jealous
lover who had been Tilted for a more
favored sutton.
| The victim, whose right name is
given above, was known as Mabel Dud-
| ley. She possessed more than ordi-
nary attractiveness for a girl of her
years, and was, above all, sensible
girl.
Hollingsworth, the murderer, came
from Boston a few weeks ago, and
Engaged as a helper on the farm of
Gustavus Dudley. at whose home Miss
\ Leonard also lived 1t was not long
! smitten with the charms Of Miss Leon
ard, and he resolved to win her If pos
! sible. How we'll he succeeded, was
demonstrated last night.
AT CAMP MEETING.
Everything went along without fric-
ton until the annual camp meeting was
! held at Douglas town recently, when
Hollingsworth's tribulations COM
| VII, w
| in session, Miss Leonard attended, and
! 1t was there she met young man by
the name Of John Readett of Lonsdale,
R. l., g. comedy chap Of 20 years. The
acquaintance made ripened into warm
friendship as the days passed, and the
two became the best of friends. and
when the religious meetings came to
close, Readett asked for the pleasure
| Of calling on his newly found friend &C.
casionally. and she gave him that per-
mission.
| All this time young Hollingsworth
had watched the proceedings with a
| heavy heart, and it cut him to the
quick to have one whom he now con-
sidered his rival, enjoying the smiles
of the one whom he intended to soon
make his bride.
After camp meeting had closed, Read
EFT occasionally visited East Douglas,
and called upon the young girl His
visits filled Hollingsworth with leal-
ousy, and he determined to stop it. How
| II could be accomplished, bothered
young Hollingsworth, but determined
he was, however, to stop 1t.
CLIMAX CAPPED.
The climax was capped Saturday,
when Readett again came to Douglas
to visit Miss Leonard. Hollingsworth
then determined to settle the affair then
and forever.
Readett, as usual, upon arriving in
Douglas, went to the house of William
w. Brown and family, where he had
supper and remained over night. Dur
ing the evening he called at the Dudley
homestead and took Miss Leonard for
a short stroll down the country ROADS.
Returning. he babe her good night at
her home, and returned to the Brown
homestead.
STOLE A REVOLVER.
Hollingsworth, in the meantime, evil
IDENTIFY prepared for the awful work of
the coming night. After he had dined
Sunday noon, he went to the home OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Stevens, ana
called for their son. Stephen. whom he
was Intimately acquainted with. There
he asked to borrow the sons revolver,
but the family had kept their eyes open
during the past weeks, and had no
ticed. as we'll as many others in the
quiet town of Douglas, that Hollings-
worth had taken the matter more to
heart than he outwardly showed. and
they refused the loan of the pistol.
The young man left the house when
he found it was impossible to borrow
the revolver. Hollingsworth went but
short distance from the Stevens
homestead, when he returned IN
roundabout way, and without peing
observed, managed to enter the house
and reach Stephens sleeping apartment,
where the sought-for pistol rested on
the mantel.
Placing the revolver in his pocket, he
stole out of the house unopserved, ana
made his way home, where he remained
until 1t was time to attend church in the
evening.
PLAYFUL IN MEETING.
At 6 o'clock a meeting of the Chris
tan Endeavor society was held in the
Congregational church in the town q
Douglas. AS customary, everybody in
that section attended, and included IN
the list was the Dudley family
Hitching up the family carriage, Put
nam Dudley, uncle of Miss Leonard, the
girl herself and young Hollingsworth
drove to the church.
Arriving at the church, Hollingsworth
left the party and seated himself be-
side a young friend by the name Of
Kent Stone, to whom he showed the
revolver that he intended to end his
sweetheart's existence with.
During the afternoon Hnllingsworth
purchased a cents worth of conversa-
ton lozenges at a nearby drug store.
He showed considerably elaboration in