The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-07-03
SHOT A SWEET GIRL.
A JILTED LOVER COMMITS An AWFUL
CRIME IN wALLA WALLA.
Through the Heart and Attempts
Suicide Leaves Some Letters.
sr A..eeiatsa Prs.. :. b.. Iosr.sL

ey Associated Press ts the Journsr
WALLA WALLA, July &C. A. Mar
tin, better known as "Archie" Martin
or Parks, shot Miss Leah Coleman yes
terday afternoon with a 38 caliberSmitt
4 Wesson revolver, and then turned
the weapon upon himself with suicidal
intent, firing two bullets into his body
When the tragedy occurred Martin
and Miss Coleman we're standing in the
door Of the Inland Telephone Company's
Office on Second street. The only eye
witness to the shooting was d. Darvean,
q carpenter, who was sitting inside the
Office reading. The first intlmation he
had that anything was wrong was
when Martin fired the first shot. Al.
most Immediately Martin fred again.
One shot passed through the girls heart,
and the other went near her heart.
Either shot would have proved fatal.
Martin then shot himself,. once about
two inches above, and again just at the
left Of Ibis heart. Barely missing It.
Both bullets passed through his lungs,
and were afterwards removed from be
hind.
A large crowd gathered quickly The
coroner had Miss Coleman's remains re-
moved 10 her home, while Martin was
taken TO 81. Mary's Hospital. About
1880 O'Clock he was resting easily, with
slight hopes Of recovery.
Miss Leah Coleman, the murdered
girl, was a step-daughter OF J. w. Coax
ley, a well known undertaken Of this
city. He is chief ranger Of the For.
resters Of America for the state Of
Washington, and is also prominent
Odd Pellow. Mrs. Coakley, mother OF
the murdered gill, Is prominent mem.
Der Of the Rebekahs, and all three
belong 10 the NJ. j.. church. Miss Cole.
man was eighteen years old, and has
lived in Walla Walla nearly all her life.
She was an unusually pretty girl, and
very popular in society. She was also
musician Of considerable ability, and
played the eornet in Mrs. Irvine's
orchestra.
Martin was about twenty.one years of
age. lie was born In Pendleton, but has
lived in Walla Walla most Of the time
for the past ten years. When the
Spanish-Amercan war broke out, he en-.
listed with Company !, First Washing.
ton Volunteers, but was discharged at
Angel Island, San Francisco, on account
Of rheumatic trouble. Since then he
has studied dentistry.
From all that can be learned, Martin
shot the girl because about three months
ago she broke of their engagement. II
seems that they have been engaged for
some time, but her parents became con.
vinced that he never would amount to
anything, and persuaded her 10 thIow
him over. Even his own mother told
her that Archie had bad temper and
advised her break the engagement. This
was last spring, in February or March.
He then made threats, saying that he |
would make them all sorry ON account
Of the trouble. lie then went TO Pendle- ]
ton, as stated above. returning 10 walla !
Walla ON Saturday evening. Sunday I
afternoon, about 2;30 o'clock, Martin
took dinner ut home, but his parents
did not notice anything out of the ordi.
nary in his appearance. lie is Of a
cheerful disposition, and appeared in his
usual good spirits. lie spoke Of return
ing 10 Pendleton at once, as he was TO
run In hose race ON July 1. with team
from that city lie left home about half
nm hour before the shooting, and while
coming down town stopped to talk with
some friends. lie rolled cigarette and
rame on down near the corner Of Main
and Third streets. Miss Coleman passed
by, scarcely noticing him, when he called
her by name. They stepped In the door
II the telephone office, and stood there
.alking in n low tone OF voice about dy,
minutes before he commenced shooting.
When the Coroner arrived Miss Cole.
nan held photo button with her pic.
ure on IL tightly elasped in her hand,
md il is supposed Martin had just hand. .
Il II TO her, In his pockets were found
ome letters. and note addressed TO the
Coroner, which read:
"Coroner--Please leave these three let.
ers with me. A. this Is the reception /
et In Walla Walla, | don't think | will I
et much WORSE In hell,
&c. A MARriN."
The Coroner absolutely refuses TO di.
ulge the contents Of these letters.