The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-12
THE ASuEvILLE SHOOTING
Particulars of the affafr-Mfss SlaRie's
Statement-Visited i'm Her Cell bv
Friends Who Offer Assistance

Especial to The Charlotte O~bserver.)
Asheville, November 6.-Great ex-
excitement was created in the central
ipart of the city this morning by a
shooting affair. The person who did
the shooting was a young girl, Mary
Slagle. The victim was Houston Mer-
Iirmon, assistant cashier Of the Blue
Ridge National Bank and son of ex-
Judge James H. Merrimon-
The Bailey street car had reached
the court square at 8 o'clock. In it
were the two persons concerned. AS
young Merrimon started from the car
the girl fired, but the shot only took
leffect in the side of the car. When he
reached the ground three other shots
were fired. One entered the left arm.
splintering it, n the young man par
tally fell. AS he rose, the fourth and
last shot again sent him to the ground.
The bullet entered about the center of
the back n passed almost through
his body. The injured young man was
carried at once to the Mission Hospital
and a number of prominent physicians
summoned. He may recover.
The whole tragedy was enacted in a
few moments. and no one could reach
the girl until she had accomplished her
pOSCs SllCl VI IOliCC L III 1ooll-
ed through the crowd, and was aston
Iished beyond expression when the girl
a mere child, said in a clear voice: Il
shot him. He ruined me and I wanted
to ruin him. God toll me last night to
lido it," Even then Chief Pullman would
have turned away, but in her hand was
la 3S-calibre blue steel revolver which
bore evidence that she spoke the truth.
With a steady step and dry eyes she
walked to the police station with the
lchief, not once losing her nerve. In
fact. the girl exhibited a self-possession
that is past all human understanding.
lShe will not be Is until next month,
and in a few weeks she will become a
Imother, but not once has she shown
la trace of
The girl was at once placed in a cell
at the police station, and everything
POSSIBLE done to make her comfortable
Apples and other eatables a been
taken to her and it is said a number
lof ladies will fit up the cell in an at
ltractive manner. Sympathy is usually
with the girl in such cases, but in this
instance the sympathy has been more
pronounced, partly because of the ten
der age of the girl, and partly because
the opinion prevails that she has beer
very much wronged by Merrimon. The
girl lives near the Merrimon residence
lon French Broad avenue, with he
mother. n she has at various times
been employed to do light work at the
Merrimon home. The girl claims that
Merrimon took advantage of her pres
Ience in the house and enticed her to
her ruin. Among those who called on
the girl in her cell today was J. G.
Merrimon. brother of the young man
who was shot Mr.. Merrimon told the
Igirl hat he would be glad to be OF
l~servfce TO her in any way, and would
aid her in making a bond for her re-
lease. Able counsel has been employ
ed TO defend the girl.
AT the hospital the bullets which had
Ientered Mr. Merrimon's arm and back
were extracted. The one which entered
the back was extracted from the left
breast. il having lodged under the skin.
Late tonight the physicians say thai
Merrimon has an ven chance to re-
icover.