The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-10
HACKED BY REMORSE.
Young Woman Finally Confesses
to a Wretched Crime.

Wheeling w. Va, Oct 10.-There is
no longer any mystery connected with
the death Of Miss Gay Smith, who dis
appeared one week ago last Monday,
and whose body was found on Friday
following in the Ohio river, five miles
below here.
who now lies seriously i'll in the city
hospital from the effects of dose of
chlorofofm administered by her SELF
with intent to suicide.
A FULL CONFESSION.
The Balm woman early this morning
made a full confession to Chief of Po-
lice Ritz. Sic said that on Monday
night of last week she accompanied Miss
Smith to the float of the yacht ferry at
the foot of Eleventh street There she
showed her off into the river, and the
dark waters of the Ohio removed from
earthly existence Miss Bain's rival for
the affections of Henry Nolan, for it
was. Jealousy that led to the awful
deed.
Miss Eain could not have chosen a
more appropriate time or place for the
commission of her purpose. Not a liv-
| ing eye but her own saw that awful
| struggle in the shadow CT the steel
bridge Had she the physical strength
she could have carried her secret to the
grave. None would have been the wiser.
HAUNTED BY HER DEED
Remorse and insomnia. however,
| broke down her nerve. For five nights
| she tossed sleeplessly in her bed. She
imagined she was haunted by a thou
sand forms. Driven desperate yesterday
morning she sought solace in suicide
Medical skill restored her. but could not
return her peace of mind. So after
night she sent for the chief of police and
| revealed her secret.
The story is the most sensational in
4 the criminal annals of Wheeling. 1t in
wolves a tale of love and the failure of a
man to stick to his betrothal VOWS. Miss
Balm is from Short Creek but for the
past several years has lived at 40 Ma
| tlonal road. North end. She worked at a
millinery store Miss Gay Smith, prior
to her disappearance, was a resident of
Bridgeport. and worked in a laundry
me man IN the case, Henry Nolan
I boarded at the same house as Miss Balm
and worked in the laundry with Miss
! Smith
ARRANGED A MEETING.
1 For three Years it appears that Nolan
1 went with Miss Balm, finally being
engaged to marry her. Three months
ago he commenced to call upon Miss
/ Smith, which fact was promptly discov-
cred by Miss Balm. The latter a few
4 weeks ago wrote a note to Miss Smith,
saying she wanted to meet her and ac-
quaint her with Nolans relations tc
herself She suggested that they take
a street car ride and talk over the mat
ter. Miss Smith upon the receipt of the
note called at the store where Miss Balm
worked and agreed to her proposition
They then arranged to take the ride
Tuesday of last week. It happened that
at the laundry where Miss Smith work
ed it was necessary for her to work
Tuesday night. She then asked Nolan
to tell Miss Balm that the ride could not
be taken Tuesday night, but instead
she would meet her Monday night, Sep.
TENDER 2S.
THE WALK TO THE FERRY.
, Nolan did as he was told and that
night the two young women met at the
corner of Tenth and Main streets. They
walked down Main to Twelfth and
thence to Market, and strolled on to
/ y w -
where they watched the Wheeling Bowl
ing league parade pass by. After the
, parade had passed Miss Balm suggested
: that they go down to Main and Watch
it as it returned Miss Smith declined,
saying she was tired and wanted to go
home She said that she would cross on
the Yacht Ferry and asked Miss Balm
to accompany her to the float.
In the meantime the girls had been
talking about Nolan Miss Balm had
been telling Miss Smith of his relations
with her and of their engagement. On
the way down the wharf to the ferry
2 float she told Miss Smith that she was
not entitled to Nolan
PUSHED INTO THE RIVER
you should give him up to me- said
Miss Balm Il have been engaged to him.
He is mine, and you have stepped in be-
tween us.
Miss Smith replied that she did not be
lieve the story BY this time they had
reached the float Miss Balm again insist
, Miss Smith responded with greater en-
rhasis that she did not believe a word d
the engagement, and that she would moi
( give up her lover. High words followed
d and then came the fatal deed. Miss Smith
{ pushed Miss Balm and a struggle ensued
); Miss Balm forced Miss Smith to the ede,
: of the float and then showed her into tn,
T rivers The hapless young woman sank i'm
o mediately and was seen alive no more
{ Miss Balm hurriedly lofS the float an
walked up Main street to her home and L
sleepless nights and mental agony
= SHOCK MAY PROVE FATAL.
. Such in brief was the story of tn
r wretched young woman told lying on TIL
8 hospital bed As to its exact truth non
j. can say Those who know the two wonel
# may have their doubts about whether Mis-
I Smith first grappled with her on the float
t as Miss Balm claims. or whether the latter
a with the fury Of scorned woman, delhi
: erately forced her into the water Sufic
n it to say that the latter admits the fac
of being Miss Smiths slayer The china
to the tragedy was the untiring investiga
n ton of the police started when the bod
Of Miss Smith found Friday afternoo
h at Glendale. The story of their work
s sensationally interesting. Miss Bain MAR
/ taiEed stoutly that Miss Smith showed he
a first when they were on the float. but sh
i did not say toward the river She told til
+ story in International manner thong
IS her speech interrupted by her gasE
4 for breath Her condition is yet serious
e and the shock may prove fatal.
it The girl was not affected when she toll
, her story except as her illness affecte
ner. She gczpad for breath continual.