The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-07-13

tor her charities and her feminine
graces. She was fifty years old. AT
her brothers deathbed she raised her
right hand and took solemn oath
that his death should be avenged.
From that moment the whole nature
Of the woman seemed to change.
This little woman, who had never
handled firearms, began making such
inquiries among her friends as these !:
'ls it possible for Q woman Of my
age to become proficient with re-.
volver or ehotgun2
What is the best way for me to
acquire practice with firearms and
what exercise should practice to
obtain steady arm and e steady
eye?
"Would it be possible for me to hire
a man or men to seek out man aud
shoot him DOWN."
Some Of her friends thought her
mind had been affected by the shoot-
ing Of her brother and the oath Of
vengeance sho took at his bedside.
She engaged an attorney and asked
him these questions END many more.
She called upon him 30 many times
and sought 30 much information on
the same line that lie dreaded to see
her enter the Office. The people Of
three counties talked about it. They
are discussing the sisters oath of
vengeance to-day.
A few months after the shooting Of
Captain Dunovant, Eldridge spent
several hours one evening on the plaz.
"a Of the hotel at Eagle Lake talking
with Mr. Woerhide, Of the Lincoln
Trust Company OF St. Louis, and left
him at 10 O'Clock to go to his own
residence, which was next door. AS
Eldridgs reached the top step he fell
sprawling, and as he did 80 man in
the darkness across the street fred at
him. His fall saved him.
The buokshot splintered the wood OF
the house wall and broke window,
but the railroad man was upharmed.
An arrest was made and the Colorado
County grand jury found an indict-
ment, but on the trial the suspect was
acquitted.
The second time Eldridge was shot
at wss when he was waking oa the
streets Of Eagle Lake one evening.
The bullet went wide.
From director and general manager
Of the railroad Mr.. EIdridge was made
vice president and general manager,
and his reputation as practical rail.
road man spread through the south.
west. He began to be considered one
Of the best railroad executives the
South had produced. His friends pre-
dioted great future for him on some
big trunk line. These friends oonsti
tuted what was and is known as the
"Eldridge party" They were strong
and influential and they commanded
much wealth.
| The 'Dunovant party" which wei
greater in ambers, was almost equal
| ly strong in influence and means
Bitter quarrels between the two par
ties have been agitating the State foI
nearly two years. The spirit Of the
frail spinster, who had sworn te
avenge her brothers death served tt
keep the feud alive even if there had
been no other and graver issue. Blu,
the failure to bring Eldridge to tria'
during the many months succeeding
the killing in Simonton constituted
scandal which the conservative msr
OF Texas regard as blot on the fail
name Of the State.
It was on June lest that the third
attempt on Eldridge's life was made,
an attempt that nearly proved sue.
cegsful. / On chat dsy he had attend
ed . meeting OF the board Of dirsetora
ofAhe Cane Belt railroad at Sealy,
and they unanimously elected him
preBident Of the road. He returned
to his home ct Eagle Lake. AB he
stepped from the train at the station
he was surrounded by friends, who
congratulated him upon HE elevation.
Leaving, them he started to wall,
ACROSS che street, whom from q second
story window Of che MoCarty building
opposite the barrel Of Q Winchester
protsuded and 8 single shot was fired
witch unerring aim.
The rife ball entered Eldridge's g
right shoulder and ploughed down
ward, passing through his lungs. The
bullet passed out below the ribs on
the left side and crashed through his
left hand. He sank to the opound