Evening journal., 1904-08-04
FATALLY WOUNDED
GIRL BLAMES FATHER
Cora Killen Says Her Con.
vict Parent Threatened
Her Life

Although many hours have elapsed
since Cora Killen. the pretty Philadel-
phia girl who attempted suicide Tues
day evening in Sharon Hin station,
was admitted to Chester Hospital with
"a dangerous bullet wound just above
the heart the hospital attendants have
failed to obtain from the girl the real
motive for her effort in seeking death.
Last night her condition was regarded
as more grave than at ANY time dur
ing her time in the hospital A rising
temperature followed by a spell Of
weakness caused the physicians fear
that the end was near. The girl re-
viNed' however and seemed to recover
her former state Of calm and compo-
sure.
Dover, Del, August 4.-Miss Cora
killen, the Philadelphia girl who shot
herself in the Pennsylvania Railroad
Station at Sharon Hill Tuesday even
ing, is the daughter Of Jacob and
Armina Killen, who formerly resided
near Viola in this county. In the early
part of the summer Of 1902 Jacob Killen
made deadly assault on his wife and
infant child with an ak. Killen was
arrested and confined in the county
jail. The case was in a manner COM
promised. and Killen pleaded guilty
to assault and battery, and was SEN
fenced TO imprisonment for two years.
which would expire the coming Octo-
Der.
AT the October term in 1908, on the
petition of Mrs Killen a decree Of di-
vorce a vinculo matrimonii was grant
ed to Mrs. Killen, and the custody OF
all the children was given to her.
1t was at first thought in this COM
munity that Miss Cora was driven to
the attempt on her own life by brood
ing over family troubles; but her state
ment to her physician IN Chester yes
terday' that her father had threatened
her with deadly vengeance so soon as he
could regain his liberty makes pertin-
ent the story Of the original crime.
Grandfather Explains.
James Jewell, Of Viola, grandfather
of the girl, to-day said that her father
was In great measure responsible foi
the girls desire to end her life The
murderous attack Killen made on his
wife and baby son. and which was
frustrated only by Cora's pluck and
nerve, was the beginning Of the whole
trouble. He said that Kilen had pro-
cured an ak and attempted to beat out
Mrs. Killens brains. Leaving her foi
dead on the floor, he swung the weapon
against the baby, David. then only six
months old. Awakened by the crash OF
furniture, Cora rose and grappled with
her father. She disarmed him and
drove him from the house.
While Killen, half clad, ran to the
Sheriff of Viola, to whom he gave him.
self up, saying he had committed mur-
der, Cora worked over her mother and
baby brother. To her prompt and in.
telligent care both owe their lives Tn,
shock was too much for the girl, how.
ever, and the fathers alleged threat
70 kin her might easily have been suf
hcient to drive her to suicidal despera
tion. The elder Jewell added:
she often said she would never bl
happy until she was dead. Thos,
We're the words she uttered the nigh
she had the struggle with her father
She came to see me this month a yea
ago. After looking into every nook an,
Granny Of the old place she said it wa.
Tor the last time. I viii never be bacl
in the old home We're her words"