Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-29
WOMAN IS
MURDERED BY
BLINDED MAN
TRIED TO DESTROY HIS SIGHT
WITH ACID
BEAUTIFUL WIDOW FOUND LIFE
LESS
Couple Had Evolved a System to Beat
the Races and Then Quarreled
Over Its Failure to
Work

Charlotte L. Noyes, aged 30 years, a
widow. was shot and instantly killed
at S71 Little street at 1 o'clock this
morning by w. P. McComas a mining
engineer, in a quarrel over the accounts
of a betting partnership on the races
which is alleged to have existed be-
tween them.
Mrs. Noyes was shot through the
heart after she had tried to burn and
destroy the sight of McComas with a
cup of vitriol which she threw over
him.
McComas is a married man and re-
sides with his family at 1619A South
Flower street. Mrs. Noyes is young
and wealthy widow who lived in mag
nificently furnished apartments at 671
Little street, which she owned
The acquaintance of Mr.. McComas
and Mrs Noyes it is said extends over
several years, and at the opening of the
Santa Anita park races it is alleged
they formed a betting partnership to
play a system for beating the races
evolved by McComas or supplied by
him.
According to a statement written
out by them in the woman's fiat last
night the partnership account is more
IMAM S0UUU loser on the SedSOf.
1t is supposed that the man called at
the woman's fiat last night to talk
with her on the result of their invest
rnent. McComas alleges the woman
telephoned to him to call on her and
that he did so in response to her re-
quest.
He admits they had a quarrel and
states she attacked him with acid, and
that. maddened and blinded with the
stuff which she threw in his face, he
drew revolver and fired two shots at
her, one of which took effect.
According to the information gath
cred by the police, McComas went to
the house about IL o'clock, and that
shortly after his arrival there a quar-
rel began between them.
That they quarreled over racing ac
counts is believed for the reason thai
on table in the sitting room where
they were talking was found state
ment of their betting transactions witt
a loss of $3120 showing.
Bitterly Attacks Man
The woman began to abuse McComas
it is said because of their bad luck
and he replied in kind. Her attack
became so bitter that he ran into the
kitchen to escape her, and she followed
him and, picking up a bottle OF sui
phuric acid from shelf, poured its
contents lntO d cup anu lHioW ~ oNOi
him.
The acid burned his face in fearful
manner, closing one eye entirely ano
soaring the skin from his cheeks and
neck. He turned and ran into the
dining room, and the woman followed
him with the cup in her hand.
AS she came toward him McComas
pulled a revolver from his pocket and
pointing it toward her, pulled the trig-
ger as fast as possible.
Four cartridges were snapped in the
weapon, but only two of them eX-
ploded. The first bullet flew wild, but
the second caught the woman below
the left breast and penetrated the
heart. She died instantly.
McComas then ran from the house
and made his way to the Hotel Pepper
where he surrendered to V. c. Clarey
of the district attorneys Office. who
called the police and then notified the
coroner.
McComas was removed to the central
police station, where he refused to
make any statement. His injuries were
attended to by Drs. Quint and Bonynge
He then telephoned for Attorneys Rog-
ers and Schenck.
The body of the woman was. found
lying face down on the dining room
floor of her fiat and was removed to
the mOrgue.