The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-11-24
Mvaterious Assault.

made on the life of William Ballinger, OF
Wednesday night. as he was leaving th'
home of Miss Amelia Watson. on whom
he had been calling.
The Watsons live on Warren street. the
main street of the town, and the family Ii
well-known. Mrs. Watson, the mother,
is postmistress of Edgewater Park. Bal
linger was frequent visitor at the home,
and little did the family expect when
the last farewells were given that danger
was lurking so near.
From the Watson home to the station to
which Ballinger was going is but a short
distance and along well lighted street.
When at the corner he noticed In the
shadows the form of man seemingly
trying to hide behind tree along the
path. As he neared the corner, the man
stepped out and cried Hands up" At
the same instant he fred pistol point
blank at Ballinger and then fled.
To the assailants poor aim Ballinger
probably owes his life. The bullet which
was meant for the heart pierced the
shoulder, and with much difficulty the
wounded man returned to the Watson
home, where he was received by his sweet
heart and the alarmed family who had
been aroused by the shots. AS best they
knew how, his wounds were dressed and a
brother accompanied the injured man to
his home at Riverside. DIR. Lambert took
the case in hand and by probing the bull
let was removed Thursday morning and
unless complications arise, Ballinger will
soon recover.
Denying that her family has any ink
ling to the identity of the man who shot
down her friend, William Bsllinger late
Wednesday night, just after he had left
her home, Miss Amelia Watson says she
was sure the attack was the act of high
wayman. There was no man who was a
rival of Ballinger to her affections, she
says, and jealousy could. not have been
the cause of the shooting.
Miss Florence Watson, sister of Amelia,
says it is not true that they suspect half
witted boy named 'Zack." ofhaving some
knowledge of the shooting.
II never heard Of such person, said the
girl ut is not true that he ever came to
our door, begging, and was kindly treated
by my sister. We are certain that some
one tried to rob Mr.. Ballinger and that
Dohodu waa iaalOua of him
"Wednesday evening, my sister went by
trolley car to Riverside to meet Mr.. Bal
linger, as she did They returned here on
the car that reached Edgewater Park al
1890 o'clock. 1t may have been that
some man who intended to rob Mr.. Balm
ger was on the car, and waited outside
our house until he left my sister to take
the train"
There is much speculation over the mys-
FERROUS shooting. Ballinger's parents live In
Medford. He was for many years resi-
dent of Edgewater Park, where he was
station agent, and for the last
six years he has been station master at
Riverside. He is a widower, thirty-six
years old. his wife having died six years
ago. AS secretary of the Building and
Loan Association of Riverside, and lead
ing member of several secret societies, he
is one of the towns foremost citizens.
For nine years while in Edgewater Park
Ballinger boarded at the home of Mrs.
Watson. He was married several years
after leaving the place, but about year
ago, having become widower, he began
calling on Amelia Watson, who is about
twenty four years old, tall and good
looking brunette. 1t has recently become
gossip In Edgewater Park that they are
engaged to be married and the Watsons do
not deny the rumor.
"Mr. Ballinger was shot by robber, ="
said Miss Watson, when asked her version
of the shooting. II see no other explain
alton of the affair, and he believes it. He
said good-by to me at our door, Wednes-
day night, and started for the station,
about 100 yards distant. to take the last
train for Riverside.
81 closed the door, but had hardly done
so, when heard him running back. He
almost fell inside as opened the door and
said, ooh, I'm shot" He clutched at his
collar, and my sister and helped him to
take it of My brother, James, who is
one of his assistants at the Riverside
station, took him to Riverside on the troll
ley car. Mr.. Ballinger and DR.. Lambert
are great friends, Mr.. Ballinger having
Just removed to the home of the physi-
clan, who is bachelor. 30 my brother
took him directly there.
sIt is not true that we suspect rival of
having shot Mr.. Ballinger. There is no
rival and jealousy has nothing to do with
the affair. Mr.. Ballinger often carried
large sums of money, and he generally
carried revolver for protection. He fire.
ouently said he was afraid of being held
up. don't think he had his weapon
Wednesday night"
The morning after the shooting. valua-
BILE dog belonging to F. s. Pleasinton, who
lives not lar 1EOLu Ju0 kdlAOdu 5bnbAOHb W 90
found dead on the trolley tracks In front
of the Watson home. Mrs. Watson, the
neighbors say, frequently told them she
would shoot some of the dogs of the vici-
nifty If they did not stop killing her cats,
1t was believed after the shooting that
Ballinger may haye been accidentally shot
by a bullet aimed at dog, but Florence
Watson denies this. She says that when
her sister and lover alighted from the car
which brought them from Riverside they
saw the motorman lift dead dog from the
track in front of the car. 1t had eviden
thy been killed by preceding car, for II
was badly mangled.
The only statement made by Ballingei
is the original one, that a man stepped
from behind tree and shot at him. HI
sprang at his assailant, and another sho
struck him in the shoulder. Then he rar
to the Watson house and the man will
the revolver disappeared.
Theatres.
CuEsTNuT STREET THEATRE