Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1909-08-26
TRAGIC AFFAIR
Young Woman Shoots a Young
Man Who She Says
HAD RUINED HER LIFE

1
The Shooting Took Place In the
Agents ONCE of the Central Of
Georgia Railroad In Augusta, Ga,
Where the Young Man Was EN-
ployed.
d. Richard Watson. cashier In the
agents office Of the Central Of Geor.
gia railroad, at Augusta, Ca, was
shot and dangerously wounded at
1880 o'clock Wednesday by Miss
Elvira Todd. a young woman twenty
one years OF age. for whom Watson
is said to have formerly had an at
tachment. Watson was removed to
the City Hospital. suffering from
wound in the left chest just below
the. collar bone, flesh wound in
the throat and q broken leg be.
tween the hip and the knee. all OF
the wounds being inflicted with q
32-calibre revolver.
In describing the tragic affair
the Augusta Chronicle says tragic
and thrilling as the scene enacted
at the Office OF the agent of the Gen.
trail railroad at the corner OF Wash
ington and Calhoun streets, when
tall, dark-haired and youthful look
ing woman, dressed in deep black,
entered the place hurriedly. She
had handbag suspended from her
waist while in her right hand was
an umbrella. AS she reached the
landing of the steps she threw down
her umbrella without closing it and
entered the hall. Watson worked In
the fi:st office to the right of the
door and calmly, yet with wonde full
swiftness which took all of the oc-
cupants completely by surprise, the
woman swept into the room. Wat
son was standing behind q railing
and was waiting on a customer and
his face was towards the door that
Miss Todd entered.
The first shot went wild and like
wise did the next two. L. w. Har-
groves and III. M. Cohen, who were
through a small gate while Watson
tried to hide behind the door of an
iron safe In the office. Seeing tho
gate thrown open. the frenzied wo-
man took advantage OF her chance
to get on the inside and she rushed
In. While Watson was lying be-
hind the iron safe door the woman
stood above him and fired three
shots, all OF which took effect. She
tried to shoot again, but was pre-
vented by Detective Hall, who hear
Ing the shooting and was close by
ran to the place. AS Miss Todd
stepped upon the ground, after be-
Ing arrested by the detective. she
Is quoted as saying, 81 did my duty.
am glad have done 1t and I woud
do 1t all over again IL necessary"
Detective Hall says that the wo-
man had been around the Central
Railroad Office for several DAYS and
that two days ago she stayed near
the place from o'clock in the af-
ternoon until $3.50 at night. Hall
says that on this occasion Watson
knew she was trying to see him
and he jumped out of a window and
ran home. Detective Hall says also
that Tuesday she was at the office
and when Watson jumped out of a
window, trying to elude her she
gave chase but was unable to catch
him. On another occasion, accord
Ing to the detective, Miss Todd called
Watson to the window of his office
and brandishing a long knife de-
clared that she intended to have him
marry her and cursed him. Hall
| says that the woman told him Wat
son had been faithless; after running
her life and that after repeated
promises had refused to marry her.
Miss Todd claims to have met
watson seven years ago at an en-
tertainment. She claims also that
at the time she formed an attach
ment for him which has continued
ever since; that she was assured
by Watson time and time again tha,
he loved her and would marry her
when his financial circumsta ances
would permit OF It; that he had ruin.
ed her character and continued fol
years to protest his devotion. yet
ne would never consent to marry her
and wren finally he is said to have
ia:ormed her that he lid not Car,
TO 90 with her longer, she was ,
crazed woman and shot him. From
his cot In the City Hospital Wat
so1 stated most emphaticalIv tia
he did not ruin Miss Todd and tha
he hoped the public would withhold
opinion until he was completely re
covered when he would make
statement for himself.