The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-30


HackHng, agreed in pronouneing Dr.
Peacock 10 be in dangerous eondi-
ton, though with a chance Of pulling
through,
According 10 DR., Hacking and
George Jackson, and q Mr. Martin,
all Of whom came down on the launch
las, night, the story Of the shooting
was a simple one.
DR., Peacock had gone 10 the post
office just after the departure OF the
mail boat and received his mail and
a moment later he stepped into Cap
tain Ingram's store, He stood near
the doorway Of the store reading q
letter, when suddenly Mrs Longtaine
stepped up behind the unsuspeet'ng
man. Without a word she pulled
forth revolver with double action
trigger, and fred four times with
great rapidity, So close was she to
her victim that his hair was slightly
singed with the powder, and one OF
his cheeks was touched with powder
marks,
The wounded man staggered aud
began TO slowly fall to the floor, but
he was caught in the arms Of one OF
the bystanders, Mrs Longtaine
made no commotion or outery, and
neither did she make any effort to
escape. Knowing that she could be
found when wanted in the little
community, no effort was made to
apprehend her at first, and as the
sheriff was out OF the city q deputy
was sent for,
When the launch with the wounded
man left for Astoria she was still at
liberty but presumably was arrested
soon after. At once the tragedy
caused great excitement in the little
city II has come as a great surprise,
though that there had been threats OF
some such shooting was known TO
Dr. Peacock, and one complaint had
been made that the husband OF Mrs
Longtaine had threatened the physi-
clan with death. That was some
weeks ago, and recently nothing had
been heard OF the matter DR. Pea
cock was to have been tried at the
February term OF the Cathlamet
court. While at the hospital last
night the wounded man showed great
fortitude during the operation Of re-
moving the bullets and said no word
Of reproaeh against the woman who
had sought to kill him. His wife re-
mained at the hospital with him
during the night, refusing TO leave
for an instant.
Few cases have attracted more at
tention in this section in recent years
than the Madeiaine Longtaine cpl
sode. The girl was young, Of comely
appearance, and II was her fate to
die at the age Of II years with her
name enshrouded in what the world
sometimes call shame. She may have
been an innocent girl who had been
basely betrayed. That was what her
friends and relatives very evidently
believed. But on the other hand
while il was presumably evidently
that her death had resulted from a
criminal operation it should not be
forgotten that many Of those who
were most familiar with the whole
matter, yet were firm in their ex-
pressed belief that DR., Peacock was
not the guilty man; perhaps there are
very few If any who know the whole
truth OF the sad matter, and though
the girl lies dead in her grave with
many TO mourn her untimely passing
away, perhaps it should not be for
gotten that the wounded, and perhaps
diving man now at St. Mary's hospi-
tai, has denied his guilt with dignity
and, in the minds Of some, with great
force.
Mrs Longtaine is small woman,
worn by toll, and apparently a wom-
an who has suffered and worried
much. She is verging on old age.
She was born in France, while her
husband was born in Canada Wheth-
er her mind has been affected by
brooding over the lamentable death
Of her daughter Is not known. Some
coniectured last night that she had
feared her husband would attempt to
take the law in his own hands; or
that she feared from rumors that a
conviction Of the physician on the
charge brought against him seemed
unlikely and therefore acted on her
own initiative. Wherever lies the
real guilt Of the terrible fate Of the