The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-29
SHOT HER LOVER.
Missouri Girl Then Committed Suicide
by Taking Acid.

West Plains, Mo, Nov. 29.-Margaret
Payne. a pretty blonde 20 years OLD
shot and fatally wounded her lover
Evertt Benn, and then killed herself b.
drinking carbolic acid. The man is dy
ing with two bullet wounds in his head
and another in his body.
HE has ruined my life. I have shot
him to save Others" moaned the girl
with her last breath.
The couple had been sweethearts foc
more than a year and friends of both
thought they would be married before
the end of the year. Benn spent most
of his time with Miss Payne until
about a month ago, when he began to
be seen in the company of another girl.
Despite the fact that Miss Payne Sa "
her sweetheart was turning from her
she did not cast him aside, but made
attempts to win back his affections.
Sunday morning Miss Payne went to
church accompanied by Benn. The
in-law, William Benfeld, and after the
services Benn was invited to stay to
dinner with the family.
During the repast Miss Payne and
Benn appeared to be on good terms, ac-
cording to Benfield. After the meal the
family left on a visit and Miss Payne
and her erstwhile sweetheart were left
in the house alone.
Thirty minutes later neighbors heard
a shot fired. The door of the Benfiel1
house opened and Benn came stagger-
ing out on the porch. Another shot and
the young man tumbled down the steps
head foremost into the garden. In the
meantime Miss Payne had come out
onto the porch. AS Benn rose on his
elbow the girl fired another shot. The
bullet crashed into his head and he fell
to the ground.
Drinks Acid and Dies.
As several of the neighbors made a
fOxx I'D fI,o ir-1 Oh sx,k1
the house and slammed the door shut
When an entrance had been forced
Miss Payne was found lying across
bed with an emptied bottle which for
11erly contained carbolic acid by her
side. She was dying. physician was
summoned, but the girl was dead when
Lc arrived.
1t is thought Miss Payne had asked
Benn to marry her, or at least discard
his later sweetheart, and when he re-
fused she got a revolver belonging to
her brother-in-law and commenced
shooting.
According to one of the members of
che Benfield family, Miss Payne had
eeen reading in the papers the ac-
counts of the trial of Alma Bell, the
Auburn, Cal, girl who shot and killed
her faithless lover. At one time dur
ing a discussion of the case Miss
Payne put up an argument in defense
OF the slayer.
Miss Eva Rutledge. the girl to whom
Penn had been paying attention of
late. and whom, it was said, he intend
ed to marry shortly, is Frustrated as a
result of the shooting. 1t is said that
Penn and Miss Rutledge were sweet
hearts before he became acquainted
with the Payne girl. The former left
West Plains for some time, and it is
said that it was when she returned
that Bonn transferred his affections
According to friends of Benn, Miss
Payne had threatened to take his life.
She's just bluffing.'' said Benn
laughingly. 81 don't think she'd have
the nerve to shoot. even if she felt
that way
Before drinking the acid that ended
Ter life, Miss Payne wrote this note
tc her sister, Mrs. William Benfield:
Dear Sister: Forgive me for what
i have done. Send for my people. 1
could never be happy again God
bless you. is my prayer. Margaret