The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-08-21
TRAGGIC AFFAIR
Young Woman Shoots a Young
Man Who She Says
HAD RUINED Her LIFE

The Shooting LOOK ftace Ia Iho
AGENTS Office Of the Central Of
Georgia Railroad in Augusta, Co.,
Where the Young Man Was EN-
ployed.
D. Richard Watson, cashier in the
agents office of the Central of Geor~
gia railroad, at Augusta, Ga, was
shot and dangerously wounded at
11:3O o'clock Wednesday by Miss
Elvira Todd, 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 a
wound. in the left chest just below
the collar bone, flesh wound in
the throat and broken leg be-.
tween the hip and the knee, all Of
the wounds being inflicted with 4
S2-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 Cen
tral railroad at the corner of Wash
ington and Calhoun streets, when
a 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 first 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 a railing
and was waiting on 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 H. M. Cohen, who were
in the Office with Watson, ran out
through a small gate while Watson
tried to hide behind the door of an
iron safe in the Office. Seeing the
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, II did my duty,
l am glad l have done it and I woud
do it all over again If necessary" 4"
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 defective, Miss Todd called
Watson to the window of his Office
and brandishing 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 that
he loved her and would marry her
when his financial circumstances
would permit Of it; that he had ruin
ed her character and continued for
years to protest his devotion, yet
he would never consent to marry her.
and WIEN finally he IS s2id to have
Informed her that he lid not care
to go with her longer, she was a
crazed woman and shot him. From
his cot in the City Hospital Wat
so1 stated most emphaticallv that
he did not ruin Miss Todd and that
he hoped the public would withhold
opinion until he was completely re-
covered when he would make 4
statement for himself.