The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-08-12
MISS BESSIE poNlEV VICTIM OF
cOWARDlY AND BRUTAL
ACT.
Case Surrounded by Mystery and Pa
lice Unable to Solve it-Seeond
Attack in Few Weeks

h The elimination OF a six months
mystery which has haunted the life
OF Miss Bessie Donley OF South
Wheeling. was reached last evening
when an unknown assailant brutally
attempted to mar the young lady's fea-
lures by throwing the contents OF a
bottle OF carbolic acid into her face.
For the past half year two mysteri-
Gus strangers have made threats and
VOWS OF vengeance against Miss Don
ley until she has come TO live in fear
Of her life. No possible reason can
be ascribed 10 their actions and the
case has developed into a most terri
fying mystery. with no promise OF a
solution despite every effort on the
part Of the police to. discover her tor
mentors.
Although attacked twice. Miss Don
ley has never been able to recognize
her tormentors. Letters threatening
her life and signed by the Black
Hand" have been received several
times but up to the present time the
affair is still a complete mystery. The
strange threats against the young lady
have kept the whole family in a con.
slant state OF dread and worry t0r
her welfare. and they have continually
warned her not To venture forth after
dark unescorted.
Last evening. a few minutes before
eight o'clock. Miss Donley left her
home. which is at No. 1901 Market
street. for the purpose OF mailing
letter. The nearest mail box is AT
the corner OF Thirty-third and Chap
line streets and & was necessary Jvr
her to walk this distance OF one
square before reaching IT.
Setting forth unaware OF any i'm
pending danger the girl reached the
letter box and started on her way
back home. To return Il was necs -
sarN 10 pass an alley midway be-
tween her home and Chspline street.
Just as she reached this point. she
was hailed by a man standing on
small step at ;he side entrance of the
corner house Knowing the family
living In the house. IN the dark she
niStook the form for that OF a neigh
Dor whom she knew on. Bessie, %
re- cri"d. Look here minute"
Hesltating. she turned TO see what
wss desired. She advanced but TWO
steps int the alley when. in an IN
sianl. the stranger friendly attitude
was discarded. and. ieapine toward
her, with a sweeping circle OF his arm
he dashed the acid into her face Just
a~ quickly h. turned and fed down
the darkened path and disappeared.
Crowd Gathered.
So suddenly did e. happen that PEG
pie seated within ward or 30 Of The
scene SAL ia ignorance 81 the brutal
deed until Miss DOUiey ran past.
screaming and holding her hands over
her burning face. 20 the direction OF
home. Ter cries attracted q large
crowd To- the scene. but being unaware
f.f 90 D.. d.
loss as 10 what to do. and were
forced TO stand helpless.
tpon reaching her home. during
slight ccSsatlons in her suffering. she
n."atnl"@Sly related her experience
, First aid was admin stered ~ once
When OBJ" ucighhors and others who
1cre attracted TO the scene finally
, learned Of the dastardiy deed. Il was
taen 700 late 20 do aught hut stand
helpless
DR.. Daily arrived shortly a'terw ri
and did his best 20 ease the young wo-
b mans agony Examination revealed
] thai the greater part of the left side
81 the face had been severely burned
bur fortunately by throwing up her
arms the fiery fluid vas prevented
from entering the cves This only
saved her from IN" horrible fate Of los
ilE her sight which was probably The
main intent OF her az 4ailaut
The polio" Wrr- Immediately mott.
fed and Detective Walker and Lieuten
am Euc.y responded ir family. 4
careful evamiuaf ON 81 the surround.
iug, and the location ~ the assault
revealed bur little However. after
quc-tiou'CE many % The ouluok.~.
. tNo girls were discovered Who elaine.
600 have soon "a STRANGELY. ..lf.r..s Do. ..