Widnes Examiner. — 1885-02-07 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

DONOVAN ROSSA SHOT BY A  WOMAN.  NEW YORK, MONDAY EnsDra.—This afternoon, at about a quarter past five, while O'Donovan Rossa was walking down Chambers•street, he was approached by a handsome young woman, quietly dressed, wearing spectacles, who presented the appearance of an intellectual school teacher. On nearing him she drew from the pocket of her dress a five. chambered revolver, of small calibre and, presenting it, tired one shot at him. Rossa threw up 'his arms, exclaimed, "I am shot," and fell heavily on the pavement. A large crowd assembled round the spot where Rossa lay, and several people followed the woman and arrested her. The man who actually apprehended her said he found her in the street brandishing a weapon. She was conducted to the police-station, and behaved with remarkatie calmness. A man who entered the station with her informed the police that she had just shot a man. The sergeant asked, "Do you know the man?" and she replied with a slight English accent, "Yes, I shot O'Donovan Rossa." he looked demure as she stood at the bar, and betrayed no excitement. She gave her name as Yeslet Dudley, and said she was a native of England, and hospital nurse by occupation. She described herself as a widow of 24, but did not appear more than 18. Subsequently she was locked up, and was not allowed to be interviewed by any repreeentatives of the press. The prisoner is not thought to be insane, as she answered the questions put to her deliberately, and with some degree of elution. She declined to give her reasons for shooting Rossa, but it is believed she committed the act in consequence of his dynamite schemes. As soon as the woman ceased firing Rossa rose, and with assistance walked to his office, and thence to the hospital, a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile. Only one bullet pierced his body. It entered his back directly below the left shoulder blade. The wound is not considered dangerous.  The name of the woman who shot Roses (and for whose defence a subscription is mooted) is said to be really Lucilia Dudley. She is dercribed as very sensitive add rather eccentric. In July, 1883, she attempted suicide in a first-class carriage on the Great Eastern Railway, in England, by inhaling chloroform, and only regained consciousness after eight hours' care. While awaiting her trial she again attempted suicide, having concealed opium in the lining of her dress. She described herself as a governess and hospital nurse, and she had no relatives' and had grown despers'e through the loss of her child. She would not promise not to repeat the offencs,and in default of finding sureties went to Millbank. The chaplain brought her to a batter frame of mind, and finally assisted her to New York. She had gained excellent testimordals from Queen Charlotte's Training Hospital. A second time she attempted to poison herself on the railway, and from Lewes Gaol was sent to a lunatic asylum. Thence she seems to have gone to New York. Her prepossessing appearance and ability found her many friends. Though she described herself as a widow, it is said that she was never married. Owing to her strange behaviour and tendency to make imaginary statements, she narrowly escaped permanent detention in a lunatic asylum Only a fortnight ago the Rev. G. P. Meyrick, chaplain of Milbank, received a letter from Dudley to the effbct that