Mary Cross attempted shooting of Robert Hemingray

THE BLOODY EPIDEMIC,

Resulting in an Attempted Assassination

of Bob Hemingray in Covington.

Robert Hemingray, of the Hemingray Glass-Works, had a narrow escape from being assassination [sic] assassinated yesterday in Covington by Mary Cross, a colored woman.

It will be remembered by readers of the ENQUIRER that some few weeks since Mr. Hemingray had Mrs. Cross arrested on the charge of threatening him and his family. Mrs. Cross was then employed as a domestic in the family of Mr. Hemingray. She made an assault on Mr. Hemingray at that time, but was lodged in jail, and a fine imposed on her for disorderly conduct. On the promise of good behavior in the future, and on the recommendation of Mr. Hemingray, she was released a few days ago by Mayor Athey. Yesterday afternoon she procured a six-shooter and loaded every chamber, and then went to the head of Fifth street, in Covington, near the residence of John D. Hearne, Esq. Here she awaited the coming of her intended victim.

About two o'clock Mr. Hemingray emerged from his residence, on Garrard street, and was walking along the street leisurely, when suddenly he was confronted by the yellow looking wretch, who held a cocked pistol pointed directly at his head. He [sic] She pulled the trigger, and down went the hammer, but as luck would have it, the cartridge failed to explode. Mr. Hemingray then sensibly ran for dear life down the street, hotly pursued by the female. who sent bullet after bullet after him, until all the chambers of her weapon were empty. She then returned to her house and reloaded the revolver, evidently for another attack.

Mr. Hemingray immediately informed Mayor Athey of the occurrence, and the Mayor informed Marshal Goodson, who, in company with Officer Mike Bolan, went to the house of Mrs. Cross, on Sandford street, and arrested the would-be assassin. She did not want to give up the pistol, but was compelled to do so by the officers. When she was arrested at Mr. Hemingray's house she swore that she would kill Marshal Goodson, Office Bolan and Mr. Hemingray if she ever had the opportunity. After her release from jail she wrote Mr. Hemingray a letter and demanded that he should pay her for the time lost while in the custody of the jailer. She of course received no answer, and then wrote another letter to him, which she sent to Mr. Hemingray by her daughter. The contents of the letter were a demand for pay for her time while in jail, saying unless the demand was obeyed she would kill him. Mr. Hemingray paid no attention to the missive, and cast it aside.

Yesterday she met Mr. Hemingray near the corner of Sixth and asked him what he was going to do about her arrest. He told her to go on and mind her own business, as he wanted nothing to do with her. She then proceeded to shoot, as above related. When she purchased the pistol she tried a cartridge, and snapped the hammer on it. It did not explode, and she then revolved the pistol so the hammer would fall on another cartridge, but evidently revolved it enough to make it fall again on the defective one, thus saving Mr. Hemingray's life. Evidently she meant to murder him.

She is a dangerous woman and ought not to be suffered to be at large. It is said that a few years ago she shot her now divorced husband, and then compelled him at the point of the pistol to swear that the shooting was done accidentally, and he kept his word.

The Mayor will hold Mrs. Cross over for her Appearance before the Grand Jury.