HEROIC GIRL'S FATE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 146, 20 June 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

HEROIC GIRL'S FATE.

SHOT BY A ROBBER WHILE DEFEND

ING HER FATHER.

Widespread indignation has been arousrd

locally by the murder of Miss Nellie Sturtevant, daughter of Mr James Sturtevant, a wealthy banker of Boston, who was shot and killed on the 7th ult. white defending her father from a desperate robber.

The Sturtevant family reside at Medford, a Boston suburb, Mr Sturtevant being treaFurer of the Medford Co-operative Bank. The bank is kept open until 10 o'clock every Wednesday night, and Mr Sturtevant had been accustomed to take home In a bag the cfceques and money received from late depositors. His wife and daughter called at the bau': on the night of the tragedy and went home with him.

On reaching his house Mr Sturtevant

walked ahead of his wife and daughter, and was about to open the door with his latchkey when a man suddenly sprang from some bushes where he had been concealed, fkur-. Ishlng a revolver, and shouted, "Hands up!" Miss Sturtevant Immediately rushed towards, her father, leaped In front of him, and tried to beat down the revolver with tier umbrella.

The robber Instantly fired, and the young woman fell to the ground mortally wounded. She was carried into the house, and an hour later without regaining consciousness.

After shooting Miss Sturtevaut the assassin seized her bag containing a small sum of money anc} ran away. Mr Sturte>ant made a dash for him, wLtreupon he fired two shots, both of which missed. Mr Sturtevant again followed the murderer, who turned round and fired his last two shots, one of which grazed the banter's head. He then jumped on a bicycle, which was standing near the house, and rode off at full speed. AN ITALIAN ARRESIED. The Medford police were Immediately Informed of the crime, and sent the alarm in all directions. The Maiden police , later arrested Tomasso Lombard!, an Italian who was riding a bicycle covered with mud, and Lad evidently travelled some distance. Lombiivdi was unable to give a satisfactory account of himself, and the police say they have strong circumstantial evidence against him.

The murder has aroused the entire community, and cries for vengeance are mingled witt" unstinted praise for the bravery of the nirl who gave up her life to defend her par ; onts. Miss Sturtevant, who was about 27, >vas extremely attractive and very popular in social and church circles. Her aged mother is completely prostrated bj the shtck, and the result may be serious.

Mr Sturtevant, in an interview, said:— •'The murderer must have kno>vn something about my business habits. He thought I carried v large sum of money, and that it would be easy to rob me. Last night, however, contrary to my usual custom, I left the money in the safe at the banli."

Mr Sturtevant added: "It would be impossible for me to Identify the murderer, as it was very dark and I got only an Imperfect idea of his features."