A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SHOT BY A WOMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8222, 5 April 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SHOT BY A WOMAN.

EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR, Elizabeth Vincent, a single woman, a young lady of about 22, described as of Seymour-street, Euston Road, was charged on a warrant at Richmond Police Court on February 19, with attempting to murder Major Isaacs, M.P., by shooting at him. The prisoner, a smartly-dressed young woman of prepossessing appearance, upon being placed before tho magistrate, loudly exclaimed that it was all an accident, and cried and shrieked loudly. In opening tho case Mr. Wontner said his client, Major Isaacs, had been intimately acquainted with this lady for some time. Recently he made a settlement upon her child of £2000 and £1000 upon her for tho purpose of going into business. Ho also gave her £500 to pay as a deposit on tho house in which she resided. 110, Church Road. The deed had been prepared and the trustees appointed. On October Stli she wrote a letter to Major Isaacs, in which she stated : " The truth is, the arrangement lias made mo thoroughly ill and absolutely impossible for me to live on here. I want to talk the matter over with you, and I shall never get better while 1 have got it on my mind. I don't intend asking you to advance mo next month's allowance. Pray don't further delay to make, as you suggest, an appointment for tho beginning of the week." Upon this the prosecutor went down to Richmond to see the defendant. lie knocked at the door and was admitted by her. She accompanied him into tho dining-room, ami locked the door. She then went to a desk, and producing a piece of paper, said he must sign that, or she would blow his brains out, producing at the same time a pistol, which she pointed at him. The statement at tho top of the paper was to the effect that he committed a criminal assault upon her. Upon reading this prosecutor said he would not sign anytiling of the sort, anil tore off the statement. Upon the paper was likewise a promise on his part to pay the defendant; tho sum of £10,000. This was to be paid so much down, so much in a week, and the remainder within a month. Defendant continued to "hold tho pistol at the prosecutor, and ultimately he, in fear that she would use it, did sign the document, agreeing to pay her this money. Some words passed between them, and defendant then discharged tho pistol. Prosecutor pub up his arm, into which tho bullet went. He rushed forward to seize the weapon, when the accused screamed. Immediately upon this there was a violent knocking at. the door. She got away from prosecutor, rushed to the door, and admitted a young man, who had apparently been in the house the whole time. The young man came forward, and wanted to know who .Mr. Isaacs was and what was his business. Prosecutor replied that ho had better ask tho young lad}', and thereupon left the house. When they got outside the young man suggested that they should go to the police station, and Mr. Isaacs said he had better speak to the lady upon that. There were reasons why a scandal of this description should be kept quiet if possible, and Mr. Isaacs returned home, and sent for his doctor. Sir William MacCormack was also called in. The wound which prosecutor had received was examined, and it was found that the bullet was still in his arm. lie was confined to his house for some days, and at last, determined that, unless absolutely obliged, lie would not proceed with the matter; but defendant seemed determined, that lie should take action. She- had trade- enormous claims upon him, and had recently told one of the trustees appointed that she only lived for vengeance, He* (Mr. Wont had before him a letter much to the same etl'eet. Under these circumstances Mr. Isaacs felt bound to bring Iter before the magistrates for his own protect ion. Accordingly a warrant was applied for, and on tin: same evening - she was arrested at S4, Seymour-street, Euston Road. She then said, as now, that it was an accident. There was no doubt, however, that tho whole thing was most elaborately planned and intended to be carried out, for defendant did not hesitate to draw the trigger of the pistol. Had the prosecutor not put up his arm tho bullet would have entered his head, in which event she would probably have been there on a charge of murder. It was absolutely necessary for his protection, as well as her own, that she should bo stayed from carrying her threats into effect. lie proposed to call the prosecutor, and also produce evidence as to the defendant's arrest, after which he should ask for a remand.

Major Isaacs was examined. The defendant hero asked the witness whether he seduced her with violence when .•<;ie was 18.

The witness, in reply, said that ho knew nothing about the defendant's age. lie was willing to admit that ho had seduced her. lie gave her a paper promising her £-100 a year during his life. The word " marriage" never occurred. He never told her that when lie was as rich as the Duke of Westminster he would marry or that one must be as rich as the Duke to bring up a second family. When he .-educed her lie did not say that his wife was very ill. Ho did not recollect any conversation about taking rooms for her near his chambers. The defendant went to school in North Germany, but was not seduced before that time. At this point of the ease the defendant was remanded in custody. The chairman suggested that she should obtain legal assistance before the next hearing. .Major Isaacs, who is M.l\ for worth, has been a widower for the last eight years.