Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1835-02-07

opseu0O4 20 tho ceremony W0tC0 W00 70
crown che happiness Of Julia. On that
morning, Lafsrge. who had si udiously o
voided any collision with Matilda, met
her on the public road. which was at the
time taronged with people. She stoPt
HE horse, and in the most pathetic and
heart-rending acce0]s, she1shad her 80
ducef il he intended wholly u abandon
her to despair. She proceeded from en-
treaty 70 complaints-and finding she
produced no impression, she ended by
threatening to call on his intended wife,
and inform her Of his infamous and cruel
department. Lafarge, who had mastered
bis emotions TIL this moment, now gave
vent to his fury, in volley Of the bitter
est execrations-aDd finding that his VIC
tim did not relax her hold, he tore the
bride from her hand, and struck her with
the but-end Of his whip. He then rode
off; while the misery Of the poor wretch
found no relieffrom the compassion Of the
behoIders. Some even burst
into an unfeeling laugh, whislt ''in the
darkness Of her trouble, - she thought she
perceived in the exultiug horde a face
whose features were familiar to her-1nd
who seemed to enjoy her agony with Pecu-
liar delight.
Among the various schemes Of amuse-
ment which had been devised Cor the eve
ming of the marriage, Lafarge, who was
veil skilled in pyrotechDy, had construc-
ted an appasatus for fireworks in . beau
tiful grove q . short distance from the
mansson. To render the effect more
striking, tho whole affair was TO 60 of
without any previous notice, the company
being conducted, - if by chance, in that
direction.
AT the sime appointed, the audience -
and the nupsial benediction was
pronounced BY the Rev. Bishop *""***"
of New Orleans. The company after
wards formed into grouPes-each enjoying
themselves in the manner most suited TO
their taste. The attention Of Lafarge
was IN tho meantime attracted to the
grove to see If the fireworks we're in readi-
ness. Soon afterwards dreadful shrek
was heard from that quarter, with repeat
ed cries Of murder! The guests rushed
to the spot, where they discovered wo-
man weltering in her blood-and Lafarge
hanging over her trying TO ascertain her
features Lights being brought, the de-
ceased was found to be Matilda. Lafarge
On being questioned stated that he heard
the screams before he entered the-and
before he could afford assistance the muir
,dcrer had fled!
On tbs mosning after this horrid deed,
q coroner'sinquest was held over the body
|of the deceased; the Jury were under the
painful necessity Of finding bill against
Victor Lafarge-as.d a. il was case in
which no hail could be admitted, he was
COMMITTED to prison to await his trial. In
the interval every effort was made OH the
part Of the prisoners friends to produce
his releaSe. That and the neighbosing
States were searched far aid near for the
supposed ,nurderer-and large rewards
were oHered-but to no effect.
The approaching trial was a subject of
thrilling interest and Of course attracted an
immense cOncoursc Of spectators. The a.
Llest counsel we're employed in favor ofthe
prisoner-bnt his conduct had been 50 very
imp ,pular-bis quarrel with Matilda on
the morning previous 10 the catastrophe
l0dutD ItS OCIU& OtS@OvCICu OSCt
her-his clothes covered with her blood
and no trace of any other murderer to be
IEound-were circumstances 50 powerfully
'overwhe lining that the Jury unanimously
brought in verdict Of Gully. Petitions
were sent to the GOvernor-but he was in
flexible, and the day ofexecution wasfixed.
A short time before the fatal period the
council assembled. As no one had hither-
to accepted the ungracious Office Of hang
man, its duties devolved upon the Sheriff
and some one ofthe members were condo
ling with him on his unpleasant situation.
Whilst they were discussing this subject a
person was ushered into the chamber, whose
appearance filed every one with astonish-
,nent. His face was stained in must fan
tastic manner, which however, did not con-
zeal his wild and haggard counteaance. and
the hideous expression Of his eyes. His
head and part ofhis face were shaded BY a
solume Of dark bushy curls, which gave re-
liefto the sinister expression Of his brow.
HIS figure; afier pssmising that he had
been trained ss an executioner in foceim
parts, offered his services on the present
|oocasioe, which were sa&aEly accepted.
On the mosning which Was he last to
dawn upon LafaEge, al tho shaseiy pre-;
raaims bad been made in the neighborhood
of the iai-An immense csoud surrounded