Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-05-31

"IRUTH sTRArGER THAN rIcTfoH."-
We witnessed the most trsgical scene at
YaDcy Superior Court, that has ever been
acted in any court in North Carolina
The facts were as follows: About two
years since, a man by the name of John
Wilson, married Elizabeth Rey Cf that
county. They lived together about seven
weeks, when some disturbance took place
which caused their separation. six months
ago the husband filed petition for divorce,
setting forth various causes-declarlng
that he was young and inexperienced
when he married her, and was not acqualn-
ted with her true character. that her con.
duet during the time they lived together,
was insupportable, and by him could not
be endured. She answered that they
were raised in the same neighborhood,
and had known each other from their in
fancy up that he knew her character
and circumstances in life perfectly well
when he married her, and had taken her
with his eyes open to all her frailtles
she positively denied ever having been
guilty Of any misconduct, during the time
they lived together, but that she acted TO
wards him the part Of an afectionate wife.
She farther asserted that when he was a.
bout to leave her, he made no charges
against her, but gave as bis reason for
separation, that he did not, nor had he
ever loved her that his friends had lndu
ced him to marry her merely for her pro-
perry, and that he had ascertained he
could not enjoy life with woman be did
not love.
At the last Court an issue was made up
and submitted TO Jury. The petition
and answer having been read, evidence
was then introduced which proved decl
dedly 10 favour Of the petitioner. On the
part Of the Plaintiff, the Cause was sub
United without any argument. but the
Counsel for the Defendant resisted the di
sorce by long and feeling speech. in
which be alluded 10 the solemniiy OF the
marriage vow, the mutual duties 1t impo
sed on the parties. and the want Of suih
cieBt cause 10 that case to dissolve the
bonds of matrimony.
During the investigation the parties
were both in Court. The husband was
apparently young and simple, and in fact
a mere boy, and there was nothing ia the
least prepossessing in his appearance
The wife seemed something older and al
together the superior. She Is fine look
ing woman, with dark hair, black eyes
and very expressive face; she manifested
great interest in the trial.
The Jury after retiring few moments,
returned verdict for the Plaintiff. The
parties were still in their seats behind the
bar, some six or eight feet distant from
each other; the wife asked gentleman
by whom she was sitting, for his knife, as
if to trim her fioger nails she felt oil the
edge, rose to her feet, paused moment,
turned pale, her eyes flashed fire; and
then suddenly sprang forward with the
drawn knife and aimed at her husband a
deadly blow. But fortunately lady who
was standing by saw her get the knife.
and perceived from her counteDaDce that
she was medltating something OF despe
rate character. watched her until she saw
the blow aimed at the throat Of the unsus
pecting husband, and instantly seized the
the weapon from the object at which 1t
was aimed; but determined on her hell
ish purpose. she threw the knife with great
violence at her husband, and turning made
a most furious attack on her whose hand
had arrested the blow and thwarted the
wicked design. The Court ordered her
into custody she was arrested and BONE
out Of the Court, making the most wild
and frantic exclamations-c calling to her
husband 10 the most tender and passion
language, and seemed to be entirely de-
ranged.
Her conduct was strange and unac
countable !; but all who witnessed the scene
agree that she must have loved her hus-
band. She had listened attentively TO the
investigation Of the whole matter, heard
the pathetic speech of her counsel, and
then the verdict Of the Jury pronouncing
their final separation, she felt that she 10
we'd him above all others, aud the idea
that he was then at liberty to marry again
(for that was said TO be his objecD was
more than she could endure. Her heart
was devoted to him, and sooner than see
him pledged TO another, she would see him
die, that too by her own hand, in the pre-
sence Of the court and the multitude that
surrounded her. OF the consequences TO
herself she never thought, nor for them
cared they could not have been greater
than death, and no doubt she felt at that
moment. that she would gladly take ref
uge in the arms Of death. She remained
in Jail until the next morning, when she
was brought before the court. and, after
being severely reprimanded, was senten
ced to five days Imprisonment, for con-
tempt to the court. and required TO give
bond and security for her good behaviour
for the next twelve months.-RutheJord
Gazette.