Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-09-03
From the Jackson LA. )Rep. JUN 27.

From the Jackson La. REP. july 27.
STRANGE OccURRENcE-Amon the
apparently endless catalogue of strange
occurrences and crimes with which the
press has teemed, the following which has
been communicated IN letter from lady
residing near the scene of action to her
friend in this vicinity. is little the strangest
we ever met with. Not having seen the
letter, we are under the necessity of giving
a second account of the affair. and NAV
consequently be inaccurate in some of
our details but the substantial facts are
as furnished to US. Being personally ac-
quainted with the writer of the letter, we
have no hesitation in expressing our be-
lief of her statement. Here is the strange
tragic tale -
Some time since the sheriff of county
in the southern part of Mississippi had re-
ceived in his official character. large
sum ofmoney-say fifteen or twenty thou
sand dollars. Under pretcxt of a call
from home for day or two, be placed the
money in the keeping of his wife, whom
he charged to take good care of it.
Late in the evening Of the day of which
he left home, stranger of gen'eel ap-
pearance called at the house, and asked
permission to remain over night. Dislik-
ing to entertain stranger during her hus-
band s absence, the wife of the sheriff de-
MED the request, and the stranger rode
on. Directly after his departure, however,
the lady came TO the conclusion that she
had done wrong in refusing TO take him
IN, and sent servant to recall him. The
gentleman returned, and soon after re-
tired to rest.
Late in the night, three men disguised
as negroes, came TO the house, called mp
the lady, and demanded possession of the
money left in her charge. Believing there
was no help for it, she at length told them
that the money was in another room, and
that she would go and get tit for them.
It So happened that the money had
been deposited in the room occupied by
the stranger and on her going for it she
found him up and loading his pistol. lie
had been awakened by the noise, and had
over heard most of the conversation be-
tween his hostess and the robbers.
Telling the lady TO be Of good heart, he
gave her loaded pistol, and instructed
her TO 90 out and present the money to
one Of the robbers, and shoot the fellow
whilst in theact Of doing so-on her doing
which, he (the strangely would be ready
for the other two.
With a GOODNESS and courage that it
is difficult to conceive Of in a woman, she
did as directed, and the robber who re-
ceived the money fell dead at her feet.
Another instant, and the strangers bullet
had floored a secondrobber. The third
attempted escape, but was overtaken at the
gate by the stranger, and fell under the
thrust of his knife.
AS soon as practicable, the neigh
bors were alarmed, and on washing the
paint from the faces of the dead robbers,
the one killed by the lady proved TO be
her own husband, and the othertwo a cou-
pie ofnear neighborsl
Such is the story, in substance. AS
before stated, it comes IN a letter from a
lady for whose credibility we are willing 10
vouch. Iferror exists in the statement,
either the writer of the letter was misinfor-
med orj we have been most egregiously
hoaxed.