Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-08-31
MISFORTUNE OR CRIME.

THE Case Of Christiana Cochran or Gilaioiir.-
The New York Sun, in alluding to the case of
this unhappy young woman, who is about to be
surrendered to the British authorities for the al
legged murder of her husband, has the following
Interesting sketch as to the causes which led to
her present dreadful situation. 1t will be seen
that the tale is not without its moral, sad and i'm
preSsive:
The history of this unfortunate young woman
should operate as warning to parents, and teach
them to beware OF unrelenting opposition to an
honorable attachment formed by a daughter or
even son; merely because the object favored BY
snch IS no. of equal wealth or rank In life with
themselves II were beiter-far better-to raise
one than TO PROSTATE and destroy the other. Mr.
Cochran, the father Of this young woman, is
wealthy farmer in the shire of Renfrew, near Pals
ley, In Scotland. She received a passably good
education; and we have seen a letter written by
her to her parents since her arrival here, couched
IN sweet and affecting language, and written in
Practlsed pretty hand. About five years AGO, i,
appears, she being still in her teens she became
acquainted with a young man in the ncighborhooG
by The name of Anderson, and a mutual attach
ment sprung up Between them. Although of ex-
cellent character, and of good moral conduct; he
was in humble life, being gardener in the en-
ployment oil gentleman in his native parish -
I they made no secret of their attachment; but it
was bitterly opposed by her parents, particularly
40 her father and the father of her future husband
had already decided that she and the unfortunate
John Gllmour were to be united The great OBJ
ect OF her parents from the time of discoyernp
her attachment TO Anderson was TO keen them
apart, and with this view she was at times con.
hned IN The attic of her fathers dwelling, and
most rigid system of coercion applied to her with
avlew TO compel an abandonment on her part of
The object OF her affection, but without effect; al
though stripes, and at times severe beanfs, were
resoried TO. 'Oh, father she exclaimed one dav
:! cabnot marry John Gimour; have nothing
to say against him, but do rot love him permit
me to marry John Anderson, who | know is al
tached TO me- as love him; and will 60 down
on my knees and bless YOU; He and | can take
the farm which Is in short time to be vacant
and my little sister can live with me, and we
shall all DC happy in each others society. John
Gilmotr can find drotfer giS ;;ho will love him
ahd make him good wife but OH father, I can
not-cannot-marry him. The appeal was I'M
heeded and served but 10 make her situation
worse, and she determined upon escape, to wan
der she knew not whittier. Watching an obbor-
tpDliy she fed, bat soon pursued BY her father
and all the servants Of his household. She took
shelter in ihicket, where she remained for some
time undiscovered, although her pursuers often
passed the spot where she lay, till her little Ia
| yor!te dog found out his mistress and came fond
ling upon her. This led to her detection, and she
| was taken back TO the house and severely beaten.
Finally, goaded almost 70 madness, or to wha.