Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-02-02


marriage. but after our engagement, and
10 which | was sn eye witness.
had gone one evening TO nv broth.
er's to see soma Of nv cousins, who
were there On visit. Mary Jane vas
there, hut Elias was mol, Alter time
che started TO 60 bome, intended to
go with her, but remained for a little
while ir conversation with my cousins,
until she had got some short distance
from the house. | then started, and
bad epproachsd her within some hun
dred Yards wheD saw Elias coming
from The other way meeting her The
evening was fine and moonlight. and
some snow beng M the ground. ! was
enabled 10 recognize him Pacing Q
tree in line betwrxt them and me.
approached so near that | could hear
distinctly what was said As he met
her he threw his axe from his shoulder
he had been out chOppiug wood) aecost.
ed her iO a h4t;eriDg and persuasive
manner, declaring he must go home
with her. This she mos positively re-
fused to permit. Some other words
passed between them. whom he turned
TO leave. He picked Up his axe, and
just as he started from her, she cried
out--'Elas, you will see something be-
fore you get homo you won't like. =
This convinced me she had discovered
mo before had reached nv hiding
place behind the tree, and that this
warning was intended for my yenr. As
he came up, stepped out and said to
him, ELIAS, this is pretty work. BUr
little passed between US then, and we
separated.
When ! was first told bv the young
man what Elias had said, | then threat.
ened TO beat him until he could not
stand for Inc poison had been imbbed,
and rendered my passions almost uncon'
lroIabe. That which saw as related
above, added additional keenness to the
jealous rage with which was torn and
blinded and maddened bv contendng
feelings, married her. My antipa,hy
to my brother began when told by the
Young man what Elias had said and M
vile visiting his house so frequently af
ter we were married, aided certainty 10
my jealous suspcions and conirmed my
hatred toward him.
Racked by feelings which were per
feet torture 10 me; feelings which IN
creased in bitterness with every breath
drew AS | lay tossing on my bed one
night revolving what course 10 pursue
TO revenge myself--the thought sud
denIy suggested itself TO me 10 Kill hln
and then cou d live with her in peace,
aud my troubles be ended. ! thought
not Of detection. The idea Of destroy
ing him harrassed me continually, and
| eagerly sought the opportunity 10 do
the deed The frs ellor, made. got
up out of my bed one nigh, took my
| gun, and went near TO his house 10 do it
His dog gave an alarm at my appear.
ance, and Elias came 10 the door. !
| S''Ou wv sHoIl UlNluNC6 lIuHl OlN ,
with tho gun cooked IN nv hand but
had not nerve enough to shoot him. !
made my next effort when be was en-
gaged with others in working lhe roads
near TO Smiths tavern. When | first
came in sight Of them, they we're ut
work ON The east side OF the house -
Elias stood with his back towards me
and | could easily have slam him, but
again my strength failed me, and again
the opportunity passed. The company
Of workers then moved west OF the
house, and | again sought for chance
Of destroying him. But while | was
lingering around in the woods in order
that | might seize upon favorable op
porlunity, | was accidentally discovered
by one Of the company, whom | again
gave it up, turned, and went home.-
This was, think, on Friday, On Sa
turday and Saturday night, | worked
myself up 10 ths full determination 10
kill him, and that loo on the succeeding
day. | will here again state that | was
not a hard drinker-only occasionally,
not generally Vat least not until my IN
fortunate marriage brought trouble and
difficulty upon me. Then | did drink
and deeply.
On Sunday morning full Of the mur-
derous design had entertained, | took
from my trunk pint flask Of liquor and
put it in my pocket, picked up my gun
and started took a soulherIy durec-
tion from the house, and passed by my
father who was standing IN the field
He asked me where | was going, and |
snswersd was going 10 shoot an owl
passed on, and when out Of sight,
drank some OF my liquor and turned in
to tho woods near to Mr. Karns', and
fred at some crows then went wesl
Of Elias house, thinking that should
see him. Failing in this, | went on into
the woods, near The turnpike, intending
there TO secret myself end wavav him
h. - d., L i IA