Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-01-08
Awful Tragedy i'm Alabama.

One of the most horrible tragedies ever enacted in
real life. occurred in Dallas county, Alabama on the
29ih ut., of which the Alabama Independent
give the following account. We we'll recOllect the
bank robbery which the prelude to all these
dreadful crimes. 1t occurred but few years ago.
Our readers will nber Thos G. Mexican, of Bank
robbing memory Previous to his oubreaking depreda
tons, Mex occupied fair standing in community. being
&c highly respectable family, and a of nsinuating adj
dress. He succeeded in obtaining the affections of
young and aress school GIRL in Marion Perry county,
and in opposition to the wishes and advice of her friends
off with and married her. This young and suspect
ing girl the daughter of Mr.. ]. X. G. Poole of Per-
~ county. And amid all the hardships to which her
connection with such a Mexican subjected her.
she remained firmly attached to him, and could not be
prevailed upon leave him. until the commission Of the
Columbus Bank robbery from which time she has
him. Being intelligent and remarkably beautiful and
her friends having deter mined procure her divorce from
her unfortunate marriage, she become object of
considerable attraction and many have been the suors
for her hand Among these the unfortunate Bethel
Holmes, gentleman highly respected and esteemed in
Dallas county, where he resided On the evening of
urday the 29th Nov, at the house of Col. VIM. H.
Richardson who had married the sister of Mrs. Mexican.
and where this unhappy lady spending portion of
her time Holmes perpetrated the horrid deed.
II seems, that Holmes and Mrs Mexican left alone
in the parIo and is presumed that receiving final
lection of his suit. he seized with unsccountable
phrenzy and shot Mrs. Mexican with pistol the ball
\
COL Richardson had been out of the room but short
time when the report of the pistol induced him
He found the unfortunate lady already dead in her chair
and Holmes staggering in the hOoT-he also died a
Neither having spoken after the fatal deed, the par
ticular matters that led TO the denouement not
known. These all the facts have been enabled
gather concerning the transaction which has shocked
entire community and filled large circle of friends aud
relations with heartrendng anguish for both the unfor
Inmates were greatly beloved.
| NIL IL e a. DEL
letter in which are full and more correct particuA
lars
1t seems from what we learn from other sources that
Holmes meditated this double murder for weeks. The
letter says After dinner Saturday Holmes ordered
his horse. After it brought out, be told the servant
girl GO up and tell .Ns Mexican that he wished
speak with her in the parlor She down and he
closed the door. The girl remained outside and listened
at the door, She heard him ask her if she willing to
promise marry him. She answered she had already
quesed him again mention the subject her. for
she would marry him: Immediately after she heard
her exclam, Lord have mercy my soul, and the
moment report of pistol then another and anoh
er, and fail. She then opened the door, and him
fall the floor. Ike pistol had fallen of his hand
and he feeling find it to fire again she screamed
to the boy who holding the horse the door, that Mr.
Holmes had himself She in and brought out the
pistol fearing that he would get hold of it. Unfortunately
lfr. r. had gone to the Clubhouse, and Mrs r. had also
gone out in the yard somewhere. Two three gentle
men happened to be riding by horseback. They dis
mounted and into the house at the moment
that Mr. snd MIS- r. got there asd all went in together.
At first they did Mrs. McKeen--she was sitting
up in rocking chair she shot right through the
temples (nstead Of the hearty and from her position he
must have held her with hand and shot her with the
other He then, it is supposed, aimed his npe,
but pointed hgh for the ball glanced from the upper
part of his head and lodged in the ceiling above. He
then fred again. but low for the temple the ball
ed below the cheek bone tearing his face all to pieces
They neither of them spoke. Mrs .HcKeen lived hour
and half be lived about three hours On his person
Two letters found directed Major Poole, beg
gng pardon for the he had committed aud requesting
him 10 have both bodies laid in one grave.