The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-25
Additional Particulars OF the Winston ana
Perry Case la Gainesville, Alabama.
G.,xrsvutr Ala June 4. lS47.


herewith send you the particulars of the seduction
and killing which recently took place here have
hastily drawn off as can recolect all the facts
and testimony in this affair meeting of the citizens Is
or TO- express their OF .he
uecsion OF the examining court. Yours Sc.
Our town has been the theatre of Of the most out
rageous of seduction followed the death of the
treacherous seducer ever known in any country The
position the parties occupied in society in the State
makes 1t matter of interest the community than
any similar occurrence ever known DR. s s Perrv-a
physician Of high standing in the community Master
OF the highly respectable Lodge of Ancient
this place, Noble Grand of the Lodge of the indie
pendent Order of Odd Fellows representative Of this
county in the last Legislature Of this State member of
the Methodist Church in this town, aud married
is Of the actors in this horrd affair the other is
Col. John Anthony Winston-of the firm of j. A. Win
ston Co. of Mobile large and wealthy planter with
state Legislature President Of the Senate, |
very popular and influential man in the county and
State.
Col Winston took Dr. Perry by the hand as a friend
secured him the patronage in his profession of his
political man, had him elected the legislature
and employed him as his family physician under the
cloak OF which he succeeded in effectiRg the ruin
Of Wnston's wife-the fatal consequences of which
have been the death of Perry and the acquittal of
Winston, under the following circumstances. Many
rumors aud reports derogatory TO the character OF
Mrs. Winston reached the Of Col Winstons bro
Their who, (after informing himself well as to nearly
every thing which afterwards proven) went to Mo-
bile where his brother and communicated to him
the sad intelligence of his wes ruin and his dishonor
immediately upon which, Col Winston came home, ar
irving on Wednesday, and commenced examination
of the affair refusing all proof until the lady who
afterwards a wtness) and two others assured him of
their belief that not only the parties guilty but
that his own life was in danger Col Winston spent
from Wednesday until Monday morning in this invesi-
CATION when being fully convinced of the guilt Of the
parties he into town horseback with his double
barreled shot gun loaded with shot and endured
of gentleman whom he met where DR. $. s. Perry
He was told that he was at the postoftce he walked
around to the postoce with his gun in hand both bar
rels cooked and finding Dr. Perry in the postoce,
called the gentleman with whom DR.. Perry was in
conversation to stand out of the way that he might
side and he fired the whole load into the part of
the abdomen severing one OF the main arteries, from
claimed thank God have avenged the wrong done my
wife, have shot the seducer OF my wfethe destroyer
OF my peace forever that man has robbed me OF my we
geve himself to the authorities and tried yeste
day before an examining court of magistrates and upon
the testimony was discharged, amidst the dcaening
plaudits Of immense crowd to hear the sad
tale OF treachery and seduction that caused the fatal
deed The testimony was full, clear and convincing
aud is in substance as follows
One of the witnesses testified to frequent meetings be
tween DR. Perry and Mrs Winston Mt sthe American
Hotel where they remained for hours together in the
parlor, both day ana night, other person being
present Another witness testified that 22d February
ball was given at the Hotel and Mrs w. came in town
to be at It, and Dr. Perry was with her in the parlor
Many efforts were made by friends to get Mrs w into
the ballroom but Dr. p would not let her CO. and told
the friends their room was more desirable than their
company. A lady, cousin to Col Winston, threatened
to inform Col W. Of their conduct. They remained in
the parlor the sofa DR. P with his arm around Mrs
w g neck until the ball closed and every left the
ballroom and paror, the light extngushed burnt
out and still they remained until after o'clock and
tnen to go stairs together where there
light, and every one in bed and likely asleep it
not known when Dr. p. came down.
| Another witness testified That occasion when
little dancing party given at the hete
IL O'Clock ut plight Mrs Winston carriage got
and the little girls belonging to the family got it. and
went to friends house in town and Mrs w walked with
Dr. Perry, notwithstanding recent shower of rain and
they did not arrive until half an hour or more after the
carriage, where the distance only three four hun
dred yards and then they arrived at the house in
trary direction from the ordinary and usual DR..
Perry was seen to throw part of his clio around Mrs
w. on their way, both being under the cloak ut the
time
Another witness saw Mrs Wnston's carriage late one
morning. driving blind pathway through the thick
bushes, route seldom travelled, Mrs w and gentle
in it, the carriage stopped the gentleman got out
slipped along in stopping posture until he got into
public part Of the town. when he Strengthened up
and was recognized Dr. Perry.
Another witness testified that On board the steamboat
Hewite on pleasure party up the river Dr. and Mrs
w. the guard very close together in
versation which kept up for some two and n half
hours in which DR.. r. noticed to look Mt Mrs W. in
such to beray to the observers his feelings
at the time, filed with lust and sensuality good deal
said about their looks which had been observed by
many and all gave them the Interpretation and
relative of Col. Winston The intimacy the boat
marked and public to to attract the attention
of maryland even the chambermaid and cabnboys
ticed and talked Off
Another witness testified that in crossing river in
company with another lady and Mrs. Winston, and DIR.
Perry the doctor wrapped his cloak around Mrs. Wins
placing himself between the ladies' to prevent
the other lady from seeing WHAT was going on The
ferryman also no tced this
Mrs. Winston's bridal ring found in DR.. Perrys
possession after his death so enlarged as to fit his
finger. This ring had the initials of Mrs Winston S
name in it,
Mrs Winston was at a neighbours house, and Dr. r.
called very after Mrs w appeared very sck
DR. ?. went into the room where she and remained
half hour along with her. the closed When the
lady Of the house went in they sitting the bed
ana aPpeareu nuch coniused anu eActeu Vh peng
askeu What was the matter, " FERRY IeIt the room
MIS- w saiu uarA viouu was hanging over her,
ana she eareu not wnere BURST OF on whose heau
eiI she was asker II sue wa, was hoe airaia that her
conuuct wouiu -reach oo, y" ears as IL was talked
| OF all over tne country one saia she ana not
the world besides his love for her was unbounded and
she feared nothing Mrs. w. had many conversations
with this lady from time to time, and communicate led
many things to her. amongst others this that
Col W. had learned Dr. r. was his opponent before the
county convention to nominate candidate for Senator
he had desired that DR.. r should not again visit his
house either as friend or and that their meet
we broken there and that they had