The North-Carolinian., 1850-02-09
the MYSTERIOUS MURDER.
I'm array Of facts. sho,cing ho,c circuna-
stances may combine to lead to the con-
riction Of an innocent person for
foul deed.
ICondensed for the Carolinan by c. L. D.

foul deed.
[Condensed for the Carolinian by c. L. D1
The mysterious murder which occurred in
| England in 1905, connected it with the
newspaper accounts, may be considered matter
| of history.
For many years, Sir James Fanshawe. a baro-
net of ancient family and estates, resided at -
| Abby He was a widower, with but child,
a beautiful and accomplished daughter, who, up
OIL hi. disease, (she being just 2l years of age,)
| became sole possessor of his property Shortly
| after her father's death, Miss Fanshawe adopted
as her companion, a distant relative, a young
Irish lady named Eveleen O'Neiil, who had been
| left an orphan both fortuneless and friendess.
They conceived the strongest attachment
| for each other; that Miss Fanshawe made
Eveleen heiress of her property at her death;
which latter act of friendship eventually proved
! a curse to the unfortunate Eveleen.
On the morning of 2sth Of July, 1908, the in
mates Of Fanshawe Abby were aroused by pierc
ing screams of agony proceeding from the sleep
ing apartments of Miss FanShawe. In great
alarm, the butler rushed to the room. The door
stood slightly ajar, and pushing it open he was
Mortified at the sight of his mistress laying on
the carpet in her night dress, bathed IN blood
Kneeling over her was Eveleen O'Neill; her left
| hand resting on the bosom of her FRIEND and In
her right small dagger uplifted-dagger and
hand were dripping with blood. On seeing the
| butler, she started to her feet, dropped the dag
ger, and uttered a scream; then clasped her
hands and exclaimed wildly, " Have mercy
me"' Other servants came INTO the room; (also
Lord c., visitor at the Abbey,) who were
| alarmed by the screams. The body was quite
warm, and life, apparently, just extinct. Sus-
| ,;.,o tod oil h3vI IDO
mitted the murder in order that she might pos
sess the property, as all were aware OF the eXis-
| tence of the W ill in her favor.
This she denied solemnly and vehemently; but
far from being believed, it seemed to establish
her guilt. Overcome by appearances, she fell
on her knees, and with sobs and screams prayed
, for mercy, alternately addressing God and them,
still protesting her innocence, which none be-
lieved. On examining the body, 1t was@found
stabbed in nine different places, her hands and
arms gashed in many places, which showed she
must have fought desperately for life. On the
bed large lock of hair, torn out by the
roots, which was thought to be Miss Fanshawe's;
but on examination, it was found neither in color
or length to correspond with hers or Eveleen's !;
aud after investigation by an inquest, it was
unanimously admitted there was an accomplice
to whom the hair belonged They Immediately
several important matters the bed saturat-
| ed with blood the sheets tumbed and twisted
in way that clearly evnced hard fighting; the
bel-cord which hung her bed, was tied to
her bed-post, entirely out of her reach. This
indicated two facts: first, premeditated murder !;
and second, acquaintance with the apartment
Thus was suspicion confirmed on Eveleen. No
witness even pretended to have seen the dagger
before in her possession: but this was nothing;
she might have had fifty dagsers and nobody have
been the wiser. The hair proved she not
alone.
She committed to prison for murder. On
the coroner's inquest, she gave the following
voluntary explanation of her position: &C L was
aroused from my sleep by hearing struggles min
gled with screams in the apartment ofMIss Fam
shaw. | listened; and hearing it more distictly.
and also, thought, cry for help, l hesitated
not in hast eninG to her room. As l approached
the door, l thought l heard voices conversInS
hurriedly; then pushed the door, (Which she
never locked,) it being slightly open, and on en-
tering, found her on the floor in pool of 'lood
There was no person visible in the room.
screamed at the sight, sank on my knees and fell
across her, by which became besmeared with
the blood Of my beloved friend, whom loved as
myself On rising, l a dagger, and lifted it
by the point of the blade, hardly knowing what
| did. At this moment the butler entered the
ROOM
No one believed this. The public mind had
attached the guilt to Eveleen; and on her telling
her story to a certain functionary who visited
her, he rebuked her, bidding her heap more
lies on her soul. The trial came at the As
sizes. A powerful posse of officers were drawn
in front of the County Hall. At o'clock, the
doors opened and the public were admitted. In
ten minutes the immense building was crammeo
the galleries thronged with ladies of rank and
fashion. Nearly all the people in the county
were present Eveleen was quietly admitted In.
to the back part of the building by the prudence
of the authorities.
In an hour the Judge seated the accused
at the bar; the jury sworn and all PrelInnarles
arranged.
r Eveleen was young and beautiful. Notwith
| standing her situation, the elegance and grace o
her form was conspicuous Her auburn hair
dark blue eyes, and lofty forehead, made all con
clude that in her happier days she was warm
hearted. open-souled, merry, happy ioseaoie
and bewitching young creature, who 'rresls''oi
attracted you by her transparent goodness D'
d | alas her features now deadly pale ne
N eyes unnaturally luminous; her lips quivel1ne
e. and her hands tightly pressed before her.
her entrance. she was composed, and Wake