The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-01-20
A Despairing Wife.

Thomas w. Smith, it vii. be re ,llcctci, III
cd Richard Garter at Hotel in Philadelphia
last summer. Cater WIS the guardian and
seduccr of his own niece whom Smith married.
In four mcntEs from her marriage to Smith
she gave birth to child which was Car,er's.-
ton was discovered, and meeting Carter some
weeks after, the muld'r took place The child
was killed 1--WE have forgotten how or by whom)
prior to the death of Carter, and the f,llowing
these two events. Smith is on trial now,-his
defence is insanity. This with other letters OF
similar imro:t was read on the trial to show
cause for the insanity of the prison'r:
Bristol, Pa. May 9Th. 1857.
VIII you allow me to say, my dear dear. yet
inferred husband: Your letter was received
and read with feelings of the most bitter
ansuish-rcad it without a ain or passion Of
g,ief. Tom, l Gm not void of feeling. feel
as though truly alone in the world. Father
brothers, husband, f.ends and all--haye all
left ME. Oh, God, that died the day was
born.
My dear Tom, wronged you deeply. l
kept the fatal secret from you. did wrong il,
marrying you, but loved you yes. God only
know, loved you, and do SO still. You a, e
tie inj red one; Carter the guilty wretch -
You wished me dead before you left me.
wish it was So You ask for a divorce MY
! dear Tom, if that is your wish, will make no
| objection. Icannot; but will aid you in all |
can to get you n divorce it is right that you
should s"paratc from one who has so deeply
| I'M hut
ally on the part of Lizzie. Tom you know nv
sensitive feelings. When this is done, have
given UP all the ties that bind me to earth
! o God. how deeply love you You have my
heart; my very soul is centcred in you. Oh
Tom. will you, can you, torg're me? l most
humbly ask your furgivencss-tlat is all can
ask OF you. You speak of the once romping
| schooi-sirl; yes, what am | now "a heart
| broken, detected woman, without friends
thrown rpon the cold world for assistance
Why, oh, why, has Heaven scaled me doomed !
No, verify, God has forgiven me, and have
been restored back to his fold again. Life has
returned, but nv poo, dcsolatc heart cries for
its lost mate. Oh, my Toor, heart broken de-
jectcd, Injured husband, forgive me! conf IS
l have done YOU lifetime of wrong. have
made you drink the most bitter dregs Of sor.
rows cnp. oh, that heaven would grant me tC
reclaim you back again. You ask my future
lot. wish that could tell you. know not
where to 60 or what todo. Sickness and trouble
have left me weak and miserable. Strength
does not return l have not left my room al
yet. Leonard's more in a couple of weeks. and
l must seek shelter somewhere. Where,
cannot say. The poor house is rs good as any
where for me. / am not able to do anything a.
! yet, nor will not be for some time but never
while earth stands will throw myself out to the
world as public character. You shall ney,,
have it said to you that that is the way ! make
my living; and, as for Carter. he las injured
me for life. We will never meet again except
i'll the presence of Thrill rc-son. Br'ha
wishes me to serd tic child " here it belongs
to Carter / cannot sleep nor eat can de
nothing but walk my room at night mus
close. May the God of all goodness guide ant
protect Voucher you up amidst this-;s thu
prayer Of her WHO was once your beloved con
filling LIZZIE.