Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-14
From he Louisville Courier
The Jessamine Tragedy.

Our valued correspondents have already
furnished us with pretty full details of the
recent wife murder near Nicholasville, but
the following additional particulars, from the
Lexington statesman of yesterday, will be
read with interest:
The following version of the frightful
and tragicai affair which recently occurred
in Jessamine county, is given upon the au-
thority of a gentleman from NicholasviIle.
In the forenoon of Tuesday last, Mr..
Joshua Arnold seeing his wife, from whom he
had been separated about year, pass the
residence OF his step-mother, in company
with another lady, followed her TO n field, a
half mile distant, to which she repaired to
gather Strawberries. He then accOsted her,
and demanded that she would withdraw u
suit which she had instituted for alimony aud
divorce. The wife refused. when the husband
avowed his purpose to kill Jus BOTH The
lady who was with Mrs. A, misunderstand-
ing the threat to be- directed to her, fled in
great haste and fright. The wife, realizing
that the dread purpose OF her husband was
fixed acceded TO his demand, and promised TO
live with him. He replied by telling her she
was lying. aud Immediately tired at her, the
ball grazing her temple. She instantly
sprang to him and begged for mercy. He
refused. She then appealed for time 10 pray
for her murderer. This boon was granted,
and brief time spent in prayer for her hus-
band her children and herself. Arnold then
grasping her with one arm, memorable TO all
her applications for mercy, fired at her three
times, each ball taking effect in the head.
The face was irighthiliy disfgured by the
wounds aud the powder from the pistol. Not
content with this, the incarnate hend
mutilated her person with a knife, and then
piling brush upon il left the scene
Meantime the lady who bad witnessed the
first scene of the tragedy had reached the
house of Mrs Hunter, bat was so much ex-
hausted by fright aud fatigue that she
swooned and il was some time before she
sufficiently recovered to make known the
sragical affair. As soon rs she did so, how-
ever, u messenger was dispatched by the con-
stable, aud be proceeded to the house Of
Arnold's step-mother. The murderer was
there found and arrested while ia the act of
writing his will. lie was taken to Nicholas
vile aud lodged in Jail. where he remains.
The tragedy occurred in Jessamine county,
six miles east OF Nicholasyille.
We understand that the citizens Of Jes-
samine were with much dlfiienlty restrained
from inhicting Summary punishment upon the
prisoner, and only dssisted upon steps being
taken 10 secure speedy trial, and meantime
10 post an extra guard around the jail a.
prevent any possibility Of escape. No trial,
hosever can De had Tor two weeks, aud some
apprehension l. feit that the evaporation OF
public sentiment viii ind siolent bathurst
before that time. We can imagine no more
horrible and liendsh murder. bat the convict
Ioa and legal execution Of the prisoner Is
placed by the evidence beyond a doubt, aud
II Is 20 be hoped the Law viii be permitted 10
take is course. We did hear some relation
of the prisoner ventured 10 suggest the plea
Of insanity, the mere mention of which 80
infuriated the people that be was forced 20
leave the town A second plea Of that kind
would certainly cnd IN the supremacy of
lynch Law.