The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-08
From the Cleveland Herald.
Truth Stranger than Fiction.

From the Cleveland Herald.
Truth Stranger than Fiction.
We yesterday learned the denouemeut of a pain
ful story equal to the most thrilling romance in
interest, but with the circumstances and actors of
which we were personally well acquainted
Some twelve years ago, two young men, named
Cyma and PAUL, lived in q small village not far
from the sea coast in the extreme west Of Eng
land Both were miners, and worked in the same
tin mine near the village. Both paid their ad-
dresses to the same maiden, though not with equal
success. Clyma prespered SO we'll in his suit that
a day was appointed for the nuptias, and in
due course the banns Of marriage were asked in
the village church on the three Sundays pre-
scribed by the English canon law
Before the second Sunday came round the RI
walls met at wrestling match in the village, and
ii CHANGED that the turn came for them to wrestle
together PAUL. was excited, and endeavored
strenuousy to give his successful rival in love
wicked fall, but his eagerness worked his defeat
He was thrown to the ground amid the shouts Of
the villagers. On springing to his feet he swore
that he would be revengsd, and that Cyma should
never marry his intended bride. From that day
he took to drinking deeply, and was fierce in his
imprecations on his rival.
The day before that fixed for the marriage,
PAUL told all his acquaintances that he would be
; at the wedding, and would find means to prevent
its taking place. Knowing his determined char
acter, Clyma appeared alarmed at the threat, and
got some friends to intercede with Paul. but in
vain.
Late that night, Clyma left the house of his
intended bride for his own cottage. The way lay
across patch OF barred moor, where there were
several open mine shafts, which had been deserted,
and the bottoms Of whose black depths were now
covered with several fathoms of water About
the same hour PAUL was seen crossing to the same
pitch of moor from another direction. A miner
who passed little later toward the mine where
he worked-it being his turn for night work
averred the next day that he heard noise as if of
adispute aud scuffle, but it too dar to dstin-
gush any one.
The marriage was to take place at III o'clock
in the morning at the village church. Long be-
fore that hour the village was the scene Of great
excitement The hat and neckerchiel of PAUL.
the latter torn and bloody-had been found near
the deepest of the abandoned pit-shafts, and
of PAUL. himself nothing could be found, nor had
he been seen since he went toward the moor on
the preceding night. The ground where the arti
cles had been found, bore traces of q seufle hav-
ing taken place, and to crown the whole. two but
tons, recognized az belonging to Clyma's coat,
were discovered among the earth and stones. To
these ominous facts Clyma could only reply that
he had met PAUL at the place mentioned during
the night that high words were followed by a
suifle and that he had beaten PAUL, who retired
cursing him.
This account was not considered satisfactory
and Clyma was taken into custody to await fur
ther developments. Several days passed away !;
an examination was made of the pit and the sur
rounding locality, but no trace could be found of
the body. 1t was argued, however, that if a
stone were attached to the body before it was
thrown into the pit, so as to sink it, there would
ibe no probability of its ever being found. After
several examinations before magistrate, the ac-
cused was released from custody. but only to be
Stunned as murderer by the whole community.
Elm the meantime the inten led bride became sick
through excitement violent fever was
Noeeded by q wasting illness, and after lingering
some months. she died of broken heart These
accumulated ills were too much for the unhappy
object OF general suspicion, and in less than twelve
months after what should have been his wedding
day, he became the inmate OF an insane asylum,
where he still remains hopeless unato.
Among the relatives OF Clyma, was a sister,
married to farmer, who two or three years after
tho unhappy occurrences related above removed
TO this country and settled down on farm in
Northern Illinois. About ten days since, this
sister, whilst about taking the in Chicago for
her home, suddenly encountered the supposed
murdered man ! Her excitement was intense
Drawing him on one side, she made herself known
20 Paul., and was Immediately recognized by him.
The explanation given by him Of his disappear.
'ance was. that he had met Cyma on the sventfu
night, with the purpose Of beating and disHgur-
ing him so that he could not be married on the
succeeding day, but that his rival was more than
match for him.
Burning with rage at his discontinue, he had
rushed off without knowing or caring what became
OF himself, and, on reaching the beach had taken
an old leaky boat and pulled directly out TO sea.
Next morning. when the boat was nearly sinking,
ne was picked up by an outward bound ship,
which took him to New Orleans Since then he
he had resided several years in California and in
the United States, had become moderately rich,
and was now on his way to his native home, with
which he had maintained no communication since
his abrupt departure. On learning the sad events
which had occurred in the meantime, he immed.
intely accompanied tho sister to her home in ILL
nois. and, after the necessary arrangements were
made he started with her for Eng sud in order to
repair, as far as possible, the mischief which had
been done. They passed through Cleveland last
evening on their way East, and, happening acc-
'dently to meet them at the depot we learned the
sequel 20 the sad story, with the earlier portions
OF which we were already we'll acquainted.
They go on Joyful yet mourntul errand The
good name OF the unhappy eondepned can be re-