The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-21
The Love Ans,r in Massachusetts.

The Love AFFAIR In Massachusetts,.
DISAPPOINTED LOVE, MURDER AND sUIClDE--MURDER
OF A YOUNG LADY By REJECTED LovER-iIIS
SUBSEQUENT SUICIDE.
[trom the Boston Traveller, Jan 1911
In our last evenings edition we stated briefly the prin-
young lady named Susan " Whiting by a rejected lover
named Jonathan Wales, while returning from surprise
party One Of our reportorial corps Immediately
despatched to the of the murder and the complete
particulars of the affair, together with the
OF the suicide OF the murderer which had not been dis
covered, though suspected at the time our nfor-
mant left Franklin yesterday are given below, with
much accuracy as could be obtained by conversation with
those most eonversant with all the incidents.
Jonathan Wales the principal in the sad tragedy is the
Oldest son Of Mr. Otis Wales r independent and well!
TODD farmer living at South Franklin, and twenty
position peaceable character, and good general repui-
ton in u community where he resided, being much
teemed by his friends and by all who knew him. Rumor
says-we know not with how much truth-that he had
several difficulties with young ladies to whom lac had
previously paid attention. and that he had not been
ccssul in his love affairs although his perso,e was
rather progressing, and he generally popular in
society.
About year ago, as we informed by Mr.. and Mrs
Wales the parents OF the deceased he became enamored
of Susan " Whiting, young lady sixteen years OF age
who resided with her parents about mile distant from
his home, and about three ourths Of mile from Wads-
wOrth's station the Norfolk County Railroad
brother of Wales had married older sister of Miss
Whiting, so that the families were already come tied aud
thrown with each other He pressed his suit
upon her. and according the statement OF Mr.. Wales
and other evidence she favored his proposals. and either
reciprocated his affection pretended TO do The
parents Of the young lady very much opposed TO the
match and urged the inequality of age between them
important objection, forbddng her keeping his
pany They undoubtedly engaged TO each other ut
tme though Susan denied the fact to her mother.
But appears that they pghted their vows to each other
and knowing the opposition which would be encountered
from her friends agreed to wait two years and to form
other attachment during that time Before they were
engaged Wales had made her small presents of jewery
and afterwards he presented her with gold watch and
About six or eight weeks since estrangemcnt took
place, probably caused by change in her feelings,
Of duty to comply with the wishes OF her parents
He wrote her note requesting the return of his jewery
and she at returned all his gfts-he young who
was with her at the time Of the MURDER tod being
the messenger.
That evening he appeared changed and unusually sad
portion of a soloquy, "God knows and know" con-
WINGED his friends that his feelings deeply panied
He gave the watch and chain his mother requesting her
keep 1t to remember him by He also distributed the
other gifts, giving ocket to one sister, chain to
another, and ring TO young lady friend. From this
time he began to CHANGE acting listlessy and growing
hsggard in appearance. Soon after, visiting Boston, he
purchased five barreled revolver, and since then has
frequently pracsed in the woods this led his
friends to fear that he medated suicide. At one tme
after he had been shooting he called at the schoolhouse
where Susan attended school, and to see her
the door, but she refused TO 60 He at time heard
to say that this and similar Sights caused more pain than
the single act of rejecting him as l0vor.
About fortnight since, ut meeting of the South
Franklin Lyceum, several young who had heard
circumstances of the rejection Of Wales by Susan willing
sacrifice his feelings their love for SPORT arranged
have discussion on the ubects'Resolved, That
red should be ten years older than his wfe"-and
to complete their plan for amusement at his expense
managed to have him speak the Affirmative. The
school house crowded, and was intended the dis
assumed personal character and his affairs
alluded to with such freedom exasperate him
greatly After this he frequently joked the sub
ject and is thought that this disregard for bis finer feel
ngs caused the deliberate commission of the double
crime We have the names OF those who originated the
plan of the discussion, but refrain from publishing them
II the persons have human feelings they will suffer enough
without this publicity. Two tombstones will be
erected, which will be lasting TO their care
less and unfeeiDg conduct
Last Wednesday evening he met Susan in the street.
having waited for her to pass He accosted her with
GLOW do you dos" and Immediately threw her note,
which merely folded and without envelope, and
then left her. The following literal copy of the note
with the exception of few corrections in spelling &C..
MISS SUSAN " wnr1IsGMy dear and beloved one-i take
this opportunity Of writing to you few lines 10 express my
sss S this
Hs
ii and harmony together beauty Of this life
now sss6 make 70 ss 1e
that @ fw 70 s oa
That need s5 not "a would
on s IT, % s the
n then this tronble would not have BEEN duty
lad asked mine would have ssIy %
@ sno% s 5 a yS
and me the be very last night after you had
and lyon mine and whenever me, each other % treat
blink YOU have respect towards @ s sES
Uss have had hard time Of + With your .
you All you for telling me how It was; but
s% S % IL nfss Hs deny 'ss
world You the which want to unite with in this
IT, mott ruin %s me
susan have feeling for me- ask of you the God
world Of trouble, my enjaymen happiness will be
blasted forever do not lead e thus far and then quit
m ask n win %afs w
use You Web, If you win 90 with me
trust @ At M % the s % ns %
ad you shall have good home and be free from the control
me let al old affairs pass away and all things
Yours truly Please answer this and hand !, to me
The following lines written after the SIGNATURE
o. how wish you had gone home with me that night from
the shool housed How much different this affair would have
much
BY this both families had been led to fear that he
intended violence, and on Sunday afternoon last Mrs.
Whiting while in church, annoyed by his appear
ance and the in which he watched her daughter
that she left the church accompanied by her.
house Of Mr. Nathaniel ep ahp" ono hnndrad q, ros
from her fathers house. and she very anxious TO
tend, but her mother had premonton Of trouble or
danger, and refused her consent She finally granted it
on condition that she would ride home with her uncle,
Mr.. Willard Whiting, who neghbor, and was to
attend with his adopted daughter Anne She went aud
Wales was also at the party He appeared much gayer
than usual, and laughed and played with the rest, but
noticed to keep his eyes rivetted her. AT about
half past eleven O'Clock she left the house in company
with young man named Ephraim Follett. They had
scarcely proceeded fifty rods and nearly opposite
the house of James MCPHERSON, when Wales, having
crossed field from the house Of Mr. Halves, up be-
hind them. They turned little side to let him pass
but he deliberately walked up to her. and raising his ps
toll, discharged the contents Of one BARREL with the
Ze nearly touching her right temple. He Immediately
climbed the fence and disappeared over hill by the
roadside The young man with her felt her lean his
shoulder and then drop. He much frightened, and
ran TO the house for aid.
Mr. Willard Whiting had gone home quite early, without
his adopted daughter, and Mrs. W. becoming alarmed at
her appearance started for Mr. Halves; when nearly
there she met Susan and Mr. Fopett, and soon Anne,
having passed her carriage with friends She re-
tracing her steps, when she heard report, and the
lash Of pistol She supposed 1t was fired in sport, but
the body OF her niece, who nsepsble
the blood flowing profusey from her Foett her
companion frantic with fright and grief Assistance
Tho doI .,,rl