Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-01-28

The Murder and Suicide at Franklin Mass
Discovery OF the Body of the Murderer.
The Boston Jrurnal learns from a cores
pondentin Franklin the following additional
particulars of the recent distre ssing tragedy
in that place:
Jonathan Walks, son of Otis Wales. Jr.,
a respectable farmer, had been paying his
addresses to Susan Whiting, daughter of
Joseph b. Whiting. and had made her some
valuable presents. A few weeks, since,
her parents became opposed to their keep
ing company, and compelled her to return
the presents, and refused him Abundance
to the house.. According to some accounts
she also had trifed with Ahis feelings. He
became moody and out of spirits, and his
feelings were further outraged by the inju-
dicious ralIying OF some of his friends. He
purchased a pistol snd run bullets, and fears
were entertained that he would Commit sui
eide. His brother (who married Susan's sis
ter told the girls parents that he was armed
and had threatened her life, but they thought
very little of il. On Monday evening. there
was a surprise party about a quarter OF q
mile from Writings house. Wules and
Susun were both present. At one time du-
ring the evening, Wales e~xtinguished the
lights in one room, bu, before any act of
violen ce occurred, light was restored. Some
think it was his Intention to make way with
the young lady at that time.
About l O'Clock on Tuesday morning, the
party broke up. The parents of the girl
sent a carriage TO convey her home, but she
refused to ride, when a yonng man named
Fdllett started to accompany her home
They had got but a few rods from the house
when Wales jumped over the wall, ran up
to Miss Whiting, pot the pistol to her head
and fred. The ball entered between Inc
eye and ear. Wales jumped over the oppo-
site fence, and that was the last that WIS
seen of him until he was found about Z
O'Clock on Tuesday morning, about one mile
distant from the scene of the tragedy. He
hud shot himself through the heart and
probably died instantly, as not a mark OF
struggling was to be seen in the snow.
The unfortunate young lady wns carried
TO her fathers, AID lived but one hour and
twenty asissutes, without having uttered a
word OF given q sign Of CONSCIOUSNESS since
the fatal shot ives fired.
Mr.. Halves Cat whose house the party
Uas) told me that he spoke to Wales about
his being ungentlemanly to put out the
lights. He replied that they were TO quick
for hinl-that he didn't make cut what he
meant TO.
The utmost excitement prevails. | am
informed by good auth ority that he has been
encouraged by people in the vicinity to
press his claim, or rather try to get her TO
elope with him, just Cor the sake Of making
fuu.n
In the Traveller we find the following
statements in regard to this horrible affair:
About q fortnight since, at u meeting OF
the South Franklin Lyceum, several young
men, who had heard he circumstances OF
the rejection of Wales by Susan, willing to
sacrifice his feelings to their love for sport
arranged TO have a discussion on the sub
ject-"Resolved, that a married man should
be ten years older than his wife"-and TO
complete their plan for amusement at his
expense, managed 10 have him speak on
the afirmaiiTe. The school house was
crowded, and as intended, the discussion
soon assumed a personal character, and his
affairs were alluded to with such freedom as
to exasperaie him greatly. After this he
was frequently joked OF the subject, and it
is thought that this disregard for his finest
feelings caused the deliberate commission
OF the double crime.