American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-02-03
CITY OF LANCASTER:
rharsday Morning, Feb. 8, 1850
al DOURLE TRAGEDY.
tFrom the 3Oaton Evening Traveller 18Th.

tFrom the Boston Evening Traveller 18th.
In South Franklin, near Wadsworth
Station. on the Norfolk county Road, Mon
day night, at i24 O'Clock, as Miss Susan
Whiting was returning from q surprise
party. accompanied BY young man from
Wreutham. she was shot through the head
b, Jonathan Wales.
She fsll ,senseless, and died about two
O'Clock next morning. Wales fed to the
fields or woods. 1t appears that Wales
formerly paid his addresses to Miss Viii
Aing, and was rejected some months since
They both belong to Fespsetable families.
living in the same neighbdfhoOd. and were
connected By the intermsrriage Of other
children. Miss Whiting was an ac,iv and
Intelligent young lady. only sbout l6
years Of age, and Wales was shout 28
end had sustained good character.
tFrom the MofatRg fFaveler isth.I
Jonathan Wales the principle in the
said tragedy. is the Oldest son Of Mr.. Otia
Wales, jr, an independent and well to
DO former, living at South Franklin. and
was 90 years old. He was young man
Of very mild disposition. peacable charac-
Ter and good general reputation in the
community where he resided. being much
esteemed by bis friends. and by all who
knew him. Rumor says-we know hot
with how much truth-that he bad several
hifficnlties with young ladies to whom he
had previously paid attantion. aad that he
had not been su ,cessful in his love affairs.
although his personeEtS was rather prepo-
sess:ng. and he was generally popular in
6eciety.
About year ago; as we are inforthed
by Mr.. and Mrs. Wales, the parents Of the
htceased, be become enamored of Susan
v. Whiting. y ung lady l6 years Of age
who resided with her parents. about a
Iiile distant from his home. and about
three. fourths OF a mile from Wadsworth
Station on the County Road. A brother
ofWAles had married an elder sister OF Miss
Whiting, go that the families were already
6onnected and thrown in contact with each
other. He pressed his suit upon her; and
according to the statement Of Mr.. Wales,
and other evidence, she favored his pro-
posals, and either reciprocated his atfec-
lion, or professed to do SO. The parents
Of the young lady wera very much oppo-
sed 10 ths mach, and urged the inequality
Of age between them qs an in portrnt OBJ
lection, forbidiIg her Keeping his company
They were undoubtedly engaged to each
Other at one time. though Susan denied
the fact to her mother. But II appears
they plighted their vows to each other,
and knowing the opposition wbioh would
be encountered from her friends agreed
70 Wate t&o years, and to form no, other
attachment during that time. Before
they were engaged, Wales had tiads her
small presents Of jswslry, and afterwards
he presented her with gold watch and
Shain. They also exchaaged miniatures.
About six or eight weeks since, an es-
srangemeit TOOK place, probably caused
by schange 10 her feelings. or a sense oi
duty to comply, with the wishes Of her pa
tehts. He '~fots her note requesting
The seturu Of ber jewelry. and she at once
returned all his, gifts, --lhe yohug man
who was with herat the time Of the muir.
Der; We are told. being the messenger.
That evening he appeared Ohanged aud
inHsdaIly Sad: A portion Of a sOliloquy,
.God knows Whit / know" convinced
his friends that bis feelings we're deeply
pained. He gave the watch and cbain to
his mother. requesting her to keep i "a
Veuaember him BY. He also distributed
tho other gifts. giving lOcket to one sis
terra chain to another, and ring to
youar lady friend. From this time he
began to change, setting listless, and grow,
ing baegard in Appearance. Soon after
visiting Boston, he purchased five bar
relied revolver, and since then has often
practicsd in the woods; this conduct led
his friends to fear that he meditatsd sui.
side. At one time after he had been shoot
ing he called at the school house aud re-
Qudstsd TO see her atthe door. but she
refused 10 90. He was at one time heard
to say that this and similar sights caused
him more pain than the single act Of re-
fnnt.no, him az n loVaP.