Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-01-26
prom the Boston Evening Traveler, 18Th iDst.l

prom the Boston Evening Traveller, 18th instl
! In South franklin, near WadSworth Station,
on the Norfolk County Road, Monday night, az
/ l24 o'clock, as Miss Susan Whiting was returrE
! ing from surprise, party, accompanied by a
young man from West WTentham, she was shot
| through the head by Jonathan Wales.
| She fell scnseless and died about two o'clock
next morning. Wales fed 10 the fields or
woods. 1t appears that Wales formerly paid
his addresses to Miss Whiting, and was rejected
some months since. They both belong to re-
spectacle families, living in the same neighbour
hood, and were connected by the intermarTiage
of their children. Miss Whiting was an active
and intelligent young lady, only about l6 years
of age, and Wales was about IS, and had suS-
tanned good character.
EFrOm tine Morning Traveller, la:hI
Jonathan Wales, the principal in the sad
tragedy is the oldest son of Mr.. Otis Wales,
ir, an independent and we'll to do farmer, liv-
ing at South Franklin, and was IS years old.
He was a young man of very mild diSPoSi
, ton, neaceable character and good general
reputation in the community where he resided,
being much esteemed by his friends, and by all
who knew him. Rumor SayS-we know not
with how much truth-that he had several diff
culties with young ladies to whom he had pre-
viously paid attentions, and that he had not
been successful in his love affairs, although his
perSonsYs was rather preposSesSing, and he was
generally popular in society.
About year ago, as we.are informed by Mr..
and Mrs. Wales the parents OF the deceased,
he became enamorcd of Susan V. Whiting, n
young lady, 1G years of age, who resided with
her parents, about mile distant from his home,
and about three-CourthS of n mile from WadS
worth Station on the County Railroad. A broth
err Of Wales had married an elder sister Of Miss
Whiting, so that the families were already
connected and thrown in contact with each
other. He pressed his suit upon her; and ac-
COrdiHg to the statement of Mr.. Wales, and
other evidence, she favored his proposals, and
either reciprocated his affection, or profeSsed to
do so. The parents Of the Young lady were
very much opposed to the match, and urged the
inequality Of age between them an impor-
tant objection, forbidding her keeping his com
pany. They were undoubtedly engaged to
each other at one time though Susan denied
the fact to her mother. But it appears that
they pightcd their VOWS to each other, and
knowing the opposition which you'd be cncOun-
tered from her friends, agreed 10 wait two years,
and to form other attachment during that
time. Before they we're engaged, Wales bad
made her small presents of JewGiry, and after
wards presented her with gold watch and chain.
They also exchanged miniatures.
About six or eight weeks since, an enstrange-
mcTt took place probably caused by change
in her feelings, a sense Of duty to comply
with the wishes of her parents. lie wrote her
4 note requesting the return Of her jewelry,
and she ct once returned all his giits,-the
young man who was with her at the time OF
the murder, we are tod, bciLg the messenger.
That evening he appeared changed and nnusu-
ally sad. y portion of n sooquy, God knows
what know convinced his friends that his
feelings were deeply panied. He gave the watch
and chain to his mother, requesting her to keep
it to remember him by. lie also distributed
the other gifts, giving locket TO one sister,
chain to another, and ring 10 young lady
friend. From this time he began to change,
acting listless, and growing haggard in appear
ancc. Soon after, visiting Boston, he purchased
five barrclled revolver, and since then has fire.
qucntly piaCtced in the woods; this conduct led
his friends to fear that he medtated suicide
At one time after he had been shooting, he call
ed at the schooIhouse and requested TO see her
at the door, but she refused to 20. He at
one time heard To say that this and similar
Sights caused him more pain than the single
act of rcjecting him lover.
About fortnight since, at n meeting of the
South franklin Lyceum, several young men,
who had heard Of the circumstances of the re-
lection of Wales by Susan, willing TO sacrifice
his feelings to their love Of sport, arranged to
have Il discussion on the Snbject-'h6Sotfe1,
that married man should be ten years older
than his wifc"-and TO complete their plan for
amusement at his expense, managed to hive
him speak on the affirmative. The school house
was crowded, and, as was intended, the discus
sion soon assumed n personal character, and his
affairs were alluded to with such freedom as to
eXaSperatc him greatly. After this he was fire.
quenty oked on the subject and it is thought
that this disregard for his finest feelings caused
the deliberate commission of the double crime.
We have the names of those who originated the
plan Of the discussion, but refrain from publish
ing them; If the persons have human feelings
they will suffer enough without this publicity.
Two tomb stones will soon be erected, which
will he lasting monuments to their careless and
unfccling conduct.
/ Last Wednesday evening he met Suaan, in
! the street, having waited for her to pass. He
I l., II1t- IL IpJl .ar,l
mediatey threw her a note, which merely
folded and without envelope, and then left
her The following is literal copy If the note,
with the exception Of few corrections in spell
ing, &c:
| SouTH FRANkLIS, Jan. 9, 1859.
! Mss Susan y Whiting:
! My Dear and Beloved One-I take this oppor-
tuniiy Of writing to you few lines to express
nv feelings in the affair between you and me,
hoping you will receive the same with feelings
( for me Susan, when | think this affair of ours
over, and see how it is, and what trouble it has
made between us all, it makes me shed many
silent tears over it; for peace and harmony to-
gethcr is the beauty of this life and that this
I a., 4,