Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-08-29
An Extraordinary StOry-LOve
and Murder.

| LONDON mas nau nOrrlDle SenSatlOn 10
occupy its attention during the last month.
On the 18th of July, Major Murray, until
recently an officer of the Hussars, and now
Director in a wealthy Stock Company, was
accosted in the public streets by man
who was an entire stranger to him. The
newcomer introduced himself under the
name of Grey; said he wanted to loan
meney for client, to the company of
which Murray was Director; offered $780,
900 and requested the Major to walk
into his (Grey's) office, it was up one pair
Of stairs, and in back room, in public
and respectable street, but Murray had
never before been in the house. He fol-
lowed, however, in the office and seated
himself, when some unimportant business
conversation took place, occupying not
more than a minute or two. Roberts (the
real name of the strangely rose TO get his
card of address, which the other had ask
ed for. The door was closed. Murray sat
with his back TO Roberts, who pretended
to be looking for card. Presently Muir
ray felt slight touch in the back of his
neck, there was report of pistol, and
he dropped off his chair on the ground
perfectly paralyzed; in moment Roberts
came up and seeing that his victim still
lived, fired a pistol into Murray's right
temple; this did not kill, but he pretended
to be dead, and when Roberts walked
away, he seized pair of tongs lying near
sprang to his feet, and struck at the wretch.
He raised his arm and terrible struggle
ensued; Roberts fell under, and Murray
hit him several times in the face and on the
head with the tongs, getting his own knees
on Roberts chest. Then Roberts got a.
way the tongs, and Murray seized a black
bottle, but it was smashed to pieces in one
blow. The two wounded men both
streaming with blood, contrived to get to
their feet, and another struggle took place;
finally Murray got possession of the tongs,
ard by succession of heavy blows thought
that he had killed his adversary, knowing
that his own life was at stake. He then
found the door locked, and clambered out
of the window, to policeman, ignorant all
the time whether he should not meet con-
federates of his would be murderer. Help
was got, Murray taken to hospital, and
Roberts discovered.
For nearly n fortnight the mystery re-
mained unravelled. Roberts did not die
for a day or two, but nothing could be
learned from him; Murray persisted in de-
claring that they never had met before;
Roberts family could furnish no clue to
the affair, but at last woman who hal
been supposed to be Murray's wife, gave in
formation that explained it all. She is, in
reality, and has been for years, his mistress,
athough h this fact has not been generally
known. Roberts has been in love with
her, and the supposed Mrs. Murray has
paid frequent visits 10 him in the very
room where the frightful fight occurred.-
Roberts was jealous and anxious to have
the woman elope with him to the conti-
nent proposing to desert bis own wife,
Mrs. Murray (so-called) declared that she
feared rather than loved hin, and refused.
Roberts never threatened Murray in her
presence; but learned from her his rivals
habits, watched him in public places, and
got information of his business. On the
public examination the woman was pro-
duced; she is young and very pretty, and
cried bitterly when revealing her double
shame. 1t was believed, however, that she
was innocent of all complication in the at
tempt at murder; and the verdict of tine
Coroners jury was "jusliiable homicide
and that Major Murray slew the deceased
to save his own life." There can be no
doubt that Roberts passion for the mis-
tress Of Murray provoked him to endeav-
or to get Murray out of the way. So
wonderfully can even phlegmatic English
men be stirred by the emotions which wo-
men sometimes inspire.