The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-11
THE BEDFORD MURDER.
Additional Particulars Sc. Statements
Revised - Partial Examination of


whose doorstep Miss Parsons was killed,
called on us yesterday, and gave q minute
account eff the whole affair, endorsing our
report in the main, and correcting what
was wrong. As his wife witnessed the
shooting, being. within a few feet of the
woman as she fell corpse, and as Mr.. @.
was himself cognizant of many of the
events of the day, his account must be SC
cepted as the truth in the tragic matter:
We learn from him that DIR. hughes OBJ
tanned from E. Wade, Esq of this city, q
blank bill Of divorce, which he (she Doctor
filed out, and with this forged document
deceived Miss ramsey Parsons, who, as we
stated, he induced to go to Pittsburgh with
him. They were married in that city one
day last January, and on the next day Mr..
Haines, the brother-in-lsW of Miss P, went
to Pittsburgh, informed her that the Doctor
had a wife and one child living, and had
him put under arrest, prosecuted and sent
to the Penitentisry. She Immediately re-
turned to her home in Bedford, having
lived with Hughes as wife twenty-four
hours instead of several weeks, as stated.
Mr.. Christian also informed US that about
two weeks since, the Doctor went TO her
home, which by the way is four miles from
Bedford, and secreted himself in the house.
Mr.. Parsons and this daughter were the
only members of the family at homo at this
time. About two O'Clock in the morning
the Doctor stole into her room, and present
ing a knife and revolver, warned her that
if she gave any alarm she should instantly
die. For several hours he urged his suit,
persisting that he was indeed divorced,
and entreating her to go to his home. He
used no violence and treated her very re-
spectfuIy. In the morning Mr.. Parsons
discovered him in the house, and ordered
him to leave. The Doctor assaulted him
and was afterwards arrested and fined
therefor. Business calling him away, Mr..
P. left them together in his house. Hughes,
stayed around some time, ~endeavoring to
persuade her to accompany him, and f.
nslly attempted to take her away by force.
A returned soldier happened to be there at
the time, who prevented the kidnapping.
The Doctor soon after left for this city.
As Mr.. Christians account of the murder
differs in some points from that given, we
will give a rsPid sketch of the transaction.
About ten O'Clock Wednesday morning
Hughes drove out to her home, where he
was cordially received by Mrs. Christian.
Inguiring for Tsmsey, he was informed
that she was not at home. He had a some
what lengthy and pleasant social interview
with Mrs. c., when he returned to Bedford
about two O'Clock in the afternoon, and
made inquiries for Miss P. But failing to
elicit any information as TO her where
sbouts, he left his carriage and sought the
tavern to treat his companions, Russell and
Carr. On their way to the tavern, however,
he saw Miss P. pass on the other side of the
street, walking rapidly toward the house of
her friend, Mrs. Christian, which she was
seeking as an asylum ofprOtectiOn. Hughes
instantly left his companions and ran after
her. A son Of Mr.. Christian stood at the
gate, which he opened for the admittance
of Miss P. The Doctor followed rapidly,
entered the gate and called out 10 her 10
halt. She kept on toward the front door,
which Mrs. Christian had just opened,
replying to Hughes demand, as she
put foot on the step, "You need not follow
me; I will not go"-the last words she ever
spoke. he advanced and putting his hand
h-- -ho.lSa--f-a5- the hall to kinr ahfact
in the back OF the neck, but not inficting a
mortal wound. She exclaimed "0hI" when
the assassin fired q second shot, the ball
entering the base of the skull and taking an
upward course, killing her instantly, Mics
P. falling heavily on her right side. Hughes
thereupon raised the revolver as if 10 shoot
Mrs. Christian who, standing in the door
way 10 receive Miss P, said, "Dr. Hughes
how could you do such 8 thing?" Two
workmen standing near and young man
Christian shouted simultaneously 70 the
murderer, whereupOn he dropped his re-
voIver to his side. He then walked de-
liberately away TO his carriage, a distance
perhaps of eighty yards, followed by one
of the workmen in the yard, who at length
~grsppled with the Doctor, but the latter
hurled him to the ground with a power
full effort, and presenting his revolver said
that any man who should interfere with
him would be killed instantly. He then
jumped into his carriage and drove rapid
ly toward Newburgh. Driver Carr says
that Hughes threatened to kill him if be
did not put the horses up to the height OF
their speed, and that Russell presently
got out of the carriage, mounted the box
and dashed the horses most furiously.
The murderer was found by the
pursuers in about an hour after
ne leaped from the carriage and
fed TO the thick underground of brush. A
Mr.. Comstock saw him lying under a bush,
and boldly advanced to him, laid his hand
on his shoulder and asked ado you sur
render?" He gave up his revolver and
knife, and surrendered without resistance.
The prisoners were brought before Jus
tice Kobe, in Court Room No. 2, yesterday
morning, for preliminary examination.
Prosecuting Attorney, C. W. Palmer, ESQ.,,
in the absence of certain important wit
nessesSSmoved that the examination be
postponed till nine O'Clock Saturday morn
ing, and the motion was sgreed to. Messrs. !
Heisley and KerruiSh appeared as counsel
for DR.. Hughes, and NJ. s.. Castle, Esq, for
Russell and Carr.
We learn that Miss Parsons was buried
at half-past two O'Clock yesterday after
noon from the residence of Mr.. Christian
in Bedford, where she met her death.
THE "VARIETIEs" Oh WHEELs.-The fol-
lowing note informs the public That the
"Varieties," in part, has gone to give
a series of "morsl exhibitions" in Titus
vile, Pa. "How blessings brighten as they
take their fight 70 NO..
EDITOR LEADER Presuming you would
like to know the future of some Of the COM
Pany of the defunct "Yarieties," l hereby
you the following information
One of the party vent to Titusville two
or three days since and engaged the hall in
that city for a series of performances, sup
piled with the necessary funds for the
same by a notorious fellow of this city
named Palmer, better known ae Blinky
Bill, who keeps a house of very question:
able repute, disguised as adrinking SELDOM,
in this city. Said Blinky Bills name is
to appear in the advertisements, but
frnuDa will ne caliad thu GeCharry palIaI