Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-01
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From the Louisville Journal, Nov. 1871

From the Louisville Journal, Nov. 1871
A correspondent at Fort Craig, New
Mexico, whose letter was written on the
1st inst, sends us the particulars of
most shocking affair that took place be-
tween two officers of the 125th United
States colored troops, a regiment of
which was recruited in Kentucky in the
spring of 1865, and which was sent out
to the territory of New Mexico last sum-
mer, where it is now on duty. One of
the parties, 1st Lieut.. John +. Warner,
had been for sometime suspicious that
improper intimacy existed between his
wife-who had been with him ever since
he joined the regiment-and another
first lieutenant FIRED. Haselhurst). He
finally became so confirmed in his sus-
picions and dissatisfied, that he peremp-
torily turned his wife away, and in
stituted proceedings for a divorce.
This was little over two weeks
ago, at Fort Selden, New Mexico
His wife, thus left to herself, appealed
to the generocity of the officers at the
post for a sum of money sufficient to
cover the expenses of a journey back to
Kentucky. She was a native of Lex
ington, KY, where, if we are not mis-
taken, she has parent or parents. She
has friends also Ia Louisville, and in
tended to make that her place of abode.
She succeeded in raising the necessary
amount of funds and left Fort Selden
about two weeks ago, en- route, by coach,
for the states, shaking off the dust of
her feet against "Johnny," and breath
ing parting regrets for the more favored
Erred" e.
No sooner had she left, however, than
frequent letters began to pass between
herself and Haselhurst. Warner, stung
with jealousy, was on the Qui Di0e, and
Tuesday, Oct. ODD, just before the de-
parture of the northern mail, succeeded
to get access to the mailbag, In which
he found three letters directed to Mrs.
Julia Warner" These he opened and
found to be very glowing, love-breath-
ing missives, written by Lieut.. Fred.
Haselhurst. Shortly after, it being
nearly dinner time, he (Warner) sta
toned himself at a point near which
the officers usually passed ON their way
to the mess room, armed with three or
four well loaded pistols and bowie
knife. 1t was not long before Haselhurst
came along, when Warner confronted
MIN Win revolver uTdW0 anu ueIuAuu6Q
-"What do you write letters to my wife
for?" and thereupon Immediately dis
charged his revolver, the charge taking |
effect in Haselhurst's body just; below |
the lower ribs. The wonnd was help |
lessly fatal, but HasleLurst, not at once |
disabled, -retreated into the quarters of
the commanding officer of the post,
which were near at hand, pursued by |
Warner, who continued to fire at him, /
though it seems without effect. Two or
three shots were thus fired inside the /
room, when Haselhurst sprang upon
Warner and succeeded in wrestling I
away one of his revolvers. Thus armed, |
Haselhurst took deliberate aim and saot
Warner directly through the heart as
the latter was standing outside the door
preparing another pistol for firing.
Warner staggered forward, drew his
bowie knife, stuck it two or three times /
in the side of the adobe building, and |
fell dead upon the spot. Haselhurst |
only survived him few hours; and now !
they sleep side by side, far away from
their homes, each through the influence
of base passion, the others destroyer. |
Warner was about twenty-eight years