Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-29
PUBLIC LEDGER.
once. No. IL Madison street
CITY CIRCULATION.
A Deplorablo Tragedy in Kentucky I:

=
EDITOR LOUISVILLE COURIER; A de-
plorable tragedy was enacted about a
mile from our quiet little village, TINS
morning at daylight, which resulted in
the death Of q promising young man, and
the mortal wounding OF another whose
future was all brillianoy and promise.
Anticipating tho affair getting into the
papers, and being fully cognizant of all
the particulars and circumstances pro
cediue the sad and bloody denoumeht, |
now. In accordance with the wishes OF the
friends of both parties, send you an &C
curate history OF the affair, in order tnat
the facts may 60 out to the world just as
they transplred.
Littleton Wells and Sanford b. Roberts
wee both young men of unexceptlon-
able characters, and occupying enylable
positieas in our society. Wells was
about twenty-five years old, and Roberts
was probably two years his senior. The
former was our deputy postmaster, while
the latter was clerk in the store OF Roath
q Strotker. For some time both had
been paying marked attention to an
amiable and beautiful young lady OF the
neiphborhood, whose name | Withhold for
Obvious reasons, and until a month past
we're generous rivals, their relations to-
ward each other being upon the most
friendly footing.
Some three or four weeks ago Wells
visited the young lady, and made Tor
NAL proposal for her hand. His propo-
siton was respectfully but firmly de-
clined, and upon his pressing her for her
reason for her declination, she indis-
creetly informed him that she had already
accepted a similar proposal from young
Roberts. Wells left the house, mounted
his horse, and returned to the village,
He first went to the postofice and armed
himself with pistol, and then sought
his successful rival at the store. Here
an alteration ensued, which would have
had bloody termination bad not by
ISLANDERS interfered and put an end to
the difficulty. From that time until
Saturday they were as strangers to each
other On that day they both attended
picnic, Roberts being accompanied by his |
fdnce. As soon as Wells saw them to-
gether he seemed to be imbued with the |
very spirit of insanity. Approaching |
them he grossly insulted Roberts in the |
presence of the whole assembly. The
insulted man sprang TO his feet, and
started towards his insulter, evidently
to resent the insult, when gentlemen
prevented collision. Roberts
and his fair companion, at the earnest
solicitation of the latter, Immediately
left the ground and repaired to her
home, where she, fearing difficulty be-
tween the parties, endeavored TO persuade
him to spend the night In that she
failed. but succeeded in exacting n prom
se from him that he would not return to
The picnic ground.
Reaching the village, and brooding
over the gross outrage that had been put
lpon him, he went to his room and
Denned "A challenge to mortal combat,
which he intrusted to friend TO be de-
iyered into the hands of Wells. This
mission was accomplished that night.
Next morning friend Of the challenged
,arty called upon the friend of Roberts
O arrange the preliminaries. This was
Don accomplished. The arrangement
vas that the fight was to come off in
meadow about one mile east of town, at
aylight, on Monday, the weapons to be
,olt's revolvers
At the appointed time principals and
econds were on the chosen ground. The
we're placed ten feet apart,
With instructions to fire between the
lords one and three" and then adj
ance, firing as they advanced, such be-
nr the terms insisted upon by the chal-
engee and not rejected by the chal-
enger. At the word both parties fred,
nd so accurate was their aim, that Wells
Ill dead, pierced through the brain by
is adversary's ball. Roberts received
is opponent bullet in the center of the
reast, passing through his body and
odging under the skin, just to the left
f the spine. At the moment | write he
/, not dead, though sinking so rapidly
hat the physicians say he cannot posi-
ly live more than an hour.
This terrible affair, it is needless to say,
ss given our entire community shock
uch as never pervaded it before Both
he young men were highly respected,
onspicuous for their intelligence and
ocial qualities. Wells leaves a widowed
lother and two sisters to mourn his loss.
,oberts leaves no family bereft, while
be sad, sad fate is mourned by all who
new them. WELBY.