Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-09-16
Love and Forgery.

1t is not often that q single community
is startled by a succession of events SO
marked and interesting as those which
make up the following incidents recently
occurring at Baw's Ferry, on Pearl river,
in the State Of Mississippi. About two
months since young man named Lee a
citizen of that place, was engaged to be
married to q young lady, the daughter OF
an oppulent planter. Although of res
pectable connections, his habits were wild
and dissipated. Notwithstanding this, his
manners were those of gentleman, and
he possessed an education which fitted
him for the best society in the country.
Being young and good looking, and with
a reputation acquired by great gallantry
in the army, it is not surprising that he en-
gagged the affections of young and beau
tifll woman, and inspired her with q love
which not.even an acknowledged crime
could lessen and subdue. But sad ter
mination to this truly romantic deyotion
awaited the lovers. An exchange thus
relates the particulars.
Some few weeks before their marriage
was to have been celebrated, he forged a
draft on her father,for $1,000, and OBJ
tanned the money on it. 1t was supposed
that he was melted to the act by his great
want of money and the belief that 'he
would soon be married; end that the fam
lily influence, as we'll as the fathers natu-
raj affection, would unite in concealing
the crime. But the forgery was discov-
cred before the marriage was consumma-
ted. He was arrested on complaint of
the father and throwninto the prison. The
daughter tried every means in her power
to soften the heart of her parent, and pro-
cure the release of her lover, but all her
exertions were unavailing, and her plead
ings unheeded. As a last resource, she
begged and obtained permission to visit
her betrothed in prison. Knowing, that
his only. chance of escaping. the penalty
the law had fixed to his crime, was now
dependent on himself alone, she concealed
revolver about her person, and took
him files and other instruments necessary
for his use in breaking his prison door.
AT this interview means of his escape
were planned, and the night fixed for its
attempt. About midnight he began his
operations. In the lower room of the
jail u guard was stationed. 1t was neces-
>;lry for him to pass these before he gain
ed the open air. He,succceded in break
ing out Of his cell and reaching the room
where the three guards were stationed.
But here commenced Il struggle for life.
The guards heard him coming and pre-,
pared to receive, him. But they little
'eckoned on the desperate struggle before
them. .<.s..y9.
They had to contend with q man who
had determined to escape or die.
The first glance exhibited to him the
desperate character of this situation. With
out moments hesitation he fired or the
guard, killing one Of them Instantly. He
continued firing until the other two were
mor'ally wounded. In the struggle he
himself was slightly wounded, hrenot so
jangerous y as to prevent tie active use:
of his limbs, Hcgained the open coun-.
try-and reached the river. 1t is suppos-
ed he came to New Orleans, and is now
concealed with friends in the city. So
ended one of the most remarkable trage-
dies that has ever occurred in this coun: