Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-22
rHE srRUeE sTREET TnAGEDY.
Further Particulars.

Further Particulars.
The frightful tragedy enacted near the
corner of Spruce and Cedar streets, at near
O'Clock Wednesday morning. in which
Charles Stewart shot and killed the unof-
Tending wife of his bosom and the mother
Of his children, has scarcely parallel in
the criminal annals of our city, and has
produced in the vicinity the intensest ex-
element and the deepest indignation on
the part of the friends and acquaintance
Of the deceased.
MRS. STEWART.
The lady who has been thus suddenly
hurled into eternity by the wild and fevered
hand of him who should never have raised
If but in defence and protection, enjoyed
an irreproachable character as lady, a wife
and mother, and had many friends Such
was the degree of confidence she inspired
with the relatives of Mr.. Stewart them
selves, that in the settlement of some fani-
ly property, it was made in her name as
being the safest repository for her little
boys. She had been married to MIR. Stew
art for a number of years, and was regarded
every way as a worthy and devoted wife.
MR.. STEWART.
Charles Stewart is man 80 years of age,
and does not have the appearance of one
hardened in crime or who could perpetrate
such deed. He is small man, scarcely
up to the medium SIZE with black hair and
eyes. He has long been victim to ex-
cessive intemperance. Those who have
lived near neighbors to. him aver that, so far
as their knowledge goes, aside from his in
temperance lie was kind to his wife and de-
voted to his two little boys, never making
harsh or violent demonstrations towards
either They say that if any domestic infe-
hcities save the natural results of his inc
briation existed, they were sedulously COW
cred up and concealed by his wife.
IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE KILLING.
Mr.. Stewart had been drinking more OF
less for several days and nights. On Tues
day night he went to the theatre, leaving
his family at home. After the theatre was
out, he and his companions partook deeply
of their cups With a mind frenzied
under the influence of liquor, which, will
effects worse than the fiery ''alembic of
hell" had turned the man into the brute,
he returned to his home, reaching there at
4 o'clock His reason for the time had sud
denly reeled and tottered from its throne.
Nothing could soothe or quiet him, and in
his mad fit, doubtless of mania pOtu, he
drew his pistol, a small single barreled
weapon, and fired 1t was but the work of
a moment The leaden messenger Of death
did its work fatally. The bullet entered
the right eye and penetrated the brain,
causing death in a very short time.
With feelings fit only for the fiends and
furies, he rushed from the house, madly
flying, he scarce knew whittier. Early
morning found him at the fair grounds,
where he WAS arrested and lodged in jail
A crowd had gathered at the residence in
the meantime where the slain wife was
bleeding to death and the orphaned little
boys were screaming and wringing then
hands in bitter heart-rending agony. The
scene almost beggar's description.
THE EXCITEMENT WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
The excitement on Wednesday night be-
came intense, and spread to other parts OF
the city. Whispers and threats of lynch
law were INDUCED in. The Jailer was
promptly warned of these demonstrations
and every precaution was taken. Better
ideas prevailed, however, and the law will
be permitted to take its course.
THE PRISONER IN HIs CELL.
We visited the prisoner at his cell yester-
day. His sobs and groans are enough to
make the very "knees of terror quake -
he wrings his hands, losses himself wildly
about, incoherently and alternately calling
on his wife and his boys. The best wife
in the world!' "Oh, the bloody dream! 20
My God, my God" etc, are the titful
expressions that commingle with his sobs
The interview was short and painful Back
to the dark cell, left 10 the memory of his
darker deed, he was placed; the iron door
was closed and the heavy bolts fastened
locking him in from the light of day and
from hope Sad indeed is his fate, afford
ing another terrible example to those who
look upon the wine when its red and
stings like an adder.