The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-04-29
Further Particulars
OF the Tragedy at Jarrettsoille, Md.
From the Bellair Egis.

TTOm tn0 DellalT HISIS'
One of the most tragical affairs
which we have ever been called upon
to record occurred at Jarrettsville, in
this county, on the afternoon Of last
Saturday A cavalry company had
q meeting at the place specified on
that day, and among the members
who had assembled was Mr.. Nicholas
McComos of James, who resided
within few miles Of the place.
About 6 o'clock in the afternoon Miss
Martha J. Cairnes, who also resides
a short distance from Jarrettsville,
rode into the village on horseback,
and hitching her horse, entered the
hotel of MI. Street, in and about
which many of the members of the
military company and others had
congregated. Passing into the sit
ting room, Miss Cairnes laid aside
her riding skirt and walked out into
the bar-room, and going still further
on, came to a door leading out into a
porch running the length Of the front
of the house. Here she first encoun-
tered McComas, standing but q few
feet from her, and raising revolver
which she carried in her hand, dis
charged it, without a word passing
between them, into his breast Nc
Comas, mortally wounded, staggered
back and caught at post supporting
tho porch, when another shot was
discharged, but too high to take ef-
feet. By this time Met cComas had
fallen from the porch to the ground,
when she again fired upon him, with
two successive shots, both taking
effect, one in the groin and the other
in the leg. She then turned, and
walked back to the room she had
first entered, resumed her riding hab-
it, and passed out, mounted her horse
and rode back to her own home,
about two miles distant.
All this was enacted in the pres
ence Of many standing around, who
seemed to have been too much elec-
trified at the tragedy to interpose to
prevent it. McConas was carried
into the hotel, but life found to be
extinct-the first shbt being o fatal
one, passing into his breast, at or
near the religion of the heart. Sub
sequently an inquest was held upon
his remains by Justice Cathcart, who
resides in the nelghborhood, and q
verdict was returned by the jury in
accordance with these facts.
The demeanor of Miss Cairnos
throughout is represented to have
been cool and collected, and the fol-
lowing day (Sunday) she came to
Belair and offered 10 surrender her
self to the authorities, but there be-
ing no warrant ont for her arrest at
the time, and by advice of her coun-
sci and friends she returned home,
and remained until Wednesday, when
warrant for her s1s~est was issaed,
and she was brought to Belair.
The cause assigned for the above
affair was the fact that Nc Comas had
been a suitor to Miss Cairnes, and
under promise of marriage had So
duced her, and SIZE had taken this
method, upon recovering from her
confinement, which had recently Ia
ken place, to redress her INJURIES
Altogether, it is one of the most mel.
ancholy and heart-rending occurren-
ces that ever transpired within the
limits of our county. Both parties
are widely and respectfully connect
cd, and the event will long cast q
shadow Of gloom over a large portion
of our community.
The above are tho facts connected
with this sad occurrence, as nearly as
we have been able to ascertain them.
In view of the fact that further in
vestigation will probably be made in
the matter, we abstain from all CON-
ment that will at all tend to influence
public opinion, feeling that many es-
Unable citizens connected with both
parties, who are already so deeply
distressed at the calamities which
have befallen them, will thank us for
so doing.