The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-04-16


The Tragedy at Jdrreffsriiie.
ea~ oncoftue mcst tragical affairs which we
have ever been called upon to record, occur
red at JarretisyiIle, in this county, on the af--
tcrnoon of last Satnrflay A ceyalry cc..:ss
ny had meeting at the place specified, on
that day, and among the members who had
assembled was Mr., Nicholas McComas. of
Jas, who resided within few miles of the
place. About SIX O'clock in the afternoon,
Miss Martha ]. Csirnes who also resides
short distance from Jarrettsville, rode into
the village on horseback, and hitching her
horse, entered the hotel of Mr.. Street,, in end
about which many Of the members Of the
military company and others had congrega-
ted. Passing into the sitting room, Miss
Cairnes laid aside her riding skirt and walked
ont into the bar-room, and going still further
on, came to door leading out into porch
running the length of the front of the house.
Here she 6rst encountered McComas, stand
ing but few feet from her, and raising a
revolver which she carried in her hand, dis
charged it, without word passing between
. them, into his breast. McComas, MORALLY
wounded, staggered back and caught at a post
support ng the porch, when another shot was
discharged, but too high to take effect. Ely
this time McComas had fallen from the porch
TO the ground, when Miss Cairnes again fired
upon him, with two successive shots, both
taking effect one inpthc groin and the other
in the leg. She then turned and walking
back to the room she had first entered, re-
sumed her riding habit, and passing out
mounted her horse and rode back to her
own home, about two miles distant.
All this was enacted in the presence of
many standing around, who seemed to
have been too much electrified at the tragedy
TO interpose 10 prevent it, McCon,as was
carried into the hotel but life found to be ex:
tinct-the first shot being a fatal one, pass
ing into his breast at or near the region of
the heart. Subsequently an inquest was held
upbn his remains by Justice Cathcart, who
resides in the neighborhood, and q verdict
was returned by the jury in accordance with
the facts above stated. The demeanor of
Miss Cairncs throughout is represented to
have been cool and collected and the follow
ing day, Sunday, she came to Bel Air and
offered to surrender herself to the authofi-
ties, but there being no warrant out for her
arrest at the time, under the advice of her
counsel and friends she returned to her home,
where she remained until Wednesday, when
. warrant for her arrest issued and she was
brought to Bel Air.
was the fact that McComas had been sutton
to Miss Cairnes, and under promise Of mar
riage had seduced her, and she had taken this
method, upon recovering from her confine-
ment, which had recently taken place, TO re-
dress her injuries. Altogether, tits one of the
most melancholy and heart-rcnding occur
rences that ever transpired within the lin
its of our county. Both parties are widely
and respectfully connected, and the event
will long cast shadow of gloom over alarge
portion of our community.
The above are the facts connected with
this sad occurrence, as nearly as we have
been able to ascertain them. In view of the
fact that further investigation will probably
be made into the matter, we abstain from
all comment that will at all tend TO influence
public opinion-feeling that many estimable
citizens connected with both parties, who are
already SO deeply distressed at the calami-
ties which have befallen them, will thank us
or SO doing. "