Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-04-17
A WOMAN's VENGEANCE.
Marina j. Cairns Kills Her Be-
trayer.
rom the Baltimore American, I2th.

! From the Baltimore American, l2th.l
The quiet village of Jarrettsvilie, Hart
ford county, was thrown into 3 state of
the utmost excitement and confusion by
a tragedy which occurred in its bounds
on Saturday evening last, about six
O'Clock. Nicholas McCOmas, a young
man living about two miles from the
village, was shot and almost instantly
killed by Miss Martha ] Cairns, who re-
sides the same distance frem Jarretts
vile, bus in different direction from il
than the house OF MeComas. The ae
counts given OF the melancholy affair
render it certain that MCCOmas ssduced
Miss Cairns over year ago, under prom
ise OF marriage, and ia January last
child was bora, which is living at the
present time. Miss Cairns frequently
impOrtuned McComss TO fulfill his prom
ise of marrying her, but by equivoca-
tions and excuses he evaded her requests
until she felt tOwsrd him no other feel
ing than hatred Snd determination 10
Rvenge her injuries. On Saturday even
ing he had ridden into Jarrettsville for
the purpose of attending q meeting Of
militia company, Of which he was 8
member, and at the time of the murder
was in the yard at the resr OF the tavern.
Miss Cairns followed him to Jsrretts-
vile, and on arriving at the tavern,
dismounted from her horse, fastened
him securely, and passing into the
ladies' apartment, removed her rid
ing skirt, ner hst and other in
cumbraDces that might retsrd her
movements. LsayiDg the ladies' apart
ment with 8 Colts revolver ia her
hand, she walked directly through the
bsrroom, which was full of men, and
stepped out upon back porch, which
overlooked the yard where MeCUmas
WAS. Standing in the doorway opening
from the bar on the porch. she took de-
liberAte aim with her pistol at McCOm2s
and fired being scarcely ten PAGES dis
tant from her. The bullet struck him in
the breast, and ss he reeled wildly to-
ward the pillars which held up the porch |
she fred two more shots, neither of
which took effect. He clasped the pillar !
of the porch, and endesvorei to sustain |
himself by them, but weak as he was |
from the rapid flow of blood from the |
wound, his strength failed him and he |
fell to the ground. she walked directly up |
to him, and, standing over him, fired the |
two last shots from her revolver into his |
body, one lodging in his right leg and |
the other in the groin. Still carrying her /
revolver in her hand, sis passed back |
through the crowd OF men, who, as if /
stricken senseless by the awful scene be-
ing enacted bsfore their eyes, did not 1
move q finger TO bar her passage. Along
the porch, through the .<ssErOOm, and I
back to the ladies' apartmentshe walked /
Without showing trace ef emotion or q
4ualm Of nervousness.
In the dressing room she resumed her
riding habit, sud again mounting her
horse, she gallOped back toward her
home, and had gone considerable dis
lance from the v1ilsge before any one
thought Of following her, Mr.. Jarrett
'Ode after her, and Dining her abopt
nile from Jsrrettsville, she Ssked him if
MeComas was dead. He replied yes,
when ste said, 81 told him what was
going TO do" She exhibited no signs of
egret, and Wss apparently as composed
Is if she had just finished the most ordi-
lsry act.
On Sunday she rode to BellRir and
ave herself up to the authorities. Miss
Jsirns is about thirty, and McC0mas
vas thirty-seven years OF age. Both tie
'arties belonged to highly respectable
antilles, and held foremost position
0 the social life of the county. The
ceiling Of excitement in regard to this
ct of summary retribu.iOa runs very
Ugh ia the neighborhoOd, but public
pinion is generally on the side of Miss
'airns.
McComas is supposed to have been
illed Dy the frat shot which struck him,
nd the lsst two shots were probably
red into mis- dead body.
Some time since Miss Cairns brought
lit against McCOmas for breach OF prom
e and seduction, but the case has not
ct come to trial.