The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-05-14

ulu not nent10n MISS CalrueS name,
told him he had better marry her; he did
not give me much satisfaction; he said she
was e fine girl and alady; did not I'M
derstand him as refusing to marry her;
number Of people were at my house at
corn husking; it was about the second
Monday in November last; he told me he
was not fit to marry, not fit to have wife
l asked him, too, how long before this
thing would be proved for itself; he said
in six or eight weeks. There was much
talk he did not agree to marry her; per-
suaded him to- do so; told him Of the con-
sequences; he spoke very highly of her as
a ladyii said II was his fault, and wept
bitterly. ~
When the shooting took place I
was riding up to the porch, and came up
as it commenced; my object in riding up
there was to have some words with McCo-
mas before left McComas and were very
intimate; looked at McComas from the
time T began riding towards the, porch /
was in'the stable, and Young Rutledge came
to nrc atd said Nv
Objected to.
Mr.. Shtfthsoa continued--W lren he first
landed on the porch AlcComas had little
altercatioh' with Frank STREET.; when I
reached the font Of the porch my attention
was attracted by the appearance Of the lady
and flash of the pistol; the pistol was dis
charged in the direction of McComas who
threw UP his hand on his breast and made
a noise Indicating pain; he reeled, when
she fired again instantly; by that time he
had come to the post of the porch, to which
he chung, and threw his body around it, as
if TO shield himself; after little intermis-
sion the third shot was fired, when deem
ing it unsafe to remain SO close, wheeled
about; l alighted instantly; heard no re-
marks made everybody stood as if pars-
lyzedi' the whole occupied only half
minute; Ithodght the second shot went
between him and the ground; he was fac
ing her; when wheeled, she, / think, had
advanced towards McComas, who was on
the ground, and fired two shots directly
down upon him; l dismounted and advan-
ced towards McComas, and when + got
there. several were already there Calling,
for the docter; told them he wanted no
doctor; when reached him thought he
was q dead man when they picked him up
and carried him into the parlor; shortly
after left was summoned on the inquest,
and saw him partly stripped.
McCon,ns Yves SIS or 40 years Of age !; he
had no father liying-he died three years
ago; young McComas had but little prop
erty, rot great deal; he had home with
his mother think he was living as o ten
ant upon his land ;he lived with" his moth
or and three sisters,' one Of whom is very
delicate, the other two strong and healthy
girls McComas' father died suddenly, by
fall from his horse; McComas' mother and
sisters were dependent upon him for sup
port !; McComas was a fine, pleasant, agree.
able man, energetic and hard working, he
had team and attended to his business as
farmer; his brothers are married men,
have families they are of limited means;
had q corn husking at my house in Novem-
Der; Miss Cairnes was at my house that
| night; / was sent for to come to the house !;
l and Nick McComas; was told to go in
to the parlor; saw Mrs. Cairnes there, and
| turned and left; McConas went in, and
they had en- interview; saw Mrs. Cairnes
next morning, not before; had heard of
Miss Cairnes' misfortune; when I saw Mrs.
CairIses knew that neither she nor Me-
Conlas wanted me there; after the people
had left he told me he had been over to
Mrs. CairneS before Mrs. Cairnes cauic to
my house; asked him if he was not about
to get into difficulties; he parted the ques-
ton, and said he did not care for himself,
but cared for her; he said he was not fit to
have wife, but said he loved her better
than any woman had ever seen; knew Nc
Comas all his life have always been init
mate with him; had seen Miss Cairnes and
hirisin company together; never heard him
speak disrespectful word of her; he was
very much affected; said that he had
wronged her; he said, after the 1st day Of
january, mo one must say anything against
! her" he told me at JaYfettsville that he
had been charged with tire child, and did
not deny it, but was willing to pay for it;
he then spoke of some slanderous reports
which had been started, and denied saying
what had been imputed to him, but said
these reports had been made in his pres
ence; he utterly denied the language, and
said it should not be said in his presence !;
he did not deny the paternity of the child,
to the contrary. told him he ought not
to talk SO; said he did not, and did not
allow other people to say so; still persuaded
him to marry her if he loved her; he said,
anything but marrying for me-" told him
the girl stood high, and If he did not mar
ry hey he had better leave the neighbor-
hood.
DR.. Martin Jarrett recalled
Miss Caiynes in her confinement on morning
Of January I, 1859; those are trying and
critical times to females, even under the most
favorable circumstances; am o practising
physician; case of this sort not unfrequent-
Iy produces alteration of the mind or demen-
tia: il is laid down in the books as one Of
the causes producing this; "Dr. Aiken's
Science of Practical Medicine is authority
IN the profession; "Donaldson's Practice of
Medicine" is also standard authority; mental
grief and anxiety, under such circumstances,
very greatly increase that tendency; conceal
ed grief is greater In FITS effects; seclusion
Increases the tendency to work upon the
brain andfroduccs these results; the society
of friends I'd company tend to alleviate that
State "A lie time Of giving birth to q
Child, disease nay bring on alteration of
mind and insaH lfys and there is danger to
\ Hfe; books have instances where this result
has followed, Thos& eases are exceptional
as n general thing child birth does not al
ways produce, berratiCn mind; it is rare
ly'the casas ~ Have. had ses where insanity
followed ifas time unit the disease passed
! away CAKES OF puefpe fever following
! child -hirth may be- followed by insanity for
Is time sonleiimess terminates in death.
:! Have never known an instance in which per-
Slanent insanity followed childbirth. Where
reeoycry takes place health is restored and