The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-04-13
Seduction and Murder-A woman
Kills Her Seducer

The quiet village Of Jarrcttsyillc, Hartford
county, was thrown into state of the
utmost excitement and confusion by a
tragedy which occurred In its bounds on
Saturday evening last, about Q O'Clock.
Nicholas McComas, young man living
about two miles from the village, was shot
and almost instantly killed by Miss Martha
J. Cairns, who resides the same distance
from Jarretsyillc, but In different direction
from 1t than the house of McComns. The
accounts given OF the melancholy affair
render 1t certain that McComas seduced Miss
Cairns over year ago under promise Of
marriage, and In January last q child was
born, which Is living at the present time.
Miss Cairns frequently importuned McComas
to fulfil his promise of marrying her, but by
equiVocatlons and excuses he evaded her re-
quests until she felt towards him no other
feeling than utter hatred and determination
to avenge her injuries. On Saturday eve
ming he had ridden into Jarrcttsyile for the
purpose OF attending meeting of militia
company, of which he was member, and
at the time of the murder was In the yard
at the rear Of the tavern.
Miss Cairns followed him to Jarrcttsyillc,
and on arriving at the tavern dlsmountcd
from her horse, fastened him securely, and
passing into the ladies' apartment removed
her riding skirt, her hat and other incum-
brnnces that might rctard her movements.
Leaving the ladies' apartment with Colts
revolver In her hand, she walked directly
through the bar-room, which was full of men,
and stepped out upon Il back porch, which
overlooked the yard where McComas was,
Standing in the doorway opening from the
bar on the porch, she took deliberate aim
with her pistol at McComas and fired, he
being scarcely ten PAGES distant from her.
The bullet struck him In the breast, and as
hn lAI nil IUv - a.
held up the porch, she fired two more shots
neither of which took effect. He clasped the
pillars of the porch, and endeayored to sus-
tain 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 last two
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, she passed back through the crowd of
men, who, rs IL stricken scnsclcss by the
awful scene being enacted before their eyes,
did not move finger to bar her passage.
Along the porch, through the bar-room, and
back to the ladies' apartment she walked
without showing trace of emotion or u
qualm of nervousness.
In the dressing room she resumed her rid
Ing habit, aud again mounting her horse,
she Ealloped back towards her home, and
had gone u considerable distance from the
village before any one thought of following
her. Mr.. Jarrett rode after her, and Joining
her about a mile from Jarrettsville, she asked
him If McComas was dead. He replied yes,
when she said, 81 told him what was going
to do" She exhibited no signs of regret,
and was apparently as composed us If she
had just finished the most ordinary action.
On Sunday she rode to Bcllair and gave
herself up to the authorities. Miss Cairns
is about thirty, and McComas was thirty
seven years OF age. Both the parties be-
longcd to highly respectable families, and
held foremost position In the social life of
the county. The feeling of excitement In
regard to this act of summary retribution
runs very high in the neighborhood, but
public opinion is generally on the side Of
Miss Cairns.
McComas is supposed to have been killed
by the first shot which struck him, and the
last two shots were probably fired into his
dead body.
Some time since Miss Cairns brought suit
against McComas for breach of promise and
seduction, but tho case has not yet come to
trlal.-BahimOre american, l2h.