The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-06-17

AuausrA FEMALE, SEMINARY.--The closing ex-
ercises Of our numerous Institutions of learning
in this place, have just commenced. Our city
is filed with visitors from all sections ofhe Union
1t is well known that there is no place in the
Staunton, and the Female Summaries are partic-
ularly regarded as pre-eminent.
On Monday night last the exercises Of this In
stitution began by the performance of highly
interesting Cantata entitled the 'sTwin Sisters"
by Saroni: the narrative of which is, that while
party of girlsare holding May Day celebration,
young girl named Florence, twin sister Of their
Queen, who had strayed short distance from
the other, was stolen by strolling band Of Gyp-
sizes. Three years after this event, this same par
ty Of girls holding similar festival, when the
same rowing Gypsies pass near, having Florence
with them, who, recognizing the paths familiar to
her in her youthful rambles, makes her escape
and rejens her companions. But in order to test
their friendship and affection, she preserves her
disguise, participates with them in their amuse-
ments for some time, until, unable longer to con-
troll her feelings, she removes her disguise and
throws herself into her sisters arms Amid the
rejoicing of all, she is, conformity with her sister,
crowned Queen of May The different characters
in the Drama were well personated; the mu-
steal performance of the highest order, and the
spectacle beautiful beyond description.
| On the following evening was given the Con
cert. We had the good fortune to attend this al
so, and came to the conclusion that the idsGEpf
sending young ladies to the North for a musical
education was preposterous one. Better teach
ers in this department. or higher sytle Of music
cannot be found anywhere in the North. The
of time prevents Us from giving more than this
brief notice. Fs..,
| The commencement exercises of this feurishing
Academy took place last night OF the Presbyterian
Church. The address was delivered by Col. john
son, son of the late lamented Gen. Albert Sidney
johnson, and Professor at Washington College,
Lexington. The hour at which our paper goes
to press, prevents our noticing these exercises at
length. 49,. ,,e.
------- r. r. ~
SHOCKING BARBAn1rY NEGRO VIOLATES A
WHITE Young LADY AND THEN MURDzRs Her.
LYNCH LAVA horrible crime was perpetrated
last Sunday week some eight miles from Lexing-
ton, the particulars of which we have taken some
pains to gather. It appears that while Miss Su
san Hite, young lady of about 20 years of age
and of respectable family, was on her way to at
tend public worship, she was oyertaken by ne
gro boy by the name of Jesse Edwards, aworking
hand on the farm of VIM. A. Campbell. aged about
10 years. This fellow, according to his own con-
fession dragged her into the woods after gagging
her, outraged her person, and then beat her on
the head with stone until he thought her dead.
He then concealed the body under some shrubbe-
ry and went to the house to get his evening meal
Low means were heard by the people Of the house
during the early part Of the night, and some one
suggested that scarce ought to be made Jesse
said it was nothing but the sheep, and he would
go out and quiet them. He sought the place where
he had hid his victim, and finding her still alive
violated her person second time and then cut
her throat with pocket knife She plead hard,
but the wretch was not to be touched by her pray
ers. He then wrapped the body into blanket
and dragged it to the river into which he east it,
Miss Hite being missed by her friends, search was
made for her the next morning, but no where
could she be found. A gentleman passing the
field where Edwards was at work, asked him II ne
had seen her and expressed the general opinion
that she had been murdered. The guilty william
became much agitated and ran for the woods
This aroused the gentleman suspicion, and with
some friends he followed in pursuit. Edwards
was soon arrested, and in his fright confessed all
He was taken to Lexington and placed in jail
Having told where the body might be found, it
oner revealed the truth Of the fellows statement.
| The next morning he was brought before the
Mayor and committed for trial
On the following night the jailor was aroused
from his SAUNDERS BY q loud rap at the main en-
trance. He answered the call. Four men were at
the door, three white and the other to all appear
anees, a negro. The white man told the official
that he had captured horse thief, the fellow he
held in his grip, and requested that he should be
taken care of. The jailor answered that it was
all right, and laid hold Of the supposed thief who
resisted, when struggle ensued. The jailor then
proposed to the white man to 60 and get the hand
cuffs, and handed him (the whiteman) the keys.
The two were left alone with the keys of the cells
in their possession. Knowing where Edwards
was confined, they unlocked the door and, before
the jailor returned with the hand-cuffs had him
safely in their charge on the outside of the build
ing The fate: of the wretch was sealed. He was
shot with several bullets, manned and then hung
up to dry. Retribution followed quickly in the
footsteps of crime. go st
| Miss Hite bore an excellent character in the
community. Five Of her brothers lost their lives
in the Confederate Army. The remaining two
are almost distracted at the horrible death of their
beloved sister. is5a II
| Since the above was written we have learned
from the Lexington Gazette that there were about
Is linchers, and that pistols inundated the Jail
or. None Of the students were concerned in the
affair. Otherwise the account does not differ
much from ours. - Sisss
I OUR BOOK TABLE.
| na.We have received the May number Of the
ssMonthly Calogram,' a journal of home and for
eign literature, published in Baltimore and edited
l. II 49,