The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-19

HORRIBLE, II TRUE.-We heard 4 story
yesterday which, if it he truc,-and there
seems abundant rcason t0 believe its one
of the most horrible that even q sensational
novelist ever worked up for the delectation
Of morbid, mystery-craving palate.
Up to this time there is no positive proof
Of it, but public opinion, at least where
one of the drdn,atiS persona resides, is fully
persuaded that it is az represented in all its
hideousncSs, That locality is the county scat
Of 4 neighb0rine county, where two of the
parties to the premeditatcd crime have until
recently lived. 1t seems that Il young lady
from an adjoining State was visiting that
town last year, and while there was courted
by, and engaged herself to, Il young lawyer
Of the place.
ALI was smooth sailing until she returned
home. Then she learned, for the first time,
that her parents had other plans for her
future. She was told that her hand was
sought by Il very wealthy old man, and that
she must prepare to receive him as her tll-
ture husband. TO her circumstances and
disclosure Of her love for and engagement
to another her parents turned Il deaf ear.
They had determined she should marry the
old man, and at last, by arguments, threats,
and opportunities, brought her to the point
of writing to her lover and breaking of the
engagement.
Immediately upon receiving her letter he
left for her home, and on arriving there soon
had an interview. Then was concoctcd
the horrible plot. 1t was settled between
them that she should marry the old man,
and after getting him to settle his property
on her, the young man was to have him
murdered! Back home came her lover,
and commenced his preparations. lie soon
found willing tool, who, for the sum Of
one thousand dollars, to be paid when the
guilty pair were married, agreed to go to
the old mans house and murder him. The
marriage, in the mean time, had taken place,
and the would-bc assassin found the old
Benedict in the first flush of his honeymoon.
The assassin, from some cause, did not, or
could not. find an opportunity to do the
decd, and finally either rclrnted or became
doubtful as to the safety of the job. He then
sought an interview with his intended vic
tim, and told him of the plot, first binding
the old man to pay him $500 in gold, and to
hold him harmless. The feelings of the old
man can be better imagined than told in
words. He hardly knew what to do, but at
last concluded to 90 home and confront his
young wife with the terrible revelation. lie
did so, and was met, of course, by IN lndig-
nant denial. The old man was staggered,
but not entirely convinced, and fearing he
would invoke the laws aid and have the
matter thoroughly siftcd, the wife ut once
wrote to her lover all that had happened.
He realized his peril, and made prepala-
tons to fly. In Il day or two he disappeared,
and there the matter stands at present.
What the old man will finally do is not
known. We tell the story as twas told to
us. All the parties are highly respectable,
and one OF them has many acquaintanccS
and probably some relatives in this city.
We do not know, of course. whether or not
there will he any more developments III the
horrible affair, but if there is we shall
gather up and lay them before our readers.
Macon (Gd.) Journal, 18th.