The Republican journal., 1869-04-15
a Detectives Experlence-A Life of
Crime.

One of the most remarkable eases chat
ever came within my experience was that
of Lucille Dutton. She was a very re-
spectacle woman Of the world. Fasclnat-
ing, brilliant, dashing. possessing an eX-
quislte grace of manner and rare CONVERSE
tional powers. that charmed every one who
came within the sphere of her influence.
Until her crime were known and her ar
rest attempted, she regnel here an ac-
nowledged belle. Even the most jealous
ly envious of her own sex admitted Tie
wonderous spell exercised by her singular
and surprising beauty.
An actress, a vocalist, it would have
been no eNtravagant eulogy TO have called
her prima donna. Tall beyond the aver
age of women, her slender, graceful form
was modelled into ali exquisite symmetry
that would have been sculptor's IDEAL.
Curling, silky tresses Of nut brown hair
shaded a face fair and delicate as child's.
Great luminous eyes flashed from beneath
the beautiful lashes with a strange mes
meric power that few indeed had the power
to resist. This expression, combined with
her beauty made her regnant over many a
heart that had never before felt the spell
Of woman's charms.
She had come to New Orleans as vo-
calist. Her engagement was attended with
a success never before equalled by the most
accomplished professional. Night after
night the theatre was crowded with her ad-
mirers. Her appearance was ever the sig
nal Of an enthusiasm all but wild. AS the
weird light Of the prosceuium flashed on
jewel and gem, and the queenly form radi-
ant in beauty stood before the multitude,
who swayed to the magic charm and i'm
pulse of tone and voice, have often fanci-
ed her beauty supernatural. Youth and
age alike felt its influence.
There was thrill in the low utterance
that trembled on the air like the soft vibra-
tions Of harp whose strings the wind had
struck, and rising in fullness and strength
of tone until rich, delicious harmony fill
ed the vast building with magical cadence,
which no ear attuned to music could resist.
Her name was on every lip-her picture
adorned every window along the faslliona-
BILE thoroughfare. Before the charm of
that strange, wondrous beauty, fashion
forgot exclusiveness, society opened its
doors. Petted and caressed in every cir
Gle, admired and loved, her heart remained
.nsensble to 80 much flattery, and homage
of men and women was received as if it
were her due.
1t was at a time when her fame was
greatest and her success in fashionable life
most assured, that an event occurred which
changed it all, and precipitated catastro-
phe which | cannot even now reflect upon
without a sense of pain. A few months
before her advent here a series of the most
startling tragedies had occurred in Montre-
al. An entire family had been poisoned
by a governess. The papers were never
weary of the episode of horrors the recital
furnished. The instrument of this wicked
ness had fled, and with such consummate
skill had her flight been contrived that not
even trace of her was left.
1t appeared her beauty and accomplish
ments had won the affections of youth
whose marriage with her his parents op-
posed. Driven to desperation, Harlow
Vincent had in moment of frenzy, perish
ed by his own hand. Over the corpse of
her lover the governess had sworn dire
revenge. How faithfully she adhered to
her guilty oath, the rapid decrease of his
relatives full we'll attested.
The story of the Canadian homicide had
long since reached us, but had left but lit
tie impression, as matter with which we
had nothing to do.
One night gentleman returning from