The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-01-22
A FriglrtfuI Tale.

A private letter received from near
Byhalia, Mississippi, yesterday, con-
tanned n few particulars of a horrld
affair brought to light few days ago.
Tom Still, colorcd man employed
as foreman on Mrs. Bronson's planta-
tions, lived with his wife, several hun
dred yards from Mrs. BIS residence A
negro, known as Edmond Tuntsall, was
frequent visitor, and it had long been
suspected by Still that improper rela-
tions existed between his wife and tho
pretended friend. 1t was evident that
Mrs. Still was mnch more interested in
Edmond than her husband, and the lat
ter not having the courage to confront
the destroyer of his peace " tn his sus-
picions, simply sought to protect him
self against any effort to pr him out OF
the way. One morning last week. Still
was missing from the plantation. Mrs.
Bronson's Inquiries elected from Mrs.
Still that he went ont to feel some hogs
on another portion of tho place tho
night bafore, and had not since been
heard Of Mrs. Bronson doubted the
story on its own merits, and the evident
confusion Of the woman, added to what
was already known of the situation of
affairs, caused her to suspect foul play.
Several servants were summoned, and
search was instituted. After two or
three hours spent fruitessly in different
portions of the plantation, a member of
the party was attracted by the presence
of some fresh earth at the head of ra-
vim about irty yards fiom Stills cabin.
In moment the startling discovery
was made of some ones knees protrud-
ing. The fresh, loose earth was hastily
removed, and Stills remains, horribly
mutilated, were dragged out on the
ground. His head and face contained
number Of frightful gashes, evident
ly inflicted with an AK. Mrs. Bronson
at once ordered the arrest OF Mrs. Still
and Edmond Tunstall, as tho murder
ers. Upon boing taken in custody by
the negroes, Mrs. Still made full con-
fession Of guilt. She said she loved
Tuntsall, and that her husband was in
the way Of her happiness. They had
long ago determined to rid themselves
of him. Recently she sought to kill
him by putting poison in his coffee
but Still, who seemed to suspect the de-
sign, complained that the coffee was
bitter, and threw it into the fire. On
the night of the murder Edmond camo
to the house, it being understood that
Still was to be removed. Outside he
secreted an AK. After being outside
short time Mrs. Still found a preteXt to
send her husbaa "a out into the yard, Ed
mond stealthily followed, ak in hand.
Suddenly increasing his pace, he over
took the unsuspecting victim, and with
70 the ground. Other blows toU6,Si;,,
until he believed the bloody uo-,. l.,,,
Mrs. Still Joined him, and together they
carried the mangled body to the ravine.
1t was placed on the ground until a
grave, between one and half and two
feet deep, could be prepared. But while
forcing the victim in it the murderers
were startled at discovering that life
was not extinct. The body moved, and
sounds came from the mouth of the
supposed corpse. Nevertheless, Still
was crammed into the hole; and once
in Edmond jumped upon it, and, in
| that manner, forced 1t below the sur
! face. With their hands the partners in
crime scooped in sufficient oarth to COW
er the remains of the murde ed husband
and friend and then, fastening to his
cabin, passed the night together! The
confession was made with a. much I'M
concern "a though involving mere
pcccadilIo, and Edmond offered no con-
tradiction. IT almost frenzied the col
ored auditors, who insisted upon wrea&-
ing summary vengeance. But Mrs.
Bronson interposed, and instead Of
dangling on adjacent limbs Of neigh
boring tree, they were mauacled and
sent to the Holly Springs jail.