The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-12
Fearful Tragedy I'm New OrEeans.--A
Man Shoots Woman and After.
wards Commits Suictde.

"tENS SVfbukIbS HubCkues
From the New Orleans Picayunc, Auguste
About 2 O'Clock yesterday afternoon an
other fearful tragedy was perpetrated in
the second district of this city. Scarcely
has the public mind recovered from the
horror excited by the City Park tragedy
before it is presented with another scene of
blood and violence more narrowing in its
recital than the former, fearful as that
certainly was. The scene now changes to
low frame tenement-house on Rampant
street between Custom House and Bien-
vile. 1t is known as No. 81, and is
occupied by woman named Mrs. Forte,
who keeps furnished rooms to rent. One
OF these was tenanted by n young girl
named Maggie Walker. 1t seems that she
sustained intimate relations with clerk in
commission house on this side of Canal
street but II appears she had other lovers,
since the victim and pcrpetrator of the
fearful tragedy was one Of them. His name
is CASTOR Ferret, n Creole. about thirty-two
years of age. How long he has known the
girl no one seems to know, but he has been
visiting her for more than six months past
Yesterday he called at the house and in
quired of Mrs. Forte for Maggie, and was
directed to seek her in the backyard. His
appearance exhibited no signs of excite
ment, and he commenced a conversation
with the girl, seemingly in the best humor
He left her for few moments and again
returned. This time he accused her of
having lovers besides himself. She re-
Piled:
"You know have"
"Well," said he, "I'm tired Of life; but
before l die mean 20 kill you"
Still she apprehendcd no danger, and
laughed in its face.
But almost at the Same instant he drew
large-sized Colts revo,Ecr and fired at her
ranged toward her throat. The landlady
heard the report of the pistol, and rushed
out in time to see Ferret put the muzzle
under his chin and fire. The ball ranged
toward the centre of his head, and infict ed
what must be mortal wound. The woman,
as soon as she was shot, rushed into the
house and ont on the banquctte, where she
fell insensible. Here sic was picked up
by officer Smith, and carried back into the
house. The alarm spread rapidly, and in
few moments the house was filled with
frightened citizens. At this time special
Officer Bcllousa reached the scene. He at
once ordered the girl to be taken to the
Charity Hospital, and the coroner to be
sent for, for it was then believed the man
could survive but q few moments. Con-
trary to expectations, he is still alive, but
there is scarcely any likelihood that he can
live but few hours longer.
In the pocket of Ferret YVES found the
subjoincd letter:
q have so much endured that I am
tired of living any more after long
struggle between life and death, my fate is
to finish my life with this bloody tragedy.
" No man can imagine what I have suf-
fcrcd in the last ten years. Ten years ago
! swore to kill myself at thirty years Of
age if my constitution in life had not
changed before that time. Instead Of get
ting better, have sunk from bad to worse.
I have passed through all the passions that
can torture human heart the last Of all
accursed love-had to give the last stroke
to my existence. But cannot leave this
cursed world alone. am bound to take be-
fore | die the life Of the woman love madly,
and by whom l have been (madc) so much
unhappy for the last six months.
"For my part see death q sweet thiQg
before my eyes, because l am positively
sure that
" Post morton nihu est, ipsaque more Mill.
"GASToN FERRET"
This letter, together with a sealed one,
were taken from his pocket by Captain
Cain, the Chief of Police. The sealed letter
was addressed to Mons. Arthur Malssague,
and has not been broken open. 1t is not
known, therefore, what it contains.
The scene now had become almost fright
ful. The man lay upon his back breathing
heavily, and a sanguine tide issuing from
his mouth The ball in its course through
his head had bulged out his eyes, rendering
hideous his face, blackened by the CONCEAL
ing blood, while over the pale lips had set
tied bloody, frothy foam.
The stoutest men turned away from the
scene sick at heart. He was evidently an
educated man, and was employed as clerk
in confectionery on the corner of Bayou
road and Esplanade street.
The young girl, Maggie Walker, has only
been in the city about two years, and came
from Franklin parish, where her parents
now reside. The girl is about twenty-five
years of age, is rather feshy, and is some
what pretty, with black eyes and dark
brown curling hair.