Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1871-07-08
Sketch Of Laura ID. Fair.
BY ONE WHO KNRw HER. ~

luteIo6tlUR oAStSA W sA@A0 ooA@AS"N~~S
remarkable but unfortunate woman !:
The time is approaching very near
for the execution of the sentence OF
death upon Mrs. Laura D.. Fair; and
unless the executive pardon be inter
posed, California will witness for the
first time within its history the steen.;
tion of a woman by hanging. Well
might the victim exclaim "1s it pos.
sible that a woman Of my face and
form can ever be hung" 1t must be
confessed it looks extremely like it !;
and it is safe to say, should the SEN
tence be carried out, that she will not
be the only one that will be surprised.
To one who lived in that community
during the war and anterior to it, re-
alizing the almost unlimited immunity
guaranteed to female, especially to
one so superlatively beautiful as was
Mrs. Fair, it seems incredible that a
Jury could be found that would con-
vict her of murder in the first degree.
1t possibly can only be accounted for
because of the defiant attitude assumed
by her after the deed, and her too
openly manifested confidence in and
presumption upon that feeling of tol-
erance toward woman, no matter how
culpable she might be, 80 strong in the
nature of every Californian. Doubt
less, too, strong argument with that
jury consisted in the universal feeling
of sympathy for the family of Critten-
den. Mrs. Fair was very beautiful in
person, nor was her mind deficient in
those qualities that add to personal
charms. Without being educated,
save as to music, in which she was
most accomplished, she had avivacity
of manner and sprightliness Of intel
.ect that invested her with a more
than passing interest. She possessed
the faculty of entertaining many at
once, and one seeing her amidst sew
eral gentlemen, and observing the
facility with which she could leap as
it were from subject to subject, could
not help but res'lizc that, while she
did not possess the most comprehen-
sive knowledge Of the various topics,
she at least was very clever" wo-
man. She was one of those persons
who desired to interest gentlemen
only. She cared nothing for the
opinion of her own sex, possessed many
good traits Of character, and indeed
was, because Of such good qualities,
enabled to captivate such q man as
Judge Crittenden.
Mrs. Fair eight years ago was in
person remarkable. A blonde Of most
exquisite complexion, the fairness Of
her skin never gave room for doubt
that art had aided in any way; she
had fine dark eyes with long dropping
ashes and form Of perfect proper
tons. Added to this she possessed
great taste in dress incllning to the
subdued colors for the promenade; in
the evening the rich and elegant style
characteristic of the weather and
better class-not that it must be sup
posed to be meant that she belonged
to either, for she did not. Whilst she
was still living with Mr.. Fair, in the
incipiency of her lalson with Critten-
den, she visited San Francisco several
times, not openly in his company, but
ostensibly putting up alone at the
most stylish hotel, and creating that
f,uorc which only woman Of her
elegance and beauty could do. Dur
ing these visits she occasionally ap-
reared at some of the more fashionable
balls and concerts; if at a ball, her
superb apparel, magnificent form, and
beautiful face, were the event of the
evening; if at concert, she was more
observed than the performers. Her
fame was SO we'll known that when she
appeared the effect upon her own sex
could only be compared to that pro-
duced by the sudden appearance Of
the daring corsair amidst the convoy
such a closing up Of ranks and I'M
masking Of batteries, in order that
husbands might be more et1ectually
protected. But alas it was often toe
evident that the aforesaid husbands
rather inclined to strike their colors
upon the first appearance of the enc
my.
In point of personal resemblance, i
Lydia Thompson were little taller
more rounded and fuller in form, hac
dark eyes and lashes, greater wealtl
of hair, she would bear striking like
ness to Mrs. Fair when at tho zenith
of her charms. Without these chan
ges the fair Lydia still closely resem
bles her, in manner as we'll as person
Mrs. Fair never appeared to the
writer like woman who could be ca
pable of the killing Of any man, yet
she evidently was woman Of great
determination of character, but of &
very capricious mind. 1t seemed i'm.
possible that she could ever cling &c
closely to any one as to cause her tc
commit an act that would endanger
her life and property, for she was
avaricious. Her haison with Critten-
den was doubtless the event Of her life