Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-05-02
SAD, SAD.
A PalRful Episode IN the Life Of a Yaung
Man, whu Is Charged With the MGR.
der OF his " Mistress"
He Is Taken from jail to SItHss8 the Death
Of his BrcksH-Hssrtsd Wife

A person of fine Imagination msy form
perhaps. an approximate idea Of the suf-
| ferlng, the Observation-Disclosures and de-
| spsir resulting from a scene like this.
! -Four or five months z = young man,
| the father Of three children, was con-
| signed TO jsil, charged with the murder
! Of an abandoned woman, wko was said to
be his mistress. The girl was shot through
the heart under circumstances so pecu-
liar, that the popular mind became con-
WINGED of the young mans guilt. He WIS
more or less respectfully connected, had a
wife and family living some distance in
the country, yet he could nobprOcure 5000
bonds, for which sun be would be allowed
TO 90 free, until called on by the officials
Of the Criminal Court. He has remained
in i8il since. During the time, his wife
sickenod and gradually sunk from the
combined effects of sadness and cOnsump-
ton. About ten or twelve days z she
commenced calling piteOusly for her hus-
band. Oil il WAS pitiful TO hear that
emsciated woman, stretched upon a bed
OF death, calling cut in agOnlZing tones,
day and night, for that husband 60 come
to her. An intimstion Of this was sent to
Judge Flippin, who consented 70 let the
accused 90 out, provided the Sheriff
thought the concession would not be dan.
gerOus. On Saturday afternoon, in charge
Of three deputy s~Eeritfs, the young man
rode out in q hack to see his dying wife.
As the vehicle neared the house, the Oc-
Cupauts of it could see the crowd Of
women and children around that dwelling
Of sorrow and mourning, shedding tears
and WRiling in loud tones. When the car
riage arrived, the scene was 3 confused
mixture OF despair and underlined terror.
The wife of the culprit was lying within
unconscious. He went in and gaZod
on the emaciated, sunken, pale fes-
lures of bis wife, that devoted
wife whom his inidelity had brought thus
70 premature dissolution. His chest
hsaved distrsssfully, his features became
distorted with pEin, and his fingers worked
into the palms of his hands with cOnvul-
sive force. But his scene was short.
The tears of other eyes dried up, and the
WHiling of other voices was hush6d in the
presence of such great sOrrOW. The Sher-
ms officers stood apart awed with respect
by The SOlemnity of the scene. But 10 was
short; for although the dying woman was
unconscious, yet she seemed 10 know hat
the desire Of her heart was accomplished
that her husband was present, present
20 ask pardon for his wrong doing, and
promise TO atone, 10 possible, for the
past. The scene was short. The dying
woman, who was restless and uneasy be-
fore, At OuC8 settled into quiet. The
placidiJy and calm that proceeds The death
of the good, settled upon her features,
and in s few minutes she breathed her
last. Then the tears Of the unfortunate
man fell, fell like rain upon the face Of his
dead wife, and the sObs of the assembled
n~eighbOrs, mingled with his in a dispasoH
of sorrow. He wss allowed to remain
until his wife, the mother of his children,
was dressed for the grave, and Laid Out'
preparatory to her burial. Then he went
in ID looked his last upon her face, took
"a nHHnfHN and aNHurluuHfnn FawnwrnnN aud
turned with a broken heart 10 depart.
The SheritTs officers say that they would
rather stand in a field of battle and face
the lssden hail of death all day, than wit
ness such a sight again. The young man
left a widower is V an Roberts.