The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-17
sTAUNTON VIRGINIA. THURSDAY AUGUST II, 1871.
Mrs. Laura d. Fair.

Laura ~. Falr, VINO is now cODHneu IN jail III
San Francisco awaiting the hour Of her execu-
ton for the murder of her paramour, Judge
Crittendan, furnishes the following interesting
sketch Of this somewhat remarkable but uufor-
tunate women:
The time is approaching very near for the
execution of the sentence of death upon Mrs.
Laura D. Fair, and unless the executive par
don be interposed, California will witness for
the first time within its history the execution
Of woman by hanging: Well might the
victim exclaim; 'sIs it possible that a wo-
man of my face and form can ever be hung =
It must be confessed it looks extremely like
it; and, it is safe to say. should the sentence
be carried out, that she will not be the only
one that will be surprised
To one who lived in that country during
the war and anterior to it, realizing the al
most unlimited immunity guaranteed to fe-
male, especially to one SO superlatively beau
tifu. as was Mrs. Fair, it seems incredible
that jury could DC found that would convict
her of murder in the first degree. 1t posi-
bly, 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 toler-
ance toward woman, no matter how culpable
she might be, so strong in the nature of every
Californian. Doubtless, too, a strong argu-
ment with chat jury consisted in the univ, r
sal feeling of sympathy for the family Of Crit
tenden. Mrs Fair was very beautiful in per-
son, Or was her mind deficient in those quail
tiles that add to personal charms. Without
being educated, save to music, in which she
was most accomplished, she had vivacity Of
manner and sprightliuess OF intellect that
invested her with more than passing inter-
est She possessed the faculty of entertaining
many at once, and one seeing her amid sever
al gentleman, and observing the faculty with
which she could leap, as it were, from subject
while she did not possess the most comprehen-
sive knowledge Of the various topics, she was,
at least, a very "cever" woman. She was
one of those persons who desired to interest
gentleman 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 man as Judge Crittenden.
Mrs. Fair eight years ago was in person re-
markable. A blonde Of most exquisite com
plexlon, the fairness of her skin never gave
room for doubt that the art had aided in
any vi she had fine dark eyes, with lon.
dropping lashes, and form Of perfect pro-
portions Added to this she possessed great
taste in dress; inolning to the subdued col
ors for the promenade; in the evening the
rich and elegant style characteristic of the
wealthier and better class-not that it must
be supposed to be meant that she belonged to
either for she did not While she was still
living with Mr. Fair in the incipiency Of her
Haison with Crittenden, she visited San Fran
cisco several times, not openly in his compa-
ny, but ostensibly putting up alone at the
most stylish hotel and creating that ffi.rore
which only a woman Of her elegance aid beau
ty could do. During these visits she OCCASION
ally appeared at some of the more fashionable
balls and concerts if at ball her superb APP
parel, magnificent form, and beautiful face.
were the event of the evening; fiat con-
cert she was more observed than the perform
ers. Her fame was so we'll known that when
she appeared the effect upon her own sex
could only be compars ID to that produced by
the sudden appearance Of the daring corsar
amidst the convoy; such closing up Of ranks
and unmasking Of battrees, in order that hps-
bands might be more etfectually protected
But alas it was often too evident that the
aforesaid husbands rather inclined to strike
their colors upon the first appearance Of the
Lydia Thompson were little taller, more
rounded and fuller in form. had dark eyes and
lashes, greater wealth of hair, she would bear
a striking resemblance to Mrs Fair when at
the zenith of her charms. Without these chan
ges the fair Lydia closely resembles her, in
manner as we'll as persons.
Mrs Fair never appeared to the writer like
woman who could be capable Of the killing
ofany man, yet she evidently was a woman
of great determination Of character, but very
capricious mind. It seemed impossible that
she could ever cling SO closely to any one
as to cause her to commit an act that
would endanger her life and property, for
she was avarieious. Her haison with Crit
tenden was doubtless the event of her
life-one that proved in many ways the
most fattering to her vanity as well as the
most advantageous, pecuniarily, and one that
she would most reluctantly give up.
The infatuation Of Judge Crittenden in
itself shows that Mrs. Fair was more than an
ordinary woman-that she did possess some
elements of character and promptings of heart
that we're good-else she could never have
had such au ascendaucy over him for he was
man Of great Natural goodness Of heart, pu-
rity of character and refinement of manner
Like thousand other men just as good, he
made his blunaer and paid his penalty.
The feeling Of horror at the deed that per
vaded that community shows the esteem in
which he was held. Possibly Of that entire
people there was none that would not have
been suspected sooner of such weakness
than Judge Crittenden. She had a strong
hold upon him long ere it was generally
known it was but the wonder of day-the
beauty Of the woman and prominence of the
man only increasing the interest over and above
affairs Of similar character Of daily occur
rance amid what was called the hig chest cir
cles.
Mrs. Fair was not received or recognized
of course, by the wives and mothers Of good
society; but she was queen in that large
number that occupy the neutral ground as it
were, of society, comprising those who were
suspected too much to be encouraged, but not
enough kno0n to deserve condemnation.
TALKING WITH CHILDREN When you