The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-07-12
From the Capital.
TIE BEAUTIFUL MyRDERESS.
Sketch OF Laura Fair.


less the Executive pardon 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 6
woman of my face aud form can ever be
hung? ?" 1t 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 community
during the war and anterior to it, reali-
zing the almost unlimited immunity
guaranteed to fema'c especially one 5"
superlatlvely beap;lia!as wa> Mrs Fair.
it seems incredible thai jury could be
found that would convict Eer of murder
10 the first degree 1t possibly can only
be accounted for because OF lac defiant
attitude assumed BY Ler after the decd,
and her too openly manifested con-
idence in and presumption upon that
feeling ol tolerance toward woman, no
matter how culpablc she might be, so
strong in the nature Of every Callftr-
nian. Doubtless, too, strong argument
with that jury consisted in the universal
feeling of sympathy for the family of
Crittenden. Mis-. Fair was very beautiful
in person, nor was her mind deicieut in
those qualities that add TO personal
charms Without being educated, save
as to music, in which she was most
accomplished, she had a vivaci'y Of
manner and sprightliress of intellect
that invested her with a more than
passing interest. She possessed the
faculty of entertaining many at once,
and or seeing her amidst several gentle
men, and Observing the facility with
which she could leap as 1t were from SUBJ
ject to subject, could not help but real
lze that, willie she Gid not possess the
most comprehensive knowledge of the
various topic, she at least was a very
"clevcr" woman. She vas one of those
persons who desired to interest gentle
men 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 captivatc such man as Judge Crit
tenden.
Mrs. Fair eight years ago was in
person remarkable. y blonde of most
exquisite complexion: the fairness OF
her skin never gave room for a doubt
that art had aided in any way; she had
fine dark eyes, with long dropping
lashcs, and form ofperfeci proportions
Added to this she possessed great taste
in dress; inclininy to the subdued colors
for the promcnades in the cvping, the
rich and elegan; style Characteristic of
the wcaltlier and better class-not that
it must be supposed TO be meant that
she belonged to either, for she did not
While size was still living with Mr..
Fair, in the lncipieucy Of her Haison
with Critepdcn, she visited San Fran
cisco several times, not openly in his
company, bu; osicn>ibly putting up alone
a, the most stylish hotel, aud creating
that fuorc which only woman of her
elegance aud beauty could do. During
these visits she occasionally appeared
a; some Of the mcst fashionable balls
and concerts if at ball, her superb
apparel, magnificent form aud beautiful
face, where the event Of the evening
If a: a concert, she was more observed
thai the performers Her fame was 50
well known that when she appeared,
tie effect upon her own sex could only
Be compared to that produced by the
sudden appearance Of the daring corsair
amilst the convoy such closing up Of
ranks and unma-king Of batteries, i'll
order that husbands might be more
eff, ciaallv protected. But, alas . it was
often too evident that the aforesaid
husband, rather inclined to strike their
colols urou the first appearance Of the
enemy.
In pint Of personal resemblance, if
IL dia Thompson was little taller, more
loundcl aud fuller in form, had dark
eyes AID la>he>, greater wealth Of hair,
She would bear a striking likeness to
Mrs Fair when at the zenith Of ne,
charms Without these changes the
fair Lydia closely resembles her, in
manucr A. well a. person.
Mrs. Fair never appeared to the writer
ike womaa who could be capable Of
he k'.ins. oi am nIa';, yet She evidently
vas i women If great determination Of
:har@c'cr. hu: u! = very capricious mind.
/, seemed impossible that she could
.ver c!.ng 50 closely to any one as to
cause her 10 ccinmit an act that would
eudanecr hcr'l:ic and property. for size
sas a.aficiou>. Her Eaison with Crit
enden was doubtless the event Of her
lie the Ilia' proved in many ways the
most fatterins TO her vanity as well as
be most advantageous, pecuniarily, and
me that she wo4!d most reluctantly
i've up.
The infatuation of Judge Crit,endcn
II Itself shows that Mrs Fair wes more
han an orliaary woman-that she did
,c>>".s some clements Of character and |
of heart that were good,
lse She could never have had such an
scendeucy Of him for he was man Of
reat natural goodness OF heart, purity
+ character aid refinement Of manner
axe thos>aud other men just as good,
e made his blunler and paid his
enalty.
The feeling of horror at the deed
hat pervadcd that comniuniiy shows