The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-07-14

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Brother, cit not down and Sigh. 4. si.
tn. Besutllai J. .n1araeres.---shs,cn OF
r4.an Laura Fnirs I
The time is approaching very near. for
the execution, OF the sentence of death
upon Mrs. Laura D. Fair; and, unless
the Executive pardc be interposed,
California will witness, for the first time
within its history, the. execution OF q
woman by hanging. Well might the
victim exolaim: ''Is.. it possible that q
woman of my face and form can ever be
hung2" It must be coniessed it looks
extremely likely it; and, it is safe to say,
should the,sentenoe be carried out, she
wi! hot be' the only one that will be sur
!; TO one who lived in that community
during the war, and anterior TO il, realiz.
ing the almost unlimited immunity gua-
ranteed to q female. especially one so
superlativeiy beautiful as was Mrs. Fair.
It seams incredible that afjury could be
found that would convict her of murder
in the first degree. It.possibly can only
ibe 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
: tolerance thward woman, no matter hoy
.oulpable she might be, 80, strong in the
nature OF every Californian, Doubtless,
too, iBtrong argument with that Jury
consisteda'in the universal feeling Of
sympathy for the family Of Crittenden.
;{f{ss EAiFswas Yerye baauGfnl In person,
Ih6f WIS 6et mihd HAfIaisnt in thoseuua.
!Eties that add I'd Personal charms. III
Without being educated, save ns to
music. in which she was most accom-
pliehed, she had q vivaoity OF manner
and sprightliness of intellect that invest.
ed her with moro than passing interest.
She possessed the faculty OF entertain
ing many at once, and on seeing her
amidst several gentlemen, and observing
the facility with which she could leap, as
1t were, from subject to subject, could
not help but realize that. while she did
not possess the most comprehensive
knowledge OF the various topics, she at
least was very ''clever" woman. She
was one Of those persons who desired to
interest gehHeneh only. She dared no
thing for The opinion Of her own ssI,
possessed many traits Of character, and,
indeed. was. because Of suoh good quail.
ties, enabled to capti1Ate such man as
Judge Crittenden.
Mrs. Fair: eight years ego, was in .psr-
son remarkable. A blonde, of most ex-
quisite complexion, the fairness of her
skin never gave room for doubt TINT
art had aided in any way; she had fine
dark T., ,eyes. with long dropping clashes,
and o. aformlbf perfect proportions Ad.
ded to this she possessed great taste in
dress; inclining to the subdued colors
tor the promenades in the evening, the
rich and elegant .styla characteristic OF
the ;,wealthior and better GLASS mot that
1t must be supposed to be meant that
she belonged to either, for she did not.
While she was still living with MIR. Fair.
IN the incipienoy Of her iiaison with
several times, not openly in his company.
but ostensibly putting mp alone at tie
most stylish hotel, and creating that fx.
r0re which only woman of her elegance
and beauty could do. During these
visits she occasionally appeared at some
of the most fashionable balls and con-
certs; If, at q ball, her superb apparel,
magnificent form and beautiful face,
were the event Of the evening; if at o
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 com.
pared to that produced by the sudden
appearance Of the daring corsair amidst
the CONVOY; such aiclosing up OF ranks
and unmasking OF batteries, In order
that husbands might be more effectually
protected. But. alas! it was often too
evident that the aforesaid husbands
rather inclined 70 8tfike their colors
upon the fret appearance Of the enemy.
In point Of personal resemblance, if
Lydia Thompson were little taller,
more rounded and fuller in form, had
dark eyes and lashes. greater wealth Of
hair, che would bear striking likeness
to Mrs. Fair when at tho zenith of her
charms. Without these changes the fair
Lydia closely resembles iler, in manner
as'well as person.
Mrs. Fair never appeared to the writer
like woman who could be guilty Of the
killing OF any man, yet size evidently
was o woman of great determination Of
character. but Of very capricious mind.
It seemed impossible that she could ever
cling 80 closely to any one as to cause
her to commit an act that would endan-
ger her, life and property. for she was
ayarioious. Her liaison with Crittenden