Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-27
FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY.
The Result Of Domestic Infelicity


| pistols mouth, the actors Of the drama
stood revealed A man was lying on
the pavement in the agonies of death;
another rushed frantically around the
corner, braRdishing his arms wildly, hold
ing pistol in his right hand, and giving
every evidence of partial insanity; a wo-
man threw herself on the body Of the
victim, and in wild lamentations gave
evidence of her love for the insensible
clay that of late was full of life. The
dead man was the late Mr.. Bennett
Jones; the slayer was DR.. William Dam
eron, and the woman was Mrs. Maggie
Cameron, his wife. After committing
the deed, DR.. Cameron rushed wildly
into Mansford's bookstore, threw pistol
down on the counter and exclaimed:
My God, can such things be in Mem
phisp He walked out on the sidewalk
and continued gesticulating in the wild
est manner until Sergeant Arrata came
up and arrested him. On the way to
the station-honse his cries and exclama-
tons created considerable excitement
among pedestrians.
The body of the dead man was taken
to his boarding house, at No. Sc Monroe
street, where an inquest was held by
Coroner MoAatt, who summoned on the
Jury Messrs A. G. Slagle, John A.
Roush, T. S. Griffin, W. H. Kingdom,
Henry White and Angelic Marie. The
inquest was attended by the reporters of
the LEDGER, Appeal and Avalanche.
The principal witness, and the only one
who could throw any light on the tragedy,
was the wife Of DIR. Cameron, who, in
the midst of sobs and tears, told the
story of the death of Bennett Jones.
She testified that she came from New
port, Kentucky, where she married DIR.
Cameron three years ago; had been liv-
ing in Memphis fifteen months; kept
house at No. Ill Washington street for
some time. Here she first became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Jones, who rented
room from them; she had known Jones
about eight months; had boarded at the
Commercial, Worsham, Southern Hotel
and other places in the city; Mr.. Jones
also boarded at these places. Jealousy
caused the doctor to kill Mr.. Jones.
She and the doctor we're on
their way to the steamer Phil
Allin, in order to go to Helena.
when they met the deceased on the cor
ner Of Second and Monroe streets, Mr..
Jones said Where are you goingT
She said, ITO Helena" Jones replied,
"Do not go; twill be worse for you if
you 60" She went back to the house
to get trunk, and, on returning, she
heard some words pass between the doc
tor and Jones; she heard shot, saw
Jones fall, and saw the pistol in the doc
tors hand. Mr.. Jones had said some
days ago that if the doctor undertook to
| shoot him he (Jones) would get the best
of it. DR.. Cameron often said, 81 will
kill him." A piece of pasteboard was
found on the body of the deceased. 1t
contained the following words, written
with pencil Il wish / was there.
Love me, darling" Mrs. Cameron ex-
planned that last night Mr.. Jones was
sitting on the doorstep of the boarding
house; she was at the window above
she wrote the note and dropped it down
to him. She said she had done every
thing for the best, and had been guilty
of no crime.
The day before yesterday the doctor
and Mr. Jones had some words, and
Jones threw open his coat and said,
doctor, if you are going to kill me,
shoot me at once.
The other testimony introduced before
the coroner's inquest was immaterial.
The deceased was shot in the neck
right side-the ball severing the artery
and producing almost instant death.
THE PARTIES.
DR.. Cameron is from Newport, KY,
and belongs to most respectable fam
lily. Mrs. Cameron is from the same
place, and is also well connected. The
doctor practiced his profession in this
city for some time, but eventually aban-
doned it and acted as carvasser for a
city directory He is a fine looking
man, possessing gentlemanly appear
ance and manners, and evidently feels
keenly the disgrace which he supposes
has been cast upon hiss good name and
fame. He insists that in killing Mr..
Jones, he only avenged his honor, he
Jones' having violated his hospitality
and destroyed his happiness forever.
Mr.. Bennett Jones was employed in
getting up city directory for Boyle &
Chapman. He was from Baltimore,
Maryland, where, it is said, he has a
wife and family living. Possessing
pleasing address, he had large circle
Of acquaintance in this city. His re-
mains we're taken in charge by the men,
bers Of the Typographical Union, and
will be buried this afternoon at three
clock. .r
THE INQUEST AND TRIAL.
The coroners jury returned verdict
that the deceased came to his death