Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-05-30

| persons appear to have represented the
two extremes of nature-tne one being
very light and the other very dark
out this difference in personal appear
ance only served to make their attach
ment reciprocal and stronger; for
| their love for each other, as every
| circumstance connected with the
| tragedy proves, was of the purest and
| most exalted nature. This love, which
| had been glowing with the utmost
ardor, had entirely escaped the notice
| OF the parents of either party for over
year, although they had their
frequent places of trysting. Thus
ample time had been given for
what, at one time, might have been
thought mere attachment or regard
for each other to ripen into the
strongest ;nfatuation. Notwithstanding
the remonstrances of her parents and
the threats of her brother Edward, Ell
len remained true to her love, and
when asked by Henry to be his wife
she quietly consented, and the bargain
was sealed by Henry impressing an
atfectionate kiss on the dimp!ed cheek
OF Ellen. and the young couple vowed
to Heaven that they should be one or
die In the attempt. The principal OBJ
lection Of the Collinses to young Rad
cliff was. that he was not rich in worldly
goods, but his habits of industry and
sobrlety should have compensated for
all this, but it seems not, for they very
Reluctantly consented to have the
wedding at the home mansion, after
circumstances, threats and every APP
pl1ance known in such cases had been
exhausted. After the usual delays in
cldent to such occasions, the day fixed
Tor the celebration of the nuptuals ar
rived, and beautiful day it was-one
OF those bright, CHEEKY May mornings,
when all of Gods creatures, birds,
flowers and everything appears to be
conspiring to render mortal beings
happy. 4 out 10 o'clock A. NJ, of
the eventful day, the Rev. Mr.. Mason,
together with the members of both
families, except her brother Edward,
who was teaching school in New
Geneva, were assembled in the home
parlor nervously awaiting the appear
ance OF the happy couple. They did
not wait long. 1t was but a moment
until their quick footsteps were herd
descending the stairs, and entering the
parlor with light hearts full of hope for
the future, and the reverend gentleman
proceeded at once to perform the mar
rage ceremony. When about half
through with the ceremony her brother
Edward, who had got the news
Of the wedding, rushed into the parlor
with lightning speed, and the ferocitv
OF demon depicted in every feature,
pistol III hand, aimed at the head of
Henry. The ball took effect in the
left temple, and the unfortunate young
man fell dead at the feet Of his half
made bride. Quick as thought, Ell
len, who appears to have had pre-
sentiment of the fearful ending of
things, and, true to her lover, drew Il
dagger from her bosom, she had con-
cealed for that purpose, plunged it to
her heart, and fell a ifeless corpse
across the dead body of her intended
husband. 1t is hardly necessary to
state that a tragedy Of such proper
lions caused the greatest excitement
i'll the neighborhOod. 1t was but
few moments until the news spread
from house TO house, and the neigh
bors tlOcked to the scene of carnage,
there to find the assassin motionlCss
rs & post and unable to move from the
presence of his Wet ms. The sight of
the dead bodies, especially Ellen,
naturally pale, nov rendered more
beautifully and marble-like by loss of
blood, so enraged and maddened the
neighbors that in their great haste for
the blood Of Edward, they took him to
the nearest sapling where his body
was strung up and left to feed and fat
ten the ravens of the forest. Ellen
and Henry We're tenderly cared for by
friends, and their bodies encircled with
Il wreath of flowers and roses and
placed i'll one grave together.
This tragedy, which has hardly Il
parallel in the history Of any country,
is said to have occurred wit ain half Il
mile of the now prosperous village of
Masontown.