The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-02-15
Fearful Crime i1s Vest V69.gi9tia--
II Bride Murdered O9s her
IVeCLCIi2aQ NiQItt

A telegram to the New York Herald, dated
Richmond, February 3, says:
l am in receipt of a despatch from Fayette
county, West Virginia, which states that
most shocking outrage and terrible tragedy oc-
CURED in the neighborhood of Mountain Cave,
in that county, a few nights since. Nearly
eighteen months ago the people of the same
county were shocked by fatal affray which
took place near the same locality, between two
citizens, named John 0'Co1eman and Madison
Neal, in which the latter was killed. 1t is un-
fortunately my duty now to record the murder
of sister of Madison Neal not more than one
half mile from the spot where her brother was
sent, without warning, to an untimely grave
1t appears that the lady, who was buxom
and charming mountain maid, was wooed and
won by Mr.. Potter, very respectable, in
dustrious and worthy man. Thursday, the
23d ult., was the day set apart for the wedding,
and the twain were united in the holy bonds
of wedlock. But then the course of true love
does not always run smooth, and so 1T was with
the newly married couple. The marriage was
celebrated with all the usual ceremony and
festvity. The neighbors ate and drank and
danced to their hearts content until midnight,
when the welded two were lett to retire. They
had scarcely retired when they we're disturbed
by the hideous sounds of charivari, that were
waited towards them by breeze so still that
it scarcely disturbed the floating white noun
tain mists. AS tire serenading party neared
the residence ofthe married pair the discordant
sounds of blowing horns and the beating of
tin-pan tambourines were occasionally inter-
rupted by the more shrill, sharp, and ominous
crack of muskets, shot guns, and rifles. Soon
the party arrived at the house, and then the
noise OF their horrible instruments, coupled
with the Intermittent discharges ofthe firearms,
produced most alarming effect on the bride
and bridegroom. 1t was found that the serena
ders numbered eight persons, so disguised,
raj pOuld q m izad
any point of observation within the house.
Just at this juncture it occurred to the bride,
who fearing that their intention might be more
hostile than complimentary, to ask the party
in to take some refreshments, and thus appease
any an mostly they might entertain. She ac-
cordingly advanced to the door, accompanied
by her stepdaughter, and opening it she stood
on the threshold with a lighted candle in her
hand. Almost simultaneously with her ap-
pearance there was a volly fired from four guns
at her, the contents of one striking the door
post glancing and entering the brides Mrs.
Potter's) ear, and lodging in the centre OF the
brain. With shrek and cry of agony the
unfortunate bride of few hours fell to the
ground, from which she was shortly afterwards
removed by her husband and daughter to the
Wedding bed. The villains who perpetrated
this eowardly and barbarous outrage disappear
ed in the darkness, but IN more sudden man
ner than that in which they came. Mrs. Pot-
Ter, alter suffering tue lnosV eAcruclatng agony,
expired two days after the outrage occurred. A
physician who was called probed the wound,
and gave as his opinion that Mrs. Potter's death
was caused by hard tow wad discharged from
gun in the hands of the serenading party. 1t
is gratifying to announce that the parties have
been arrested, and three of them were com
mitted to the Jail of Fayette county for trial.
The citizens in the vicinity express the greatest
indignation of this shocking occurrence, and
universal wish prevails for the PROMPT and Sc
we're punishment of all concerned.