The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-11-03
A CALIFORNIA SCANDAL


A CALIFORNIA SCANDAL.
THE sEDUCER SHOT BY THE INJURED HIS
BANDA TRAGEDY ARISING FROM UNcoN-
TRoLLED PASSIONS.
The San Francisco Alta contains the fol-
lowing account of a recent domestic tragedy
In that State: a dispatch received from
Salistoga yesterday announced that Harry
Darkyns, better known as Major Harry
LaTkyIfs, was shot and almost instantly
Killed by Edward ]. Muy bridge, a photo
gIaphez of this city, on Saturday
night, about II o'clock. The cause of
the murder is said to be domestic trouble.
and OF this there seems to be no
doubt. Larkvns was an Englishman. about
50 years of age. He came to this city a wear
and half ago in company with another
young Englishman. 1t appears that thew
Travelled a good deal together. and that
Larkyns' friend advanced him money from
time 10 Tune until they arrived here.
Larkyns was unable, on arrival, to paw his
travelling companion, and the latter had
him arrested on a criminal complaint
The case was tried in the police court: il
lasted several days and terminated i'm his
scqulttal. He subsequently got employed
on The Post as reporter, his engagement
lasting some time. He was then employed
by John Wilson, the circus man. His last en-
ployment was to make maps of some mines
in Napa and Sonomo counties, and it was
on this business that be went to Calistoga.
Muybridge is photographer in the employ
of Bradley az Rulofson. His principal bust
ness is TO take photographs of country scenes,
and he was, therefore. most of his time abb
sept from the city. Mrs. Muybridge was at
one time cle,k in Ackerman's one dollar
store. They have one child. Mrs. Muy-
bridge is now in Portland, Oregon, and Lar
kyns in eternity.
ALLEGED SEDUCTION Bx LARKYNs.
1t is stated that Muybridge formed the ac-
quaintance of Larkyns, and that he liked
him very much. He invited him to his
house as friend, and introduced him to his
wife. Larkyns often visited Mr.. Muybridge's
house, and it appears that for long time he
was always kindly received. But the hus-
band left the city in pursuance of his en-
ployment, and was gone some time. When
he returned he learned that Lar
kyns' conduct to his family during his alb
sence was not that of friend. He cautioned
Larkyns never to visit his house sgain, or
speak to his wife. But 1t was of no avail.
The intimacy between Mrs. Muybridge and
Larkyns continued, and was so open that
the outraged husband sought his false
friend, and finding him in the Office of the
Evening Post, quarreled with him and
struck him. This had not the desired effect,
either. 1t appears that Lsrkyns and Mrs.
Muybridge still met clandestinely, and
even openly, in spite Of the blows and pro-
tests OF her husband. It Is claimed on be-
half of Larkyns, that after her husband
struck him in the Post Office he tried to
avoid Mrs. Muybridge, while other state
ments are TO the effect that he
never repulsed her, but spoke
freely to friends of their intimacy.
Whatever may have been the relations of
Larkyns and Mrs. Muybridge, the difficulty
seemed to have blown over with the depsr-
ture of the former tor CslStoga and the lat
friend' to stir up the passions of the out
ragged husband and drive him to the COM
mission of that most terrible of crimes
murder. This mutual friend was lady
who was employed as nurse by Mrs. Muy-
bridge, and, like the famous Beecher-Tilton
case, all the correspondence which passed
between Larkyns and Mrs. Muybridge was
turned over to her for safe keeping. Some of
Larkyns letters were of the most gushing
Characterization with a pen dipped in
love. And they are numerous as well,
showing that the major in his days outside
the city constantly thought of her with
THE MOST TENDER FEELINGS
and the greatest solicitude. The mutual
friend wanted to get money. which she said
Muybridge owed her. and for this purpose
paid him a visit on the forenoon of Saturday
last. She demanded the money, but Muy-
bridge either refused TO pay or gave the old
lady gruff answer. Thereupon she pulled a
bundle of letters from her pocket, and handed
them to him said: "Win you pay me now?"
If the old lady had not the money, like
the famous Scottish witch, she had her re-
venge. The husband took the letters and
read them over carefully. His breast heayed
with indignation, his wrath was fired, and
he. too, determined on revenge. Having
learned that Larkyus was in Cslistoga,
he left in the afternoon for that place.
Upon his arrival he went to the hotel
where Larkyus was stopping, and
having found him, shot and killed HIM
almost instantly. The affair threw the lit
tie village into the greatest excitement, and
was yesterday the prominent topic of con-
versation. Larkyns was known by almost
all the villagers, and his tragic and terrible
end was on that account more a matter of
talk Muybridge was at once arrested, and
is now in the hands of the authorities.