Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-13
FROM ALTAR TO GRAVE.
A Young bridegroom shoots Himself
Through Heart and Head a Few
Hours After His Marriage.

new lOAA LchaAuf NV L.
For several days past preparations have
been in active progress for the celebration
of the nuptials Of AinswOrth Y. ZachOs, a
young florist. aged twenty-sOur years, doing
business at NO.945 Broadway, and Miss Do
IA Myers, residing with her aunt on No. 245
East Thirty-secOnd street, and yesterday
morning being thetime set for the ceremony
to take place, a large gathering Of the
friends and relatives of the young couple
assembled i'm the "Little Church Around
the Corner" on Tweuty-ninth street, to
watch the tying of the marital knot. Ev-
eything betOkened happiness pure and
unallOyed for the youthful pair,
and many were the congratulations
Of those present when the twain
were pronounced man and wife. II was
nearly noon when the ceremony was con-
cluded, and the party left the church, the
bride and groom proceeding first to we'd
ding lunch and shortly afterwards to Bar
NUNS HippOdrOme, where they remained
throughout the afternoon performance, re-
pairing, at its termination, TO No. 494
Third avenue, the residence of some old
friends Of Mr.. Zlehos. Arriving there,
nothing unusual was noticed in
the conduct of the bridegroom. To
all present, he seemed in the best
Of spirits, and the terrible tragedy
that ensued a few moments later was
all the more appalling because of its entire
unexpectedness. They had been in the
house but about an hour, the time being
six O'Clock, when ZachOs stepped into an
adjoining bedroom and closed the door, his
wife remaining in the parlOr eonversing
with her friends. In few moments three
ominous reports Of a pistol in quick SIC
cessiOn were heard, aud the affrighted in
mates, rushing to the door of the room,
were horror-strieken at the CHASTITY sight of
the newly-married man lying on the bed
weltering in his blood, a pistol lying by
his side. The agOnized wife, comprehend
ing the awful tragedy, fell on his neck,
her wedding garments receiving the
last flowing life blood of her unfortunate
husband, and, uttering shrek that pierced
the hearts Of all who heard her, swOODed
away. COmmOtiOn and excitement indie
scribable ensued. One ran for policeman,
another for a doctor, others endeavOred 10
revive the bride aud still Others remained
mOtionless as if petrified. In little while
the sought for medical aid arrived and every
effort was made to save the dying suicide,
but his lips were sealed in unconseOusneSs,
though his pulse still showed signs of life.
The young lady, recovering from her SwOOn,
broke loose again from those around, and,
throwing herself upon the body
of her almost lifeleSs husbapd, clung to it
in wild despair. IL was truly a piteOus
sight. The officer and others endeavOred
to have her release her hold, but in vain.
She screamed excitedly, and, loud above
her wanderings, could be distinguished the
pathetic sentence, indicative of her great
mental agony, 81 shall die with my hus-
band" 1t was many minutes before the
poor woman sufficiently recovered from
her parOXysms TO listen to reason; bat
she was finally coay ed away by the
argument that, unless she desiSted,
his life was iTTetrievably lost. When cam
parative quiet was restored, an investigation
revealed two bullet wounds in the right
temple and one in the heart, either of
which would undoubtedly prove fatal. The
mans vest was open aud his shirt blacken-
ed by the powder, making it evident that
he had puTpOsely opened it and closely
pressed the muZZle of the weapon to his
heart and fired. The bullet in the temple
penetrated deep into the brain, making a
frightful wound. IL is thought he shot
himself in the heart first, and, fearing
it would not proved fatal, imme-
diately afterwards placed the pistol
to his head and fired. Three r6-
ports were heard altogether, as above men
toned. The third bullet was found in the
wall, having probably glanced off from his
watch, which was deeply indented, and
struck where found. At about s o'clock
the suicide was removed in an ambulance
to Bellevue Hospital, still unconscious and
rapidly expiring. Up to half-past IL
o'clock, strange to relate, he was living;
but his medical attendants were in mo-
mentary expectation of his death. No
cause has as yet been assigned by his
friends for the rash act.