The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-05-19
4 NTyyESOTI TRIGEDY

Fergus Falls, Minnesota, was recent .
i the scene Of a tcagciy something cut
Of the common run. TuOs. Nelson, I.
a young man of the village, anda Miss I
ANDERSON, some two years ago entered
into marriage engagement, but the
wedding>day was not fixed upon. 1t
WAS the old story over again: the man
must win home, or the means to es>
tablish one, beforehe could claim his
bride. Full of hope, NELSON left Fer
gus Falls and emigrated to the pineries
of Wisconsin, and there began the res
Olute struggle for money to accomplish
his ends. For two years did he labor
hard. lie was shrewd, energetic and
honest, and prOspered. Then, a few
weeks ago, he returned to Fergus Falls
to claim Miss ANDERSON, and to install
her in the home he had labOred for
He found the woman he had hoped to
marry changed. He was steadfast, but
her wandering fancy had settled upon
another man, to whom she was report
ed engaged. NELSON had expected TO
be married at once upon his return, and
the falseness of the woman stunned him.
He went about dazed and sad, but said
nothing to any one about his disappOint-
ment. On the first day of the present
month grand party was held by the
young people of Fergus Falls in a va
cant building of which NELSON was part
owner. He was present at the party,
and during the evening Miss AMBER,
son also arrived in company with her
latest flame. She danced occasionally,
and NELSON looked at her apparently
without agitation, though at heart he
doubtless endured all the agony strong
men suffer when they yield themselves
up fully to the passion which is most
removed from reason. Finally Miss
ANDERSON seated herself, and NELSON
approached her. She gave him her
hand, and he was heard to say, "WhY
are you here tonight; don't you know
1 cannot bear to see you here?" The
lady rose and the two walked to another
seat, when NELSON, standing before
her was again heard to say, "You know
| cannot bear to see you here!" and as
he spoke he was seen to reach into his
pocket behind him. Suddenly he drew
forth a small revolver, and, placing it
against the lady's breast, fired. Shrek
ing, Miss ANDERSON darted past him
and ran down the stairway. NELSON
instantly turned himself about, threw
his head back; and discharged the weap-
on at his own heart. Without uttering
a word, he sprang forward several feet
and fell to the floor a corpse. When
Miss ANDERSON fled she was followed
by her friends, and it was discovered
that the bullet intended for her heart
had fattened itselfupOn the steel of her
corset, and retained barely force enough
in its passage to lodge beneath the skin.
So ended the tragedy. They examined
the body of the man lying upon the
floor, and in his pockets found notes
and a large sum of money; enough to
begin housekeeping on. They found
something else, carefully wrapped up
and laid away among his valuables.-
1t was a wedding-ring for the woman
who deserted him. The dancers with
drew from the hall, and there the body
was prepared for burial. The next day
there came to the express Office pack.
age addressed to NELsoN-the package
containing his wedding suit-and it ar
rived just in time to serve as his shroud
Neatly clad in his wedding clothes, the
body was laid out, and visited by many
of the citizens, who had lung respected
the character of the dead man; anC
among those who came was the woman
who had been false to him, and whom
he had tried to kill. Throwing herself
upon the coffin, her reprOaches and pro
testations of love were earnest and af
fecting, but they brought no life to the
victim of her fickleness.
SOME time ago We mentioned in Oul
local columns the fact that a Young MAJ