The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-10-27
THE. FRA NRFORT TRAGEDY

SOLOMON +. SHARP by JEREBoAM ".
BEAucHAMpE, at Frankfort, on the
night of November 6, 1926. This his.
tory, while in the main correct, is erro>
neous in several essential particulars,
rs is shown by the testimony in the
case, which was afterwards published |
in pamphlet form. The true chronicle
of the tragedy runs thus:
SOLOMON p. SHARP-who was
killed in his thirty-eight year-was a
very popular man in the State, who
backing the substantial elements of
real greatness was possessed of those
superficial qualities that the shrewd
aemagogue often artfully parades be.
fore the unthrnking crowd as the gifts
efheaven-bestowed genius), had served
several terms in the Legislature, two
terms in Congress. and at the time of
his death was again a member of the
Legislature. His brilliancy was that
Of paste-diamond compared to that of
the genuine precious stone, yet the
eyes Of the people could not detect the
cheat. He was man whose intellec-
tual and moral qualities were subordi-
mated to his beastly nature and lustful
passions.
He had, among other serious Often
ces against decency, wrought the ruin
under promise Of marriage-of a
young lady of good family in Lincoln
county, named ANN ELIZA Cook.
Subsequently young BEAUcHANfE,
who had just entered upon
the practice Of the law, met Miss
Cook, was charmed by her loveliness,
and made honorable suit to her for her
hand. She recOiled from the idea of
uniting her furnished name 10 that of
an honorable man, and though her
lovers appearance and devotion was
not without effect upon her heart, she
declined his proposals. Hepersevered,
and forced fsom her the acknowledge
ment that his passion was reciprocated,
hut plead that there was an impossible
bar to their union. He insisted upon
knowing whatit was that stood between
them, and declared-after the manner
Of all banked lovers-that he would
perform impossibilities but he would
overcome the obstacle. Finally he pre-
vailed, and she confessed the wrong
Col SHARP had inflicted upon her.
And here the Commercials correspon-
dent interpotates the nOvelists-G. P.
r. JAMES and w. GILMORE SINS,
both of whom wrote romances founded
upon the tragedy, SINS story being a
pretty close imitation of that of the En-
glish writer, which appeared frst-
creation of a moonlight scene wherein,
for the young lady's hand, BEAU
cHANPE pledged himself to take
SHARP's life. Nothing of the kind &C
CURED. He absolved her of fault, il
that she was the victim of villain, and
again offered her his hand. She nc
oepted, and they were married, and
they settled down to married life of ap
parent content If not actual happiness
There was nothing to show that they
ever wasted a thought on SHARP, unit
in the last race SHARP ran, and only ,
few months before his murder, his OPP
l,onent charged upon him the seduction
Of Miss Cook. This SHARP denied
and brazenly asserted from the stunt
that the child of the wronged woman
was ofnegro parentage on the father
side. This came to the ears of tn
young couple, and then it was that tn
indignant husband left his home witt
theayowed intention of making SHARl
cat the slanderous words, acknowledge
rhe wrong he had done the lady, o
take his life.
AS he had to ride to Frankfort o.
horseback, it took him several days
reach there from his home. 1t wa
about the middle of the afternoon whel
I,e arrived, and after putting up hi
animal and changing his clothing, h
took his pistol from his saddlebags, Sc
cured it abou: his person, and sough
the defamer, whom he found in tn
public-room of the Wciseiger Hotel
Approaching him BEAUCHANP toll
him who he WAS and the object of hi
journey, at the same time producin
his pistol and giving him choice BIZ
tween a public acknowledgment the
and there of having villainously sian
dcred deserving young woman b
had wronged, or violent death on til
spot. SHARP then fell upon his knee
and begged for his life, confessing hi
wrong towards Miss Cook, and &C