Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-03-31
1T MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
OF All Sad Stories of Tongue or Pen,
fhs Saddest of these is as
Above Stated.
The Latest Case in POint-What Mem.
phIs Had to DO with It-A Chat
taHOOga ScRpegrace.

1t was nearly midnight on Wednes-
day night when a sheriff and detective
went to the Lindell hotel, st. Louis, and
asked to be conducted to the room of
w. B. Hill. Their request was complied
with, and in response to their knock
Mr.. w. B. Hill appeared. They told
him he was "wanted," which he SEEM
ed slow not to appreciate, and he was
compelled to fOrsake the beautiful little
woman who, the register said, was his
wife, and exchange his luxurious quar-
tiers for cold and cheerless cell. Con-
vinced that the game was up, he told
his story. w. s. HIPS real name is
w. S. Bell. He is a comely young
maB, and has been gay one. Several
years ago he was engaged in small
business in Georgia town, when he
met and won the affections OF Miss
BentIy, adaughter Of the president of
female college in the place. She was
pretty, welkformed and graceful, and
was very intelligent, and Ss a natural
result of like causes, they were engaged
to be married. Their relations were Of
an intimate character, but some circum-
stances occurred which separated them,
and the marriage was not cODsummated.
Some time afterward Bell established a
which he prOspered. Hemarried q lady
of that place, and little over one year
ago a child was born to them. Recently
he met with some reverses which great
ly discouraged him, and which were a
part of the cause OF his later misfor-
tune. On visit to Memphis, not, long
since, he met his former fGncse, look
ing as beautiful as ever. Probably as
result of her disappointment, she
had left her home in Georgia,
and was now living a fast life.
There were perhaps some tears and
regrets st the sad meeting, and the af-
fection of either for the other seemed
not to have lost strength by separation.
But what was the use? Bell INDUCED
in some appropriate reflections on
might have BEEN" and then tore him
self away and went to his home. He
was followed by his old love, and for
three or four weeks she remained in
Chattanooga, where he visited her con-
stantly. Some of his enemies became
possessed of his secret, and fear of
dreadful exposure weakened his resolve
to again strive to build up his ruined
business. Being a moral coward, he de-
termined to find way out of his dilem-
ma through two crimes. Three weeks
ago, A. K. Seago, a large wholesale
grocer at Atlanta, telegraphed to the
firm of W. S. Bell & Co., instruct
ing them ito ship several carloads
of corn, and telling them to draw for
the amount as soon as the corn was
shipped. The order was executed, and
as soon as the corn was sent Bell drew
upon SeagO for five hundred dollars
more than the value of the shipment.
He got the draft cashed at the Bank of
Chattanooga, where he did his banking
business, and the same night he left his
home, his wife and child, and started
northward in company with Miss Bent
ly. The bank received intelligence of
the fraud day or two afterward, and
by some means learned that the runa-
way couple had gone to Cairo. The
sheriff there was telegraphed to ar
rest them, and proceeding to the st.
Charles hotel, he found that they had
been stopping there, but had just left for
st. Louis. He Immediately started in
pursuit, and arriving there, he, with the
assistance of s. detective, spotted his
game, comfortably domesticated at the
Lindell hotel. Bell confessed his guilt,
and expressed deep repentance. He
waived any requisition, and started for
Chattanooga in charge Of the sheriff,
passing through this city yesterday
The Bently woman was left to shift for
herself.