The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-08-16
4 FORGOTTEN TRAGEDY.


states that he twas nssassinatcd while
extending tho hand Of hospitality, on
the morning of November 7, 1925, in
tho thirty.Gighth year Of his age" with
the text added: "What thou kncwest
not now, thou shalt know hereafter"
Col. Sharp was in his day ono of tho
foremost men Of Kentucky. During the
administration Of James Madison lie had
served two terms in Congress, Mt which
time he was the roommate and intimate
friend OF John G. Calhoun, who is said
to have declared that Sharp was tho
oldest nan Of his age that had ever
crossed the mountains" He had pre-
viously been several times elected to the
Kentucky Legislature, and under Gov.
Adair, was encouragement OF the State.
At the tine oi his death he had settled
i'll Frankfort rs very successful lawyer,
but had recently been again elected to
tho Legis!aturcas the champion Of the
"rolicf party" The "rclief" and "anti,
relief" controversy, Of which shall not
attempt to sketch n history, lal been
for some time agimting the State, aud
the fact that Col. Sharp was regarded as
chief exponent Of the relief movement,
and that the session OF the Legislature
was to begin on the day following his
assassination, lent Il peculiar emphasis
10 the excitement that followed. The
story OF his death, with its cause and
consequences, | have learned from sew
orl contemporary personal sources.
But first let mo say, fronting the capitol
square III Frankfort, on its northern
vide, aud only Il fow steps eastward from
the Frankfort and Louisville railway, is
large brick mansion three stories in
height, extending far back, with ample
accommodations for the slave help Of
"tho good old times" This house is
perhaps nearly sixty years old, and was
the house of Col. Solomon T. Sharp in
1926.
A few years previous Sharp met
young lady named Ann Eliza Cook, and
he had seduced her. She was young
Indy of good family, Of fair cultivation,
with some literary talent. He met her
Mt n party, l believe, and it WIS under
the excitement Of tho dancing md the
wine, perhaps, that Miss Cook yielded
herself to him. After her disgrace be.
came known she had secluded herself ut
home, but il seems that n young lawyer,
named Jereboam o. Beauchamp, also Of
respectable family, happened to sec her
and, falling in love with her, succeeded
in obtaining her promise to become his
wife on condition cxaetcd by her that lie
should kill Col. Sharp. This promise
was madc-thc marriage took place.
Some time-a year or two, perhaps
passed, and Sharp still remained alive,
Perhaps the trouble would have passed
and been forgotten, had not the seduc-
tion been mentioned MS against Sharp's
character during the warm political cam
paign in which ho was elected TO the
Legislature. On this charge being
brought against him Col. Sharp treated
it slightly, and stated in public, it is
said, that certificate was in evidence
that this child born OF Miss Cook Ind n
black face. This added insult to tho
original injury, aud the secret writing Of
Beauchamp's promise came out distinct
ly Mt its breath. The Sunday evening
before tho general assembly met, Beau
champ (who lived in another part of tho
Stato) entered Frankfort, and, finding
tho hotels full, put mp ut the private
house Of gentleman named Scott, two
or three squares south OF Sharp's resi-
dcnce. Late ut night he went around TO
tho house in which Sharp rcsided-the
large old brick ono which havo men,
Homeland, going to n side door
although others say it was to tho front
door, ho knocked. Sharp was awaken
cd, and asked who was there. Beau
champ answered by giving the name Of
one familiar to Sharp-in another part
of the State, where tho latter had form
orly lived-but changing the second ini-
TIM Of this persons namc-saying !:
"John A. Covington," and requesting
to see him ut once on important bust
ness. E
az know John W. Covington, said
Sharp, deliberately opening tho door
and advancing into the open mir aud
darkness.
Bcauchamp at once lifted mask
which no wore, saying: "Don't you
know me, colonel p ...
"My God! its b" exclaimed
Sharp, but did not succeed in pronomc-
ing his cnemy's name before the latter
struck him upon his mouth with his left
hand aud stabbed him to the heart with
.llis right.
Col. Sharp was found dead on his
doorstep. Beauchamp returned to his
lodging and left town early III tho morn
ing, without being suspected, | believe.
II is related that on approaching his
home lie conveyed to his vito the i'll
icl!igCnco Of tho deed accomplished by
waving his handkerchief aloGt III the dis
taucD.
The death of Col. Sharp produced n
profound sensation i'll Frankfort and
throughout the State. The Legislature
offered 1000 for tho detection and ap.
prehcnsion Of the murderer. There was
a disposition TO make political capital
out OF tho affair, too, l am told, and to
make believe tho assassination to have
been i'll the interests OF tho anti-rclicf
party. One Of the Frankfort editors Of
tho timc WIS darkly charged with acces-
sorry acknowledgement some wero not in
disposed, l believe, to have him arrest
cd. 1t was through this editor, l have
been toll-and I think his name was
Darby-that Beauchamp was finally
pointed out and arrested, Sharp's fami.
ly, it is said, showing M indisposition
to touch him, and thus make hopelessly
public the cause Of his act. But Beau.
champ was finally brought to trial md
sentenced to be hung. During the in
tcrval between tho sentence and its exc.
cution great efforts were made in his be-
half, delegations of ladies' dressed in
mourning nYnn rninp to tho royrrnnr Of