The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-10-14

Tragic Deaths Of a Bride and Groom.
-
A DOUBLE MARRIAGE FOLLOWED BY A
DOUBLE FUNERiL-THE KILLING
OLA WIFE AND THE SUICIDE
Or A HUSBAND.

RosEvMLE, Pa, September 26.-About
five years ago William Russell, farmer
living few miles from this village, was
left a widower with one child by the &C
cidental death of his wife and second
child, they being thrown from aWagon
by running horse. The care Of the
farmers house then devolved upon his
daughter Harriet, aged sixteen years. A
girl named Mary Stokes, about the same
age, was employed to aid in the house
hold work. This girl lived in the house
about eighteen months. when Miss Rus
sell discovered that her father was pay
ing the attention of lover to the girl,
and that close intimacy existed between
hem. Naturally shocked and indignan
at this, the farmers daughter dismissed
he Stokes girl from her situation in the
family. When Russell learned of this
proceeding he Immediately brought the
girl back, and tod his daughter that she
was to remain there as long as she chose
The daughter thereupon left the house
and went to sewing in the neighbOrhood.
The affair created great scandal in the
rnral social circles. Mary Stokes finally
left Russell's and returned home. A few
daysafterward Miss Russell resumed her
old position in her fathers house, and
the scandal soon ceased to be the subject
Of gossip.
MISS RUssELL's LOVER.
Living in this village was a highly re-
speCted young carpenter named Horton
Hurst. His father owned farm adjoin-
ing that Of Russells. Some years ago a
difficulty arose between the two farmers
about the proper location of a line fence
A long. bitter and expensive law suit fol-
lowed. Farmer Hurst was finally sue
Cessful In the suit, and died two years
ago. Russell hated the name of Hurst,
and when, some three years since, he
made the discovery that his daughter
and the son of his old enemy had formed
an attachment for each other, and were
actually engaged to be married, he threat
enel TO dsoWn Harriet if she did not at
once renounCe the idea ofwedding young
Hurst. She made the sacrifice in Obedi-
ance to her parent. When she left home
on account of the difference with her
father and Mary Stokes, she and her old
lover met again, and renewed the VOWS
that had been broken. This did not
come to the ears Of the father until some
months after her return home. He then
reiterated his displeasure at her choice,
and declared that she should never take
che lame Of Hurst so long as he lived.
THE TWO WEDDINGS.
About three months ago Russell as
founded his daughter by telling her that
intended to soon marry the girl Mary
Stokes, and bring her back 10 the farm
house Harriet was firm in her opposi-
tion to the old mans folly, as she termed
it, and assured him that when he would
bring his wife home he would find his
daughter gone from the house, never to
return.
The early part of last week Russell
made known to his daughter that he was
to be married on the following Friday.
She made no reply, but went to work at
once in perfecting arrangements that had
been pending between herself and Hurst
for some weeks in view of the marriage
Of her father. Friday morning the old
farmer, first telling Harriet that he
would return with his wife in the after
noon, drove away toward the home of
Mary Stokes. The daughter placed the
house in readiness for the return of her |
father, and about noon started for Ros(-
vile. She left behind her, on the bu-
reau in her room, the following letter
addressed to her father:
Dear Father have always tried to be
a dutiful daughter TO you, but the act |
you intend to do to-day is more than |
can submit to, as have more than once
told you. You choose companion above
me. hope she will be as true to you
ss have been, and that you will both |
be very happy. Do not think l am
writing this with light heart, although |
in leaving the house of my childhood |
20 to find home with one l have long
poytOi anu NilOSe Wllt expect tO De Ill IL
few hours. God bless you, father, and
goodrby.
Your once loved daughter,
HATTIE.
Upon reaching the village Miss Russell
was met by Horton Hurst. They pro-
oeeded to the house of Mrs. WIN. Filley,
q sister of Hurst's. and about o'clock in
the afternoon were married by the Rev.
Mr.. Young, of the Methodist Church.
Afterward they went in company with
Mrs. Flley and young gentleman, a
friend of Hurst's, to the village tavern,
where it had been arranged to take din
Iier. They were nearly through the re-
past, which had been very little like a
wedding feast, when the dcor of the
dining room WAS burst in, and farmer
Russell, pale with rage, and angular
glitter in his eye, sprang into thu apart
Jment. His daughter arose hastily and
ran toward him with Outstretrhed arms,
hut he threw her aside and sprang upon
her husband.
THE TRAGEDY
"You d-d scoundrel r lie exclaimed
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