Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-05
THE DEATH of MRS. HOOD.
The Facts as Developed at the Inquest
Held In View OF Her Body Ger n hus-
band Acquitted of ALI Blame.

The investigation into the accidental
death Of Mrs. John Hood, which has
been before the grand jury the past few
days, was terminated on Wednesday
afternoon, the jury failing to find any
thing in the evidence other than that
the shot which resulted fatally to Mrs.
Hood was accidentally discharged, and
her husband was hOnOrably discharged.
The evidence elected as far as we could
learn, was to the effect that Mr.. Hood
had been out in the city the night on
which the accident occurred, and on
returning home, found Mrs. Hood ab-
sent, and the door locked so that he
could not gain admittance. He
walked across the street and wait
ed until he supposed she had return
ed, perhaps half an hour or so. On
his return to his apartments he found
his wife had returned, and had gone to
bed. He began demonstrating with her
about being absent from home when he
was away, at the same time took
small pocket-pistol from his pocket,
from which he was removing the cape
IA precautioD he never omitted) prepaTa-
tory to laying it away in bureau drawer
where he always kept it. Whilst in the
act Mrs. Hood sprung from the bed, APP
paTently not noticing the pistol in her
husbands hand; and with tears begged
him to forgive her for disObeying him,
at the same time clasping his hands with
her own, by which motion the pistol was
discharged, the ball taking off q portion
Of one of Mr.. Hoods fingers, and pene-
trating Mrs. Hoods thigh above the
knee. We learn that 1t was part of
Mrs. Hoods last staten ent hat she be-
lieved that she discharged the pistol with
her own hand, and exonerated her hus-
band from all blame. 1t appears that
the TACT that she should have survived
the shot so long, without anything hav-
ing been said about the occurrence mill
tated against Mr.. Hood more than any
thing else. This circumstance was ex-
planned by the statement of the physi-
clan who was called In to dress the
wound, who advised them both TO say
nothing about it to no one, as it was
mere flesh wound, and that she would
soon recover from It's effects, end 1t would
then be time enough to make
any explanation that might be necessa-
ry; and under this advice, both Mr.. and
Mrs. Hood rested satisfied, the matter
being known to only the immediate
neighbors and friends. 1t is further
bLAt6Q LnaL as soon as II was apparent
that serious results were about to ensue
Mrs. Hood requested that u lawyer be
sent for, as she desired to make the
statement, 30 that any blame that might
attach to her husband might be contrO-
verted. Mr.. Hood, though completely
prostratedwith griefat the death ofhis be-
loved wife, and the trying circumstances
connected with 1t, has demanded the
IL =
although having given most substantial
bond fer his appearance, been in close
attendance on the jury during the inves-
tigation. Mr.. Hood has many friends
in Memphis who deeply and sincerely
sympathize with him In his Affections,
and who, feeling assured Of his limo.
cence, rejoice to know that he has
been able to set himself Alright in this in
vestigatiOn.