The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-10-28
Terrible Tragedy in Somerset County

On the afternoon of the 22d, a man
named Greenleaf Tracy shot and killed
Mary Walton, a divorced woman, and
Immediately killed himself. A cores
pondent of the Lewiston journal gives
the following particulars of the tragedy:
Only few years ago, Mr.. Tracy owned a
good farm in Mercer, on which he lived with
his wife and six small children. So far as your
correspondent Knows, or can ascertain, they
hNed happily together and enjoyed the respect
and confidence of those with whom they assoc
Grated. Not far from them lived Hiram Walton
and wife and two small children. They, too
owned snug little fcrm, lived easily, and
seemed to enjoy life. The two families were
quite intimate, and no one suspected anything
wrong, until the community where they lived
We're a>toniShed with the fact that Tracy and
Mrs. w alton had left for parts unknown. They
Were finally heard from, living IN Lowell, Mass.
When they had been gone about two years,
Mrs. Walton returned to her husband, who
cOndoned her faults, and the two were living
happily together again. But their re-Wedded
life was brief for in short time Tracy return
ed. too. sought and held an Interview with Mrs
W alton, and by his superior magnetic powers
Of argument compelled the poor weak-minded
woman to go with him again.
They had been gone this time about two wears
when, last month, Mrs. W. returned to her nus
band second time. He quietly informed her
that at the last session of court held at Show
hogan, he had obtained decree of divorce from
her, and that she was no longer his Wife. She
begged his forgiveness for all her unlawful acts
that had made his life miserable and herself an
outcast, and implored him to permit her to
work for HIM, or where she might earn money
10 pay the expense she had caused him. Know
ing the simplicity of her nature and the honesty
of her heart, he assured her though she had no
lawful OF just claim on him for support, if she
chose TO Stay ut his house, he would not turn
her away nor see her suffer for food or cloth
llig, If She never would leave with Tracy again.
She promised that if he ever approached her
again to resist him with all her strength and
the sequel shows that this time she kept her
word When Tracy found where she was and
that she was with Walton again. he came for
her the third time Whether heesaw her after
She left him the second time until Yesterday
YOUR correspondent has not learned. His father
states that since Monday he has been wander
lnH ahout day and night, appearing moro crazy
than sane, and he, the father feared that the
son was plotting some horrd deed.
Yesterday morning he went to Smthfield and
procured q pint of rum of the agent and double
barrelcd shot gun of some other party, and thus
armed and equipped set out for the house of
htl he loved. lie reached there about II O'Clock,
n. NJ, and called her to the door and entreated
her 10 90 with him again. She stouty resisted
him and tried TO reason with him, but his brain
was on fire, his reason subvertcd and
drunken passion ruled supreme. When he
found lie could not accomplish his d6vilish pur-
pose, hc was prepared for more tendsh act.
She was still standing in the doorway, and he
quickly stepped back two or three PAGES, raised
me gun and fired one barrel. The contents
buck shot. entered her left breast Just over the
heart and she fell teeSs to the floor, while all
her blood seemed to pour out of the huge and
chastity wound. At the instant he fired he
turned and ran short distance, and then stop
ped and turned to see if the deed was fully
done. When he was satisfied, he turned and