American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-11-04
A Sad Domestic Tragedy at Columbus,
Ohio.


COLUMBUS, o., Oct. 1.-THE bust
ness and fashionable circles of this city
were thrown into a fever of excitement
to-day by the suicide of Frank w. Desh-
Ter, the well known teller of the Frank
lin National Bank, and one of the
prominent leaders in fashionable social
life. At first it was thought by some
that financial troubles might have in
duced this sudden taking off, but ex-
animation of the bank books speedily
dissipated such an idea. 1t was then
discovered that domestic infelicity was
the only reason for the rash act. About
five years ago Mr.. Deshler was united
in marriage to Jessie Smith, daughter
of w. B. Smith, of Cincinnati. The
elegance of the wedding was society
event, even in that wealthy city. The
dashing husband brought his beautiful
and brilliant blond-haired wife to his
fathers residence here, where they re-
manned until an elegant residence was
erected for them on an eligible lot adj
joining the paternal homestead. The
young husband idolized his bride, and
from the prominence of his social po-
sition was enabled to have her imme-
diately enter into the rather fashiona-
BILE life of this capital. With an ele-
giant home, all that money could buy,
this couple, favored of fortune, were
supposed to be perfectly happy; but
N nf hofrr
them. The wife, used to that
butterfly attention that beauty always
brings, chafed under the marital yoke,
and seemed quite as fond OF atfmiir~t;;v-
and attention --:f- sLS hau Us d
maid. Even the birth of beautiful
babe did not sober her, and she went on
as usual, after her gay and careless
fashion. There was, apparently, moth
ing criminal in her conduct, but her
actions SO displeased her husband that
it was cause of warm words between
them. The husband fairly idolized his
pretty, careless wife, and would not
listen to the advice of friends relative to
a separation. About three weeks ago
the wife left home with her child, in
direct opposition to her husbands
wishes, and in violation of her promise
made to him, and did not return until
yesterday. The husband remained
away from his place of business on yes
terday, and report has it that there was
scene between himself and wife at
their home. To-day the couple took a
short ride, and upon returning home
there was another serious talk in the
wife's chamber. What that conversation
was none will ever know. At about
IL p. M, the maid-servant heard
pistol-shot in Mrs. Deshler's room,
and ran at once to the residence
of Deshler's father, who, soon after,
made his way to his sons house, only
to find his idol sitting in his easy chair,
unconscious, with blood streaming
from bullet-hole over his heart, and q
revolver lying on the floor near by. The
young wife was kneeling by his side,
pale and uncemonstrative, but upon be-
ing addressed by the father, ran out land
fell fainting on the lawn, and when she
was restored to consciousness plead tc
| be left alone to die. Deshler lived about
10 minutes, but never regained con
seriousness. News of this horror spread
like wildfire, and soon after his death
Deshler's rooms were thronged will
his relatives and admirers. Since he1
4 husbands death Mrs DeShler has Sc
| cluded herself in her parlors, and re
fuses to see any one. While no one, by
insinuation even, charged her with any
criminality, there is considerable feel
ing against her for her love of admira
ton and attention from unmarried SO
ciety men, when she knew such atten
tions were distasteful to her husband
Nothing has occurred here for year
that has SO agitated ultra-fashionabl'
life. A Coroner's inquest failed to de
velop any new facts.-Special to Chicag
| Times.
1