The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-08

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY-THE WIFE OF A NAVAL
OFFICER TAKES HER LIFE ON BEING con-
FRoNTED WITH THE PROOFS or HER ILLICIT
LOVE.
BEAUFORT, s. c. June s. 1874
The profound and monotonous quiet OF this ycnera-
BILE village rudcly disturbed on Saturday evening
last by the report OF the suicide OF tho wife OF Com
mandcr +. r. Smith, Of the navy which took place at
the Sea Island Hotel. Inquiries put aaoat promptly
established tho truth Of the melancholy story, and tho
additional facts which out as apparent
causes for the decd get the scandal
mongcrs Of the town to the most vigorous
efforts TO properly adorn the tale Truth in this
stranger than fiction. IL appears that Tuesday
last Commander Smith, who had lived happily with his
wife since his marriage in 1871 came letter adj
dressed to his wife by person now connected with
naval vessel At Philadelphia in which expressions
used that excited grave suspicious in his mind Of ths
fidelity Of his wife. Subsequent discoveries mado In
letters intercepted In the mail seemed confirm the
Captains most painful apprehensions With the tell
tale documents In his hand no confronted his
wife, and Tor several days she refused 10 acknowledge
the CHARGE hut on Saturday. before mutual friend,
she confessed tho commission OF decds Of nddcity
with the person now IN Philadelphia and did not deny
her guilty connection with officer OF the nect AZ
Port Royal Upon this most painful and astounding
confession Captain Smith consulted his friend WHOSE
from his wife. taxing tho sio gr sole ffu Of tho
union, with him, and making proper provisions
for his wifes future we'll being When this
decision announced by Captain Smith to his wife
she promptly but firmly replied that she would
separate from him, but that she would not 60 North or
single penny support from him. As soon AZ
the separation had been arranged IL seems that Mrs
Smith went 10 the druggists ana purchased
OF laudanum for neuralgia pains as she alleged,
which she took in draught Before how.
ever, this immense dose was fatal, she
retired TO her room, and, taking 4 Reming.
ton brcech-ioadng ships pistol, she placed
tho mnzzlc to her left breast and fred, the
heavy ball passing through her body and through
tho blinds Of tho window. Strange enough, the shot
house il very apparent 1t was, perhaps. aiteen
minutes before the mortally wounded woman dis.
covered, and then she was lying tho oor her life
blood ebbng rapidly and over the carpet She died
in about hour, but spoke word appeared
70 be conscious OF what going about her. The
narcotic effects OF the poison with the loss OF blood
doubleday produced this comatose state. The audanum
would have finally killed her. but sho made douby
sure BY using the Remington As the fact OF
her death known tho Coroner, Dr. Johnston, who,
by tho way Is brother OF General Joe Johnston, took
possession OF tho remains summoned Jury and hold
IN inquost. Alter taking large amount oil evidence,
the jury decided that tho deceased had 70 her
death by pistol shot wound inflicted by her hand
or by the hand OF unknown TO tho jury. Yes
terday at four O'Clock the erring laid
IN her grave in the old Episcopal buryng ground, a
tended by very few friends and handful Of coorcd
people. drawn thther by curiosity.
The little daughter Of Captain smith. about tive
years old will DO North TO DO brought up and edu
mand OF his vessel, the Saugus. and scenes,
where no may forget the terrible Outrage committed
upon him. He has tho sympathy OF all his fellow ocer
aud the community at large.