Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-06-09
DiShOnOr and Death.

The sudden death of the wife Of Commander
+, Il. Smith, at Beaufort, S. g., has hereto
tore been mentioned in the Gazette. A CORES
pondent of the New York Herald writing from
that place gives the following particulars of the
sad affair:
The profound and m,notonous quiet of this
venerable village was rudely disturbed on Sat
urday evening last by the report OF the suicide
of the wife of Commander +. K. Smith, of the
navy which took place at the Sea Island Hotel.
INQUIRIES put ahoat promptly established the
truth Of the melancholy story, and the addl-
tonsl facts which came out as apparent causes
Tor the deed set the scandal mongers ot the
town to the most vigorous efforts to properly
adoru the tale. Truth in this case was stranger
than fiction. 1t appears that on Tuesday last
Commander Smith, who had lived happily
With his wife since his marriage in 1871, came
across letter addressed to his wife by per-
son now connected with naval vessel at Phlla
delphia, in which expressions were used that
excited grave suspicious 10 his mind Of the
fidelity of his wife. Subsequent discoveries
made 10 letters Intercepted lu the mail seemed
10 confirm the Captains most painful appre-
tensions With the tell tale documents 10 bis
hand lie confronted his wife, ana for several
days she refused to acknowledge the charge; but
on Saturday, before mutual friend, she oon-
fessed the mmisson OF deeds ofiDhdehty with
the person now 10 Philadelphia, and did not deny
her guilty connection with an officer OF the ieet
a Port Royal. Upon this most painful and as
founding confession Captain Smith consulted bis
friend, whose advice was very simple. 1t was to
Insanity separate from bis wife, taking the lit
tie girl, sole fruit Of the union, with him. and
making proper provisions for bis wife's future
We'll being. When this decision was announced
by Captain Smith to his wife she promptly but
firmly replied that she would separate from
bim but that she would not 70 North or receive
single penny support flom bim. As 5000 as
the separation had been arranged 1t seems that
Mrs Smith went over 10 the druggist and pur
chased an ounce of laudanum tor neuralgia
pains, as she alleged, which she took in one
draught. Before, however, this immense dose
Was fatal, she retired to her room, and, taking
a Remington breech- loading ships pistol she
placed the muzzle to her lett breast and fired.
the heavy ball passing through her body and
through the blinds of the window. Strange
enough, the shot was not heard IN the hotel,
although in the adj lining house It was very ap'
parent. 1t Was perhaps. fifteen minutes BE-
Tors the mortally wounded woman was discover
ed, and then she was lying on the foor, her llfe
blood ebbing ra apdiy on aud over the carpet. She
died 10 about one hour, but never spoke WORD or
appeared TO be conscious OF what was gong
on about her. The uarcotic effects OF the pol
son, With the loss Of blood. undoubtedly pro.
duced this comatose state. The laudanum
would have finally killed her, but she made
doubly sure by using the Remington. As soon
as the fact of her death was known the Coro-
nor, DIR. johnson, who, by the way, is broth.
er Of General Joe Johnston, took possession OF
the remains, summoned jury and held an 10
quest After taking large amount OF evidence
the Jury decided that the deceased had come
to her death by pistol shot wound IL t1cted
by her own hand or by the hand of some one
unknown to the jury. Yesterday at four
o clock the erring woman Was laid away 10 her
grave 10 the old Episcopal burying ground, at.
teuded by very few friends and handful OIL
colored people, drawn thither by curiosity.
The little daughter of Captain Smith, DOW
about two years old, will be sent North to be
brought up and educated. Captain Smith
will doubtless give ,up the command of his ves-
sci, the Saugus, and seek new scenes, where
he may forget the terrible outrage committed
upon him. He has the sympathy OF oil his
fellow officers and the community at large
AN EXCLUSIVE CHURcH.-The Detroit Post
says: a wealthy and eccentric resident OF
Monroe has built him church at the village
oil Ida, to illustrate his idea of what model
Christian Church should be. Back of the pull
pit he has placed large wooden slab, grained
in iu imitation of marble, aud bearing this re-
markable inscription mo man will be allowed
to preach iu this Church who breaches from
manuscript, who does not kueel while praying
who belongs to auy secret society, or who has
his life Insured in any way This rule is said
IN be rigidly enforced, and the consequence is
that the building, otherwise commodious, rarely
has any tenants.