Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-09
UShonor and Death.
TERRIBLH TRACEDY.


The We Of a Nara oeioer Tusos Her Lxge on
,bes"g oo'V'Oraief wah tAe Proofs Of Her n.
BEAUroRr, g. c, June s, is76-rhe pro-
able VILLAGE was rudtly disturbed on sstnr-
Gay evening last by the report OF the suicide
1 on me vile OF Commander v. r. smith, OF
nensNy, Wnich took place At the Sea Island
hotel. Inquiries put anoat pronnflx essse
llshed TIE truth OF the melancholy story ara
me sadltional facts which came out as APP
mongers OF the town 20 the most vigorons
efforts 10 properly adorn the tale. Truth i'm
THIS case, was stranger than Notion. II ap-
pears that on Tuesday last Commander
Smith, who had lived happily with his wife
since his marriage In ISL, came across A let-
ter addressed 70 his wife by q person now
connected with naval vessel st Pniladel-
phia, I'm which expressions were used thai
excited grave suspicious IN his mind OF the
fidelity OF bis wife. Subsequent discoveries
made In letters intercepted IN the mall
seemed TO confirm the captains most painfni
apprehensions. With the tell-t tale Documents
ln MS hand he confronted his wife, aud for
several days she refused 10 ACKNOWLEDGES the
charge; but Saturday, before a mutual friend,
tne confessed the commission OF deeds OF in
fidelity with the person now In Philadel-
phia, and did not deny her guilty oonuectioa
with an officer OF the feet al Port Roysl.
Upon this most painful aud astounding con-
fession Captain Smith consulted his fTiend
stantly separate nom his wife, taking the
little girl, sole fruit OF the union, with him,
ana making proper provisions for his wife's
future well beng. When this decision was
announced by Captain Smith 20 his wife she
promptly but firmly replied that she would
separate from him, but that she would not
go north or receive n single penny support
nom him. As soon IS the separation had
been arranged. 10 seems that Mrs. smith
went over 10 the druggists aud purchased
sn ounce OF laudanum for neuralgia pains.
as she alleged, which she took In one draughi.
Before, however, this immense dose was
fstal, she retired 10 her room. aud, taking a
Remington breech- loading ships pistol, sne
placed the muZZle TO her left breast and
nred, the heavy ball passing through her
body and through the blinds OF the window.
strange enough, the shot was not heard I'm
the hotel, although in the Adjoining house it
was very apparent. IL was, perhaps, IS min
utes before the wounded woman was discov-
cred, and then was lying on the door, her life
She died in about one hour. but never spoke
word or appeared TO be conscious OF what
was going on about her. The narcotic effects
of the poison, with the loss OF blood, un-
doubtedly produced this comatose state.
The laudanum would have finally killed her.
put she made doubly sure by using the Rem :
lngton. As soon as the fact az her lea "a was
known, the coroner, DR.. Johnston. who by
the way, is brother OF Gen. Joe Johnston,
look possession OF the remains, summoned
jury AMI held an inquest. After taxing a
large amount OF evidence, the jury DECIDED
that the deceased had come TO her death by
pistol shot wound Inflicted by her own
hand or by the hand OF some one unknown
TO the jury. Yesterday at four O'Clock the
eTring woman was laid away In her grave
in the old Episcopal burying- ground, attend
eolored people, drawn thither by curiosity.
The little daughter OF Captain Smith, now
about two years old, viii be sent north 70 be
brought mp and educated. Can't Smith viii
doubtless give up tue command OF his ves-
sci, tie Saugus, aad seek new scenes. wnere
be may forget the terrible outrage commit
go uPon hlm. lie mas the sympathy OF all
his fellow officers and the community et
laTge.-lM y. HsTGli