The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-03-13
A avoiding ANDAMURDER
The Shocking Tragedy that Fol-
lowed the Marriage of a
North Carolina
snecial Dispateh to tho Cincinnati Enquirer

Al1AEhLO1 LE4s ~ W. IA 80 ia
formation was received here this
evening of scandal which led to a
tragedy in Clay county. The Ioca-
ton ia in the chain of the Blue
Ridge, in the western part of this
State. Miss Ada McClay is the
tighter of the late Richard McClay
who was q wealthy and esteemed
farmer and politician of the county
just named. She is twenty two years
of age. beautiful. refined aud ae-
complished. She was educated at
seminary in Lexington, KY, having
graduated there with the usual hon.
Ors about four years ago. just at,
ter leaving her alma mater she made
her debut at the White Sulphur
Springs. West Virginia, and has
visited that place Of fashionable re-
sort every summer since.
1t seems that year ago last sum-
mer she met there a Mr.. VIM. p.
Shelburne. The couple fell in love
courtship followed, and they were
betrothed. He lived in New Or
leans, and had visited Miss MeClay
only three or four times at her home
in Clay County, but had kept up
regular correspondence. lie had
not seen her for ten months until
last Monday, wien he came to fulfill
his plighted troth. The day set was
the lst inst. They we're duly mar
ried, the nuptial ceremony taking
place at noon. The company In
attendance was not large, but was
elegant.
The afternoon and evening were
spent 10 wedding festivities. and it
was a late hour when the bride and
groom retired for rest. But then
Shelbourne discovered that his bride
was enctente. He threatened to kill
her in his frenzy, and only desisted
on the condition that she would re-
veal the name of her seducer. This
she refused 10 do at first, but finally
told him that Simpson Forester was
the man. He lived adjoining the
McClay mansion, and had recently
graduated at one of the colleges in
Virginia, He was only twenty two
years Of age, but had the reputation
of being gallant. and at the White
Sulphur last summer was a faVorite.
Shelburne's bride DECLARED that he
accomplished her ruin five months
ago, and that she had sworn never
to betray him. He visited the honse
like an intimate friend, and last
night he was one of the gayest of
the gay at the festal board.
At 6 o'clock this morning Shell
burne pulled on his clothes, armed
himself with q double barrel led shot
gun and weat to Forrester's home.
The young bride followed, beseech-
ing him not TO shoot her destroyer
that she had forgiven him. Shell
hure was determined. He aroused
the Forester family, consisting of
two or three sisters and the mother,
and called for the guilty man. For
roster feigned surprise when he fac
ed Shelburue and denied knowing
about the lady's shame.
Only a few words ensued, when
banged away, discharging
q load of buck shot into the shout
der of his enemy, who had no weap-
On of defense. The wounded man
exclaimed: Il am killed, and have
deserved it alll The SECOND bar
rel was not fired, for Shelburne,
thinking the man dead, turned and
saw that his wife, who witnessed the
affair had tainted. The murderer
took a horse from the stable of Mrs.
aud fed the country, going
in the direction of Tennessee.
The news Of the tragedy soon
spread. Special Constable polIey
gathered a party of men and went
in pursuit. The excitement in the
was intense. DR..
Heather was SUMMONED to attend
the dying man. His wounds were
dressed, but little hopes are enter
tanned of his recovery. To add TO
the scandal the bride gave birth in a
few hours after The tragedy to pre-
mature Child. No such sensation
has happened in this out of the way
lJldCG SluC0 INC OVnuoOh- w AllldL4S
shooting affray ten years ago.
Coffespondenpe of the Giope=Demoer t.
The unhappy girl, the unfortun-
ate bride of day. died in the night,
after having given premature birth
10 child. Although Simpson For
roster. the young student who had
accomplished Mrs. Sheldurne's ruin,
was terribly wounded in the right
shoulder by the infuriated and be-
trayed husband. be is now pronounc.
ed out Of danger. MIR. Shelburne,
Immediately after the shooting, left !
for parts unknown, absolutely re-
fusing TO see or speak to his dying
wife, who, while retaining conscious
ness, piteously declared her love for
her deceived husband and her con-
tempt for Forester. The indigna-
ton against the latter Is great, and
as Shelburne's friends have taken
the matter in hand, it is thought
that as soon as he is informed that
Forester will recover he will at
once return for the purpose Of kill
ing the scoundrel. The sad affair
has created the most intense excite
meat throughout this section Of the
country, owing to the high social
position of all the participants and
the popularity of the young people,
who were universally esteemed.