The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-06-21
THE McNAMEE TRAGEDY.
A NEW AND INTERESTING VERSION
OF THE SCANDAL.

WHICH SHOWS McNAMEE TO HAVE ACTED
WITH FoRBEARANcE AND DISCRETION IN
THE EARLY STAGES OF HIS TROUBLES
WHAT Is SAID AND THOUGHT OF THE Az
FAIR AT ANNA.
From Our Own Correspondent
ANNA, Ills, June 90, 1873.
Editor Bulletin
This quiet little .llage is just now stirred
with excitement over the tragic affair-mur-
der and suicide-by which John McNamce
and his wife have been sent into eternity.
This most terrible affair is the result Of
scandal in which DR., A. 7. Barnes, ply.
sicias in charge Of the Southern Illinois
Insane Asylum at this place, is made to
play by no means enyiable part, and if all
reports are true, he is in
a great measure responsible for
the fate thas befallen John McNamee and
his wife.
Without going into detail | will try to
give your readers an idea of the circum-
stances which led to the murder and suicide,
For three years McNamee was an attend
ant at the asylum, and was regarded as
one of the most faithful and valuable
attaches of that institution. In September
last McNamee was married to Miss Sadie
Little daughter of Mr.. John F. Little of
Dongola. For short time all went merry
with McNamee and his wife, and they were
apparently happy and contented.
McNamee continued to work at the 'asy-
lum, where his wife occasionally visited
him. At the asylum she became acquainted
with Dr. Barnes, and the doctor, it seems,
took kindly" to her, for when on his visits
to town he frequently called upon her, and
as time wore on his visits became more
frequent and protracted. This naturally
enough attracted the attention of McNa-
mees neighbors, and some one Of them
wrote him an anonymous letter, telling him
that he had better watch the doctor
McNamee, naturally Of a jealous dispo-
sition. took the matter much TO heart, but
it does not appear that up to this
time he ever suspected anything
wrong to be going on, although tits known
that he told his wife that DR.. Barnes must
discontinue his visits.
Shortly after this-now about two
months ago-some kind of an entertain
ment was 10 be given at the asylum, and as
il was given out that the affair was for
the inmates only, outsiders would not be
aInaistad No>Ian.sa obtained Dr. Barnes
permission TO have his wife come out, Ac.
cordingly he, McNamee, arranged to meet
his wife on the road a short distance from
town and accompany her to the asylum.
At the appointed time McNamee went to
the place agreed upon for the meeting but
after waiting long after the hour agreed
upon for the meeting, and his wife failing
to put in an appearance, be returned 10 the
asylum. where he found his wife and DR..
Barnes just coming up in the Doctors
buggy When Mrs. McNamee alighted
from the carriage. McNamee noticed that
she was nervous and excited, and on asking
al explanation from her she tried 10 evadc
telling him what had occurred: but her
husband was imperative and demanded to
know what the matter was, when she stat
ed that DR.. Barnes had called at the house
and requested her to ride out with him;
that she consented to do so, but instead Of
taking the most direct road to the asylum
he had gone by an out Of the way and
untrequcnted route, and in the course
Of the drive had made improper proposals
to her. This greatly enraged McNamee,
but at the earnest request Of his wife he
agreed to say nothing to the doctor that
night. but made his arrangements for re.
! signing his position and leaving the in
stitution The next day when ready to
leave, he went to Barnes and accused him
with having insuted his wife. Barnes de.
MED the charge, high words ensucd, blows
were exchanged, and finally McNamee shot
at the doctor but failed to hit him. Then
they were separated
This affair resulted in a GOODNESS and
finally separation between McNamee and
his wife. McNamee tried to fix up the
matter and have his wife return and live
with him, promising to let the past be for.
gotten and take new start. She would
| not consent to return to him.
On Tuesday he left here for Tamaroa
still bent upon eticcting an reconciliation
with what sad results you already know
| OF course the statements here made arc
the result Of the impressions left upon IN!
mind after a brief cruise among the peo
ole of this place. Of my own knowledge
know nothing Of the matter W. +. ;,