The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-06
KATE sOUTHERN's CRIME.
THE MURDER OF SUPPOSED RIVAL IN BALL
RooM--A RELENTLESS PURsUIT-TRIAL AND

trial and conviction Of Mrs Kate Southern, who was
charged with the murder OF Narcissa Cowart 10
February last Tho readers OF tho HERALD are IA
miiiar with the story OF the crime forwarded the
details shortly after the principals were captured IN
North Carolina. Tho case is now fairly before tho
courtsi tho swift coils OF the law are being frightened
around the wretchcd woman, and that the pubic
may understand the points Of this remarkable
tragedy tho successive action Of Tho courts are re
ported upou, the story Is herewith briefly retold.
soUTHgxs's swEsrmrAara
There Is In Pckens county. which - a backwoods
county, numerous family named Southern. Tho
mon are stalwart, handsome and tr 40 Wild. Among
them young fellow named 'Bob,'' who was the
best looking OF tho lot, and was quite mountain
beau He ruddy, Tall and 1.-the, with just enough
OF recklessness about him TO make him popular with
the country bellies. II appears that hs divided MS
affections rather evenly Tor long time between two
young ladies who noted among all the lasses as
beles Miss Kate Hambrick wasa dark, slender girl,
with lustrous aud eyes, and 1t is said trace OF
Indian blood her veins. Miss Narcissa Cowart was
plump, pretty ana good natured. "Bob" Southern
Was attentive 10 both OF these young iadles,
and tor long time II doubtful as to where Ma
affections would be finally laid. At length, however,
1t was announced that ho waste marry Miss Ham,
brick, and the day was set for the wedding. The
rivalry between the young ladies was very bitter at
have loved with the passion and fury OF tigrcss
rho wedding took plarc about year and half
ago. For some months tho young wife wis happy in
her hu islands love- all went smoothly. a little
one was promised their mutual happiness. and the
skies seemed bright Suddenly however, the calm
was broken, aud kate Soutneru's lie became turbu-
lent aud desperate she learned that her rival still
had some power over her husband mat they had
been waking ogetner in the woodstwo or three
times since The wedding, she Of became very
much enragcd and wer, TO her husband about IT. Hc
promised TO behave himself III the future.
rng TgAGkDy
short time after TINS party was given nj Mr.
HambricN's house. In accordance with tho hearty
hospitality OF inc country Miss Cowart was invued TO
be present Mrs. Southern, knowing this. warned her
husband that he must not dance WIN her or speak TO
her during the night He iauned at her Jealous Tears
ard promised that hc would respect her Wishes he
did until late in the night He then, through care
lessncss ireaktor IT appears that he did lcvc
his wife dcvotedlyto0k Miss Cowart on the Dor Tor
a dance His vito at went up 10 the couple, de-
termined to prevent their dancing toget her. She
that husband engaged for that set to
her, Miss Cowart denied anu SAID that 'she had
a rig hi 10 dance with him II no wanted TO dance with
herr South. IN himself took SIDES with Miss Conart
the dance went on, Mrs. southern giving way.
Alter the dance was over Mrs. Southern sought her
husband, and taking hin to one side Of the ROOM sat
down by his sidc. What they SAID 10 each other may
never be known. While they were talking, however,
Miss Cowart, evidently very much exhieratod, danced
to exasperaie Mrs. Southern very much, and at
length she suddenly and sought her father who,
with her mother, was IN an adjoining room. Goiug
up 70 him she asked for his knife, telling him she
wanted to pare her nails. He handed the weapon TO
her and she lett the room. Rc-entcrng the dancing
room she discovered her rival still dancing 10 an
eated sort Of way tho room. she rushed upon
her with the rapidy oil lightning, and, seizng her Dy
the throat, said
ssYou have danccd enoughl" ~ AHE44
With this she plunged the knife into her left shout
der, striking nor just above he heart. her victim
mover word, bus lcl at once. In falling MIS-
southern stabbed her again, cutting each time cash
several inches long. As she touched the aoor Mrs.
southern threw herself upon her and plunged tho
knfc into hor body again, this TIME cutting through
her clothes and belt and opening the abdomen. MSS
Cowart died instantly ana before the crowd could un
dcrstand what was going on rho confusion was ter
rblc some one calico OUT N.t< tit
'sWhcre is The man that did thsyv
~ did tn screamed Mrs. southern, raising herself
from her rivals PROSTATE BODY. !.
s.Close the door and let no one leave the room!"
THE HUSBAND TO RESCUE
At this luncture .Bob'' southern, who certainly
knew nothing OF The fearful tragedy about 10 be
acted his wife Loft his SIDE seemed 10 have re-
covered his manhood and sense OF honor Springing
At once 70 the side }. tho whose love OF hun
had driven to the terrible deed, he drew pistol
ana took her arm IN bis. Speaking In calm voice,
II am going to leave this room, and ain going to
tako my wife with me. And we arc going. II have TO
With toesc words lie started for the door, carrying
his wfc with him. They were lost In the darkness Of
the night and were seen more ia months
EscApK PURSUIT
1t appears that they obtained wagon and horses,
and with an escort OF cerlan ne mbers OF Southerns
family pushed their way through upper Georgia and
into Western Norm Carolina, where they discovered
sale retreat, and halted. They rented arm aud
Southern's father and two brothers were with the
runaway couple. Tho desperate and devoted FAMILY
lived III comparative peace and quiet here Tor some
time, aud at length started 30 move turther West.
They had already started and were well tncir way
snsr ,ra fuo sosshorns had some uss
with to!lsato keeper Just beyond Macon,
and no sent into the city to get force
with winch To arrest them. he discovered The Gcor-
ga crowd here Tor Information as 10 The runa-
ways. He continued with them aud The Georgians
and local posse started out together 10 make tue
arrests They found upon Reconnaissance that tho
iugtves had gone INTO camp short distance outside
OF the town. They had a guard mvunted. anu were
evidently ready for a nght Tho accommodating
party went back 10 get the main iorce, intending 10
surround tue camp and take IL They found, how
ever although IL was raining ana in ihcsi.ad nigni,
that the wrctcucd fugt cs had put out their camp
fires and renewed iner 4 SIT. Tue pursuers pressed
on vigorously aud soon heard tho wheels OF The ium-
berilg wagon IN iron, oil tnein.
rnE CAPTURE.
Da6hing into the woous they made q dctour, and
werc soon posted la heavy anbuscsue on tho eide OF
the road Awaiting he comig oi their victims. As the
wagon reached them thuy arose nj sisHa, aud pro-
seutin2 dozen rifles AZ the front OF the wagon DO
mandcd q surrender. There wac Little confusion
Inside the wagon cover wnoa s'ob s0utncrntpni his
head out and said he would surrender lilo mad no
iuea that Le was giving hls wilc up 10 TRIAL,
thought his captors were merely The friends Of tho
tviikccpcr, VINO wantua 10 iorcc settlement INSIDE
The wagon tent was Mrs. southern. tho game Tor
which tuey were LOOKING. When she was taken she
had baby IN her arms t having been bora VII Ne she
aud her busDaui were IN North Carolina She and
bob southern were tied, tue others wore disarmed,
and the procession turned toward georgia After
the nod.horns, armed with ~ tolls aud clubs, mad
made desperate attempt 81 aud rcpuised
WITH wuuud or two tho party reached picxens
county, wnere Mr. aui Mrs. Southern their blDy
were iockod up in the County jan
Tucr arrival OF course created great excitement
ana tseir coming trial has been Tor tho solj
topic almost oil conversation IA the rural districts.
Ihe iamy OF me murdered aoman, having paid out
about 500 IN way oil rewards The oi Mrs.
Southern, sivwcu icr determination Of pushing the
prosecution 70 tho bitter cud. they employed M0ssrs.
Drnel anu Alien, Two able lawyers, 70 assst Solicitor
General Greor, and devoted themselves quietly TO
getting ny testimony. The Southerns ana Homprcks 8.
wore quite as Determined IN tnoir attempts to save
tue lilo Of the piisoGers. lney employed nye
lawyers, comprising the very best talent the up
country ana healed ny Congressman H. r. Bell
TlIE Ti.IAI.
Tue trial was called last FRIDAY. Judge Lester pre-
sidinh jury wAsempantlicd without much trouolo,
aud tue case Was opened. ne Court House was, OF
Sourse, crowded 10 suuvcat0n. Mrs. southern, tho
prisoner, sat Ia large char, dressed plainly but