Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-07
LOVE, SHAME, DEATH.
Shocking Scandal and Tragedy in
Western North Carolina.

SnoeHlOR scandal and Tragedy in
Western North Carolina.
Special to Cincinnati Enquirer.l
CHARLOTTE, N. c., March o.
Information was received here this
evening of a scandal, which led to a
tragedy in Clay county. The loca-
ton is in the chain of the Blue
Ridge, in the western part of this
State.
Miss Ada McClayiS the daughter
of the late Hon. Richard McOlay,
who was wealthy and esteemed
farmer and politician Of the county
Just named. She is twenty-five
years Of age, beautiful, refined and
accomplished. She was educated
at a seminary in Lexington, KY,
having graduated there with the
usual honors about four years ago.
Just after leaving her alma mater
she made her debut at the White
Sulphur Springs, West Virginia,
and has visited that place of fash
ionable resort every summer since.
1t seems that a year ago last sum-
mer she met a Mr.. William p. Shell
burne, a handsome and polished
gentleman of twenty-six. The
couple fell in love; courtship fol.
lowed, and they were betrothed
He lived in New Orleans, aud had
visited Miss McClay only three OF
four times at her home in Clay
county, but had kept up a regular
correspondence. He had not seen
her for ten months until last Mon.
day, when he came to fulfill his
plighted troth. The day set was
on the 1st inst.-yesterday. They
were duly married, the nuptial cere-
mony taking place at noon. The
company in attendance was not
large, but it was elegant and aristo.
cratic.
The afternoon and evening were
spent in wedding festivities, and it
was late hour when the bride and
groom retired for rest. But then
oh, sad to tell!-Shelbourne dis
covered that his fair love was en-
cieRte. In rage he blasphemed
and raised the deuce. He threat
ened to kill her in his frenzy, and
only dessted on the condition that
she would reveal the name of her
seducer. This she refused to do at
first, but finally told him that
Simpson Forester was the man.
He lived adjoining the McClay
mansion, and had recently gradua-
ted at one Of the colleges in Vir-
ginia. He was only twenty-five
years Of age, but had the reputation
of being gallant, and at the White
Sulphur last summer was a favorite
with the bellies. Shelburne's bride
declared that this gay Lothario had
accomplished her ruin five months
ago, and that she had sworn never
to betray him. He visited the
house like an intimate friend, aud
last night he was one of the gayest
of the CAV at the festal board.
At 6 o'clock this morning Shell
burne pulled on his clothes, armed
himself with a double -barreled shot
gun and went to Forrester's home.
The young bride followed, scream
ing and beSeeching him not to
shoot her destroyer, that she had
forgiven him. But Shelburne was
determined. lie aroused the For
rester family, consisting of two or
three sisters and the mother, and
called for the guilty man. For
roster feigned surprise when he
faced bhelburne, and denied know
ing anything about the lady'S
shame. Only a few words ensued,
when Shelburne banged away, dis
charging a load of buckshot into
the shoulder Of bis enemy. who had
no weapon of defense, The
wognded man exclaimed, 81 am
killed and have deserved it allp
The second barrel was not Cred, for
Shelburne. thinking the man dead,
turned and saw his wife, who wit
messed the affair, had tainted. The
murderer took horse from the
stable of Mrs. McOlay and fled the
country, going in the direction Of
Tennessee.
The news of the tragedy soon