Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-09

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bride DuF1Rg the HOneymOOn-
Sentenced 80 Ihe GalIOws.
Atlanta constitutional
One calm night in the fall of the
year 1876, the hitherto quiet repose
of the citizens of Pickens county,
in North Georgia, was thrown into
CONSERVATION by the murder of a
beautiful young woman named
Narcissa Oowart, at a ball, by Mrs.
Kate Sothern.
An account Of the killing, the
romantic escape and capture of the
parties a year afterward, was pub
lished in the Constitution on the
14th Of February last. A synopsis
Of the terrible affair is about as
follows: Soon after the marriage Of
Mr.. Robert Sothern, a handsome
but wild young fellow, to Miss Kate
Hambrick, one of the most beauti-
full and fascinating young ladies in
North Georgia, ball or party was
given at the dwelling of her father,
Mr.. Hambrick. All the bellies and
beaux Of the neighborhood were
invited and attended. Among the
number was a beautiful young lady
by the name of Narcissa Cowart.
She, it seems, was one of those
handsome country girls who, know
ing her charms, delighted in max
ing conquests Of men, but never
dreaming that harm would in any
way result. Gay and lighthearted,
she pursued the merry dance from
early evening until near the hour
OF midnight. At that fatal hour
she danced her last time with Mr..
Sothern.
Kate, his wife, it appears, had
become Jealous of the beautiful Mar
cissa, and early in the evening in
formed her husband that he must
not dance with Miss Cowart or
speak to her during the night. TO
this it seems he assented, and con.
tented himself by dancing with
other ladies. The eliminated storm
of jealousy was wrought from the
fact chat the fair Narcissa had for
merly been a sweetheart of Bob's.
Hence, the admonition. AS init
mated, however, at about II O'Clock,
to the astonishment Of Mrs. Kate
Sothern, the fair young bride, she
beheld Miss Narcissa Cowart upon
the floor dancing with her husband
for a partner Seized with jealous
rage, but without any exhibition of
an evil design, she calmly walked
up to her husband and informed
him that he had promised to dance
that set with her. He demonstrated,
but she persisted. At length, find
ing that the two were determined
to dance through the set, the jeal-
GUS young wife turned and quietly
walked outside to her father and
demanded the loan Of his knife.
Hesitating to comply, her father
inquired for what purpose she
wanted. She replied, "To cut
toothbrush Reminding her thatit
was rather late to be cutting tooth
brushes, her father reluctantly
handed her his large pocket-knife.
Returning to the dance-room she
found that the dance was over,
Watching with frenzied eye, she
soon espied the object Of her jeal-
ous rage alone, dancing across the
room. With the litheness of a
tiger she was beside the apparently
happy but doomed woman. Seiz-
ing her by the shoulder with
one hand, she exclaimed
"You have danced enoughp
Brandishing the knife but a
moment over her own shoul-
der in order to give force to the
fatal blow, she plunged it deeI in
to the neck of her victim. The !
warm blood shot from the wound |
to wall five feet distant. Still an
other blow was dealt, and the sharp |
knife penetrated deep into the left
breast. As the victim sank in the
last throes of death to the floor,
still another stab was made with |
the fatal weapon, which made its
way into her body through her belt |
and clothes. BY the time the un-
Fortunate young lady fell she was !
dead. Confusion and amazement !
was never greater. Some one asked |
TO know who was the man that
struck the woman. Mrs. Kate |
Sothern exclaimed firmly, "I aim
the man that did itp' The excited
people rushed to the doors and said
that no one should pass. Bob
Sothern at once took his wife by
the arm and said, Gentlemen, / |
am going to leave this house, and
take my wife" His remarks were
made emphatic by the exhibition ofI
a dangerous looking pistol in his
land. The people allowed him to
ass befora they had time to realize