Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-23
A Virginia Tragedy of the Past.

miserably.
This opitaph, some of the words Of which
arc hardly legible any longer, is the only
record left OF one Of the most terrible
tragedies that ever took place in the Old
Dominion
1t was in 1898 that John Semphill,
young man. who said he was from Santa
Cruz, in the West Indies, arrived at Will
liamsbure and settled there as q tobacco
planter. lie had plenty Of money, and was
able to purchase about one thousand acres
OF the finest soil within a short distance
of the old town
Being apparently gentleman in every
sense Of the word, Mr. Semphill was adj
mittel TO the best society IN his new home,
and year later he was married TO Sarah
jones' beautiful heiross, the wedding fes-
tivities being celebrated with extrsordin-
airy pomp aud splendor. In course Of time
two daughters were born to the young
couple. and everybody predicted long
career Of cloudloss happiness for them.
Alas! How terribly those bright antici-
pations were to be disappointed. 1t was
on Christmas eve, in 1901, that a strange
looking man, in a sort Of military uniform,
appeared at the house of Mr., Sempbill,
who was in Richmond at the time. Mrs.
Semphill received the stranger in the par
Tor.
"Do you speak French, madam he
said to Der in very broken English
She replied in the affirmative.
Then, madam, please send your two
nurse girls with the children cut Of the
room"
She did SO, and looked interrogatiyely
at her visitor. The latter hcsitatcd n mo-
meut. Then he said in tone Of deep
emotion:
"Poor lady, have terrible tiiings for
you"
Heavens she cried, turning very
pale; "my husband"
Your husband IS an Infamous william 80
Sir" she exclaimed, Indignantly
He has basc.y deceived yoI. lie is IN
escaped galley slave, a thief and muir
dercr"
She uttered a hcart.rcuding scream
"Do You tell me the truth 20 she gasp
ed.
"He is a Spanish thief, and was sent to
the gaileys OF Barcelona for life lie made
bis escape from thence, and fed to Cuba,
where he robbed and murdered a rich plant
er. / AN 70 take him 10 Cuba, where the
scafiold surely await, him
The afflicted lady had become strangely
calm
"Sir, she sand to the stranger, before
you arres; him, will you permit me to hold
3 private interview with With
His true name Is Juan Ceiirio. Ii you
will let me remain in an adjoining room
until he returns from Richmond where he
has gone, understand, you may sec him
privately"
Il expect him back every moment.
Half an hour later Cefro, alias Semp-
hill, made his appearance. His wife briefly
told him everything lie few into a terri
bic rage, tie shot her through the heart,
aud rushed out Of the room to the nursery,
where he stabbed his two little daughters.
The next moment the Cuban officer, who
had rushed after him, grsppled with him,
aud succeeded, after a desperate struggle,
in Stacking him The news of this horri-
bic tragedy spread ike wildfre through the
old town, and IN less than twenty minutes
a large concourse Of people had gathered
in front Of Semphill alias Ce6riO's house
Nceiierous threats to lynch the murderer
were made, and the deputy sheriff., who
were promptly on hand TO arrest him, had
the utmos; difficulty in taking MIN to Jail,
where he was chained to the floor.
The william was hung on the l1th Of
May, 1908.