The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-06-07

VINO died at the age of twenty five slain with
her two infant daughters, toy her own husband.
She was fair TO look upon. pure as snow and be-
loved by all who knew her. Divine Provi-
dence alone knows why she had TO
perish so miserably.
This epitaph, some of the words of which
are hardly legible any longer, is the only
record left of one of the most terrible do
mestic tragedies that ever took place in the
Old Dominion.
1t was in 1898 that John Semphil,
young man, who said he was from Santa
Cruz, i'm the West Indies, arrived at Will
liamsburg, aud settled there as a tobacco
planter. lie had plenty of money, and was
able 10 purchase about one thousand acres
of the finest soil within a short distance of
the old town.
Being apparently a gentleman in every
sense of the word, Mr.. Semphill was ad-
mItted to the best society in his new home
and year later he was married to Sarah
Jones, a beautiful heireSS, the wedding
festivities being celebrated with an extra
ordinary pomp and splendor In course of
time two daughters were born to the ouug
couple, aud everybody predicted a long
career of clOucless happiness for them.
Alas How terribly these bright autici-
pations were to be disappointed. l. was
on Christmas eve, in 1901, that a strange
looking man, in a sort of military uniform,
appeared at the house of Mr.. Seinphin,
III
SemphIll received the stranger i'll the par
lor.
DO you speak French, madam - he
said to her in very broken English.
She replied in the affirmative.
"Ihen, madam, please send your two
nurse girls with the children out of the
room.'
She did so, and looked interrogatively at
her visitor. The latter heSilated mo
l..
emotion,
Poor lady, 1 have terrible tidings for
you.''.
Heavens - she cried, turning very
pale. My husband
'G our husband is an Infamous villain
''S!r - she exclaimed Indignantly.
''lle has basely deceived you. He is an
escaped galley slave, a thief and murder
er =
She uttered heart -rending scream.
DO you tell me the truth ?'' she gasped.
"He is Spanish thief, and was sent to
the galeys OF Barcelona for life. lie made
his escape from thence, and fled To Cuba,
where he robbed aud murdered rich
planter. | am here to take him to Cuba,
where the scaff"ld surely waits him."
The afflicted lady had become strangely
calm.
Sir she said to the stanger, "before
you arrest nun. Viii you permit me 10 nUlO
a private interview WiJh-with-'
''His true name is Juan Cefirio. If You
will let me remain in an adjoining room
until he returns from chmund, where he
has gone, | understand, you may see him
privately
Il expect him back every moment"
Half an hour later, CelfiIio alias Semp-
hill made his appearance. His wife briefly
told him everything. He flew into a terri
ble rage.
He shot her through the heart, and rush
ed ont Of the room 10 the nursery, where he
stabbed his two little daughters.
The next moment the Cuban officer, who
had rushed after him, grappled with him.
and succeeded, after desperate struggle,
in shack ling him.
The news of this horrible tragedy spread
like wlldfire through the old town, and in
less than twenty minutes a large concourse
Of people had gathered in front of Semphill
alias Cefirios house.
Nociferous threa to lynch the murderer
were made and the Deputy SheriffS, who
were promptly ON hand to arrest him, had
she utmost difficulty in taking him to Jail,
where he was chained TO the floor, having
threatened To commit suicide.
The villain was hung On the 18th Of May
1903.