The Morning herald., 1878-03-07

ENCElNIE b1 ANOlnHn mhN AAA
STAYS HER PARAMoUR-A PREMATURE
BIRTH. ...-5,. t..-t
(From the Cincinnati Enquirer)
CHARLOTTE, N. c., March 2
Information was received here this even
ing of scandal which led 10 a tragedy in
Clay County. The location is in the chain
of the Blue Ridge, in the western part OF
this State. Miss Ada McClay is the
daughter of the late Hon. Richard Nc
Clay, 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 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 fashionable summer resort every sums
mer since.
1t seems that year ago last snmmer-
she met there Mr.. William P. Shell
burne, a handsome and polished gentle
man Of twenty-six. The couple fell in
love; courtship followed, and they were
bethrothed. He lived in New Orleans.
and had vi-ited Miss McClay only three
or four times at her home in Clay county,
but had kept up a regular correspondence
ever since. He had not seen her for ten
months until last Monday, when he came
to fulfill his plighted troth. The day
set was Yesterday, (the 1st inst. They
were duly married, the nuptial ceremony
taking place at noon. The company in
attendance was net large, but it was ele-
CANT and aristocratic. The afternoon and
evening were spent in wedding festivities,
and it was late hour when the bride and
groom retired for rest. But then--eh, sad
to tell!-Shellburpe discovered that his
fair love was enceiDte. In a rage be bias
phemed and raised the deuce. He threat
ened to kill her in his frenzy, and only
desisted 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
lives adjoining the McClay mansion, and
had recently graduated at one of the col
leges in Virginia. He was only twenty
two years of age, but had the reputation
of being gallant, and at the White Sui
phur Springs last summer was . favorite
with the bellies. Shellburne brides de
clared that this gay Lothario had accom-
plished her ruin FIVE months ago, aud that
she had sworn never to Letray him. He
visited the house like an intimate friend,
and last night he was one OF the gayest OF
the gay at the festal board.
At six o'clock this morning She'll tjurne
pulled on his clothes, armed hipself with
double-barrelled shotgun and went to
Ferresters home. The young bride iol-
lowed. screaming and beseeching him not
to shoot her destroyer, that she had for
give him. But Shellburne was deter
mined. He aroused the Forester family,
consisting of two or three sisters and the
mother, and called for the guilty man.
Forester feigned surprise when he faced
Shellburne. and denied knowing anything
about the lady's shame. Only few words
ensued, when Shellburne banged away,
discharging load of buckshot into the
shoulder of his enemy, who had no weapon
Of defense. The wounded man exclaimed,
II am killed and have deserved it all"
T h second barrel was not fred, for Shell
burne, thinking the man dead, turned and
saw his wife, who had witnessed the affair,
had tainted. The murderer took horse
from the stable Of Mrs. McClay and fed
the country, going in the direction Of
Tennessee. The news of the tragedy sooY
spread. Special Constable Dolley gather
ed party of men and went in pursuit
The excitement was intense. DR.. Hes the
was summoned 20 attend the dying man
His wounds were dressed, but little, hop,
is entertained of his recovery. To add Il
the scandal the bride gave birth in few
hours after the tragedy to aprematur'
child. No such sensation has happence
in this out of the way place since .h.
JohEsan- Williams shooting affray, Ter