St. Landry democrat., 1878-06-01
A Story that Reads Like a Chap
ter from Les MiserableS.

n StOFy GHttV AeSeet.' A~'ANS ~ $1<~p"
ter from Les Miserables.
Among the numerous moss-groWn Old
tombstones in the graveyard of Williams
burg, Va, is one which bears the follow
ing inscription:
Sacred to the memory OF
SARAH sKMPHILL,
Who died at the age of twenty five, slain, with her
two infant daughters, by her own husband.
She as fair to look upon pure as snow, and beloved
by all who knew her. Divine Providence
alone knows why she had to perish
so misera bly,.
This epitaph, some of the words of
which are 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, a
young man, who said he was from Santa
Cruz, in the West Indies, arrived at Will
liamsburg and settled there as tobacco
planter. He had plenty of money and
was able to purchase about one thousand
acres of the finest soil within short dis
lance of the old town.
Being apparently gentleman in every
sense of the word, Mr.. Semphill was
admitted to the best society in his new
home, and year later he was married
to Sarah Jones, beautiful heiress, the
wedding festivities being celebrated with
extraordinary pomp and splendor. In
course of time two daughters were born
to the young couple, and everybody pres
dicted long career of cloudless happiness
for them. Alas! How terrible those
bright anticipations were to be disap'
pointed. It was on Christmas eve, in
1901, that 8 strange locking man, in a
sort of military uniform, appeared at the
house of Mr.. Semphill, who was in
Richmond at the time. Mrs. Semphill
received the stranger in the parlor.
EDO you speak French, madam" he
said to her in very broken English.
She replied in the affirmative.
"Then, madam, please send your two
nurse girls with the children out of the
ROOM"
She did 80, and looked interrogatively
at her visitor. The latter hesitated q
moment. Then he sald in tone of deep
emotion.
"Poor lady, have terrible tidings for
you"
Heavens !" she cried, turning very
pale, I" my husband
Your husband is an infamous vii
liam"
"Sir!" she exclaimed, Indignantly.
He has basely deceived you. He is
an escaped galley slave, a thief, and a
murderer! ~ g..
She uttered hesrtrending scream. -
"Do you tell me the truth 2" she
grasped.
"He is Spanish thief, and was sent
to the galleys of Barcelona for life. He
madehis escape from thence, and fed to
Cuba, where he robbed and murdered a
rich planter. am here to take him to
CuDa, where the scafold surely awaits
him."
The afflicted lady had become strangely
calm.
Sir" she said to the stranger, " before
you arrest him, viii you permit me TO
hold a private interview with--with--
His true name is Juan Cefrio. II
you will let me remain in an adjoining
room until he returns from Richmond
where he has gone, I understand, you
may see him privately"
i expect him back every moment. y
Half an hour later, Cefrio, alias Semp'
hill made his appearance. His wife
briefly told him everything. he few
into a terrible rage. Heshot her through
the heart, and rushed out Of the room te
the nursery, where he stabbed his two
little daughters. Next moment the
Cuban officer, who had rushed after him
grappled with him, and succeeded, after
a desperate struggle, 10 Stacking him
The news Of this horrible tragedy spreae
like wildfre through the old town, ane
in less chan twenty minutes large con
course of people had gathered in front 0
semphill, alias Cefrio's house. Voci
ferrous threats to lynch the murdere
were made, and the deputy aherifs, VIII
were promptly on hand to arrest him
had the utmost difficulty in taking hin
to jail, where he was chained to the floor
having threatened to-commit suicide.
| The villain was hung on the 18th o
May, 1903. Il Cincinnati Enquirer.
Fish is said to be- the best brain food
and men who need that sort OF nourisE
ment win spend Eve dollars and stand 81
DIV il the hot sun trying to catch te
cents worth Of fish.
The counterfeit silver dollar may b
detected BIZ the superior WORKMANSHIP
/ Of tue engraving.