The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
STANTON. VIRGINIA. JANUARY 8. 1879.
A Strange Tragedy.
THE STORY OF A SECRET MARRIAGE AND
THE FATALITY FOLLOWING 1T. -

A Strange Tragedy.
THE STORY OF A SECRET MARRIAGE ANE
THE FATALITY FOLLOWING 1T.
[Cinclnnati Enquirer.l fll
AS strange tragedy as has occurred in
this city Tor many day W as that which last
night eliminated In The death Of young bud.
ley Y. Farrell. on Spring Grove avenue. Il
was fatal runaway accident only, but about
the death hangs the romantic story Of q Sc
cret marriage, which has in its history that
which is so often woven into romance by
writers OF felton,. Farrell was bright,
handsome young law student. For 4 year
or more he has been q constant visitor at
the house OF Mrs. Hayes, who lives with
her only daughter, Nettie, at POI Plum
street, ia the lower story of which they kept
a store.
Mrs. Hayes has long been known in the
neighborhood, and greatly respected. She
knew and understood all the while that
young Farrell's visit to her house were in
the nature Of Il yer to NettIe, and as his
character was known to her to be good she
made no opposition. His visits we're reg,l-
lar and constant. Last April they took u
buggy drive out the avenue and went to
Squire Kaylor's office, near Ludlow Grove,
where they were secretly married, both be-
ing OF age. The secret was kept SO we'll
by the young couple that none found in out.
The mother of the bride not even so much
as suspected the truth until it was so sud-
denly and startingly revealed to her last
night. Farrell had been there in the even
ing and babe Nettie an affectionate adieu,
more so than she thought he had any cause
to do. He left her to drive out to Squire
Kaylor's office in company with Morris Sachs
companion student in the office, for the
purpose OF getting the marriage certificate,
which had been left in the Squirrels, charge.
Once In possession OF the certificate he was
to return with it as proc Of the marriage
and claim his wife from her mother.
Nettie knew of his mission, and, with 8
God speed saw him drive away with Sachs
in two-horse buggy, hired from Seventh
street livery stable. BE promised to return
early and call before going to his room, on
the corner OF Eighth and Vine streets-this
for the mothers benefit. Ten o'clock came,
and he had not returned, The young wife
began to grow iidgety. Mrs. Hayes advised
her to 60 to bed and not wait, but Nettie in
sisted he would keep his promise and come
back.
Eleven o'clock was struck, but nothing
had been heard Of the expected husband
Nettie was standing at the window-had
been standing there for an hour-looking
anxiously out on the snow-covered street.
Mrs. Hayes again urged her to retire and
abandon her hope OF Farrell's return for the
night. The girl begged to remain up and
wait till midnight, promising them to sub
Lit and retire If he had not come. Mira.
Hayes gave her consent.
A half hour passed, when footsteps were
heard upon the stairs, ascending from the
street. The heart Of the wife beat with Joy.
full excitement. She thought her husband
had come at last. The steps halted upon the
outside, and a knock came upon the door.
Expectation took fall from these signs for
she knew her husband would not wait to
knock. Mrs. Hayes opened the door and
saw standing there an officer IN uniform.
He inquired I3z.s
t'Does Mrs. Farrell live llere!'' MSS Y,
ssNo, sir,'' was the reply; "Mrs. Hayes.
lives here" tAt4i nod 5f.a
The officer was about to depart, when Net
tie. white to the lips with fearful pres ent
ment, stepped forward and gasped:
~ am Mrs. Farrell i
Her mother locked around with surprise,
believing that her .child's mind must be
wandering. The spell was broken by the
blunt and startling announcement OF the Of
flcer, who replied:
'Then, miss, your husband, Mr.. Farrell,
has been killed"' II
The poor young wife staggered to the bed
and fell upon it In dead faint. AS soon as
she recovered and began Co mourn for her
poor lost husband, her mother drew out OF
her broken heart the story Of her secret
marriage, and the fatal mission on which
Farrell had met his death. 5.
When an Enquirer reporter visited the
house of mourning this morning at o'clock
he found the young widow lying on the bed,
pale as the dead face Of her husband. She
was moaning and silently weeping, which
was in no measure sign of the awful agony
that was wringihg her heart-strings. She
was rational under it all, and In lady-like,
gentle manner, told the story OF her mar.
riage with Farrell.
She is handsome young woman OF intel
llgent, well bred appearance-just such
girl as would likely win the love of hand
some young man such as Farrell was. Our
reporter left her lying pale, meaning and
helpless upon the bed, waiting. waiting, not
for her husbands return, as she waited two
hours before, put listening to hear the sound
of the vehicle which was expected MONICA
tarially to bring back the lfeless clay Of him
who had been so dear to her in life.
All that was known in the city OF the
circumstances surrounding the accident is
this: While driving under tic railroad
bridge which crossed the avenue south, OF
Cumminsviile the hoyses took fright at q
passing train Of cars and ran away. The
buggy was wrecked and both occupants
thrown out. Some men picked up the in
senseless bodies, and carried them back to a
saloon near by. Farrell revived just enough
TO say, dudley, 207 Plum street," and fell
back dead. Farrell was an only son.
Waynde Courtesy.
| was once walking short distance be.
hind a handsomely dressed lady, and think
ing, as looked at her beautiful clothes, $.
wonder II she takes as much pains with he
heart as she does With her body?" A poo
man was coming up the walk with a loade'
wheelbarrow, and just before be reached u
he made two attempts to go into the yard o
O small house, but the gate was too heay,
and would swing back before he could &c
through. walt" said the young girl
springing forward, 'I'II hold the gate open.
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