Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-02
THE DEEDS OF CRIMINALS.
Murdered by Her Husband-.-Th Story
Of the Marriage Of a Beautiful
Girl and a Gambler.
Atlanta Dor. Now York Timea. 2sth.l

Atlanta Cor. New York Times, 26th.l
In the Supreme Court of this county
to-day was called a murder case, which
has excited an intense interest in At
lanta, as did the trial of Edward Cox.
for the murder Of Colonel Aston
There we're SO many peculiar circum
stances connected with the crime fol
which Samuel Hill was to-day calleC
to answer, that the progress of The
trial will be watched with the Creates
interest. Hill was indicted Tor tn,
murder Of John Simmons on January
30. A jury was obtained after seventy
men had been examined. The dc
Tense was led by Gen. Gartrell, Will,
the States case was managed b.
Solicitor Benjamin Hill, ir. The dc
Tense moved to continue the case OIL
account of the sickness of the woman
who will testify that Simmons seducec
Hills wife. Judge Hillyer granted ,
continuance for two weeks.
Three years ago Hill married a Mis-
Spinks, of Atlanta. She was famed
for her beauty; and, while the mem.
bers Of her family did not move in tho
highest social circle, they we're gooC
people, who felt a pride in the beauty
and accomplishments of their daugh.
ter. Hill was a gambler, and he me
Miss Spinks by chance. lie was ther
d handsome fellow, with a pleasing
address. He won Miss Spinks from
among many suitors, and they were
married, Notwithstanding parental pro.
tests. After his marriage, Hill stayed
in Atlanta very little. He spent mos
of his time in travelling. His wifi
did not lose her love Of conquest wher
she married him, and while he wa.
away she received marked attentions
from several Of her former admirers.
Hill heard of this, and it displeaseC
him. He told his wife that such pro.
ceedingS must be stopped, and she
promised to obey him. Last Decem.
Der Hill came back to Atlanta after f,
long absence. The first night after
his return his wife kept him awake
nearly all night, crying and asking hin
if he loved her. He suspected thai
something was wrong, but could obtain
no information as to the cause of hel
emotion. The next day he spent about
the club rooms of the city. About
night some one told him that he had
better 90 home at once, as strange
things had happened there. II,
rushed to his home. On the door h,
found a card written by his wife, and
read these words when you reaC
this | will be far away. l know you
loved me once. Yours, -" The
colOred people in the yard told Hill
that his wife had gone away in a closC
carriage with a man whose face wa,
mufled.
After searching for his wife three
days, Hill found that she had left tn,
man with whom she had fed and wa,
at the house Of a relative in Tho
country. He found her. bitterly nm.
braided her, and demanded the name
of the man who had taken her from
him. She refused to tell him. anC
Hill then swore that he would 6n(
out If it took him all his life. He left
Atlanta for several weeks. While he
was gone notes were sent to his wifi,
urging her to leave her seclusion anC
fly with "one who loved her bette
than life" Hill returned lust il
time to intercept one Of thes,
notes, and it gave him a olew a,
be supposed, to the guilty person
After looking at all tho circumstance,
he made up his mind that the mar
who had dishonOred his home wa,
John X. Simmons, a young druggist O
great popularity in Atlanta. He Then
made up his mind to kill Simmons or
sight. On January 10th he walked
the streets all day looking for his vic.
tim. At two o'clock he found him il
a bar-rOom. Walking in he came VI
behind him and said I've got YOU
now, have II" Simmons turned
and as he faced Hill the latte,
fired a revolver in his face. The
ball entered Just under the nose anc
penetrated the brain. Simmons fell
senseless and died that night. Hi
gave himself up to the polise. Sim.
mons friends claim that no never had
any communication at any kind with
NUS wife and that Hill shot The