The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-25
THE READ-GRASTY TRAGEDY.

ANTE-MORTEM STATEMENT OF THE ELDER READ
GRAsTY's ASSAULT THE RESPONSE TO DE-
MAND RELATIVE TO VERY SERIOUS FAMILY
MATTER-YoUNG READ LIKELY TO DIE
PUBLIC SENTIMENT AGAINST GRAsTY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
ATLANTA, Ga, july "a. 1879.
Your correspondent has at last secured definite
story of the trouble between Grasty and the Reads,
in Opeika. Grasty refuses to talk. saying that ne
.'would like to tell the whole story. but his lawyers
will not permit" The dying statement of Mr..
Read is that he went to have friendly talk with
Grasty ON very serious family matter. He and
Grasty could not agree to what right, and he
told Grasty he had better discontinue his visits.
Grasty said. &C. d. you, / will not
STOP" flying Unto rage. Read then said.
'.You shall stop. sir" Grasty struck him over
the eyes, He struck Grasty with stick. Grasty
then took up large Colts revolver and putting it
to his head shot him down. He would not say
what the family matter was but said he had salts
factory for ordering Grasty to quit visiting
his house.
READS STATEMENT.
Sam Read shot through the lower jaw up
ward, his tongue being cut in two. He was able to
talk for the first time this morning. He says the
shooting was the elimination of tragedy that
had been deepening for years. and that unless
Grasty had done certain thing he would
have died before letting him his sister
AGAIN. He says that he and his father deter
mined to go and try to get Grasty to do q certain
thing. De waited outside till he heard some one
knocked down. He rushed in to find his father
fallen and drasty over him He pushed Grasty OH.
knife or pistol he ran out of the room.
A BROKEN PROMISE OF MARRIAGE
The general report is that Grasty had become so
intimate with Miss Read that it necessary for
her honor that he should marry her. 1t said that
he gave her to believe several times that he
"a and hatth hAv1a Of
ton on his part without collision and exposure
kept the Reads quiet 1t is said further. that Sun
day night fixed the last time for the marriage.
On Saturday lie with Miss Read at her house,
but on Sunday night did not go there. On Monday
night the collision took place. 1t is said that the in
tmacy between Grasty and Miss Read began in
Atlanta two three years ago, and the girls mother
died of grief. The unusually sad
one and has been talked of for two years.
No authoritative denial of any of the above alega
declining to make any statement The young lady
is wild with grief learn that she is passonatey
devoted to Grasty, and has been completely under
his control Her condition is very critical. Sam
Read is desperately low. 1t is feared that mortica-
ton will set in in his wound.
STRONG FEELING AGAINST GRASrY.
AS to the fight itself Grasty says that he
knocked down and that the assault con-
tinued, when he fred from the floor, dis
abling both his assailants. The committing
Grasty has the strongest legal talent. and Read
only one lawyer. younger brother and five girls
all that left of this i'll fated family The girls
are remarkable for their beauty. The feeling is
strong against Grasty and at the time there talk
of lynchng. Grasty had been in Opelika month,
during which time he had been devoted to Miss
Read, being with her constantly. It was believed
certain that he was to marry her Sunday night