, 1879-06-22
A BELLEVILLE EPISODE


8r. LOUIS Mo-, June 21.-A social uDpleas-
antnes., eliminating in 4 possibly fatal shoot
ing at1air, occurred last night at Bellcvlle, one
Of the liyeiest towns in Southern Illinois, about
fourteen miles from this city. The principals
in the transaction were Edward Swfneford, the
leading attorney of Belleville, and manager OF
the St. Clair County abstract office, who did the
shooting; George s. Gray, an actor with flrtr
Inc propensities who suffered therefrom,
and Mrs. swineford, who filled the role
Of the woman in the case Mrs. Swineford is
quite young, only is yesrs old, and was mar
ried year ago and lived happily with her
husband until last January, when Gray ap-
peared upon the scene. The latter is tail
and quite handsome man, and very 1alr
nctor, having filed the position OF leading
man in DeBar's Grand Opera-House In this city
In the season of 1877-'18. He has also the credit
. OF being dashing and courageous felloW,-thls
claim being attcsted by gold medal he
possesses which was given him BY citizens OF
st. Louis for services rendered in saving lives
1t the Southern Hotel fire, of which he Is one
Of the heroes. In January last he became the
leading man of theatrical organization known
rs the Sfmons Comedy Company, organized
in this city, with view Of supplying
neigh5oring places with theatrical amuse-
ments Of all kinds They look SO well
In BelevilIe, where they opened IN
January, that they have remained there ever
since. It was on their opening night that the
Irritation began between the Iolddle-aged Out
ardent Roscius and the fair young bride OF the
county official. Mr. Gray's role on that occasion
was 01haAo. and he now claims that he would
never have dreamed Of aiming 80 high but
Tor the strong encouragement he received
that evening from the merry eye and smiling hp
OF the lady who sat In one OF the front
Yeats, and applauded him literally. The same
front seat mas occupied By the lady the next
night, and the reu, and so on, and on each
OCCASION the actor, stimulated by her presence
and plaudits, flung himself grandlJ into his
work, and succeeded as only such an actor can
succeed with such character as Claude Aeaotte
and such discriminating audience He CAP
tured the audience, Afr. swineford, unfortu-
nately, included, and 1t needed only
tr1fing effort On his part to
get acquainted with the family upon one Mem
Der OF which he Ind made such palpable I'M
preston. Al this time Mr.. and Mrs. suineford
we're living at the residence OF the latter's
father, Mr. Nepley, one of the leading citizens OF
.1Bsllsyille, and III. and Mrs. Gray were frequent
.ta44A HElCCUe Tl91IQtE VI A4s pAA%%+ A@'~A
thtagr went On we'll until it became cvi-
cent e ITO the people OF BelleVills af';at tna.
1hte !; intimacy between the families
~ surpassed in c3oseness BY that which existed
R:Essn say and Ars Swinsf9r sz %no ,Seaf Se5f
town, bur, as The spring advanced, taking long
e6 esss ,oestheF into the eopnt5 A.
sSna this led to one or two people suggesting
TO- H. Nspley that he sh0pa s}a 1ssp dsnsntep az
md the handsome actor. He did 50, and
@ result Of nts ooser7aons Vas II thA1 IL ,as' an
6is guard against the actor, whose friendship
,Ss biz w whee srnefoad n nsd a1r,9i mr6
be deeper than Suspected Just then the ac1ol
drew near the house, and the pair bid h;an them
selvea and watched his movements, "nlco
when he reached the sidewalk op
posite the house, we're 70 susplcaou:
that Swineford's jealousy was aTousea t,s3
aud be decided to keep close watch. He dld
80, aud 1t O'Clock yesterday evening he sur
prised the couple enjoying tete-tete II ias 3s
alley just back Of Mr.. Neplev's residence. ne olc
not stop to handy words with either partS' bui