Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-07-02
DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
A Private Marriage is Discovered, and
the Bride Commits Suicide--The Hus-
bands Unsuccessful Attempts to Fol-
low Her.
Woodson County (Kan.) Post.

From DR.. ]. L. Jones, of this city, we
learn the particulars of melancholy
tragedy, which has taken from family
and friends one Of Perry Townships
fairest and most intelligent young ladies,
and but for 8 fortunate accident would
also have lost to them most worthy
young man.
Miss Mary Holt, was the daughter of
Jacob Holt, man of wealth and prom
inence, and one Of the most respected
citizens of Perry Township. She was
in the prime of her young life, intelli-
gent, cultured, and refined. She will be
remembered by many Of the teachers
of this county as an attendant at insti-
tutes and examinations. She was re-
spected by all, admired by many, and
most fondly loved by one. James Ash
burn was a worthy young man, living
on farm near by. Between himself
and the fair Mary there had sprung an
attachment which, beginning in JOY, has
been the death of one, and will be q
lifelong blight on the other.
The family of the young lady were
averse to her attachment with this
young man, and had provided what they
deemed more eligible sutton, who was
expected to arrive in q short time to
claim the hand of the young lady
against her will, but at the bidding of
her parents. To secure themselves
against the rigor of parental demands,
the young people resolved upon private
marriage, which was solemnized by Es-
quire Waldrip about three weeks ago,
only few trusted friends being present.
They went to their respective homes,
and only met occasionally in company
with sister of the young wife.
On last Saturday Mr.. Ashburn COM
municated to his wife the fact that thei
secret had been divulged, and that it
would be impossible to keep it from her
parents. She declared that she would
die before she would face the storm of
parental indignation such communica-
ton would bring upon her, while he
endeavOred to dissuade and comfort
her. Immediately on her return home,
however, she went to her room and
swallowed a dose of strychnine, and in
thirty minutes she was corpse. The
young husband in the agony of his grief
declared that they should not be long
parted, but was closely watched by anx-
ious friends.
On Sunday he was informed by his
cousin, in whose care he had been left,
that the funeral procession would pass
the house soon. and was asked if he
would go. He replied that he would,
and directed the young man to Sc and
get the horses ready. Hardly had his
companion left the room until the re-
port OF pistol was heard, and, hurry
ing back, he found young Ashburn on
the floor weltering in his own blood.
The muzzle of the pistol had been
placed almost against his forehead, but
in the excitement of his crazy grief the
range had been too low, and the ball,
ranging downward, had lodged in his
face, without in1icting a necessarily
fatal wound. He is now under the care
of physicians, who entertain strong
hopes of his recovery. Should he re-
cover, he will be removed as soon as
possible from the sorrowful associations
of his present home and taken to Indi-
ana, where he had formerly liyey.