The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-04-16
IN THE SCAFF0LD'S SHADOW

Robson county, North Carolina, has
an interesting murder trial on hand,
which is stirring the whole State up
Into an excitement like that caused
by the case of Mrs. Kate Southern
in Georgia. Miss Amelia Linktam
is handsome and accomplished, Of
good family and % years old. She
was courted and won by Mr.. j. 3.
Hartman, a Baltimore commercial
drummer, who made frequent visits
to Lumberton. 1t was supposed that
the couple were matrimonislly en-
gagged, but at length Hartman cooled
in his devotion and finally ceased
his attentions altogether to Miss
Linkham and went with other giils
in Lumberton. In October last
Hartman visited Lumberton, and
Miss Linkham called to see him at
his hotel. He came into the parlor
where Miss Linham sat waiting
She rose and approached within a
few feet of her recreant lover as if
for friendly greeting, drew a pistol
from her rustling silks and shot Kim
in the groin, saying, as she fired:
"You have ruined me, and l will now
ruin you."j The man died the next
day, swearing that he had nothing
to do with Miss Linklam's ruin.
She gave herself up, and her great
nervous excitement caused. the pre-
mature birth Of a child at about the
same hour that Hartman died. In
the mean time Miss Amelia Link
ham has been growing more beaati.
full and palely interesting in Jail.
Tie other day she was brought out
for trial, and all the county and a
good deal Of the State were there.
Special officers we're enrolledto keep
the court room clear enodgh to
breathe in. Miss Linkham pleaded
''not guilty. to the charge of muir.
der, and feeling SO strong in limo
cence she refused at first to have
anything to do with counsel. Final.
ly her father persuaded her to let a
lawyer do her talking, but she re
fused to hold any comm unication
whatever with him. She told them
| to 60 ON withgher case without her
assistance. aaAt length the court
asked Question which brought
her to her feet, and she said: II am
notguilty Of the crime. My young
life was bnghted,, my every hope
licrushed by the baseness and infdel
lity Of him whom I had chosen for
my life long partner. My only crime
was to love that man too deyotedly
and unselfshly.p' There was a sen.
sition. Tie judge forgot himself
and wept like a child. When he
had broken away from the grip OF
his feelings be begged the girl to be
seated and let her counsel speak for
her. The crowd, also forgetful, cried
out, LET her GO on.'' ECO on braye
girl" For a. time the courthouse
scene twas decidedly dramatic FL
nally some informality was found ii
the indictment, and the case was
continued until the next term of the
court. Then the excitement grew
more intense. A great crowd fol-
lowed Miss Linkham to the Jail.
Women in the surging mass kissed
her hands, and men took off their
that's as she passed them, and Lum-
berton was alive. saH ~
Miss 1inkllam has received piles
Eof letters of coincidence from women,
Improving the deed and sympatbiz
ling with the doer. Among others
is a letter from Kate Southern, who
is now serving out ten years. sen
ttence on a penitentiary farm in Gcor-
Igia for stabbing to death her hus
bands param our. The case made a
great deal of noise at the time, bul
Miss Linkham's is still more sensa
|tional. Since her imprisonment Miss
1 Linkham has translated the greater
portion Of a Fre3ch novel, and he
time in Jail is engrossed with litera
ry labor. She does not seem to fea
}. in the least that Lumberton will Sc
f her hanged, and she is becomin,
more and more interesting in th
+ scaf1old's shadow, Exchange.
1Ia. e. IT ET-- --..s ..->e>.srTs>---7-7, 10
IL The Boston Traveller has
i Scotch friend who, was disguise
With @Pinafore.'' 'Why, mon, d'y
$ mind moo, its perfectly redeeculou
s tto1suppose tina: the rules o the nav