Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-30
GEORGE S. GRAY.
The Gay and Festive Actor Shot by an
Indignant Husband for Flirting
with His Wife.

A St, Louis telegram to the Cincin-
natl Enquirer of the 9th, conveys
the following intelligence of the
probably fatal shooting of George 5
Gray, an actor who is ell-known in
Memphis, having at one time been
connected with the stock companies of
the Memphis Theater under a mum.
Der of arrangements. He married the
oldest of the Gilbert Sisters, who sub
sequently obtained a divorce from
him. The special says:
A social unpleasantness, culminat-
ing in a possibly fatal shooting affair
occurred last night at Belleville, one
of the liveliest towns in Southern IL
linois, about fourteen miles from this
city. The principals in this transac-
ton we're Edward Swineford, the
leading attorney of BeAeville and
manager of the st. Clair county
abstract office, who did the shooting ;
George s. Gray, an actor with flirting
prOpensitieS, who suffered therefrOm,
and Mrs. Swineford, who filled the
role of the woman in the case. Mrs.
Swineford is quite young, Being only
eighteen years old, and Was married a
year ago, and lived happily with her
husband, until last January, when
Gray appeared upon the scene. The
latter is a tall and quite a handsome
man, and a very fair actor, having filled
the position of leading man in DeBarls
Grand Opera House, in this city, in the
season Of 1877-7S. He has also the
credit of being a dashing and courage
Gus fellow, this claim being attested
by a gold medal he possesses which
was given him by citizens Of st. Louis
for services rendered in saving lives
at the Southern Hotel fire, of which
he is one of the heroes. In January
last be became the leading mai of a
theatrical organization. known as the
Simons Comedy Company. organized
in this city with a view of supplying
neighboring places with theatrical
amusements of all kinds. They took
so we'll in Relleville, where they
opened in January, that they have
remained there ever since.
1t was on their opening night that
the Irritation began between the mid
dle-aged, but ardent Roscius and the
fair young bride of the county official.
Mr.. Gray's role on that occasion was
Othello, and he now claims that he
would never have dreamed of aiming
so high but for the strong encourage
ment he received that evening from
the merry eye and smiling lip Of the
lady who sat in one of the front seats
and applauded him literally. The
same front seat was occupied by the
lady the next night and the next, and
so on, and on each occasion the actor,
stimulated BY her presence and plaud
its, flung himself grandly into his
work, succeeded as only such an actor
succeeds with such a character as
Claude Melq9tte and such a dis
eliminating audience, he captured the
audience, Mrs, Swineford uDfortu a..
natsly included, and it needed only a
triAing effort Oh his part to get ac
quainted with the family, upon one
member of which he had made such a
palpable impression. At this time
Mr.. and Mrs. Swineford we're living at
the residence of the %latter's father,
Mr.. Netley, one of the leading citizens
of Belleville, and Mr.. and Mrs. Gray
we're frequent and welcome visitors at
the place.
Everything went on well until it
BECAME evident to the people of Belle
vile that the intimacy between the
families was surpassed in closeness by
that which existed between Gray and
Mrs. SviBefqFd, who were frequently
seen together, not only walking about
town, but, as the spring advanced.
even taking long drives together into
the country.
AT last the school children began to
talk about the affair, and this led to
one or two people suggesting to Mr..
Netley that he should keep an eye on
tlo movements of his daughter and
the handsome acton. lie did 50, aud
the result Of his observation vas that
on last Wednesday he advised his sou.
in-law to be on his guard against the
actor, which Syineford had always in.
Sisted vas purely platonie and respect.
full, might be detected than suspected
Just then the actor drew near the
house, and the pair hid themselye.
aud watched his movements, which
when he reached the sidewalk oppo.
site the house were so suspicious tina.
SYineford's jealousy was aroused ant
no decided 70 kecp9 e)9se watch ~
did 80, and at . O'Clock yeste tday eve
ming he surprised the couple enjoying
a tete-a-tete in the alley just back 0
Mr.. Netley's residence.
lie did not wait to handy word
With either party, but drew a seven
/, Shooter from biz bipposkei and be
gan firing The hero OF tbe Solther
|. Hotel Gre, true to his instinct 70
+ saving lifq, lid pct stoP 70 pqrley q
protect the lady lTQW Iqssible hqrI
/, irom the flying bullets, but started o
, at the best gait he could possibl
, command. The husband followed
only stopping every now and the
when he had his distance right, F;
take another pop at the retreatin
Roscius, who at the fourth ban
clqpnod his hands upon bis coat Ia
X and gave vent to a howl whic
S brought the people from their house
for two blocks round. The cha,
Il went or however, until the iniuriatc
husband had emptied the relnainir
n three chambers Of his weapon. who
he returned home. Mr.. Gray did n,
stop running until he got to his hotc
II when he told his wife that he W.
wounded. and caused medical atte,