Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-12-25
prxLEY ON


Frank Pixley, in last Saturdays Argo-
naut, energetically discusses the theory
of "transitory MANIA" as follows
The ~acquittal of Schroeder for the MUIR
der of DR.. Lefevre, at Oakland, is an
incident so important in its bearing upon
civilization, and upon the very existence
of society, that it's discussion can not be
honestly avoided. That this discussion
will wound the feelings of one man whom
society has respected, whom all have
honored, and many have loved, is no
apology for allowing so damnable and
distardly a murder as we think this
to pass unchallenged. The unwritten
code that j~ustiics the father, the hus-
band, and the brother in taking the life
of the man who criminally assails the
virtue of daughter, wife, and sister, does
not justify the crime. The facts do not
bring this case within this code. This
wife is believed to have been unchaste
before her marriage. This husband is be-
lievei to have known it. This father is
presumed to have known it. If she
lacked chastity she lacked all other vir-
tues, and among others tr%uthfulness.
When she confessed her crime with
Lefevre-let us put it hone Ny, her
crime against Lafevre-if az riminal
intercourse had existed, her husband and
her father should have presumed she lied.
They should have presumed that it was
an artifice to shield some guilty act.
Knowing her especial infirmity, they
were quick-too quick-to accept her
statement Of. Doctor Lefevre's guilt.
There is no proof of his guilt. There is
no evidence that upon that woman he
had ever laid an immodest hand. There
is no corroborated proof that he was ever
in her house. There is proof that
she came to the office for dental treat
ment, but there is no proof that he ever
endeavored to assail her virtue there.
Six weeks this injured husband waited
and brooded for six weeks he nursed
his wrath and warmed it in the embraces
Of his ante-nuptial and post-nuptial ex-
periences. He did not abandon the home
that had been made desolate. He con-
doned the offence that had wrecked
his happiness. Why Doctor Stebbins
should have visited the dental rooms of
Lefevre for the purpose of obtaining a re-
ceipt for money is. at least, inexplicable.
whether Doctor Lefevre played the pol
trcon and the coward, as represented, and
whether he crouched under the clerical
fist and pistol may at least be doubted.
DIR. Lefevre is dead and cannot vindicate
himself. In his dying declarations he
declared his innocence. This injured
husband, Of questionable antecedents,
and questionable moral character, takes
his wife and child, goes to Lefevre's
office, and, without warning, murders
him. It was q cold, deliberate, premed.
itated assassination, an inexcusable, cruel,
dastardly murder, and the Court, or
juror, or friend who can find an excuse
for it in any theory Of "transitory hon.
icidical MANIA" must be an idiot.
Transitory " murder had fingered in his
heart for six weeks. We have no pa
thence with anybody who allows his SEN
sibilities to sway his Judgment in a case
like this. We are not even touched by
the wife's devotion to her husband in
Jail. All this gush, and tears, and emo
ton seem to be utterly wasted upon a
thoroughly bad woman. who has prompt
ed a thoroughly bad man to perform an
act of inexcusable crime. The Court
may have acted impartially. The jury
may have deliberated wisely, and may
think they have rendered a verdict in ac-
cordance with law and the facts. We do
not think SO. Report says when first the
jury went out it stood six for acquittal
and six for conviction; twenty-fo hours
thereafter, nine to three; forty-eight
hours thereafter, ten to two; and at the
end OF some SIXTY hours all were for &C.
quittal. How the community is to &C.
cept this verdict we do not know. To
us it seems most shameful violation of
all the most sacred obligations that un
derlie society-a precedent most danger
u II, upon the unsupported evidence
OF an unchaste wife. a husband who is
not himself innocent of the crime of
adultery, may take the life of a citizen
against whom no offense can be proven.
the Courts acquit him, then human
life has become altogether too cheap, and
a far too costly value is set upon the
shattered remnant Of a soiled woman's
virtue. We commend to those of our
readers who are indulging their sensibili-
ties in sympathy for the family from
which has been withdrawn the dreadful
shadow of the gallows. to spare a thought
and tear for the true and pure wife that
has been widowed, and the children
made fatherless, and the home made des-
olate by this fearful crime.
The mutilation Of coin seems to have
become a regular industry of late, if that
can be called an industry which is the
practice Of dishonesty. This boring and
clipping Of silver coins ia done for thu