The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-26
A THRILLING TRAGEDY.
An Infatuation Which Lured Two
Men 10 Death--A MOuntain Cleo
patrR and Her Works,

patrR and Her Works.
Marshal (Ark.) Letterl
Searcy is one of the widest and most
mountainous counties in Arkansas. Its
deep ravines, dark chasms, steep noun
tain heights appal one. They are soli-
tude's chosen domains, and yet nature
has made them picturesque as well as
awful, and one finds in them much to
admire. Although sparsely settled, the
country contains both wealth and intelli-
gence. The people are made up from
the older families Of Tennessee and South
Carolina. Some of these claim to be
lineal descendants of John G. Calhoun
and other distinguished statesmen of the
past century. While it is a fact that
''blood will TELL" it is likewise true that
it willie do SO in more ways than one.
For this land, like the favored Orient,
accords we'll with the poets thought
where the virgins are fair as the roses they
And all but the spirit of man is divine"
Hence, some of the most interesting con-
tributions to the records of crime may
be found in this locality. +
Only few miles from here lived a
wealthy widow named Louisiana Haig,
connected with some of the most prom
inent families in the State. Her ad-
vent into society shortly after the death
of her husband, Major Haig, caused So
cial sensation. Her admirers numbered
legion, for, in addition to vast wealth,
she possessed personal charms of an ex-
traordinary character and a disposition
that made her welcome everywhere. Her
voluptuous figure, dark, flashing eyes,
tawny black hair and crimson cheeks
formed vision of female loveliness that
few masculine hearts, old or young,
could successfully resist, OF course this
breeded trouble. A bitter rivalry sprang
up among the competitors for the lovely
widows hand, and more than one duel-
none of which, however, proved fatal
owed its origin to her fancied prefer
ence.
As the time went on, the swarm of
adorers which lowered about the noun
tain Cleopatra grew gradually less, that
lady indicating TO first one and then an
other that his devotion and affection
could not be reciprocated. Therefore
it was not long before all the worship
ers at her shrine had reluctantly van.
ished, except two young men by the
name of Claib Jackson and Arnold Van
metre, each of whom believed he had
succeeded in arousing reciprocal aftec.
ton in the widows apparently obdurate
heart. ...
| Young Jackson belonged to an old and
highly respectable family, and was the
4 Youngest Of six brothers. Hewas nearly
if not altogether, six feet tall. He pos
sessed enormous strength, and was con
, sidered the best marksman in four coun
ties. He was handsome and very popu
lar. Arnold Vanmetre was almost hi
opposite. He also was member of .
prominent family. but there the similar
ity ended.
He was pale, slender and homely. Pri
or to the war his father had been consid
cred one Of the richest men in Helena
and, though losing heavily by it, at hi
death he bequeathed Arnolda very larg
sum of money. The young mans retir
ing disposition made him few friends
but those who knew him were warml
attached to him.
Such were the men for whom the fas
cinating Mrs. Haig showed decide
preference.
Which of the two she really loved il
. even to this day, a matter of conjecture
Perhaps it was question she could nc
. herself satisfactorily answer; perhaps sh
$ cared little for either. At any rate sh
kept them both dancing attendance upo
e her, seemingly reluctant or unwilling
e forego their attentions. Each was buoye
e up with the thought that he alone po
!. sessed her love; for she gave each ju'
!. enough encouragement to keep alive h
d infatuation. Sometimes Jackson al
IS peared to be the favored one; again Va
: metre seemed to have her heart in h
y keeping. Thus matters stood when tt
u crisis came.
l. For matter Of course, the young me
d ouarreled about the object Of their pa
d sion. A duel was arraigned betwe'
c. them, and time and place appointed t
t. the meeting; but their parents and rel
Of tives got an inkling Of the affair, and p
A. an end toit After this there was a 81
We pension of hostilities for few weeks,
p the end of which time the bad blood
in tween them again came to the snrfa'
or Jackson and Vanmetre met at the toy
he tavern. both had been drinking, and 0
word brought on another. jackson
ouired Vanmetre to apologize for certa
II language he had used previously
speaking Of Jackson, and upon his rel
sal to do 50, drew a cane he carried a
bs beat Vanmetre severely. They VIZ
ill separated, the latter remarking signi
III cantly, that "the end was not yet" III
,h- was on Sunday. Vanmetre took coun
els with his friends as to what course he b
st, better pursue in the matter, and v
in told that the insult could only be wiz
ng out with Jackson's blood; that uni
nd this was done, he was forever ruined
IN the estimation of Mrs. Haig.
ed On Monday, in company with twoh
ur- headed friends, he started out in seal
on of Jackson, whom he found at N