The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-19
The California Ira agedy.

1t is a curious fact that nearly every one
OF the more yirulent ofthe Abolition leaders
who first stirred up sectional enmlty against
the South, and then urged on the war of
Robbery and Ruin have either come 10
cruel and unusual death, or have suffered in
personal reputation For EXAMPLE Thad
Stevens and Edwin VI. Stanton died, if not
by their own hands, as maniacs; Horace Gree
ley died IN a madhouse; Lincoln was assassi-
ted Coltax sank in disgrace Beecher
lives under load of intamy and So goes
the list, at great length. One Of the har
dest workers to make California take part in
was POLITICAL preacher named Rev. Dr. Ho-
ratio Stebblns And now his day has come.
Here is the story
Eight years ago the people OF San Fran
cisco bad the stating fever The Pavil-
ion " Well known place o amusement,
was turned in5o rink, and became the
fashionable resort of the city Miss Minnie
Stebbins, pretty girl Of l6, speat much of
her time there. She was the daughter of
the Rev Dr. Horatio Stebbins, a distin-
gushing Unitarian preacher, who succeeded
the celebrated starr King in the pastorate
of the leading Unitarian church Of San
Francisco. The ticket seller Of the link
was a yonng man about 20 years Of age,
handsome, and Of winning manners. Miss
S,ebbins began to linger at the window of
the ticket box. and the ticket seller. Schro-
eder, was invited by her to call on her. The
calls became so frequent that DR.. Stebbins
hsd a serious talk with his daughter. He
told her that she was tao young to think OF
marriage; that the ticket seller of skating
rink was hardly a desirable husband, and
SO on.
Schroeder ceased coming to the house.
The young lady seemed convinced and obe-
deat But the lovemaking went on.
The girl seized every opportunity to steal
awav from home and meet her lover. Final
ly, desparing Of breaking Oft in another
way an intimacy of winch he dsapbrsved,
the Clergyman resolved TO send his daugh-
ter abroad The girl lent herself to the
preparations for the Journey On the day
previous to that fixed for her departure,
June 5th, 1872 she managed to obtain leave
to 90 across the bay in order to bid some
intimate friends adieu She met Schroeder
and minister at San Leandro made them
man and wife. Mrs. Schroeder returned
to her fathers house alone and tranquil
On June 9Th, chaperoned by an aunt, she
left San Francisco for New York, whence
she was to sail for Europe. But the news
the marriage quickly reached her father 5
ears He was very angry. But finally he
handed her over to her lawful husband
Later he gave them money, and called them
his beloved children
Mrs. Schroeder teeth presently began
to give her trouble, and DR.. Alfred Leferve
the eadlng dentist Of kland was EN-
ploved TO attend to them. His rooms We're
daily crowded with patients, many of them
ladies of the highest respectabiity. Al
though originally from Canada. DIR. Le-
ferve had lived in the town seventeen years.
| He was a married man with four children.
| Every one spoke of him IN the highest
| terms. both as a gentleman ard dentist.
Mrs Schroeder called upon DR.. Leferve
several times On July 2Jth, according to
first reports of the crime Mrs Schroeder
went with her child to meet her husband,
who was returning home from San Francisco
and told him that on the previous Saturday
afternoon while she was under the influence
cf an anasthetic DR.. Letevre had assaulted
her. Schroeder, taking his wife and little
daughter with him, went straight to the
doctors office
The dentist was at the moment operating
upon the teeth of Miss keeny, the young
lady's mother and Miss Mary Agnew, LET
evre's assistant. being present. The dentist
wa. returning from the back room, when
the door opened. and Schroeder, followed
by his wife and child. rushed in. Schroe-
der was holding bulldog self cooking pis
tol in his hand. He Immediately fired twice
unon the dentist. Not word was spoken
between the two men, The first ball struck
Lefevre, in the left side, below the heart.
The second shot grazed the doctor ear as
he staggered backward. The two shots and
the screams Of the women brought sever Al