The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-03-18

Why Thomas DejaInette Killed
His Sister - Forsaken by the
Woman Who Caused Him TO
Commit the Crime.
DANyILLE. Va, March 5, ISL.

DANyILLE, Va, March 5, lSSl.
The sensationalism aud romance
which seem 10 have encireled every
thing connected with the life of
Thomas Dejarnette, the young mur-
derer now lying in Jail here, have
to-day received their most thrilling
chapter. Deiarne.te last summer
was a telegraph operator and rail
road station agent at Milton, n. C.,
which place is not very far from
here. One mght he came into
Dauville, and without pausing long
went to u bagnio in the city known
as " Blonde Hail." and asked for
Que OF tue inmates, Miss Nellie
Deiarnette, who was his sister.
The proprietress OF the house, not
knowing who he was, asked him IN,
aud the flail young woman, his Sis
ter, took him to her room. As soon
as he got in he locked the door,
dlew IA pistol, aud shot her five
times, producing wounds from
which she died in a few days after.
His terrible deed done, he looked
coolly on the bleeding body of his
sister until arrested. He gave as
an excuse for his crime that she
had brought dishonor upon the
family escutcheon, and that her
lite must pay the penalty.
A few days after another female
appeared upon the scene, ana for a
time took part in DejarnetIe's lite
drama. THIS was Miss Mary Allen
Murray, of Milton, his betrothed.
Upon learning of her lovers con
iiuement she at once took the train
aud came to Dauville, and went to
his prison cell. Her devotion to
him was constant, aud seemed te
help the cause OF the prisoner
somewhat with the public. 1t was
said, too, that be had determined
that MissMurray should not be be
trothed to Il man whose sister was
leading life of shame, ard 1t was
supposed that tins also had some
thing to do with his crime.
. Dpiarnptte was tried aud scn
tenced TO be hung, and oil til,
time Miss Murray was constant Il
him, aud more than once came iron
! her home in Milton 10 see him. Hi'
! counsel took the the case to th,
, court of appeals, and that body
has grauted him a new trial, hi
/. counsel relying very much Oh TN
insanity plea TO save his neck. lii
second trial will commence shortly
1t was noted some time since tina
Miss Murray'S visits were not 81
frequent as formerly, aud recently
, she seems to have discontinue,
. them entirely. Miss Murray ap
: pears to have been quite popnla
: in Milton, aud Deiarnette was b.
no means the only suitor for he
;. hand. Although she was know
. to be engaged to him, Messrs
; Charles Gordon and Alexaude
Bouham were rivals, who still pei
: severed in their attentions, and !
may be that the fact of the success
= ful man being behind the bars of
prison cell stimulated them to II
newed exertions.
Last week the people OF Milto
= were startled by the announcement
0 that Miss Murray was not only el
:. gagged to Mr. Bonham, but that th
u marriage would take place neA
II Thursday night. The sudden ci
D. gagement and approaching MAJ
g liage WAS tue theme of much spe'
e ulation, when today another, ant
5 it is supposed, the last, thrillin
y episode occurred. From what ca
Il be learned, it seems that Mr.. Cha
rs Gordon last night went to see Mis-
y Murray, and, whether moved b
) his long devotion or earnest al
n peals, it canuot be learned, but sh
u told him that he (Gordon) was til
q. only one she has ever loved, an
< she would marry him. The yonn
a. swain was wild with delight at th
is unlock ed-for victory, aud KNOWN
IS that the marriage had been tixe
II tor Thursday night next with M
D. Bonham as leading man, lie feare
Is delay, and suggested that Mi
H. Murray should marray him ut ono
le so that When Bonham came alon
O. there would be no Miss Mary Mu
ie ray for him to we'd. She acquie
cel, aud yesterday Gordon got u
y marriage license, aud this evenll
g the couple quietly walked to Il
10 bridge which crosses the strea
as two miles FROM Milton. Pret
e, soon a wagon came up containll
III Il magistrate, who came by appoii
III ment. and the two lovers We
speedily made husband and vi
lis Dejarnptte is now lying quite i'll
81 Jail at this place.
- -----------~ ~ ~-----------