The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-08-20
GROReIA TRAGEDY.
A Poor widow Assanaiaalsd BY hes
ASPhsW-AyStsFy Of the Case,


ATLANTA, GA, August l9.-NsWs Of
most shocking tragedy comes from Gwyn
nett county today. About four mile
lrom LAWrencsVille, near Prospect church
10 the quiet home OI Mrs, s. O. Stevenson
widow oil Van Stevenson, who died somt
years ago, and the daughter Of Dr.. Lenarc
Jackson, and the family consisted OF Mrs
Stevenson and little son about twelve
years Of age, ..-'07 ~. -
i seems that there could be nothing "a
induce the horrible crime committed lasl
Monday, when Bhe was deliberately shoi
down In her house by acoWardly assassin,
who, taking advantage Of her lonely con-
dtton-When even her little boy was
awaY-cautiously approached 10 within
twenty leet, and shot her down like dog,
On that morning abe was engaged IN
washing Of the well near the house, and
making preparations for camp meeting
which was to begin this week, Her little
con was about there until alter O'Clock,
when he took his gun and went round
the telds hunting Bqpirrels. Left alone
abe continued at her work until nearly
hAltpRSt 10 O'Clock, when she repaired TO
the house 10 commence getting dinner.
Standing ip front Of the stove she was
nearly opposite the open door through
which the Would.be assassin fired with O
shot gun or army musket. Three balls
struck her Just below the arm and passed
throulh her body. She fell back wards 10
the floor, and as she fell the party who
did the shooting ran acrCsa the yard and
came in plain view.
The hrinR CT the gun, followed by her
screams, attracted the attention OF MeSsrs.
MCGEE and Terry, who were at work at
the graveyard three or four hundred
yards distance, They Immediately ran to
her assistance, and found her lying ON the
door with The blood pouring from the
wounds, They Tsised her up and laid her
on the bed, and one Of them started for
physician, Fortunately Dr.. Mitchell was
passing near the house and was called ip
OF once, and did oil that medical skill
could do TO give relief
The news spread rapidly, and in short
time the neighborhood had gathered
there. The excitement and indignation OF
the crowd were wrought up 10 high
pitch, and 90 soon as her wounds were
dressed, the tirst inquiry was. who Conld
have been guilty Of the horrible crime ?
She stated promptly and confidently that
Elbert Stevenson, her nephew, shot her
that she saw him at o ehort distance from
the house about an hour before the shoot.
Ing, and knew him well; that jist 40 the
gun fred he ran across the yard from near
the smokehouse, with gun In hia hand,
and che recognized him, as he was In plain
view and only . few feet away; that he
had threatened her lie some time since.
This statement she repeated 10 all who
asked her, even to the mother and relatives
Of the accused. But 70 the mystery OF all,
she would not or could not assign any
cause Tor her nephew's murderous inten.
tion. .0'f
A psrty at once started In pursuit Of the
fugitive, and found him at camp ground
about two miles of, and at once put him
under arrest and sent to town to obtain q
warrant He was afterwards placed In
charge oil the Sheriff and carried back To
the scene oi the crime. But the wounded
woman, aS she lay wIithing In pain, and
not expecting 10 live It'll night, declined
TO see him, and he was brought 10 Town
and lodged 10 jail. The wounded woman
died at midnight without divuIging any
cause for the crime. .'..-.r
Stevenson is about thirty years Of age,
aud was raised In the neighborhood, 10 o
member Of the church and has borne the
character Of . quiet and orlorly citizen.
He refuses to converse upon the subject
Of the murder, under advice Of counsel.
The feeling runs high In the settlement,
and the result Of trial may be anticipated
at any moment. ....l. t., ,gofl i'm