Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-09-23
KILLED BY HIS BRIDE,
The Terrible Tragedy at Rhea
Springs.
The Full Particulars of the Most
Remarkable Killing Of tile Age.

following from the Chattanooga Times:
The terrible tragedy at Rhea
Springs Tuesday night, as related in
yesterdays TIMES, created considerable
excitement in Huntsville yesterday,
where the facts were not previously
known, and excited a great deal of in
terest in this city. A TIMES reporter
was yesterday commissioned to ascer-
tain the facts in the case, and from va
rious sources CLEANED them as related
below.
Several months ago two of the most
dashing bellies of Huntsville were Misses
Meriweather, daughters of Col. Meri-
weather, prominent citizen of Hunts
vile, and the former chief engineer of
the Memphis q Charleston Railroad.
Their most ardent admirers were Capt.
Belts and Lon. Davis, son of Colonel
Davis, who was once one of the
most prominent men of North
Alabama, and nephew of Zeb.
Davis, who was Mayor of Huntsville
for many years. Young Davis was
considered fast, and Mrs. Meriweather
objected to his attentions to her daugh-
ter. The girl appeared to love him,
and finally an elopement was agreed
on, and one night, when the young
couple had engagements to attend a
concert, they instead boarded a train
for this city where they were married.
Their honeymoon passed happily, but
soon Davis character began to assert
itself, and his wife discovered the awful
fact that he was addicted to the use Of
opium, and was an incessant gambler,
This discovery created discussions, and
he began to make her life unhappy by
his profigate habits. She endured
this as long as possible, but finally lef
his roof and sought protection in the
home of her childhood. The excite
ment incident to this brought on brair
fever, and for awhile her life was dis
paired of, and when she recovered he
mind was partially deranged. TIL
physician advised her husband to keel
aloof from her for some months. anC
on this advice he agreed that sh
should be taken to Rhea Springs
promising not to annoy her by his pres
ence until he was sent for. Her moth
er accompanied her, and they arrive
at the springs about three months ago
She recuperated rapidly, and her into
lect was soon restored, and her husban
visited the springs but did not see her
E He visited the springs a second time
and saw her but a few moments, sh
still refusing to return to him unit
he reformed. Last week he again VII
tied the springs, but was denied seem
her. Several stormy interviews passe
between the mother and him, and fc
, several days he was seen hanging abou
his wiie's room but was denied ADM
, tace. Sunday he procured a pistc
and demanded admittance, or threaten
ed to kill the mother. He was finally
quoted and gave the pistol to he
Monday he was heard to say that h
wife should return to him, or a murde
would follow. Tuesday night Mr.,
Davis left her room to 90 to a to
let room. He was near at hand, an
followed. They met some distanc
from the hotel, and he, pointing to
pistol he carried in his hand, demande
that she return to him. She had ii
,, pistol he gave her mother in her peck
ct at the time and quietly slipped
from her pocket, placed it against h
body and fired, the ball passing throug
his bowels. She then walked delibe
ately to the hotel, informed the propr
etor Of what she had done as coolly
!, if she were relating some trivial inc
dent, and left for her room. She e,
hibited not the least excitement Tue
! day night, although many ladies wei
in Mysteries from excitement. She r
! lated the circumstances as calmly as
telling an anecdote, and at mi
- night inquired after the patient, ar
slept soundly until morning. He st
& ted his wife shot him in self-defenc
and he deserved it; that he brought
on himself, and no one but himself W
to blame. He begged that she Won
not be arrested, adding that she actc
. in selfdefense only. At 9 a. m, M
Davis was thought to be dying.