The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-09-26
KILLED BY HIS BRIDE.
A Remarkable Tragedy at q Small
Resort in Alabama.

From the Chattanooga Times OF Friday
The terrible tragedy at Rhea
Springs, Tuesday night. as briefly
mentioned by telegraph, created con-
siderable excitement i'm Huntsville.
yesterday, where the facts were not
previously known. and excited great
deal of interest 10 this city. A Times
reporter was yesterday commissioned
to ascertain the facts in the case, and
from various sources CLEANED them as
related below: Several months ago
two of the most dashing bellies of
Huntsville were the misses Merri-
wether, daughters of Col. Merri-
wether, prominent citizen of Hunts.
vile. and the former chief engineer of
the Memphis and Charleston railroad.
Their most ardent admirers were
Capt. Belts aud Lon. Davis, son of
Col. Davis, who was once one of the
most prominent men of North Ala
hama, and nephew of Zeb. Davis. who
was mayor of Huntsville for many
years. Young Davis was considered
fast, and Mrs. Merriwether objected
to his attentions to her daughter. The
girl appeared to love him, and finally
an eiopement was agreed on, and one
night. when the young couple had an
engagement to attend a concert, they
instead boarded train for this city,
where they were married.
Their honeymoon passed happily.
but soon Davis character began to as.
sert itself, and his wife discovered the
awful fact that he was addicted to the
use of opium and Was an incessan,
gambler. This discovery created dis
sepsions and he began to- make her
life unhappy by his proAigate habits.
She endured this as long as possible,
out finally left his roof and sought
protection in the home of her child
hood. The excitement incident to
this brought on brain fever and for a
while her lite was despaired of, and
when she recovered, her mind was
partially deranged. The physician
advised her husband to keep aIoof
from her for some months, and on
this advice he agreed that she should
be taken to Rhea Springs, promising
not toannoy her by his presence until
he was sent for. Her mother accom-
panied her, and they arrived at the
springs about three months ago. She
recuperated rapidly and her intellect
was soon restored and her husband
visited the spring. but did not see her.
He visited the springs q second time
and saw her hut few moments, she
still refusing to return to him until he
reformed.
Last week he again visited the
springs, but was denied seeing her.
Several stormy interviews passed BE-
tween the mother and him. and for
several days he was seen hanging about
his wife's room, but was denied admit
lance. Sunday he procured q pistol
and demanded admi:tance or threaten
ed to kill the mother. He was finally
quieted and gave the pistol 10 her.
Monday he was heard to say that his
wife should return to him or q murder
should follow. Tuesday night Mrs.
Davis stepped from her room to 20 to
a toilet room. He was near at hand
and followed. They met some dis.
lance from the hotel, ard he pointing
to pistol he carried in his hand, de-
manded that she should return to him.
She had the pistol he gave to her
mother in her pocket, placed it against
his body and fired. the ball passing
through his bowels. She then walked
deliberately to the hotel, informed the
proprietor of what she had done as
coolly as if she we're relating some tri-
vial incident and left for her room.
She exhibited not the least excite
ment Tuesday night, although many
ladies were in Mysteries from excite
ment. She related the circumstances
as calmny as if telling an anecdote and
at midnight inquired after the patient
and slept soundly until morning. Yes
terday Mr.. Davis was found to be
rapidly failing. He stated that his
wife had shot him in self defense and
he deserved it; that be had brought
it on himself and no one but himself
was to blame. He begged that she
would not be arrested, adding that she |!
acted in self.defense only. At 8 p. m.
Mr.. Davis was thought to be dying.
A number of. prominent citizens of
passed through the city |
yesterday to Rhea Springs. The young
wife ia but mere girl, Of very hand
'ome appearance.
A telegram received late last night
rom Rhea Springs says: 1.-The ply
icians pronounce Mr.. Davis case as