Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-09-17
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The Rhea Springs Tragedy

The Chattanooga Times has the following
particulars of the tragedy at Rhea Springs,
in which young Davis was shot by his wife,
and has since died.
Several months ago two of the most dash
ing bellies of Huntsville were Misses Meri-
wether. daughters of Col. Meriwether, a
prominent citizen of Huntsville, and the
former chief engineer of the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad. Their most ardent
admirers were Capt Belts and Lon. Davis,
son of Col. 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. MerIwether
objected to his attentions to her daughter
TIE 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 mar
RED
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 dissensions, and he began to make
her life unhappy by his profigate habits
She endured this as long as possible, but
finally left his roof and sought protection
III the home of her childhood The ex-
element incident to this brought on brain
fever, and for while her life was de-
SPARED of, and when she recov-
cred her mind was partially de
ranged. The physician advised her
husband to keep aloof from her for some
months, and on this advice he agreed that
she should be AIKEN to Rhea Springs, prom
Using not to annoy her by his presence until
he was sent for. Her mother accompanied
her, and they arrived at the springs about
three months ago. She recuperated rapid
ly, and her intellect was soon restored, and
her husband visited the springs, but did not
| see her. He visited the springs second
time, and saw her but few moments, she
still refusing to return to him until he re-
formed. Last week he again visited the
springs, but was denied seeing her
Several stormy interviews passed
between the mother and him, and for sever
al days he was seen hanging about his wife's
room but was denied admlttance. Sunday
he procured pistol and demanded admi =
lance, or threatened to kill the mother. He
was finally quieted and gave the pistol to
her. Monday he was heard to say that his
wife should return to him, or a murder
would follow. Tuesday night Mrs. Davis
stepped from her room to 60 to toilet
room. He was near at hand, and followed
| They met some distance from the hotel
aud he, pointing to a pistol he carried in his
hand, demandet that she return to him.
She had the pistol he gave her mother in
her pocket at the time, and quietly
slipped it from 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 cody as if she were relat-
| ing some trivial incident, and left for her
room. She exhibited not the least excite
ment Tuesday night, although many ladies
We're in Mysteries from excitement She re-
lated the circumstances as calmly as if tell
ing an anecdote, and at midnight inquired
after the patient, and slept soundly until
| morning. Mr.. Davis stated that his wife
| shot him in self defense, and he deserved
| 1t; that he 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