Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-26
A Mtssourt TRAGEDY.

SEDALIA, Mo, September 25.-The most
terrible tragedy that has been witnessed in
this city for ten years was enacted here Fri
day evening at O'Clock, and il has turned
the whole community wild. Love and
jealousy and madness are discussed with
great elaboration and minuteness by the
noveiists and the poets, but when tine hard
headed aud practical people of this practi-
cal age and Of this practical city come face
to face with real tragedy they seem to be
terribly aroused. ]. S. White, at O'Clock
that evening, put two huge bullet holes into
the bosom of his devoted wife, and then sent
a bullet through his own brain from the
same revolver. Ten days ago there was
special election in this city for slderma an,
and White got drunk. White was only a
teamster, but he was man of more than
ordinary intelligence and force of character.
Twelve years ago, when he was
handsome and ambitious young man,
he came in contact with a beautiful
young school girl named Miss Ella Wat
son, in Warren county, KY. He induced her
10 run away from school and marry him,
though she belonged TO a family of superior
social position. From the time of their mar
risge until about ten days ago they lived in
happiness. Last summer White became
afflicted with insanity, and was sent to the
asylum for treatment, and remained there for
six months. He was finally discharged az
cured, and about seven months ago came to
this place, where he has been actively en-
ployed with his own team ever since. He
had two children, one bright girl about ten
years old, and the other boy about twelve
years old, who was regarded as "the boss
happiness and comfort until ten days ago,
when White got drunk. He went home and
conducted himself III such a furious and
desperate manner that his young wife
fed from the house and went to the
home of her aunt, Mrs. WATSON, on Main
street. For the past ten days " hite has been
under the influence OF drink and insanity,
though he never seemed so 10 an unexpe-
renced eye. For the last three days he bias
haunted the house to which his wife fled for
protection, and has talked in a very curious
manner at the restaurant of Mont C-rnes,
where he has been taking his mesls. No one
knew, until the evening after the tragedy,
that White had been in the insane asylum,
or it is probable that the bar keepers would
not have sold him whisky, and those who
had heard his wild talk would have taken
measures to put him where he could do no
harm. About $50 o'clock in the evening he
met his wife on the street and walked with
her to The house of her aunt, Mrs. WassoD, on
East Main street. What they said 10 each
other no one knows. They entered the side
gate TO the yard, and White then drew re-
volver, and the inmates of the house heard
Mrs. White exclaim, "Oh, don't shoot me p
The next minute three shots were heard,
and then came dead silence. When Mrs.
WATSON went TO the side gate of the house
she saw Mrs. White lying dead with Two
CHASTITY bullet holes in her bosom, and at her
side lay her busband in the sgonies of
death, with large bullet hole in his fore-
head. Both were dead in few minutes, and
their two orphan children stood sobbing over
the bodies. Ex-Oficer Mont Carnes was the
all be could do was to hold up the head of
the expiring husband. Whisky, insanity
aud Jealousy were the cause of The tragedy.
Mrs. White wac much younger than her
husband, and an intelligent and handsome
young woman, who deserved better fate.