Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-22
TERRIBLE RErRIBUTIuN.
A sOrrOwful Sequel to a Story Of
Faitblessness and Desc
lated Homes.
For DIsrupiing Two Households
ThOs. TIerney Is ParalyEed
aud Approaching Death.
Commercial Gasstte.

A man was brought to the Cincin-
natl Hospital yesterday paralyzed and
evidently approaching that bourne
from which no mortal Ger returns,
who seems to have been overtaken By
Decentralization, since msn's jdstice
had failed TO reach him. His name is
Thomas Tierney, aud he is said to
have been instrumental in disrupting
two households and bringing sorrow in
several others. He is the man who is
said to have run away with Mrs. John
Ritter, and the troubles from which
he now suffers were caused by injuries
inflicted by Daniel 0'Connel, broth
er of the woman who forgot her du
ties as a wife and mother.
Portions of the story have from
time to time crept into print, but to
understand it intelligently one must
20 back some nine or ten months. At
that time Mr., and Mrs. John Ritter,
together with their almost grown up
daughter, lived happily at No. no
Richmond street. They were in com
Portable circumstances, everything
prospered with them and there was no
thought in the pleasant home but that
the future was as full of joyful promise
as was the present. One morning, how
ever, after the head of the house had
gone to his daily work, Mrs. Ritter
quietly put on her bonnet and went
out into the street. Her daughter
thought that she intended making
call, or that she was going to neigh
boring store. In fact, she scarcely
thought of her mothers departure
until the hours passed away and she
failed to return. Evening came and
with it Mr.. Ritter, but still his wife
did not appear. Inquiries were made
in the neighborhood, but not trace.
OF the missing woman could be found.
A vigorous search was instituted, the
locality was fairly scOGyed, but still
all efforts proved unavailing. She
had disappeared az completely as
though the earth had opened and
swallowed her. On the next day the
police we're made acquainted with the
particulars of the case, and descrip-
ton was given to them OF Mrs Ritz
ter; advertisements we're inserted in
the papers OF this and other cities; all
the unidentified bodies brought to the
morgue we're carefully inspected, yet
she was not found nor even a trace of
her. If the case had occurred 10
olden times she would have been said
to have been spirited away.
For time the matter was the talk
of the town, and especially of the por-
ton where the Ritters resided. He
was known as a respectable man,
good husband, and local politician Of
no little note. He is a brother of
Officer Jim" Ritter, who has been
policeman for over thirty years, and is
at present one of the Mayors specials.
The missing woman was about forty
years old, well preserved, and much
younger in looks than she really was.
1t was thought that in some mysteri
GUS way she had met her DEATH per
haps had been murdered, and that
her body had been skillfully concealed
The fond husband scarcely thought
even for q moment that she could
have deserted him. The suspicion
that she might have proved untrue
was dismissed as utterly improbable
In searching for her he gave up his
business and travelled all over this 10.
eslity and at places where she might
have gone.
Just two weeks ago yesterday Mrs.
Ritter, whose husband aud child had
mourned tor nine long months as dead,
was discovered, and that by the merest
accident. A Mrs. English, living on
New street, happened to be at the
Little Mama depot seeing some
friends of, when she was start
led by seeing o woman who was
identical in every respect with Mrs
Ritter. The two had been friends,
and Mrs. English stared for some mo-
ments, hardly able to believe her eyes
All doubts as to her identity we're res
moved when Mrs. Ritter recognized
her and the two kissed, shook hands,
and exchanged few words of greet
ing.
"Now. tell me where you have been,
and it you are going homer" asked
Mrs. English.
At this question the other suddenly
changed color, grew confused, and at
tempted to get away without answer
ing. Mrs. English seized her arm, and
attempted to torpiblY det4in her. She
even called a policeman and implored
him to take charge of the woman IN
til the case could be Investigated, but
the we'll trained officer refused to in
terfere 10 what be regarded as simply
a woman's squabble unless backed BY
a warrant. Finally Mira. Ritter broke
away and disappeared with the remark
that after she claimed her trunk 10
| the baggage room she would return.
| That was, however, the last seen Of
her. At that time she was in the com
papy Of Thomas TieEney, who lived,
with bis family, IN the same house as
| the Ritters.
Mrs. English know the full par.icu
lars Of the case, and it is superAuous
to say that she was sst0nished at her
discovery. She simmediately sought
Mr., Ritter ana told him that she had
seen his wife, and that she was with
his ueiGhbor, Thomas Tierney. Then
for the first hEs came the thought
that she who should hsye been his
helpmeet had deceived bin lliieFney
had been bis intimate friend, and al
ways busted himself IN every magma
bic way in order to solve the mysterS
concerning his wife's disappearance
He trusted him as a brother, and The
news brought By Mrs, English wac
absolutely dumbfoundine No time VA,