Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-02
The Shepard Tragedy.


 The History of Mrs. VOulIaIre's Roman tic Career.
 The body of Horace B. Shepard, who shot himself and his wife in New York recently, was taken-through this city yesterday for Saybrook.
 A St. Louis press dispatch says: St. Louis people who read of the Shepard tragedy in New York and saw that the woman kitty, ? whom young Horace B. Shepard shot in their room before killing himself, had been known as Mrs VoulIaire, recalled at once St. Louis sensation of old date. Mrs. Vouliaire's maiden name was Kate Watts, and she was the step daughter of man whose name is known all over the West. He was a member of the firm of Murray, Liller & Co.,, original proprietors of the notorious Missouri State Lottery, 8 concern with 8 franchise from the State that enabled it to continue in business despite the efforts of all the lawmaking and law executing powers up to few years ago. Seymour D. VonlIaire was scion of one of the old families of St. Louis. He became 8 prominent criminal lawyer. He was of very swarthy complexion and exceedingly hand some. He paid great deal of attention to his dress. and always wore in the street 8 spotless linen collar large enough to turn down on the outside of his coat collar. He was fond of society, and was very much troubled over 8 slight limp, which he fancied interfered with his social success. He be- came infatuated with and married Miss Watts Voullaire rose in his profession and be- came city attorney. They lived happily tc- gether for nine years and then scandals arose about the wife. Her name was associated in turn with the names of three rich gamblers. After that the name of man now living in this city, and one of it's wealthiest citizens, began to be banded about with hers, and there was scene between him and Voul- laire, in which charges were made by the husband and acknowledged to be true by the other man.
 The Voullaires separated. VouIlaire con- stantly haunted the neighborhood of his wife's separate residence One day he saw Charles Ruth, a clerk in the postofice, leav- ing the door. He confronted Ruth, and both drew pistols and fired. Ruth was wounded in the head A few weeks later they met again in Fourth street, and exchanged shots. Both were hit.
 Ruth and the woman went off together to Lawrence. Kansas; where they were known as Mr. and Mrs, Ruth. The woman took with her one or both of her sons by Voullaire. Scandals arose in Lawrence. One morning Ruth was found dead sitting on piano stool in his parlor, with writing materials and several finished letters, and one uncompletsd letter before him on the piano.
 The family physician, Dr. Medlicott, was accused of poisoning him with the connivance of the woman. Then followed the long and sensational Ruth murder trial. It was shown that Ruth had died from morphine, but the weight of evidence was that he had admins tered the drug himself.
 After that followed the struggle of Sey- nnour D. Voullaire to get divorce and the custody of his boys or one of them. He won the suit. He remarried. Five years ago he died, and his widow and one child by her are now in New York. The children have been partly supported out of their fathers estate. Mrs Voullaire had been lost sight of till Mon days tragedy.
 Shepard, is a highly esteemed clergyman, whose school in Saybrook kas long been at- tended with 8 good degree of prosperity.