Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-17
sRADOWEu TIL BEATH,
Gen. John ThrOCkmOrtOn's Wrong.
Doing, and Ellen GordOn's
Revenge.
A Just BecOmpense for a Crime
Committed When u Young
aud Gay Man Of Wealth.


OF the 9Th, is an article from the
Atlanta Constitution, referring to the
shadowiDg of Colonel John Throck.
moron, of Kentucky, By Miss Ellen
Gordon, of Louisville, and in that
paper the statement is made that her
secret died with her.
Many persons here, perhaps, are
familiar with her story, ss it was no
secret, and many persons living are
familiar with this sad story.
Ellen died two years ago, and was
dressed in the utmost magni6cence for
her burial, by her own request.
The story was, that Throckmorton,
a gay and handsome bachelor of wealth,
courted and was engaged to be mar
ried to an elder sister of the school
girl, Ellen Gordon. In the intimacy
Of such relations, the handsome man
won and betrayed the affections of the
passionate, impulsive girl. He deser>
ted and shamed her-she followed him
everywhere. His neglect and words Of
abuse finally aroused hate and spirit
of revenge more fierce and persistent
than her love.
Dressed in black she was his shadow
1T he attended ball she waited 81,
lently at the door. Ii he slipped
gently off to make a call on some
blooming belle, a ring at the door and
request OF the servant to inform Col.
ThrockmOrton a lady desired to see
him, was the perpetual reminder to
the handsome beau that his victim
had followed him. Finally on leaving
he would. no matter how late, find her
silently waiting by the steps. Years
went by-no words we're spoken, but
still his dark shadow tracked him to
strange cities, and moved at his heels
as he came forth from hotel or theater,
whether alone or with some radiant
beauty. 1t was stated by his
intimates that he sometimes tancied
his valet gave her the information con-
corning his movements, but could
never prove it. Finally he came to
think that she possessed some Ocult
power to divine his whereabouts. If
he went III at the front door of his
home. or hotel, and saw the dark fig.
ure he frequently would on going
forth, steal silently out at the back
entrance to avoid her and be con-
tronted with the late figure, and SOM
Der weeds Of mourning she wore. At
last weary and desperate under her
continual following he had her arrest
ed as an insane woman, and parties
we're divided in feeling, some plying
him, and many deeply sympathizing
with the unfortunate girl. | did
know the names OF his lawyers and
hers, but | have forgotten them; at
any rate she was brought to trial, and
there, in his presence, she told her
own story, in words of fiery earnest
ness, and fairly annihilated the de-
stroyer of her life, as he quailed be-
fore her rehearsal of her goes and
shame that he had wroup&.. The
girl was acquitted and an unusual
scene took place. The bells were rung,
citizens cheered and the widest ex.
element prevailed through the city,
when the facts were made known.
Some effort was made by leading per-
sons to draw her into society but it was
only few times any one saw her there.
She had some means and passed her
life in strict retirement. Once in a
public assembly l met Ellen Gordon,
and she requested some one to present
her to me. / was invited to come and
see her, and availed myself of her invi.
tatlon, for | desired to learn something
Of her motive in acting as she did. Oh,
the pitiful story Of that wasted lifel
and never shall l forget her manner
or words when she said: "Oh, that
there had been then, as there now is,
a field for woman's active lifel l
would have entered it, and forgotten
or buried my sorrow under my work,
aud If prayer can avail anything mine
shall 60 up to Almighty God to
strengthen, help and bring success to
the brave women who are toiling late
and early to open new avenues of use>
full labor for my SEX" Ifancied there
was some slight disorder in Der mental
powers then, and this was three years
before she died. u. l.,