The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1884-05-22
SHOCKING DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
A wronged Husband ISiIls the Invader of
the sanctity Of His Home Together with
the Partner of the Guilty Liason--Two
Families Plunged in Mourning.


~ COLUMBIA. ILL, May II.
a terrible tragedy occurred at the resi-.
dence OF Monroe Gray, ten miles southeast
Of this place, yesterday morning, which
has plunged two families into deep
mourning An erring wife and an un-
prlncipled husband have been hurried to
untimely graves.
Monroe Gray, with his wife and two
children, a girl of ten and a boy of twelve
lived on a farm which he rented from
VIM. Ditch, wealty farmer who
lived on the eastern outskirts OF the
Village. Until few months ago Gray
lived in this town. His eyes
had been diseased and he had used up
nearly all OF his money in having them
treated in East St. Louis He finally de-
clded to go to farming again and as he
had little or no money he applied to Ditch,
who advanced him funds and let him go
on the farm where the tragedy occurred.
Thursday Gray drove to Ditchs house
and asked him to so with him to his
(Gray's) farm to see about repairing a
dixie few miles to the east. Ditch ac.
companied Gray back TO his home and re-
manned there all night 1t was arranged
thatycsterday morning they should go over
few miles east Of Gray's, to engage him
to do some work
About eight O'Clock Gray went out to
his barn to hitch up his team and left
Ditch sitting with Mrs. Gray In the sit.
ting-room of the small three-room house.
Gray had been IN the barn but short
time, when, in reaching up to take down
some harness, some timothy seed fell In
one OF his eyes. He placed his hand over
the optic and started back to the house
to have his wife get the seed out. AS he
opened the slttlng-room door he saw that
the room was empty, and instantly his
suspicious were aroused. He had heard
that Ditch had been in questionable rela-
tlons with the wives of other men, but
never suspected that his home circlo
would be invaded.
He stcalthily entered the room, crossed
1t to the cast side, pushed open the door
OF his wite's bedroom and there witnessed
sight that aroused all his manhood to
the highest pitch. He closed the door of
the bedroom and crossed to the west side
of the sitting-room TO a stand, in the
drawer OF which were two large navy re-
volvers. AS he grasped the weapons the
door of the bedroom opened, and Ditch
appeared. The latter Immediately grasped
chair with which TO defend himself, and
as be did so Mrs. Gray also came out and
begged her husband not to shoot
Gray, however, took deliberate aim
with one of the weapons and fired two
shots, both Of which took effect In the
body OF Ditch. As the latter fell to the
floor Mrs. Gray again appealed to her
husband to spare her life, but he refused
to listen to her. He fred and the ball
from the large 44-calibre weapon passed
through her abdomen and she fell BY the
side OF her paramour. The nrst bullet
fired at Ditch entered his right side Just
below the nipple, and the second passed
through his abdomen.
Gray left his wife and Ditch lying on
the floor dying, and started with his TWO
children to the house OF neighbor, to
whom he told the details Of the tragedy.
When he returned an hour later, both VIC
Tins were lying dead In almost the same
position in which Gray had left them.
Then the news Of the affair spread over
the country like wildflre and before noon
the little cottage was filed with farmers,
and In the yard outside stood little knots
Of people discussing in subdued tones
the details OF the horrible drama that had
been enacted.
Mrs. Ditch, the wife of the murdered
man, was informed by messenger ofthe
death of her husband, and not being ad-
vised Of the particulars visited the house
of Gray, where most touching scene
was enacted. No one had told her OF the
s1t4 of tf ohn uba 81
been told that Gray had shot her hus-
band; but when she reached the house
the nature OF the tragedy dawned upon
her and she burst into d violent ft Of
weeping She embraced the body OF her
husband and seemed 70 have forgotten
everything but that he had been ruthless
ly taken from her, and TO have forgiven
him for his infidehty to her Friends
took her away and soon after she accom-
panied the dead'body oil her husband back
to their now desolate home in the viii
lage.
The Coroner was not in the county and
his Deputy held an inquest, which was
rather an impromptu affair and developed
nothing beyond what has been gwen
above. He decided TO require Gray
to give bond in 81 900 for his appear
ance before the Grand Jury, but this
did not seem to be necessary as
Gray showed no inclination TO
make his escape. He seems to
feel fully the nature Of his act
and displays no grief over IT, He acts as
If he was convinced that he had dealt
Justly with those who had SO deeply
wronged him. He is willing to take all
the legitimate consequences, aud will
stay here uBtil wanted.
Sheriff Wilson went down to Gray's
farm as soon as he was notified, but did
not offer 70 make an arrest, as he fclt
confident that Gray would not attempt 70
'eave the country.
-----------s . s------------~
He Was Wanted.