Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-04-18
\ Fearful Tragedy.

fearful affair.
No murder that has occurred
within the last ten years has caused
so much excitement among the peo-
pie Of Georgia, as that Of Mrs.
Ella Beck and her sister, Miss Ad-
die, the husband and brother-in-
law being the criminal. Nearly
two years ago, Miss Ella Bailey
was one of the most popular bellies
of Forsyth county, where her faith
er was a physician Of extensive
practice and excellent reputation.
Among the many admirers of Miss
Ella was Mr.. Eugene w. Beck,
gentleman Of good family, and hav-
ing bright prospects for the future.
After few weeks courtship they
were married, the wedding being
one Of the most brilliant in the
county.
The young couple removed to
Clayton, in Rayburn county, which
was to be their future home. The |
bride never returned on visit to |
her parents, but from her letters
she appeared to be happy, and no
indication was given that the young
husband was otherwise than what
his friends believed him to be.
During the past summer the
younger sister, Miss Adde's, who
had grown to be a beautiful wo-
man, met and pledged her hand to
hand to Mr.. ]. A. Swafford, and |
the marriage was fixed for Sunday,
November 2nd.
In answer to a letter apprising
Mrs. Beck of the approaching event,
Miss Addie received an urgent in
vitation to spend the last week Of
her girlhood with her, and to bring
with her her wedding robes, in or
der that the married sister might
view them. Accordingly, on Mon I
day, the 18th Of October, Miss
Addic Bailey, after a fond farewell
to her betrothed, started on her
Journey over the Blue Ridge spurts
to reach her sister, where she was
received with open arms. A terri
bic revelation awaited her, how
ever. The wife Of but two years
was Il woman bowed with grief, and
the cause was readily seen in the
bIoated face Of Eugene, whose pas
sion for drink had become over
whclming. He was even then in
the midst of one Of his protracted
sprees, and was yerging on delirium
tremens.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday the sisters remained in
close communion with each other,
Mrs. Beck warning the bride Of the
snares which lurked behind the al
tar and the young girl trying to
console her married sister with some
promises of the future. On Thurs
day Beck was so unmanageable
that it became necessary to eonfine
him to his room. where, after a
while, he fell into drunken stupor.
As night closed around the scene
tie women felt the darkness more
in keeping with their thoughts, and
spoke to each other with hushed
voices, hoping not to disturb the
drunken sleeper. Suddenly wild
shrek was heard, and Beck, frcnzied
with delirium, burst into the room
where the women were exclaiming:
There it is, | see it now" fired
wildly at his wife a six-chambered
revolver, emptyilg five barrels into
her body, each wound being mortal.
Grasping Miss Addie by the
shoulder, the maniac threw her on
the floor, and placing one knee on
her breast, blazed away, muttering
incoherently about snakes. Rush
ing to the door, where the pistol
shots had already attracted a crowd,
he handed up his revolver to one of
them with the remark !: 81 have
finished it. These snakes will never
get after me again"
The murderer still 10 delirium,
was brought here for safe keeping.
The two dead women were laid out
for burial. The scene when DIR.
Baily, doubly berefl, entered the
room, and saw the dead bodies Of
his daughters, surpasses description.
Miss Addie was laid out in her brd-
al robes, and seemed TO be asleep.
The long funeral procession across
the country was one Of wierd inter
est. On Sunday morning, Nov.
I'd, at the hour when as bride
Miss Addie was to have been mar
ried, she was laid to rest beside her
unfortunate sister in the little cem-
etery at Chummin. The high
standing OF the parties, the interes-
ting details and the circumstances
ofthe crime, all conspire to make it
sensational.