Daily Republican., 1886-11-26
THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE

THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE.
The creme de Ia creme of the city
and Fort Leavenworth have been ali
agog over the wedding of Lieu tenant
James s. Petit, of the First Infantry,
and Miss Bessie, daughter of Major
Alexander Sharp, paymaster United
States Army, which was set tor yester
day at a p. m. at the First Presbyterian
Church. Invitations had been sent to
many OF the leading families of the
country, including the Grants Mrs
Sharp having been Dent and sister
OF the wife of the great commander) J.
Numerous presents had been sent
from noted people, among them Geo
W. Childs. The church had been
made beautiful with flowers and vines.
and all had been done to make the
! wedding one of the most brilliant and
memorable events in the history of the
elite of Leavenworth society. Lieut..
Petit came to the city about four weeks
ago, having served with distinction in
the campaign conducted by General
Miles against Geronimo, and was a
guest at the residence of Major Sharp.
who lives at the corner OF Eighth and
Pawnee streets.
Tuesday evening the parties to the
marriage contract and their friends re-
paired to the church, where the servi-
ces which they would be required to
perform on their wedding day were
rehearsed. Rehearsal, over, Lieuten-
ant Petit left the party TO go to the
Missouri Pacific train, due at 9.36 D.
m. from the East, to meet two fellow
officers whom he asked to be his best
men, The train was late. When il
came it brought the gentlemen that he
was waiting for. They are Lieut.. n
ants A. L. Smith and j. r. Richard
son. The three Lieutenants took a
hack and were driven to a Shawnee
street hotel. where supper was served.
1t was late when they arose from the.
table, as they had been recalling MANY
incidents of the war that they served
in out In Arizona. 1t was after 12
O'Clock when Lieutenant Petit babe
his friends good night and left the
hotel to walk to Major Sharp's.
Nothing happened to him, however,
until he reached Kiowa street, be.
tween Eighth and Broadway, when
man, who appeared without notice as
suddenly rs if he had sprung from the
earth, seized him by the lapel of the
coat and commanded him to throw up
both hands. Instead of obeying the
order the Lieutenant grabbed his as
sailant by the throat, and, being a
powerful man, was in q good way to
overcome and secure the highwayman
when the attacking party drew a 49,
calibre revolver and fired.
The two men were SO close together
that the aim of the revolver was turned
toward the Lieutenant's right side and
thus his instant death was prevented.
The ball entered the chest at a point
about one inch left of the right nipple.
The wounded man fell wheE shot, and
it was by the greatest effort that he
was enabled to mako his way to the
home of Major Sharp. DR.. Walker
was summoned. He made q careful
examination of the injury. A probe
was inserted, but the ball could NOT be
located. 1t is thought, however, that
it did not enter the lungs or any vital
part, and that it lodged under the
shoulder blade.
The Lieutenant suffered severe pain
and his articulation was noticeably i'm
paired. He talked sufficiently to give
an account of the affair. When the
desperate fired he was more frighten-
ed than his victim and made his escape
without waiting to go through the Of |
fcer's pockets. The assault was made,
no doubt, for the purpose Of robbery. |
Lieutenant Petit had that day been |
to the bank and drawn enough money |
to defray his expenses for the three |
weeks while on his bridal tour. Yes |
terday the Lieutenant's wound gave
him considerable trouble. He COM
planned of severe pains in the side, and |
could not sit up in bed.
This is the third time that the par
ties have fixed upon a day for their
to take place, but some I'M
foreseen contingency has arisen to
prevent it. Once the Lieutenant was
called to the field, another time duty
called him away, and now the bul let
of a robber has prevented the per-
Torrance of the ceremony.
Miss Bessie Sharp was tavorite
niece of General Grant, and was
member OF his party on the trip to the
City of Mexico. One of the rooms in
her fathers residence is filled with tho
handsome and costly presents from
friends all over the country, the most
being that of Mrs Gen.
irant-a silver set of unique design,
Inscribed: Bessie Bryson, from
AUNT Julia Grant, Nov II, 1sS6."-I
Kan. Times, Nov. 90.