Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-27

how sensations are made up: without The
slightest shadow Of truth:
News OF tragedy comes to the Press
correspondent from Bruceville, suburb OF
Alexandria. Va, which in dramatic incident
probably eurpasses anything yet produced
upon the age Or related by author. 4
family by the name OF Davis lved upon the
outskirts Of Brcceqille, the father. John
Davis, running q number OF i!Uekil upon
his place. Near the Davsas lived q family
named Clark. Between the heads of the
two families there was a loag existing feud,
dating from away back before the war, when
the two families took opposite views ou
some small matters which were being dis
cussed in those days, such as the abolition
Of slavery, &c. Little Mary Davis was the
second eldest daughter Of the lime burner,
and very pretty girl. She fell il love
with 81 son OF Clark, named Frank. The
two carried ON the courlship with the i'm.
piled seuctiop Of their mothers, ootwith
standing the fact of the fathers being such
bitter eneuiea erd the mothers, in fact, not
speaking TO each other. Meeting olandes-
timely and carrying on their little love affairs
in quiet way, the young couils escaped
detection for some time, but the fate which
eyer hangs over persons in their position
let fal its willing hand, and their secret was
disclosed. Meeting Mary coming in from
the barn last Saturday evening. old man
Davis told her that he had been informed of
the "goings on" between her aud young
Clark, anG said that II she persisted in meet
ing bin he iDavis) would turn her out OF
doors. That very night Mary was discov.
cred By her father entering the house
stealthily at y o'clock, having slipped ont
after the rest of the family had retired, and
meeting her lover, came back home only to
be discovered by her angry parent. True
TO his wcrd, old man Davis turned Mary
away, and bidding her never to show her
face at bis ilousa again, went inside and
locked the door. This was at midnight.
Repeptiag later OF his harshness and be-
ieying his daughter to be innocent of any
thing save disobedience, Davis got out of
bed, and, telling his wife what he had done,
donned his clothes and calling his two sons
proceeded to look for Mary. The entire
family searched for her aIl through the
night, but without avail. The next morn
ing old man Davis went to look at his kilns,
and found one caved in. a horrible thought
creased his mind. Hs called bis soma and
together they scattered" the kiln. Sure
enough, their worst fears were realized
they discovered the remains OF Il human be-
ing in the kiln. aud they were those
of Mary. Whether tha girl had jumped
into the lliln intent Oh suicide or
whether she had lain down upon it TO
keep warm (the night being bitter cold no
one knows. The latter explanation is gen
orally accepted as the most likely. however,
considering subsequent Developments. 1t
appears that the girl vas married to
youpg Clark week ago Wednesday, and i
is not considered probable that she would
commit suicide under these circumstances.
1t is generally thought that, Daviss home
being several miles away from any other
habitation. Mary, after being turned away
by her father, went to one Of the ki!Ds,
aud. living upon it, the kiln caved in and
cremated her Young Clark, coming to the
Davis house the moruiog afterthe occurrence
eeeking his wife, learned of her awful death
and the circumstances attending it. Draw
ing revolver he shot old man Davis dead,
the latter never Offering any resistance, say
ing as he fell "I deserve it," Clark then
fed and has not been seen since, although
if he had remained he would probably have
escaped punishment. Mrs. Davis, the moth
er OF he girl, has gone raving mad and been
taken to an asylum. Thus through one
mans thoughtlessuess was caused g series of
tragedies, including In its frightful list the
death of q father aud daughter, hopeless in
sanity OF & mother and the placing OF the
mark ofmurder ona young Elan who, but
few days since, was happy in the possession
of young and beautiful BRIDE