Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-28
WHY SHE KILLED INN.
The Reason Assigned by Mrs. SOufl
yy0rlh for Shooting stephen Pett,

yyOrth for shooting stephen Pcttuh
Stephen Pettus, whose tragic death at
tine hands OF Mrs. Hannah Southworth. in
New York, on Friday, is fully given
elsewhere in the GAZETTE was AZ years
OF age and lived at 40 Eighth avenue, corner
OF Union street, Brooklyn. His wife Is an
Invalid nnd there are no children. His
business associates are shocked beyond
measure by his death. His brother YVES
hastily summoned TO the Old slip station
house. and was utterly overcome and fran
tic with grief.
Mrs. Hannah southworth is native OF
Louisville, Ky. Her fathers name was
Martin, and during the war, being men,
Der OF family OF active southern SYM
patty, he refused to take oath OF allegiance
TO the government; but after come trouble
With the provost marshal he came north
instead of going south. During the war
he opetated as n gold broker In Wall street,
Ia New York city. Mrs. Soathworth is SO
yeRrs of age. and has been widow since
1876, her husband being Frederick South
worth, n banker OF Geneva, N. Y.
The cause OF the tragedy as stated by an
acquaintance Of MIS-. Sou'hwQrth, who has
known the particulars OF the trouble be-
tween them for como years, dates back to
an outrage committed by Pettus upon the
lady, and which had been concealed from
any except q very few OF her most Intimate
friends for long time. The story Is that at
the close OF matinee at New York
theatre Mrs. 5outhwofth was Invited by
Pettus TO call at Il certain residence nearby
upon the pretext OF seeing friend OF
his. As the house was In the neighbour
hood and In a respectable part OF the
city, after some explanations on the
part OF Mr.. Pettus calculated to quiet
tho lady's approximations as to the strict
proptlety OF the proceedings. Mrs. South
worth consented. She was urged to take u
glass OF champagne, which She did, having
been accustomed from childhood to the
usa OF wine upon proper occasions. In q
few moments she lost consciousness and
knew nothing more OF her surroundings
until the following morning, when she
walked up finding horssll in bed In this
strange house, with no one about her, with
no one within call whom she had ever
known. She soon discovered that she had
bDen outraged and she had been abandoned
10 make her way home upon recovering
consciousness rs best she could.
In order TO avoid an exposure at the time
Of the outrage, Petu9, Il Is alleged, made
the most proluse promises Of substantial
provision for her. Knowing that he was
amply able TO do what he said he would
being very wealthy man, Mrs SouthwOrlh
fully believed that he would Keep his word
aud provide for her In such way that she
further troubleGnd Disgrace. Upon her ro-
eovary, after the lapse oil nearly year. he
met her reminders OF his obligation with
nothing except derlsiOn.
Pettns IL length being wsarled by her I'm.
portunltie9 70 fulfill his promises, adopted
u novel method Of rlddlug himself OF what
he considered AN Incubus, He cireulsted
reports among their mutual friends to the
erect that Mrs, SunthHort was discarded
mistress OF his. OF whom he had tired, aud
who Yves pursuing MIN for the purpose OF
DaykmnllIDg him This drove the woman
to madness and she resolved to be rsvenged.
lnasmuch as secrecy was no longer to DO
maintained shn appealed to Messrs. Howe
u Hummel, the criminal lawyers. not to
obtain money damage, but that the truth
might be exploited and the infamy OF her
persacutor exposed.
She found :other dismay that the statute
OF limitations, owing 10 the time which had
now elapsed, protected Mr.. Pettus from
prosecution for tho original outrage aud
she, thetators, changed her tactics and be-
gan suit for SANDER and defamation OF
character with the same object IN view. On
March 2Sth OF this year abe assaulted Pettua
near 81 sand street, brooklyn. and after.
wards repeated the assault near the same
place.
The timely Intervention Of the mounted
police Is said to have saved Pettus' life on
this occasion. Many times since Mrs. South
worth has been soen In the vicinity OF
Peitus' house and Office.
New YORK, Nov. 29.-Mrs. Hannah u.
Soutnworth, who murdered Stephen l..
Pettus yesterday, spent very restless
night In her cell. This morning there was
Il slight improvement ia her condition. The
city physician has given orders that Mrs.
Southworth be kept as qniet as possible,
and In consequence the Prison warden has
issued peremptory orders that no one out
side OF the woman's counsel and relatives
he permitted 10 see her. The warden stated
that II was expected that Mrs. Southworth
would be- much qlieter by tomorrow and
might be inclined to speak about the
tragedy.
Counsel for the murderess called at the
prison early to-day and talked with his
client Tor long time. When seen later and
questioned Ms TO the line OF defence, II any,
which had been determined upon, he re-
Piled that the defence undoubtedly would
be insanity.
There was no doubt, mr.. Abe Hummel
said, that Mrs. Bouthworth WAS insane. His
client was tncoherent In her statements to-
day, the result of the great shock her nerv-
Gus system had sustained but In day or
TWO she would be more rational. As mat
te-s sIund Mrs. SouthWorth's statement OF
hrr many wrongs 10 quite clear enough to
enable counsel to grhpple with the case.
W. b Martin, the woman's brother, was
among her early callers. 1t was with this
brother that Mrs. Southworth lived. The
&c ne between brother and sister is de-.
scribed as Of most atHectionate character,
sho seemed TO forget her position, as al
most all her Inquiries were made concern
Ing her mother,
Numbers OF curious persons persons via
tied the Tombs court this morning, tn X
inS Mrs. southworth would be brought
there. They were disappointed, Next
Tuesday she will ba at the lnduest,