The record-union., 1891-09-18
Double Tragedy Enacted at Yolo's
County Seat.
DISAPPOINTMENT IN LOVE LEADS TIC
A TERRIBLE CRIME.
q. w. Montgomery Kills His Newly
Made Wife and Then Himself-The
Couple Leave Letters Saying That
the Act Was Mutually Agreed Upon.
Special to the RECoRD-UN1oN.


WOODLAND, Sept. ia frightful case
of murder and suicide has just come to
light. The Efeless bodies of Miss Mae
Adams and J. W. Montgomery were dis
covered this morning lying in the rear of
the yard of small unoccupied residence
on College street, one block from Byrn's
Hotel. A vial labeled Poison" also a
Smith d Wesson 3S-caliber pistol were
found between the bodies.
On investigation it is quite plain that
Montgomery first shot Miss Adams in
the left temple and then turned the re-
volver and fired fatal shot through his
own brain, entering the right temple.
The people in the neighborhood heard
two shots fired at short intervals at s
o'clock last night. These were probably
the fatal shots.
1t was discovered that young Mont
gomery had also taken poison, and as
there was an interval of not more than
minute between the shots, it is thought
that the drug must have been swallowed
Immediately after the first shot.
Both were representative people of the
best society, and the public is at a loss to
know the cause of the tragedy, although
II is supposed that the murder and sui
eide are the result of a refusal on the part
Of the lady's parents to permit their mar
riage.
The young couple had been keeping
company for two years and it is thought
10y many that a contract of marriage had
been entered into between Them At any
rate, it was a common supposition that
they were engaged, although it was we'll
known that the parents of the unfortu-
nate girl opposed the match. This fact
weighed heavily on the young mans
mind, and he was heard to remark, a few
days since, that he would marry the girl
or kill her.
A letter was found on young Mont
Pomery's person which Will probably
yexplain the tragical affair more fully, but
1t was concluded not to open it until the
CorOner's inquest.
j. Warren Montgomery was about q
years of age, and had resided at the house
of his aunt, Mrs. Briggs, in Woodland
for some time. He was law student,
and had done more or less reporting in
the past year or two for both the Wood
land papers. For the past few days ne
has been acting very strangely and drink
ing heavily, and his aunt had written to
his parents in Stockton to come over, as
the boy was acting in a manner that
would give to the belief that his mind
was unsettled. Both parents, however,
were in Stockton at the time of the
t-ogedy.
Mae Adams was a handsome young
lady of Is or 10 years Of age, and was re-
garded as one of the popular bellies of the
place. Hon. Levi B. Adams, her father,
Is man of considerable wealth, and one
OF the most prominent men in the county,
having represented this county twice in
the Legislature.
The last time the parents saw their
murdered daughter in life was about or
o'clock last evening, when she left the
house OStenstbly to remain all night with
some young lady friends
Miss Mae Adams was born and raised
in this county. She was a young lady of
excellent address and stood high in So
cIetY. Her friends are everywhere all
over the county, and no one could say a
word against her. She was kind to a
fault and was loved by all who knew
her. She had an idea that she could re-
form Montgomery, and as they had
almost grown up together, she naturally
had considerable affection for him.
There was no idea that she ever contern-
plated suicide or that she would ever
agree to die with her lover She has
been in the best of spirits lately, and only
yesterday was talking to a friend about
the new house her father was going to
build, and was telling what she was
going to do, and how she was going to
beautify it.
]. w Montgomery is as well known in
Woodland as Miss Adams. He has been
law student in the Office of C. w.
Thomas for number of years. At in
teryals he has filed the position of re-
porter both on the Democrat and NafI.
ate was above the ordinary from an in
tellectual standpoint. and there was moth
ing particularly bad about him except
that he would drink rather heavily when
ever opportunity presented itself He
was not very studious, but was rather
1nclined 10 outdoor sports. He was well
yaA 10 .,14 1,
some few enemies. But there was no one
who would wish him harm. He was a
tried friend, and what has caused him to
commit this rash act is something his
friends cannot explain.
THE INQUEST.
WOODLAND, Sept. I7.-Coroner Bean is
tonight holding an inquest on the bodies
of Montgomery and Miss Adams. No
new facts have been elected further than
that contained in a letter left by Mont
gomery addressed ITO the Public
i he envelope contained n marriage con-
tract and the following letters, both bear
ing date of September l4th at Woodland,
Cal:
ITO the Public, D,y Fathe, and Mother
This is will, also public statement. BY
force of circumstances / am forced to
commit two acts of violence-one against
myself and one against my wife (gener-
ally known as Mae Adams) It may be
vice versa, as we viii pull straws to-
night as TO who shall do the act / hope
] am the one. Inclosed is my marriage
contract. Please advertise it in the pa
pers TO have those whom I owe TO pre-
sent their bills TO my father for payment.
Outside of nay debts all my money shall
go tom my mother.
81. WARREN MONTGOMERY"
The following letter was found on Miss
Adams person:
'WooDLAND, Cal, September I3, 1891.
''To mn Iother: Warren and / are
married. We have not been happy for
the reason that papa has iuterfered. He
has the contract. Give my ring he gave
ne to Daisy and give the other to Carrie
Mayhew. This act is all my fault. Love
10 you and Daisy. Good bye.
MAE ADAMS"
YOUNG MoNTGoMERY's FATHER.
STOCKTON, Sept. Nv. S. Montgom-
cry, the father of the young man who SUI
icided at Woodland, left here this morn
ing for that place. He is boarder at the
asylum here, and although regularly
committed, is not insane, He is an edi-
torial writer for several journals, and was
o. prominent lawyer here many years ago,
but has been out of practice a long time,
and is perfectly contented to remain in
the asylum with his books and papers.
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CALIFORNIA FRUITS.