The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-07-19
IT WAS A STRANGE LOVE
Life Of Alice Mitchell, Who
Killed Freda Ward.
SHE is DECLARED TO BE INSANE.

Her Trial is Now Taking Place in Mem
phis, Tenn-Her Father Breaks Down
When Called as a witness One of the
Most Curious Cases on Record.
MEMPBIs, Tenn, July 19.-The trial of
Alice Mitchell on her plea of present in
sanity, has been begun in the Criminal
Court here. This trial grows out of the
murder of Miss Feda Ward by Miss Nit
chell, who cut her throat from ear to ear
with a razor, and wounded her sister, Jo
Ward
The first witness was Alice Mitchell's
father, Robert Mitchell In relating the
story of the girls life, he wept bitterly
when he spoke of his wife's insanity at the
time her first child was born, and his
emotion was so great that he was COM
PEELED is desist for few moments. The
hypothetical story of Alice Mitchell's past
in which her infatuation for Freda Ward
and the killing is told, was submitted to
some of the most eminent physicians in
the country, and upon the facts therein
related they are asked their opinion as to
the subjects insanity. Among those
whose Judgment is called for are Dr. Belot
of Paris, Dr. Hammond of Washington
and DIR. Calendar, superintendent of the
insane asylum of this State, who testified
as an insanity expert in tbe trial of Chas.
j. Guiteau, the murderer of President
| Garfield.
The life history of Alice is most strange.
From child she took no delight in the
pastimes of girls, and delighted In mar
bles, tops and baseball and other boyish
Cha ,.iH I,o, aI.o, how
fashion, and could not be induced to learn
to sew or wash. She was unmusical, and
was unequal in the manifestation of affec-
tion.
She had no intimate acquaintance or
child sweethearts. After she was grown
she had no beauX, and took no pleasure in
the society of men. At the change from
girlhood to woman's estate she met Freda
Ward, and loved her from the first time
time she saw her. The attachment was
mutual, but was far stronger in Alice
than in Freda. Freda took no pleasure in
the sports that Alice delighted in, her in
stincts and amusements being feminine.
Time made their love deeper, and when
Freda went to Golddust to live, over two
years ago. Alice visited her, and they were
not only together continually, but were
often seen in each others arms.
In December, $780, Freda visited Alice,
and then the latter conceived the idea of
taking her own life and that of Freda.
She bought laudanum, and one night
Freda opened her eyes and beheld the girl
sweetheart standing over her with a bot
tie in her hand, preparing to give her its
contents. The next day she accompanied
Freda to the boat, and, going to state
room, Alice swallowed the contents of
the bottle.
She finally recovered and assigned as a
cause for this act that she saw Freda and
Harry Belger and Ashley Rosselle to-
gether, and she meant to end her existence
and leave Freda free to become the wife
of the choice of the young men nam ed.
Soon after she entered the lists against
the two young men and became g
suitor for Freda's hand. In 1891 she pro-
posed marriage. She repeated the offer
three times, and to each Freda replied
agreeing to marry her.
In January, two weeks before she killed
Freda, the latter surreptitiously sent her
letter, swearing eternal devotion. On
Jan. 20 she followed the two Ward girls
to the Custom House in company with
Lille johnson. Jumping from her buggy
she ran down the levee, caught Freda
around the neck and cut her throat kill
ing her at once. Never since the day OF
the deed has she expressed any regret fol
the act.
On this state of affairs the physician;
were asked their opinion as to her present
sanity. 1t is understood that DR.. Ham
mond concludes that she is insane, as alsC
does DIR. Belot of Paris. DR.. Calendar o.
this State says she is what is known a.
progressively insane, and intimates that
in time she will become driveling idiot