Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
The MEMPHIS TRAGEDY.
Why Miss Alice Mitchell Cut Miss Freda
Wards Throat--A Belief That Hiss
Mitcbell IL Gravy.

49,
why Miss Alice Mitchell Cut Miss Freda
Wards Throat--A Belief That Hiss
Mitchell is Crazy.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Jan. 27.-Alice
Mitchell, who murdered her former
bosom friend, Frederick Ward, on Mon
day afternoon, almost beheading her
with razor, is in murderer's cell in
an obscure part of the Jail. Lille
Johnston, who rode with her and waited
in the buggy while the throat cutting
was done, has also been arrested and is
in the cell with Miss Mitchell. They
are not allowed to see or talk with any
one except their attorneys and members
of their families.
The theory that Miss Mitchell is in
sane seems to be generally accepted. II
is reasoned that even though she were
rational in other respects she was a
slave to an abnormal passion. A few,
however, refuse to entertain the theory
of perverted love and hold that circum-
stances Justify the belief that the muir
der was the act of sane but morbidly
sensitive woman with violent, vim
dictive temper,
People who have known Alice since
4 thli0hoCo btlltNG cuC 10 lltnbdllN uu-
balanced. She showed no disposition to
receive attentions from young men, al
though affectionate with her own sex
and ELUSIVE towards the girl she killed.
She was an expert shot with the rifle,
and often amused herself by shooting
sparrows in her door yard. Another
pastime she sometimes INDUCED In was
riding horse bareback around the
premises.
Miss Johnston's attorney will try to
have her released tomorrow on writ
of habeas corpus. She insists that she
knew nothing of Miss Mitchell's inten-
tions, and she is exonerated by Miss
Mitchell in letter written to her sister.
The prevailing sentiment Is that Miss
Johnston is innocent of completely in
the crime.
Attorney general Peters has some cor.
respondence between the murdered girl
and her slayer, but refuses to permit the
letters TO be published until after the
examination on Friday.
The only reason given so far by Miss
Mitchell for the killing is that she loved
Freda so she preferred to see her dead
rather than be deprived OF her love
The three girls were scboolmates at the
higher school, fashionable girls school
in this city, and had been friends many
years.
Alice Mitchell had tried to persuade
Freda run away with her, saying she
wanted to marry her. Miss Ward:
sister, learning of this, forbade Freda
writing 10 Alice, speaking to her or call
ing on her while in Memphis, This Is
said to have led Alice Mitchell to muir
der her friend.
The girls are all we'll connected. Alice
Mitchell is the daughter of one of tht
Oldest and wealthiest families in the
city, whose reputation heretofore ha;
been untarnished. The other girls arr
of poorer parentage, but highly respect
able. A sister of the dead girl is NOTED
in local musical circles for her fin,
voice and is one of the singers in Gract
Episcopal Church. Lille Johnston Ia
pretty, unassumlng girl, whose oharacte
has been above feproach.
The funeral OF the murdered girl tool
place this afternoon from Grace Church
J The editiee was thronged and the street
, were crowded with people unable t,
gain admission.
The floral offerings were numerou
and very beautiful. A long line Of car
: riages followed the body TO Elwood
where it was buried.