The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-26
KILLED HER GIRL FRIEND.
MISS MITCHELL CUTS MISS WARDS
THROAT WITH A RAZOR.
Miss Mitchell Says That Believe They Ne.
came Estrsagea They Haa MsAe . Cen.
pact That Should They Ever ~ Separated
One OF Thew shouIa KIN the other.

Misc Mitchell Says That Believe They Ne.
came Estrsagea They Has MsAe Cen.
pact That Should They Ever ~ Separated
One OF Thew shouia KIN the other.
MEMPHIS. Jan. 25.-This city was horrifed
at o'clock this afternoon by news Of muir.
der committed by young woman OF fne fam.
lily on another young girl OF equal birth. Miss
Alice Mitchell was the murderess. Her victim
was Miss Freda Ward OF Gold Dust. Tenn. 10
years old. The weapon used was razor and
the act was deliberately planned and exeeuted.
Miss Mitchell is the daughter OF George
Mitchell. one Of the most highly respected
citizens OF Memphis. He is a nephew OF Robert
Mitchell. the millionaire furniture manufao.
turer OF Cincinnati. Having amassed . for.
tune. he recently retired from business
Miss Ward was the daughter OF .
wealthy planter and until lately resident Of
this city. There were two daughters. Freda
and Josie. the latter two years older than hef
sister. The two girls and Miss Mitchell havs
been fast friends. Last week Miss Freda and
Miss Josie came to town. but did not 60 to the
Mitchell house as usual. This morning they
met Miss Mitchell on the street, and refused
to recognize her. On making inquiries Miss
Mitchell learned that Miss Ward had talked
about her being fast" and had forbidden her
sister to speak to her.
This afternoon the Ward sisters. with Q
friend. Miss Christine Parnell. with whom
they had been stopping. started for the river
to take the steamboat for Gold Dust. They
noticed Miss Mitchell. with friend. Miss LII.
liam Johnston. in buggy. following them. On
reaching the Custom House Miss Mitchell
left the buggy in charge OF Miss Johnston and
ran after the three girls who were half
block away. Reaching them. Miss Mitchell
ran at Freda Ward and threw her to the
ground. slashing her across the cheek with .
razor. The wounded girl screamed and rose
to her feet. when Miss Mitchell slashed her
across the throat, severing the windpips and
cutting into the jugular vein.
Leave my sister alone" cried Miss Josie.
Selling Miss Mitchell. who turned the razor on
her. inhlcting slight wound in the neck.
Miss Mitchell's hat fell OF. but without Stop
ping to regain it she ran up the hill to her
buggy As she climbed in she was heard to
say to Miss Johnson:
1--WE done It: drive away fast" The buggy
was driven rapidly away before any one real.
lied what was done. The wounded girl Was
placed in a wagon to be carried to a private In
Urinary. but on the way. while physician was
trying to tie up an artery. she died.
Meantime Chief OF Police Davis rode out to
the Mitchell House. where he found tho mur-
oeress. She was placed under arrest. but
asked to be allowed to remain at homo until
her father came. She was perfectly cool. She
consulted with her mother as to the advisable
ity Of making statement. and finally refused
to say anything beyond admitting that she
had done the deed with the razor. At6o'clock
she was removed to the county jail on =
charge Of wflful murder. bail being refused
The Coroner's jury charged generalization.
The news Of the murder spread like wild.
fire. Extras OF the evening newspapers wore
got out. and there was more excitement over
the affair than there was at the time 81 tie
killing Of Mr.. Poston by COL II. Clay King.
Josie Ward is not seriously injured. The
father OF the girls is in the city. but dill not
| hear Of the tragedy until after supper. and
then only through the newspapers Mas
| Mitchell has refused absolutely to say word
to reporters. At o o'clock to- night. after con-
sulting with her father and her lawyer. Gen.
| Luke Wright Miss Mitchell made very re-
markable statement. She said:
Il was in love with Freds. could not live
| without her. Long ago we made . compact
that IL we were ever separated We should kill
| each other. When founf that Josie had for.
bidder Freda to have anything more 10 do
| with me. saw nothing else to do but to kill
her I took fathers razor. but told no one
| what was going to do"
Miss Lille johnson also was seen. She
| knew Of the infatuation Of Mise Mitchell for
| Miss Ward. Miss Johnston did not know Of
Miss Mitchelrs purpose. she says. whom thsy
| drove out together. &