Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-29
TERRIBLE DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.
An Enraged Husbands Quick Revolver
Ends an Editors Life.
~ teloEraph q the Dlspateh.

G.INTsyuI.s, FLA, November 2s.-A terrible
tragedy was enacted here Saturday night, whom
Cbarles a. Pratt lost his life at tho hands Of
Thornton :. Siringfelow.
shortly before midnight shots were heard near
the Strngteil0w residence on the north side ci
The equafe, and an excited throng OF citizens
found Prst's Hieless body lying near the front
door of Stringfeiiows residence. a jury was at
once empanolled.
Stringfelow coon came 70 the Coroners Office
with his wife ana made a long, CONFIDENTIAL
statement. which was cOrrOboraied by his vile.
lie snid that on returning homo he entered
quietly and as nc came 10 the porch
hc saw his wife and Pratt In what he
thought peculiar position, and drawing his
pistol lred through the open window. Pratt was
on the bed. lie rolled OF and staggered 70 the
front door. Stripgl9llov ran around and met
him. pointing the pistol at Pratt again as ho met
HIM IN the dOOr.
"My God, don't shoot, I'm killed." cried Pratt,
as he struggled 20 get past, but StringtellOw
pulled the trigger aud the ball entered PrstIs
hoGrt, killing him instantly.
Mrs StrinRfellow says that Pratt came 70 the
house late IN the evening 20 return her hand
kcrchiof, that ne Gt once began loVe-making, ana
finally picked her mp ia HE arms ana carried her
into the adjoining room and threw her on the
red. she resisting him all the while. just then
he- husband came in.
The Jury returned a verdict In accordance with
tho incts as stated, and Stringfeliow was released
on his own recOgnizauce. He az once went
downtown and sent o triCnd up TO his house Tor
his child, but tho aroused mother met him at the
door with axe and pistol in hand and said that
the child would only 30 taken Ovcr her dead
body. Tho friend left the woman IN posses
sion.
Pratt came TO Gainesville last spring and es-
tablshod the DIiG LeddcT. The body was sent
% Paiatka yesterday on n special train, being
accompanied TO the station by a large party OF
citizens aud members Of the knights Of Pythias
lolge, to which Pratt belonged. He left young
wife
To-day all the talk is Of the terrible tragedy.
The prominence OF the parties implicated and
tho air Of mystery sought to be thrown over the
affair by the law officers mako people moro in
duisltiyo and more inclined 70 think that there
is something get to come out Of the story. Tho
action Of Mr. StUngfellOW Ia taking summary
vengeance Is endorsed by many. whilo others
think Il strange that ne should have come upon
the scene 80 well prepared for murder Al
together the entire town is broken up, and sOme-
thing more will grow out Of 1t.
Mrs. StringiellOW 10 very handsome woman
probably one OF the most charming women III
the state. about % years of are, OF magnificent
nglre, and somewhat inclined 10 "have good
times" she was Miss BrOome, Of Lake City, a
nieco Of Judge w. ID. Br0ome, OF Nolusla county.
Mr. ana Mrs Stringiell0w have one child.
stringfollow and Pratt were chums and were
couti.ualIy together Pratt was young man Of
lively aud Jolly disposition, and inclined 70 carry
things pretty much his own way. lie ana DIS
brother have newspapers In several towns IN
the state, and were mighty thought Of by all the
newsD1Der-Tnen 81 Florida.
Tpon Charles Fields. former journalist oil
this city, fell the sad IA k OF breaking the terri
HE news 20 the wife and family ot tho
murdered man. Upon them the blow tell Win
crushing force. Mrs. Pratt Is 10 critical con-
Giton from the shock. Tnoy have been out a
short time residents OF this place, but Mrs.
Pratt and her sister have endeared themselves to
o large circle Of warm and loving friends anu
they now have the tendcrest sympathy OF All
the community tn Then terrible amlcIiOh.
PLkTKA, Fla, November 2S.-The funeral OF
Charles Il. Pratt took place to-day in the Me-
thodist church. A great crowd WAS present. ne
Mssons and knights of Pythias conducted 'he
aprVICo9.