The Indianapolis journal., 1892-01-26
A RED.HANDED MURDERESS
Young Society Woman Cuts the Throat
of Her Former Friend with Razor.
Frightful Deed Perpetrated on q Crowded
Street in Memphis and Fashionable Equi-
page Dashes Away with the Slayer.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Jan. 26-The most SEN
sational tragedy which has occurred in
Memphis for years was committed this
afternoon. The actors were both women.
familiar figures in society. and the awful
affair is the talk of the town tonight. A
few minutes before o'clock buggy con-
tanning Miss Alice Mitchell and Lizzie
Johnston. drove up TO the broad side
walk around the custom-house block lead
ing to the levee. The lines were in
the hands of Miss Johnston. and beside her,
calm and self possessed, sat Miss Mitchell.
Coming slowly up the steep incline from
the river were Miss Freda Ward. of Gold
dust. Ark, and her sister 10. who had
just put another sister. Mrs. Cummings
aboard the steamer Rosa Lee, for Gold
dust. The young women were soon oppo-
site the carriage. chatting pleasantly and
paying no heed to their surroundings
Suddenly. from out the carriage. at a
bound leaped Miss Mitchell. Grasping Miss
Freda Ward by the neck. she drew q bright
razor from out the folds of her dress and,
without q word, drew it across the throat
OF her victim. Miss Ward sank to the
pavement Without struggle. the blood
squirting in torrents from the severed
jug1iar. The murdered girls sister. who
mad not been given time to ward off the at
tack, now grappled with her sisters slayer
and tried to hold her. The murderess was
vicious slash near the ear. but
luckily not serious one. Miss
Mitchell. being freed from Miss Ward,
climbed back into the buggy III an instant,
WI ho lar rotl NY r.
I've done it," seized the whip. and With
Miss Johnston still holding the lines, the
pair were soon around the corner into Mad
ison street, and away from the scene of the
tragedy.
The wounded girl was lifted up by
strangers in the crowd and q passing car
riage conveyed her to the infirmary. She
was. however, beyond human aid and ex-
pired on the way. The body was theu
taken to An undertaking establishment.
Davis had arrested Miss Mitchell, who was
found at her home, on Union street. and
conveyed her to jail in carriage.
The cause of the killing is not positively
word 90 anybody on the subject. Itis said,
however, that Miss WI ard, who was visiting z
in this city, had on former visits to Mem
phis been tho guest of Miss Mitchell.
Lately. however, she had refused to par
take of the hospitality of the Mitchell
household and refused also to recognize
Miss Mitchell on the street. 1t is alleged
further by several persons that Miss Ward
has made remarks of q decidedly uncompli-
mentary nature regarding Miss Mitchell,
and this latter allegation is supposed to
have been the cause of the tragedy. Miss
Mitchell Is the nineteen-year-o daughter
of George Mitchell, a retired furniture
dealer, aud she and Miss Johnston. in the
latter's stylish turnout" were familiar
sight on the different drives about the city.
Miss Ward is the daughter of John Ward,
q planter and wealthy merchant of Gold
dust, Ark. At the inquest. this evening,
the Jury rendered a verdict charging Miss
Mitchell with the killing and that it was
premeditated.
Miss Johnston. in an interview to- night
said that when she and Miss Mitchell saw
the Misses Ward coming mp the street Miss
Mitchell became greatly excited and
said she must speak to her, and
she Immediately got out of the
buggy. The murder ensued Immediately.
"As she got back into the buggy" sand
Miss Johnston, IL asked her what was the
matter. She replied: al have cut Fredas
throat; don't know that have killed her;
loved her so / could not help it, have
known of the infatuation some time. Alice
said she loved Freda," and wouldn't give
her up. There was aE estrangement some
time ago. and since that time Alice has not
been herself.D
Miss 10 Ward tonight could give nc
cause for the killing. She was not ac.
quainted with Miss Mitchell and knew
nothing of the former intimacy existing
between her sister and the murderess. Miss
10 Wards wound is not dangerous.