The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-08-11

er by one of the members of the family,
who went for a physician, leaving the
sufferer alone.
The three murderers, who had been
searching for their victim, entered the
room while the house was empty. One
of them walked up to the side of the bed,
and placing his revolver against his vic
TINS temple blew his brains out. Word
of the tragedy was sent to the Jacksons,
Mr.. Jackson and Nellie, who would moi
be left behind, came at once to the bed
side of the murdered man. Throwing
herself upon the form of her hfeless
lover, Nellie clasped her arms around il
and gave way to a torrent of tears.
After the first outburst she rose, drying
her eyes. Then deliberately laying her
hand upon the heart of the dead man
and looking upward. she said distinctly
and s1lemnly:
Here, over the body of my murdered
love l swear not to rest until | have
wreaked my revenge upon the three
towards who have taken his life will
have their miserable lives in payment
for my blighted life. l call upon all
present to witness my oath. God help
me to fulfill it."
Tho body of the physician was buried,
and then Nellie at once set about carry
ing out her oath of vengeance. Two of
the guerrillas lost their lives in a clash
with the Federal troops before she had
an opportunity of reaching them, much
to her sorrow, for she felt that she had
been cheated out of part of her mis-
sion. The third one, and the one who
had fired the last shot into the doctors
head, took good care to keep out of her
way. Under cover of night he came
stealing back home at last on visit.
The next day Nellie, who was una
ware of his return, rode over to his
house, some two miles and half from
her home, thinking perhaps she could
learn something of his whereabouts
Finding no one at home, she sat down to
await the return of some member of the
family. While waiting man came to
the door and inquired if the man she
was waiting for was in, saying he heard
he had returned the night before and he
wished to see him. Upon Nellie's in
forming him of the absence of the fam
lily, he said he thought they must have
gone over to the house of the mans
sister-in-law, who lived about half a
mile beyond, and that he would go over
and see. After he had been gone short
time, Nellie mounted her horse and fol-
lowed him, fearing that he would give
warning to the object of her search. On
the way she carefully inspected her re-
volver to make sure it was in good con-
pition.
Arriving at the house, she found a
number of people gathered there, among
them the wife. father and mother of the
man she sought. They nearly all rose
to go as she entered. Not seeing the one
she was after, she inquired if he was
there and was told that he was not.
CHANGING toward the gate, she saw him
Sinking stealthily toward it, trying to
escape her notice. Running out quickly,
she came up within a short distance of
him and called upon him to stop. He
turned with an oath, but seeing a re-
volver pointed at him wheeled and
started to run.
Nellie fired at distance of 10 PAGES,
the shot taking effect in the back of his
head. Before he fell she fired again, and
he fell upon his face and knees. Three
more shots were fired at distance of
five PAGES, two of which struck him in
the back and side. Then walking coolly
up to her victims side she watched till
his struggles ceased and he lay dead.
She then turned and walked deliberately
toward the house, but before reaching it
met the wife of her victim, who came
rushing out demanding why Nellie had
shot her husband. Drawing herself up
proudly, Nellie answered.:
You know what that man did on
Dec. 10. He brutally murdered my
promised husband. have been deter
mined to do this deed ever since, and l
never shall regret ii"
They threatened her with vengeance
for her act, but paying no heed. to them
she reloaded her revolver and mounting
her horse she turned and said:
"If the cowardly band wish to add to
their infamy by numbering woman, /
suppose they will do so. Death would
be welcome to me now that my beloved
is avenged. shall stay at home or
leave, as l please, undismayed by any
threats you may make" Then she de-
parted unmolested.-New York Tribune.