Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-09-27

Chattanooga, Tenn, Sept %. In al
the pages Of southern romance and
sensationalisIn there Is no page more
romantic or more sensational than the
Rc.ss+Skelton seduction and murder
case Of Scotisboro and Stevenson, Ala
the facts Of which will be brought &c
light in the trial which is soon to begin
at Scottsboro Ross was shot and
killed by the brothers of the girl while
trying to escape from their wrath.
Annie Shelton was the beautiful
daughter Of wealthy and aristoeratiC
family Of Scottsboro, town seventeen
miles from Stevens She was -
years old and the youngest child of a
large family She was idolized by her
brothers and fairly worshiped by her
mother. AT very early age she had
sweethearts without number. Young
fellows went crazy over her-crazy
over her beauty and crazy over her
manners.
Annie had one sweetheart, however,
OF whom she seemed TO think more
than all others, but her affection even
in that case was often doubted from
the coquettish manner In which by her
fiirtatlons with others she made this
young man miserable. His name is
John ID, Freeman, and his connection
with the case, though merely incidental
Is very interesting ana becomes Of
more importance recently because Of
their rumored marriage since the
tragedy.
Possessing character in common
with young girls, Miss SHELTON always
manifested a great desire to get out
IN tho world She wanted to see that
world Al the age of Is she went to
Days Gap, Ala, near Birmingham. 10
teach music, but purely for pleasure
for 1t was rot necessary that she
should have worked ut anything
Some people think that this was the
turning point in the young woman's
career. At any rate, when she re-
turned from there few months later
she was 4 changed girl There was M
element Of reckleSsncSs In her nature
never seen before. Her friends noticed
IL. And when j G.. MnSgrove now
United States marshal Of Birmingham
district, married few months after
her return, t., that reckleSspess was
added sadness that possibly did
much to unnerve her and to weaken
her resolves, She had met Mr. Mus.
grove at Days Gap. and, for the first
slime In her life, 1t Is said that Annie
SHELTON first felt the exquisite pangs
of love.
How long after That il WINS before
Banker X. g. Ross appeared upon the
stage Of her lifo Is not known. He
Elidcd ato her existence so gradually
and SO quietly that the rlpening OF
their acquaintance into friendship ana
then into something that at least
Initiated love was scracely noticeable
The meeting OF these two was the
most fatal incident in the lives of each.
Ross Was essentially q man Of the
world lie was not native Of SCOTS
boro, and was clearly. out OF his Gle.
mont Born at Ncillsyille, Wis. Sept
u, 1888. he had lived there aud at Ia,
Crosse Until 1879, after which he went
70 iowa, and finally moved to Alabama
in lSIa. On June | OF the year follow
ing he was married to Miss Ida Ross,
Il cousin. IN st James church. at E,u-
fana, Ala, by Rev j q. Davis Five
children were born 10 them before
Ross met his death at the hands or the
Skeletons, the last child but five days
previous to the tragedy.
Ross was Il man OF wealth, He
came iuto Annie Skeletons life and sug
g,Stcd In his fascinating suavity of
manner and stylish apparel the per
fume If that world into which she was
eager 10 90 He WIS part Of II and
she loved him IA such nothing more
As for him. Annie SHELTON supplied
that association which he missed in
the lttle country town ot ScottShoro
lie cultivated her acquaintance afsSidu-
rusly; he was most devoted lie gave
her handsome presents, 1t offered
relief "a his budding love OF pleasure
and dissipation corked III rs ~ i
bottle III home, for he said TO Miss
SHELTON IN one of his letters:
"My wife is SO wrapped up in her
household cares. her kinsfolk and her
children. That ! am little moro than Il
boarder W my own house"
Thus through the summer Of 1879 the
whcels az the gods rapidly carried the
ohariots II their ,.estny 70 destruction.
It was during the days Of the worlds
fair. Annie Skeleton had been consumed
with a desire 10 visit Chicago. But ut
last aware OF tho dangerous friendship
existing between herself and Ross. her
family decided 10 send her away on u
visit to her sister Mrs 5 y. Kirby Of
little Rock. Ark Ross manifested the
greatest regret at The necessity 81 their
parting He was going TO the worlds
fair.
One morning Annie shelton took the
train FOR Memphis, on her way 10 Little
Rock. On the same day Ross took the
lrain FOR Chattanooga. Their ways
seemed far apart Did they NEST IN