The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-08
TRAGEDIES Of NIAGARA.

Romantis End OF q Beautiful Spanish
Girl-rhc Strange Murder Of Mrs. We'd.
dell ana Suicide OF Iier Nusband-Thc
Day Tragedy.
Correspondence of the Globe-Democrat.
Niagara Falls. n. y. July 5.-One OF
the most romantic as well as the sad
dest tragedies az the great cataract
was the suicide of handsome Spanish
woman who leaped over the Horseshoe
Falls in the autumn CT 1872. 1t was in
the old stage-coach days, when the lum-
bering four-in-hand played such a
prominent part in 4 trip to Niagara.
one evening in the early part of Octo-
Der the stage coach from Buffalo drove
up to the door of the old Cataract
hous,. and one of the first persons to
alight was 4 handsomely dressed wo-
man, whose age could not have been
more than IS. The elegance of her ap-
parel and appearance denoted lady Of
wealth and refinement. She sent a
card to the clerk on which was printed
the name Miss Evelyn Barrios, Phila-
dephia," was registered and assigned
to one of the handSomest Iooms in the
old hostelry.
Miss Barrio3 was about the hotel for
several days. and in confidence told the
lady that she was there to meet her
attianced, a wealthy gentleman from
the Quaker City. and that on his arrival
they were to be married. She visited
the falls almost daily or wandered along
the river bank, looking at the roaring,
tumblng waters far below as they
rushed along to the whirlpool Two
weeks passed, and the betrothed Of the
Hispanian maiden, for such she proved
to be. did not come and he sent no mes
sage to the faithful waiting woman.
Each day Miss Barrios impatiently
awaited the coming Of the rumbling old
stage, and each time turned from her
window, her face clouded with dissap-
pOintment. The third week she passed
almost entirely in her room. and the
servants commented on the fact that
she was almost always in tears.
One bright moonlight night Miss Bar
rios left the hotel shortly after tea, say
ing that she would go for a stroll 1t
being such a charming evening" She
wandered away to the falls. Two
coachmen saw her sitting on large
rock overlooking the cataract, and by
some strange tuition decided to watch
sat there, then suddenly arose walked
to the edge of the rock, jumped into the
river, and was carried over the falls.
Word was taken to the hotel. and the
landlord went at once to the room. so
lately occupied by his fair guest. Her
trunks were packed and locked. On
table We're two letters, one addressed
to the proprietor, the other to her lover.
In the first was large sum Of money.
with directions to deduct enough to pay
the bill and that the balance should be
used to give a Christian burial. in case
her body was ever recovered.
without love. my life Is without
hope read the letter, land my love
will not come"
The very next night the great stage
coach drove up to the hotel and dis
tinguished and dignifed-looking gentle
man alishted and registered as DR.. Geo.
B. De Feece. He hastily glanced over
the register for several days prior, and
a guest of the house. In reply the
clerk handed him the letter addressed
to him by the fair suicide. The strang-
!. er read 1t. and strange pallor came
over his face as he tenderly and care
fully folded it and put It Into his pock-
et For more than an houd he stood
at the window. then turning asked the
clerk TO send man with him to the
spot where the tragedy took place.
After visiting 1t he returned to the
hotel, and the next day employed a
dozen men to search for the body, offer
ing a large reward for its recovery. 1t
was found late in the afternoon below
the rapids, and two days later the doc
tor left the falls with the body. without
giving an expla ma ton or disclosing his
or the suicides identity, other than their
names.
Shortly after the railway line was
opened a couple came to the falls. That
they were newly married every one
OWNED. and they made no secret Of the
fact. Almost daily they wandered
about along the. river. and to the falls
and then again through the helds and
about the little village. Their appear
ance denoted wealth and refinement.
They were never out OF each others
company. and 1t seemed that Cupid had
not erred when he brought about the
union of such lovers.
They registered from Boston and gave
the name Of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward We'd
dell. Three weeks after their arrival
Mr.. Weddell started out one afternoon
for a walk, and mentioned to the clerk
that his wife was indisposed. which &C.
counted for his going alone.a thing he
had never done before. When the hour
for supper arrived.Mr. Weddell had not
returned. As It neared the close Of the
supper hour the hotel people sent q
waitress to the room occupied by the
couple to advise them Of the fact. The