The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-29
WOULD WIPE OUT THE STAIN.
An Atlanta Man Mnddened by DO
nestle InfeIfcffy.

Atlanta. Ca. aug. es-W. c. Phelps. a
/ wei known drummer OF tbs city. travel
ing the south for a New York house.
made an attempt TO commit suicide at
the Duncan house. in Nashville. last
night
Back Of this mad act is a sensational
story OF domestic trouble. in which the
drummer's wife and A. P. Lee. a Chicago
travelling man. are the principals. and
which may yet have a tragic end
Mr.. Phelps reached Atlanta this morn
ing from Nashville and went 10 has home.
on Gordon street. West End. where he
has lived for some time with his wife and
three children. The meeting Of husband
and wife was a stormy one Mrs Phelps
is now Frustrated from the excitement OF
the affair. some weeks ago Mr. Phelps
entertained A. II. Lee. a Chicago travel
ing man. az his home. Lee was a business
acquaintance Of Mr.. Phelps father, Capt.
W H. II. Phelps. an Alabama street
broker, and was taken TO the home OF
young Phelps by him. Lee spent several
days in Atlanta. and while here accom-
panied Mrs. Phelps TO church. Mr.. Phelps
left on one Of his trips. and while away
received a letter from his wife. stating
that Lee had insulted her while IN At
lanta-
Mr.. Phelps afterward met Lee in Mem
phis, and showing him the letter from his
wife, demanded an explanation. Lee
smoothed over matters by stating that
the whole thing was due TO his ignorance
Of southern customs. and that he had
not intended wrong. The two men ate
dinner together in Memphis. and while at
the table Phelps claims TO have seen Lee
read letter which he recognized TO be
in the handwriting Of Mrs. Phelps.
In one corner Of the missive Mr.. Phelps.
by looking closely, saw some mention Of
the Maxwell house. Nashville. He regard
ed the circumstance as a little singular.
and going 10 Nashville. he dropped into
the Maxwell house and inquired If there
was any mail for Lee. The clerk handed
him three letters addressed 10 Lee. which
ne at once recognized as the handwrit-
ing OF his wife. He walked Immediately
to the Hotel Duncan. where he was stop
ping. and. getting his key. went to his
room. There he broke open the letters
and read them.
What they contained is not given TO the
public. but Phelps rushed frantically down
10 the hotel Office, where his agitation
was noticed by the clerk, who asked him
II he was in. He replied in the negative.
but. after remaining in the office few
moments. dashed back to his room.
Fearing that the man would do injury
to himself, the clerk followed and reached
Phelps room just in time 10 wrest away
from him a pistol which he was in the
act OF shooting himself with. The police
were called upon and Phelps placed in
custody for a while.
He was almost crazed with grief, and
declared he would come Immediately TO
Atlanta and demand an explanation of
his wife. II this was unsatisfactory. he
said. he would turn her into the street
and then kill Lee on sight.
Before leaving Nashville he sent the
following telegram to Lee at
Memphis: Your letters at Maxwell
house have been opened. Prepare to
meet your God"
When Phelps reached Atlanta this
morning he was met by his father
Neither gentleman would discuss the af-
fair, and it is not known what further
steps Mr.. Phelps will take in the matter
il may be a suit for divorce or a bloody
tragedy whom Phelps and Lee meet neNL.