The San Francisco call., 1897-08-27
YOUNG LOVERS LEAP TO DEATH.
To Avoid Separation BY Their Parents
They Huri Themselves Over
Preci1ice.

NEW YORK, n. y, Aug. 26.-A special
to the Herald from Nashville Tenn, says:
With arms clasped about each other Carl
French, a bov scarcely out OF his teens
and Helen Hunt, his pretty sweetheart,
yesterday afternoon leapsd over preci-
pice TO instant death.
1t was the tragic union in eternity of two
souls that were not permitted to be joined
on earth. The scene of the awful ending
of their romance was in the mountains of
White County, near the little summer re-
sort and mining town of Bon air, about 100
miles from Nashville. TIE rock from
which the lovers jumped is $50 feet high.
Young French appeared in Bonair three
months ago. He came from indianapolis
Ind, to spend his vacation among the
mountains, and he met Helen Hunt soon
after his arrival. She was the daugh hter OF
Allen Hunt, weil.to-do miner ana was
beautiful and accom- plished. Report in
Bonair has it that the girl at first turned
deaf ear to the love-m aking OF the
schoolbov.
He was persistent, however, and the girl
recently consented to an engagement
Their wedding was set to take place with
in month.
1t was all to be kept a secret from the
parents of the prospective bridegroom
unit! the ceremony had been performed.
but the young mans father arrived from
Innianadolis Saturday to the consterna-
tion OF his son.
Some one had written to Mr.. French
informing him of the interesting situa-
ton. After the first greeting was over
Mr.. French said, Carl, l have come to
take you home" This announcement
came like a thunderbolt to the young
lover. He begged his father to allow him
to marry Helen, and when Mr.. French
declined to consider such proposition
the boy declared hat he would marry her
or commit suicide.
The interview, as may be judged, was a
stormy one. French kept The boy under
close surveillance. To-day was set as the
time for The journey home. Yesterday
Carl begged to be allowed to see his sweet
heart once more. Il must say good-by TO
her." he had said Mr.. French relcnied
to the extent of allowing last interview,
but he stipulated that the Two were not TO
60 out OF his sight.
1t was late yesterday afternoon when
the two heart-bEoken lovers met. They
were allowed by Mr.. French to walk to
Sunset Park, the father following at the
respectful distance of about forty feer.
The lovers walked to the north side of the
park. They reached the big bluff over
looking the deep precipice and seemed to
be engaged in earnest conversation.
The girl leaned forward and gazed for
second into the depths. Then she drew
back and put her hand into the hand of
her lover The two then EN- mbraced, and
with arms entwining each other together
!eaped over the precipice.
Mr.. French, who had been keeping
watch upon Them, darted forward with
wild cry of terror and grief.
He looked over the bluff, and far below
he saw the two bodies. AS quickly as he
could he climbed down the bluff. The
boy was dead, his neck being broken.
The girls head was crushed and she was
internally injured. She died in few
moments.
MI. French gave the alarm and help
was quickly at hand. The bodies of the
two lovers were conveyed to the home of
the girls parents.
The parents of both of the victims are
nearly crazed with grief. The entire COM
munity is excited by the tragedy and each
little incident in the acquaintanceship of
the lovers is ;enderiy recalled.
The funeral services over the two bodies
took place at the Methodist Church this
morning.
The church was filled to overflowing,
and the two caskets were literally covered
with flowers. Side by side the two were
buried in the old Bonair Cemetery, Mr.
French saying that he did not have the
heart to separate them.