Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-08-28
LOVERS LEAP TO DEATH.


Carl French, boy scarcely out of his
teens, and Helen Hunt, his pretty
sweetheart, Thursday afternoon leapt d
over precipice to instant death. 1t
was the tragic union in eternity Of two
souls that were not permitted to be-
joined on earth.
The scene fthe awful ending of their
romance was in the mountains of White
county, Tennessee. The rock from
which the lovers jumped is 160 feet
hiph.
Young French appeared in Bonair
three months ago. lie came from Iu
dianapolis, Ind to spend his vacation
among the mountains, and he met
Helen Hunt soon after his arrival. She
was the daughter of Allen Hunt,
well-to. do miner, and was beautiful
and accomplished. Report in Bonair
mas it that the girl at first turned deaf
ear to the love making of the school
boy.
He was persistent, however, and the
girl recently consented to an engage
rent Their wedding was set to take
,laca within month. 1t was all to be
kept secret from the parents of the
prospective bridegroom until the cere-
mony had been performed.
The young mans father arrived from
Indianapolis on Saturday, to the con-
sternation of his son. Some one had
written to Mr.. French informing him of
the interesting situation. After the
FIRST greeting was over Mr.. French said
"Ca,l, 1 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 that be would marry her or
commit suicide. The interview, as may
be Judged, was stormy one.
MIR. French kept the boy under close
surveillance. Wednesday was set as
the time for the journey home. Thurs
day Carl begged to be allowed to see
his sweetheart once more.
ST must say good.by to her." he said.
Mr.. French relented to the extent OF
allowing last interview, but he stipu
lated that the two were mott 10 go out OF
his sight. 1t was late in the afternoon
when the two heartbroken lovers met.
They were allowed by Mr.. French to
walk to Sunset Park, the father follow
log at the respectful distance of about
forty feet.
The lovers walked to the north side
Of the park. They reached the big
bluff overlooking the deep precipice
and seemed to he engaged in earnest
conversation. The girl leaned forward
and peered for second into the depths.
Then she drew back and put her
hand in the hand of her lover. The
two then embraced and with arms en-.
twined about each other together leap
ed over the precipice.
Mr.. French, who had been keeping a
watch upon them, dsrted forward with
q wild cry of terror and grief. Helook-
ed over the bluff and far below he saw
the two bodies AS quickly as he could
be climbed down the bluff.
The boy was dead. His neck had
been broken. The girls head was
crushed and she was internally Injured.
She died in few moments.
Mr.. French gave the alarm and help
was quickly at hand. The bodies ofthe
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
community is excited by the tragedy
and each little incident in the acquain-
tanceship of The lovers is tenderly re-
called.
The funeral services over the two
bodies took place at the Methodist
Church yesterday. The church was
filed to overfowing and the two cask
eta we're literally covered with flowers.
Side by side the TWO were buried in the
old Bonair Cemetery, Mr.. French say
ing he did not have tho heart to sepa-
rate them.