Year: 1867




From the Cincinnati Evening Times OF Tuesday.


One OF the most frightiul tragedies which has
ever occurred in Hamilton county, and perhaps
the only one of q similar character chronicled
by our records, took place near the Delhi Catho-
lie Church, seven miles from this city, and
three miles from Warsaw, yesterday evening
der of young lady named Sarah Klein, and
the suicide of young man named - Betz.
The following are the details:-


Sarah Klein is q young lady of 49, and a
Catholic, while her lover was a Protestant, OF
about Y years % Of g' age and an employe Of hair
quainIed for number of years, and have been
accepted lovers, so far as they were themselves
concerned, but Sarahs parents were opposed to
the marriage-it is said on theological grounds,
though Of this We are not certain Her father
was an old settler in that region, and accumu-
lated q considerable quantity of property, but
recently died, leaving only Sarah, her mother,
and brother-the three living together at the
old homestead, which Is located on the dirt road
leading from the Rapid run turnpike to the
CleVes turnpike.


become his wife, and repeated his proposals as
late as yesterday morning; but she always
stated that the opposition OF those in whose
charge she was, was an obstacle she could not
for the time overcome. Betz, apparently salts
fed with this answer. and hoping for better
days in the future, continued his visits clandes
timely, having full confidence in her, and firmly
believing. so far as the outside world knew, in
her sincerity; though the tragedy of last even
givings of her fidelity.


Last mig hit, at about o'clock, Betz determined
to visit Miss Klein, and accordingly about dusk
started In the direction of her residence, near
which place he arrived just about o'clock
arrived only TO see her standing beside young
man, whose name we were unable to learn,
appal entity absorbed in deep conversation.
Beg ~ MA himself TO watch the result, and just
certain appearances OF endearment between
him and Sarah, which he regarded as incon-
sistent with his claims to her hand and heart,
and soon as the party had left he (Betzj
rushed to the gate and exclaimed:-


Sarah, who was that = = who was


She made some evasive reply, when he
added


to be with you, except myself"


Another evasive reply was made and he fol-
times without effect. when she entered the
house and closed the door; but he at once broke
the lock, and discharged fourth shot at her,
which struck her in the back, and proved fatal
in an instant,


No sooner did Betz perceive what he had
done than he ran out, apparently frantic, leap
ing several fences, and crossing the pike into a
grass field owned by Mr.. Briggs, where he
suddenly stopped, drew out his pistol again,
and fired the remaining shot into his own
head, scattering his brains about, and killing
himself almost instantly.


The Intelligence of the fearful tragedy spread
through the country like wildfire, and soon a
hundred or more of the neighbors were on hand
ticniars Of the tragedy. Had Betz failed TO Kill
himself, he would probably have fallen victim
beyond the vengeance of T man; he had already
appeared before Judge who can decide as well
upon motives as acts, and all thatsympathizing
friends could do was to condole with the afflicted
mother and brother who were almost paralyzed
at their own atflction and the nature of the
event which with almost momentary swiftness
had carried two human beings to the bar OF the
eternal God


The mother of the girl was almost driven to
distraction; she was taken from the floor in a
senseless condition, she having tainted as soon
as her daughter fell; while the brother of the
unfortunate girl attempted more than once 70
put an end TO his own life, so completely had
he been driven to distraction by the occurrence
OF the nom ent.


The body OF Betz was permitted to remain in
the field where he fell till this morning, when
the Coroner was informed OF the matter and
started out to hold an inquest, but the result is
un known at the hour of our going to press. AS
we have the chief facts, however, we have nc
doubt but the jury will render verdict of MUIR
der and suicide, though particulars may be de-
veloped by the witnesses called on to give
testimony.