Year: 1869

nouth shoots His Mistress nnd ImmOlates
Himself.


From the NJ o. Picdyune Of Saturday last


About o'clock yesterday afternoon another
fearful tragedy was perpetTated in the Second
district OF this city. Scarcely has the public
mind recovered from the horror excited by the
City Park tragedy before it is presented with
another scene of blood and violence, more har-
rowing in its recital than the former, fearful rs
that certainly was. The scene now changes to
a low frame tenement-house on Rampant street,
between CustomhOuse and Bienville. 1t is
known as No. 81, and is occupied by woman
named Mrs Forte, who keeps furnished rooms
to rent One of these was tenanted by u young
girl named Maggie Walker. 1t seems that she
sustained intimate relations with clerk in a
commission house on this side of Canal street:
but it appears she had other lovers, since the
victim and perpetratOr of the fearful tragedy
was one of them. His name is CASTOR Ferret,
Creole, about thirty-two years of age. How
long he has known the girl no one seems to
know but he has been visiting her for more
than six months past. Yesterday he called ut
the house, and inquired of Mrs Forte for
Maggie, and was directed to seek her in the
back yard. His appearance exhibited no signs
of excitement, and he commenced "a converse
tion with the girl, seemingly in the best humor.
He left her for Il few moments, and again re-
turned This time he accused ber of having
lovers besides himself She replied:-


you know ! have ~


WELL said he I'm tired of life; but before
| die mean to kill you"


Still she apprehended no danger, and laughed
in its face. But almost at the S me instant he
drew a large sized Colts revolver and fired at
her. The ball took effect in her left cheek and
ranged towards her throat. The andlady heard
the report of the pistol, and rushed out in time
to see Ferret put the muzzle under his chin and
fire. The ball ranged towards the centre of the
head, and inflicted what must be u mortal
wound. The woman, as soon as she was shot,
rushed into the house and out on the banquette,
where she fell inseDsible. Here she was picked
up by Officer Smith, and carried back into the
house. The alarm spread rapidly, and in few
moments the house was filled with frightened
citizens. At this time Special Officer Bellousa
reached the scene. He at once ordered the girl
to be taken to the Charity Hospital, and the
Coroner to be sent for, for it was then believed
the man could survive but a few moments. Con-
trary to expectations, he is still alive but there
is scarcely any likelihood that he can live but
few hours longer.


In the pocket of Ferret was found the sub
Joined letter.


l have so much endured that am tired of living
any more; after a long struggle between life and
death, my fate is to finish my life with this bloody
tragedy.


last ten years. Ten years ago swOre to Kill myself
at thirty years of age if my constitution in life had
not changed before that time Instead of getting
better, | have sunk from bad to worse. | have
passed through all the passions that can torture
human heart; the last of all lOve-acCurSed love
had to give the last stroke to my existence But |
cannot leave this cursed world alone. | am bound
to take before die the life of the woman love
madly and 10y whom have been (made) so much
unhappy for the last six months.


For my part see death sweet thing before my
eyes, because am positively sure that


Post mortem 1iIll est, iDsdque I1orS nihH


GASTON FERRET.


This letter, together with sealed one, were
taken from his pocket by Captain CAIN the
Chief of Police. The scaled letter was addressed
to Mons. Arthur Malssague, and has not been
broken open. 1t is not known, therefore, what
it contains. The scene now had become almost
frightful. The man lay upon his back, breathing
heavily, and sanguine tide issuing from his
mouth The ball in its course through his head
had bulged out his eyes, rendering hideous his
face, blackened by the cOngealing blood, while
over the pale lips had settled al bloody frothy
foam. The stoutest men turned away from the
scene, sick at heart. He was evidently an edu-
Gated man, and was employed as clerk in con-
fectionery on the corner of Bayou road and
Espanade street.


The young girl, Maggie Walker, has only been
in the city about two years, and came from
Franklin parish, where her parents now reside
The girl is about twenty-five years of age, is
rather tleshy and is somewhat pretty, with black
eyes and dark brown curling hair.