Kentucky Gazette

FROM THE ALBANY REGISTER
DESPERATION.

A most horrid murder was lately committed in Fayette, Georgia; it was occasioned by the pernicious and destructive effects of intemperance, and connected with the most affecting and aggravated circumstances. We give the particulars, in substance, not having room for detail.

A Miss Pattan, the only daughter of Col. P. a gentleman of the first respectability, after an acquaintance of two years, had accepted proposals for marriage to a Mr. Spooner, then a young man of unblemished reputation. The parents acceded to the wishes of the happy youths, and fondly anticipated in their union, a perpetuity of happiness for their loved Maria, who, it appears, was the pride of the village, and endeared to all who knew her. Their hopes were soon blasted--Spooner suddenly gave himself up to the most excessive intoxication--the entreaties of his parents, an extensive circle of friends, and even the supplications of his amiable Maria, proved ineffectual--he knelt day and night to his idol Bachus--all hopes of reclaiming him were vanquished. He still continued his visits. Col. P. considered it an indispensable duty to forbid this privilege, and his daughter yielded to the commands of her parent. A number of months passed without any prospect of reformation, when Mr. Spooner learnt that his Maria was receiving the addresses of a young gentleman from Maryland. He obtained information of the intended celebration of the nuptials, and the evening previous, secreted himself in the Colonel's yard; when he saw, through the window, his innocent victim seated in conversation with her lover--he tapped at the door, which was opened by the ill-fated Maria, who instantly received the contents of a pistol in her side, and fell lifeless on the floor. The infatuated wretch endeavored to end his own existence by stabbing himself he made two attempts, but his wounds are not considered mortal.