Atlanta, Ga., Jan 17.--Intelligence has just been recieved here of a horrible tragedy which occurred last Saturday night at the house of JOHN PATTERSON, in Banks County. Soon after Patterson and his wife had retired, screams were heard from their room. Forcible entrance into the room was made, and the woman was found with her throat and breast fearfully gashed. In the excitement Patterson escaped. No explanation of the crime is given. MRS. PATTERSON will die.
NEW YORK TIMES, JANUARY 19, 1883, PAGE 1.
KILLING HIS YOUNG WIFE.
A HUSBAND'S FATAL ASSAULT AFTER SEVEN MONTHS' OF MARRIED LIFE.
Atlanta, Ga., Jan 18.--A letter submitted to Gov. Stephens yesterday details a horrible crime perpetrated near Homer, in Banks County, Saturday night. JOE PATTERSON, son of JOHN PATTERSON, of that town, is a young man of about 25 years of age, and is described as rough and uncouth in manners. About eight months ago Miss NARCISSA BELL, a beautiful and refined young lady, then residing with her mother at Smyrna, went on a visit to a friend in Banks County, who lived in the neighborhood of the Patterson family. Immediately upon her arrival she was beseiged by the attentive youths of the place, foremost among whom was young Patterson. In a few weeks she and Patterson were married, notwithstanding the protests of the young lady's family, who greatly disapproved of the union, although the father of Patterson was a man of good standing and connections in the county in which he lives. For seven months the young couple appeared to be living happily, and up to last Saturday night no one entertained the slightest suspicion that any disagreement existed between them. On that night they paid a visit to MR. PATTERSON, senior, where they proposed to remain until the morning of the next day. The evening passed pleasantly enough, and about 10 or 11 o'clock the pair retired to their room.
The family had gone to bed, and MR. JOHN PATTERSON was also on the point of retiring when he was startled by piercing screams and a sound as of a struggle in the room occupied by Joe and his wife. He rushed to the door, but found it locked. He returned to his room to procure a light and an instrument with which to break open the door, but going back to his son's room found the door open. Entering the room, he saw the young wife lying motionless and apparently lifeless on the floor. Her face was upturned and sprinkled with blood, which ran from two deep gashes in the throat. Her hands and arms were also bleeding and in her right side was a ghastly wound. MR. PATTERSON looked around the room, expecting to see his son, but he, while his father had gone for the light, had made his escape. The members of the family bound the unfortunate woman's wounds and sent to town for a physician. When DR. LOCKHART arrived he found that the cuts across the throat had severed the front portion of the trachen, leaving the muscles on each side of the neck horribly mangled and all the important blood vessels exposed. Several other wonds had been inflicted in various parts of the chest, face, and arms, but the most serious and probably fatal thrust was one in the right side. This renders recovery, in the minds of the physicians, hopeless. MRS. PATTERSON is living, but there has been no improvement in her condition. Her uncle, MAJOR MADISON BELL, formerly Controller of the State and now agent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad at Smyrna, started last night for Homer to tend her bedside. The father of the young lady, the late Dr. Bell, was one of the most prominenet men in the State. The cause of the murderous assault is wrapped in mystery. Gov. Stephens will offer a large reward for the apprehension of Patterson.
NEW YORK TIMES, JULY 12, 1883, PAGE 5.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL ELOPEMENT.
Atlanta, Ga., July 11.--The elopement a couple of days since of Mr. SAMUEL STOKES, a respectable citizen, with a wife and two children, and Mrs. MAMIE PRESSBY, the dashing wife of a neighbor, has thrown Banks County into a ferment. A hastily organized party pursued the couple and brought the erring woman back.
NEW YORK TIMES, MARCH 5, 1886, PAGE 5.
Homer, Ga., March 4.--JOHN J. PATTERSON has been acquitted of the charge of attempted murder of his wife. This case been a celebrated one for five years. At that time young Patterson married a popular young lady of Banks County. When the couple had retired after the evening's festivities a scream was heard from the bridal chamber, and Mrs. Patterson came running out with a horrible gash in her throat, which she said had been inflicted by her husband with a razor. No motive was ascribed for the act, but for five years Patterson has fought the courts. He has lately become reconciled to his wife, and her presence at his side in the court room was a potent factor in securing his release.
WASHINGTON POST, FEBRUARY 19, 1889, PAGE 1.
CYCLONE IN THE SOUTH.
HOUSES BLOWN DOWN AND SEVERAL PEOPLE KILLED.
Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 18.--The southeastern part of Banks County was visited by a terrific cyclone before daybreak this morning. The house of THOMAS STEVENSON was blown to pieces and the whole family were lifted up and carried high into the air. STEVENSON and one of his sons were blown into a tree and killed. The remainder of the family were seriously, if not fatally injured. W. M. MEADORS' house was similarly torn to pieces, and both MEADORS and his wife were killed by falling timbers. Twelve other persons were hurt by flying timbers and by being blown against trees and houses. The storm passed on to Nicholson, a place on the Gainesville and Jefferson Railroad, where about a dozen houses were torn from their foundations and scattered in all directions.
(Same page)
Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 18.--A cyclone passed over Banks County this morning. THOMAS STEVENS and son and MR. and MRS. MEADORS were instantly killed. Another son of MR. STEVENS was injured.
