Murder of John Kelly's Wife

Yesterday morning about eleven o'clock Mr. John Kelly's wife went home from the field to prepare dinner for her husband and hands, when she was assaulted by her step-father-in-law and mother in-law, and was cruelly beaten.  Her cries attracted the attention of her husband, when he and the hands employed by him hastened to the house, when Jim Slagle, the step-father-in-law loosed his hold Mr. John Kelly and his wife ceased beating her.  Mrs. Kelly said to Mr. Slagle,  "I do not wish to have any difficulty with you, but the law can take its course," and then walked into the house to light his pipe, and while stooping Mrs. Slagle handed Slagle his gun, when he placed it near  Mr. Kelly's head and fired, the shot taking away all of his jaw bone.  He lingered until about sun set when he died.  Slagle has made his escape.  How sad it is for one in the prime of manhood to be thus cut down by a heartless wretch.

Middle Ga. Argus -Week of June 30, 1883

Submitted by Don Bankston