A Sensational Tragedy

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 72, 18 December 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

A Sensational Tragedy

0 A tragedy of a remarkable character in Chicago on 21st October prevented what was to have been a brilliant wedding. The bridal couple have occupied honourable positions in the highest social circles, and the wedding preparations had been completed down to the minutest particulars. Misß Minnie F. Roesk, a beautiful, wealthy, and estimable girl of 20, waited at her home, 194, North State-street, with nearly a hundred guests. Music, a feast, and a clergyman were in attendance, but the bridegroom, who had left his betrothed less than two hours before the time fixed for the ceremony, failed to make his appearance. The man for whom all were waiting was Julius Lefor, confidential assistant to Schmidt & Lobes, wholesale liq nor merchants. He is 35 years of ago, a momberof the (jrernumia Maonneivhorj widely known throughout the <ity, and a general favorite. IJe.ie-ing that some accident had befallen him, a friend at last hurried to his apartments on Chestnut-street. Tlio h »use was locked; none of the occupants were at hand, and there was nu sign of the bridegroom. An entrance was finally effected with the ail of thu police. In Lefor's chamber. stnt«.he<l upon his bed in his wedding wad the bridegroom with a ballot in his forehead, dead. Two scraps of paper, with som -what incoherent maa riptions, were found. In the writing he complained that he had not the moral courage to proceed with the m.irriage. Word of the tragedy was hastily brought back to the waiting bride. An attempt was made to break the news gently, but at the first intimaof death she shrieked and fainted, while the gaily attired guests departed in confusion.