From the Lyons Republican, January 8, 1880 [Eugene's former fiance, Mary Frances Hovey had committed suicide and murdered her father]:
Her derangement is thought to have been caused wholly or in part by the sudden death of her affianced, Mr. Eugene Raines, formerly of this village, at Natchitoches Parish, La., a few months ago. It would seem that although she respected him always, for a long time Miss Frank did not look favorably upon his suit - giving as a reason that she did not love him well enough to marry him; but he was very persistent, and would take nothing but "yes" as an answer to his proposal of marriage.
Under this stress she finally gave a reluctant consent; but after he had gone away she repented having suffered her judgment to have been overcome by his importunities, and would have given worlds to recall her promise. For days and weeks this preyed upon her mind - the thought that by having given him an affirmative answer which sooner or later she felt she must recall, she had done him an irreparable injury.
After many attempts she wrote him a letter, annulling the engagement - stating frankly her reasons for such a step, and returning the engagement ring he had placed upon her finger at parting. What he wrote her in reply is unknown. It is certain, however, that soon after this he was taken ill; that he went South in hope that a change of climate would be beneficial to him; and that he died in Louisiana in November last - not by his own hand, as has been reported, though in delirium caused by intense suffering from Bright's disease. On hearing of Eugene's death, Miss Hovey, already in a weak, nervous condition, at once sprang to the conclusion that she was the cause of it. Day and night this idea haunted her.
Her derangement is thought to have been caused wholly or in part by the sudden death of her affianced, Mr. Eugene Raines, formerly of this village, at Natchitoches Parish, La., a few months ago. It would seem that although she respected him always, for a long time Miss Frank did not look favorably upon his suit - giving as a reason that she did not love him well enough to marry him; but he was very persistent, and would take nothing but "yes" as an answer to his proposal of marriage.
Under this stress she finally gave a reluctant consent; but after he had gone away she repented having suffered her judgment to have been overcome by his importunities, and would have given worlds to recall her promise. For days and weeks this preyed upon her mind - the thought that by having given him an affirmative answer which sooner or later she felt she must recall, she had done him an irreparable injury.
After many attempts she wrote him a letter, annulling the engagement - stating frankly her reasons for such a step, and returning the engagement ring he had placed upon her finger at parting. What he wrote her in reply is unknown. It is certain, however, that soon after this he was taken ill; that he went South in hope that a change of climate would be beneficial to him; and that he died in Louisiana in November last - not by his own hand, as has been reported, though in delirium caused by intense suffering from Bright's disease. On hearing of Eugene's death, Miss Hovey, already in a weak, nervous condition, at once sprang to the conclusion that she was the cause of it. Day and night this idea haunted her.
From the Lyons Republican, January 8, 1880 [Eugene's former fiance, Mary Frances Hovey had committed suicide and murdered her father]:
Her derangement is thought to have been caused wholly or in part by the sudden death of her affianced, Mr. Eugene Raines, formerly of this village, at Natchitoches Parish, La., a few months ago. It would seem that although she respected him always, for a long time Miss Frank did not look favorably upon his suit - giving as a reason that she did not love him well enough to marry him; but he was very persistent, and would take nothing but "yes" as an answer to his proposal of marriage.
Under this stress she finally gave a reluctant consent; but after he had gone away she repented having suffered her judgment to have been overcome by his importunities, and would have given worlds to recall her promise. For days and weeks this preyed upon her mind - the thought that by having given him an affirmative answer which sooner or later she felt she must recall, she had done him an irreparable injury.
After many attempts she wrote him a letter, annulling the engagement - stating frankly her reasons for such a step, and returning the engagement ring he had placed upon her finger at parting. What he wrote her in reply is unknown. It is certain, however, that soon after this he was taken ill; that he went South in hope that a change of climate would be beneficial to him; and that he died in Louisiana in November last - not by his own hand, as has been reported, though in delirium caused by intense suffering from Bright's disease. On hearing of Eugene's death, Miss Hovey, already in a weak, nervous condition, at once sprang to the conclusion that she was the cause of it. Day and night this idea haunted her.
Her derangement is thought to have been caused wholly or in part by the sudden death of her affianced, Mr. Eugene Raines, formerly of this village, at Natchitoches Parish, La., a few months ago. It would seem that although she respected him always, for a long time Miss Frank did not look favorably upon his suit - giving as a reason that she did not love him well enough to marry him; but he was very persistent, and would take nothing but "yes" as an answer to his proposal of marriage.
Under this stress she finally gave a reluctant consent; but after he had gone away she repented having suffered her judgment to have been overcome by his importunities, and would have given worlds to recall her promise. For days and weeks this preyed upon her mind - the thought that by having given him an affirmative answer which sooner or later she felt she must recall, she had done him an irreparable injury.
After many attempts she wrote him a letter, annulling the engagement - stating frankly her reasons for such a step, and returning the engagement ring he had placed upon her finger at parting. What he wrote her in reply is unknown. It is certain, however, that soon after this he was taken ill; that he went South in hope that a change of climate would be beneficial to him; and that he died in Louisiana in November last - not by his own hand, as has been reported, though in delirium caused by intense suffering from Bright's disease. On hearing of Eugene's death, Miss Hovey, already in a weak, nervous condition, at once sprang to the conclusion that she was the cause of it. Day and night this idea haunted her.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
